Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Windows Hosting : Please comment on my shared windows hosting shortlist :)

[linda838]

Hi everyone,

I've been a lurker on webhosttalk for a while. You guys helped me find and pick Pair Networks as my Linux host and they have been just great!

NOW - I have to find a Windows host for a friend who is in godaddy nightmare hosting land. I am sort of in unfamiliar territory, so hope you guys can help me out once again.

I've done some research based on specific criteria and these 5 companies made it to my shortlist:

Server Intellect
Alentus
Cartika Hosting
ReliableSite
Hostmysite

Anyone want to put in a word, good or bad, for any of these guys? Or any other info is great, like their rep in the industry, whether a big host, small host, or whatever...

For the record, I am considering these guys for:
- shared hosting
- ASP .NET framework 2.0
- Microsoft SQL Database 2005
- small artists website
- monthly plan only
- phone support a big plus

Quick and capable bedside manner of support staff is very important. As well as of course high reliability, low downtime, and no nickle and diming for backup/restore (godaddy wanted $150 for a restore!)

Any posts, quick posts are fine! I think we're looking to move hosts early next week (4 crashes in 3 months @godaddy is enough!).

Thanks, one artist will really appreciate it
-Linda.

[MrRadic]

Linda, I believe I did talk to you directly via instant messenger. I will definatley have to say you're doing a fantastic job with your reseach. I can only recall a very few customers that spend that much time in doing research on hosts.

Everyone of those hosts in your list offer an exceptional history with customers and such. There are plenty to read both on WHT and Google. Best of luck with your choice of hosts and your artist's site.

[Ryan F]

I think fluidhosting should be on there. I haven't used them but I've looked at them in the past.

[RSNET-John]

I've heard good things about them as well.

[linda838]

Hi thanks for the reply all, I did consider fluidhosting on my list but they did not meet one of my criteria..

Mr Radic, thank you for your time answering my questions offline. I really love reliablesite's proposition and your customer service is excellent, but in the end, the artist really wanted phone based support.

I'm a bit disappointed more people haven't commented on any of the hosts on my list. But we are sort of in a rush to run away from godaddy, so for now, we're going with Server Intellect. Will be back to post and let you know how it goes..

[MrRadic]

Linda, I completely understand your position. While we don't provide phone support due to cost reasons (we only have certified techs working at ReliableSite, having these guys sitting by a phone 24/7 is quite a large expense to a smaller hosting company), some people still can't live without it because it gives peace of mind.

Either way I wish you the best of luck with Server Intellect.

[linda838]

I hear ya, I personally don't have problems with chat, but my artist friend is not as tech-friendly. I do have a problem with weekend email-only support though because if there is a weekend emergency (and artists don't take off weekends) it's like sending requests into a big black hole. So my only suggestion would be maybe if you guys could be on chat during weekends as well... ...

But really, based on my pre-sales research, customer service is just tops at reliablesite, alentus, and server intellect. mm! i like good bedside manner!

[lizon]

I use HMS for a couple of my customers, no complaints.

[FHDave]

Originally Posted by linda838

Hi thanks for the reply all, I did consider fluidhosting on my list but they did not meet one of my criteria..

Thank you for considering us. Wouldd you kindly let me know which of your criteria we fail to meet?

Best wishes with Server Intellect.

[RSNET-John]

Originally Posted by linda838

I do have a problem with weekend email-only support though because if there is a weekend emergency (and artists don't take off weekends) it's like sending requests into a big black hole. So my only suggestion would be maybe if you guys could be on chat during weekends as well... ...

But really, based on my pre-sales research, customer service is just tops at reliablesite

Thanks again

In regards to live weekend support, if any emergency comes up and you need to contact Radic via live support he is usually available within 15 - 20 mins. Simply open a ticket and one of the techs will give him a call. If for some reason he doesn't have access to a computer someone else will help you out via ticket to get things resolved quickly.

[uluhonolulu]

Could anybody recommend me a hosting company with about the same features (Asp.Net + MS Sql), but located in the UK? Reliability is a must.

Thanks a lot

ulu

[amanda123]

I want you to add this in your links"totalwebhosting.net." .Hope you get ma point...

[mrbister]

I can't comment on all of them, but I was happy with the server performance of reliablesite.net, the few support questions I posted was answered in a timely fashion. I felt I was taken care of even after signup and while I moved out, not just before signup as most companies are reluctant to after they have your money.
I switched due to upstream performance from northern europe - but as I told RS that isn't their fault and something only my isp can solve / look into. Just pm me if you have any further questions. (Radic is still in my messenger contact list - if I ever bump into another customer who need windows /sql specific hosting. )

[uluhonolulu]

Originally Posted by amanda123

I want you to add this in your links"totalwebhosting.net." .Hope you get ma point...

Firefox can't find the server. Can't get yo point.

totalwebhosting.biz doesn't offer Windows hosting.

[CyberHostPro]

Originally Posted by uluhonolulu

Could anybody recommend me a hosting company with about the same features (Asp.Net + MS Sql), but located in the UK? Reliability is a must.

Thanks a lot

ulu

have yo a budget?

Also just some links to help you

http://www.hostreview.com/showcases/...b-hosting.html << there is a section on UK hosts
http://www.findmyhosting.com << UK host search