Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Can I please get some advice for changing to a new host?

Hi
I'm new here... I'm looking for a new web host, thought I'd do some googling, found this place and thought it might be worth asking the "experts" before I went ahead with anything!
I've been using Freewebs to host my site the past two years. The first year I had a free membership, this second year I had the lowest premium membership. That membership is due to expire and I am considering changing to a different host - I'd like more control over my site if possible (although I'm not using Freewebs templates, my entire site is self-coded html)
Prior to my current site I was working alongside someone else on a website hosted by some sort of server thing where I went to "network connections" from the start menu and pulled it up from there. If possible, I'd like a host that allowed me that sort of access.
I'm averaging about 7-8 Gb of bandwidth a month (outstripping my current Freewebs allowance) and have had about 2 million pagehits this year - so my site is pretty small.
I also have my own domain name purchased for two years (it has about a year to go)
One other thing - obviously I'd like a good price on what I go with!
Could someone give me some advise about what hosting service they'd recommend given these variables?

[GixxerPC]

You wont see any hosts coming in here saying "Hey Pick Me!" as it is against the TOS on the site in these forums.
Your best bet would be to look at some offers in the advertising section, or to check out the 'Running a Web Hosting Company' section. That will let you see who is more knowledgeable on hosting.
You can do that, or wait around and someone will recommend a host, then someone else will recommend another.
This thread will have about 90 different recommendations before the hour is up (exaggeration*), so its best to go and look around the forums to form your own conclusion.

[HivelocityJJ]

Welcome to WHT!
Your requirements are pretty basic, so you shouldn't have a problem finding a decent host. I would recommend having a look at the following hosts:
www.hawkhost.com
www.hostgator.com
www.scarabweb.com
These hosts do not have a control like Freewebs, as the majority of hosts offer cPanel, which is one of the most popular control panels in the world. It should be easier to use than the Freewebs custom panel, and it is definitely more powerful. You might want to have a look in the shared hosting offers section (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4) as well.
Good luck!

[OnlineRack]

what are your requirements? windows linux, mysql, ms sql and so forth?
what is your budget now?

[bager]

What exactly do you need for your new host?
There are great hosting compainies out there. Do a search before you choose the host:
www.webhostingtalk.com/search.php

what are your requirements? windows linux, mysql, ms sql and so forth?
what is your budget now?
Budget isn't very high - I'm currently paying $50 a year for what I'm getting for Freewebs and I'm not keen to go higher than that.
As for "requirements"... pretty much nothing like the stuff you listed. I'm just a very amateur webmaster, my entire site is coded in the most basic html - I'm self taught and its all done manually.

[JLHC]

I suggest you to sign up for monthly plans to test out a hosting provider's services first before going yearly. This is extremely important as you can switch hosting provider if you are unsatisfied with the current one.

[OnlineRack]

oh ok... your budget is very resonable and you should be able to get something very decent.
check the package ofering forum, ask to see stats from your hosting provider for the past 6 months or so, signup for month to month for a while and test the water to make sure they are good. then once you have full trust go with them annually if that will save you money.
best of luck.

OK thanks for the advice One thing... what reputable webhosts provide FTP access? I think that's what I had before I started my current site (where you access the site through "My Network Connections")

[psp7492]

Have you checked this link?
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/web-hosting-providers/shared-hosting
After you short out a few hosts depending on your requirements, you may check their past performances through a search and asking member's opinion.

[JLHC]

OK thanks for the advice One thing... what reputable webhosts provide FTP access? I think that's what I had before I started my current site (where you access the site through "My Network Connections")
Most if not every hosting provider provides FTP access. These are actually basic features that all host must have.

[Jedito]

Have you checked this link?
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/web-hosting-providers/shared-hosting
After you short out a few hosts depending on your requirements, you may check their past performances through a search and asking member's opinion.
That's a paid section, it does not differ in anything to any other advertising section.

[ldcdc]

FTP is indeed the common way to upload your site's files. You should use an FTP client though, like filezilla (it's free). It should be intuitive enough to use.

[UH-Bobby]

Hi
I'm new here... I'm looking for a new web host, thought I'd do some googling, found this place and thought it might be worth asking the "experts" before I went ahead with anything!
I've been using Freewebs to host my site the past two years. The first year I had a free membership, this second year I had the lowest premium membership. That membership is due to expire and I am considering changing to a different host - I'd like more control over my site if possible (although I'm not using Freewebs templates, my entire site is self-coded html)
Prior to my current site I was working alongside someone else on a website hosted by some sort of server thing where I went to "network connections" from the start menu and pulled it up from there. If possible, I'd like a host that allowed me that sort of access.
I'm averaging about 7-8 Gb of bandwidth a month (outstripping my current Freewebs allowance) and have had about 2 million pagehits this year - so my site is pretty small.
I also have my own domain name purchased for two years (it has about a year to go)
One other thing - obviously I'd like a good price on what I go with!
Could someone give me some advise about what hosting service they'd recommend given these variables?
You've definitely come to the right place! . This community is the best web hosting community around.
Like other users have mentioned, your specs at least for the bandwidth are normal, and if your diskspace usage is also reasonable, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a good host, and for pretty cheap as far as monthly price is concerned.
Now if you need special features, like Windows, ASP, or MSSQL, or something that's not so common, then that changes a lot. As long as you pretty much need a LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) configuration, you should be ok.

[UH-Bobby]

Most if not every hosting provider provides FTP access. These are actually basic features that all host must have.
I second that. Honestly, I can't say that I've come across a host that doesn't offer FTP.