Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : Rackspace vs Hostmysite

[yo blair!]

I'm hosting about a dozen small business websites that we do web design services for and am looking to bring on more in the future...downtime and problems with email are my biggest concerns.

I've narrowed down my shortlist to these two companies for dedicated hosting, knowing that rackspace appears to be the more solid of the two but also may be around $200/more per month when I crunch the numbers. Both company's have been great with answering questions and message boards and review sites speak well of both.

QUESTIONS:

Am I comparing apples to oranges here in terms of being worth the extra money or not to go with Rackspace?

Are their any other hosting companies in the same league with these two, especially rackspace?

I'm really sold on SmarterMail vs Exchange (for clients that don't need access to multiple calendars, etc)...any comments from experienced users?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN ADVANCE!!!

[umayxa3]

I've not hosted with Rackspace but I know they have been around for a long time. I find them frustrating that they don't publish their pricing structure like so many other people do. This tells me there is room for negotiation.

When you go to Rackspace you almost immediately get a representative wanting to chat with you. Have you gone any further with price negotiation? See if you can get the price lower for you.

[borghunn]

What did you got from Rackspace? Look at their offer to see if they give you all you need. Upgrades and other services might be extreamly expensive.

[atchoooo]

Rackspace is a dedicated hosting specialist while HostMySite's experience so far is mostly in Shared Hosting so I would not compare the two (but I have no experience with them). There are alternatives from dedicated server specialists that can give you quality service for half the price Rackspace will quote.

[yo blair!]

Okay, I threw together a quick side by side comparison on an Excel file showing costs, services, hardware, etc so we can get more specific. I haven't been on this board long enough for them to let me include links so you will have to copy and past this in to see it:

Website Address: colbyotero.com/Hostingcomparison.xls

[borghunn]

Originally Posted by yo blair!

Okay, I threw together a quick side by side comparison on an Excel file showing costs, services, hardware, etc so we can get more specific. I haven't been on this board long enough for them to let me include links so you will have to copy and past this in to see it:

Website Address: colbyotero.com/Hostingcomparison.xls

I would go to Rackspace, but be sure to have enought bandwidth. They charge a lot for extra bandwidth. And ask for a better price, or some fetures 4free. You need linux or windows?

[Tsohxert]

I would go with Rackspace as well, but like borghunn said, Rackspace can really catch you with those over the limit charges. They have always had a good support structure as well, even though some of there prices are a little higher then the norm sometimes.

[IMG-WillWebb]

Originally Posted by yo blair!

I'm hosting about a dozen small business websites that we do web design services for and am looking to bring on more in the future...downtime and problems with email are my biggest concerns.

I've narrowed down my shortlist to these two companies for dedicated hosting, knowing that rackspace appears to be the more solid of the two but also may be around $200/more per month when I crunch the numbers. Both company's have been great with answering questions and message boards and review sites speak well of both.

QUESTIONS:

Am I comparing apples to oranges here in terms of being worth the extra money or not to go with Rackspace?

Are their any other hosting companies in the same league with these two, especially rackspace?

I'm really sold on SmarterMail vs Exchange (for clients that don't need access to multiple calendars, etc)...any comments from experienced users?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN ADVANCE!!!

I've recently been talking with RackSpace to purchase some dedicated servers from them. It's been nothing but a pleasure dealing with their sales representative, Jerry Howell, at RackSpace. He has been extremely helpful.

They always start high in price and then you can negotiate with them to lower it. You need to play their game and not settle for the price they offer at the beginning. However, I currently host with The Planet and I have never been treated as good as RackSpace has treated me.

With RackSpace you are building a long lasting relationship and paying for their excellent support and uptime. RackSpace isn’t for everyone, even they say that. To my understanding, their prices are higher than other providers because they prefer to deal with people that are well established than someone just starting up that may shut down or downsize in the near future.

I would strongly recommend RackSpace and talking to their sales representative Jerry Howell. If their prices are not suitable for you, my next suggestion is The Planet.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

[dragon87]

Personally i recommend rackspace. but i advice you to check these before getting a host
http://www.globix.net/
http://www.inetu.net/
http://www.nyi.net/

Let us know about their offers and you experience with their agents

[domotre]

Could you try mosso