Thread: Website hosting recommendations

I know there is a similar thread going on, but I have a specific question about this.

We are looking to make our first website. I use a program on my mac to make the website, but we need a host.

A friend of mine owns a hosting company. He charges a base package of about $20 per month. The domain name was like $10 or $20 a year.

Is this a good price? Is there anything cheaper out there that is dependable? I would like to work with my friend if possible, since I have worked with him in the past. I just want to make sure I'm not paying WAY more than I should just to keep it simple.

Thanks, ya'll!!!

I really haven't checked around for cheaper prices, so I don't know anything about the "hosting world". But, I am scared to just go out there and find one . . . . I want to go through someone reputable.

Originally Posted by Zepora

I know there is a similar thread going on, but I have a specific question about this.

We are looking to make our first website. I use a program on my mac to make the website, but we need a host.

A friend of mine owns a hosting company. He charges a base package of about $20 per month. The domain name was like $10 or $20 a year.

Is this a good price? Is there anything cheaper out there that is dependable? I would like to work with my friend if possible, since I have worked with him in the past. I just want to make sure I'm not paying WAY more than I should just to keep it simple.

Thanks, ya'll!!!

I think $20/month is way too expensive, unless he's offering you a dedicated server and a bunch of other goodies which are usually redundant if you are just setting up a casual html website. I'm hosting my website at Web hosting provider - Bluehost.com - domain hosting - PHP Hosting - cheap web hosting - Frontpage Hosting E-Commerce Web Hosting Bluehost, their basic package (which is beyond my needs anyway) is only $6.95 a month (that is if you pay for 2 years in advance, $7.95 if you sign up for a year and $9.95 +$30 setup + $10 domain for trying them out for 3 months) . Mind you it's not even the cheapest you can find around. Registering a domain usually costs $9.99 a year. Some hosting providers (including bluehost) offer free domain registration upon signing up with them, but I suggest to separate your hosting provider from your registrar. This way if you choose to switch to another hosting provider later on it would be much easier. Otherwise specifically ask what would happen to your domain in case you choose to go with another hosting provider. Also, when you choose your provider note on what kind of servers they are hosting the websites, better be linux/unix than windows.

If you really wish to be on top of the hosting provider issue study this forum [ame=http://www.webhostingtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=68]Shared Web Hosting Tutorial Forums | Discussion & Advice[/ame]

It has lots of advice on how to choose your provider, what to look for etc. See if you could find guides for novices, get familiar with the web hosting jargon and... good luck!!!

Here is one of the guides, a bit old, but relevant nevertheless
[ame=http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=372175]Ultimate Web Hosting Guide - Web Hosting Talk - The largest, most influential web hosting community on the Internet[/ame]

I made a spreadsheet when I was researching this.

Web hosts

I went with HostGator and so far so good.

Also, there is a Web site (don't have the link) when they review all web hosts, rate them and have customer reviews....

we use icdsoft.com
We have about 10 accounts on there now...with each one the price per year decreases...we get each domain now for about $40.00 a year
We like it..and have never had any problems.

I've had hosting through meandmydomain.com for years, they are reliable and cheap....I got two years of hosting for around $95.

~~Kimahri

$20 is too high.

I use Web Hosting Services and Domain Name Registration : 1&1 Internet Inc. for all of my hosting. They're 3.99/mo for the basic package, which I run 8 different sites from. That gives you 10 mySql db's which you can use to set up a CMS to run your site on. You get a decently good package for it. I pay 9/yr for my domains. I use Joomla for all my webdev stuff and I've been happy with the way I ahven't hit a limitation yet with them.

Wow! Thanks a lot. Looks like I'll go in another direction. I'm glad I asked. Apparently my friend is asking a bit much. That price included like 50 email accounts too, so maybe his company lends itself more to big corporations . . . Thanks!

I use one.com for hosting and domain, they are cheap, reliable and offer great service!

I have more email accounts than I can use with 1and1 as well. Shared hosting is very cheap, and really, unless you are getting something just stellar (and probably way way more than you will ever need) you should never need to pay more than $8 or so a month.