Know-How Exchange : SEO/SEM

I have been using domatic:

https://www.domatic.net/solutions/

But there are many other providers out there even free web hosting like:

doteasy.com

I am not familiar with Server Intellect but have used and recommended 1&1 Internet for several years now.

https://www.1and1.com

I've found their service and solutions to be robust and user friendly and their pricing to be very competitive.

Are all hosting companies equal? Well, in today's virtual world, you might be surprised to find out that there are very few server farms (like Rackspace, The planet, etc) and a lot of hosting resellers running under many different names. Basically, anypne with a valid credit card can open a reseller account and be in the hosting business. Few companies run their own data centers and server farms, those that do, are very costly compared to the cost efficiencies reselling brings.

Go ahead, do a traceroute on your server IP. Does it end up in the location of your hosting company? If not, you are likely hosted by a reseller of service.

The real test is up time, updates. RESPONSE TIME when a trouble ticket is created. THOSE are the real features that seperate the real companies from the 15 year olds using Daddy's credit card to be in the hosting business.

You can always compare companies through forums like WebHostingTalk and findmyhosting dot com.

My two cents.

Darcy Moen
Customer Loyalty Hosting <-- yes, I'm a reseller.

I am not familiar with Server Intellect either.
We use InMotion Hosting and WestHost (for 2 separate sites for our business). The customer service and response time with both is PHENOMENAL and they are extremely patient with people who aren't the most knowledgeable about the backend of running a website.
I found CNET to be extremely helpful and unbiased when I was researching companies:
https://reviews.cnet.com/Web_hosting_buying_guide/4520-6540_7-5138854-1.htm...
This helps to show which type of host you need for your type and size of business.
Hope this helps and good luck!

I have done a lot of comparison shopping on web hosting as well. When I find one that looks promising, as you have, I contact them and ask for references, plus I go to their testimonial page. Most of the better web hosting services have a testimonial page with web links to their customer pages. Visit some of those sites and click on the CONTACT US links. Be honest about why you are contacting them and they will in return provide a wealth of info on their experience with that web host, as well as info on any web hosts they had previously used.
When picking a web host, make sure they offer the services that best fit your needs.

I have to jump on the "I've never heard of them" bandwagon as well. I did MUCH research about a year ago -- and I don't remember the name at all. I think they have been around for a while though. They seem solid, and I am pretty sure they are not a reseller, but the packages aren't cost effective for us.

We settled on a company called Site5.com. They have independent monitoring of all their servers up-time by a third party and I think that is a great feature that is useful -- and should be implemented for all hosts. Another thing to check is tech support response time, server load and also ability to break out of the "BULK" mode...

Will they help you if you have an individual need like to use CRON for instance, or to open a port so you can send your bulk email -- or will they give you a flat answer of no because they are not in "bulk business" ... ?

Another big thing is how they run their reseller accounts, because we host our clients - we don't sell hosting packages, but we do host all our clients, so it works out well for us, economically speaking. Customer service can be slow, but they have been taking steps to make it better, and I have seen a real difference over the past several months.

Ok, well, now I am just rambling.

Best wishes and good luck with your server search. Short of having your own racks in your basement, it's hard to fully trust any host until you use them and have some deposits there.

Jennifer P.
XPRT Creative

:)

I've never heard of them either. I did a lot of research before choosing a host and finally settled on hostgator.com

I've been using them for two years how and I've found them to be very responsive and helpful.

Recently, I tried to install a php script on my site (which I got from a third party) and it didn't work. I emailed hostgator for help - and they rewrote some of the code - and fixed it - all within a couple of hours!