If my guess is right, a few of you are here because you are in the midst of shopping for the ‘right’ web host, or the “perfect” hosting plan. This is why I’ve decided to write this entry. I’ve included the recommended Doteasy web hosting plans, hopefully it’ll be of useful.
Years of working in this industry have taught me that choosing the right host is not just about picking the one that gives you the most features for less. Rather, it is about finding the one that meets your needs (both web hosting and budget) and at the same time, matches your goals. Not only should your host accommodate your needs as your website grows, but also offers you a partnership that empowers you to grow your website.
So, before you start shopping around, understand your current needs and what you wish to achieve with your website.
Small or Personal Website:
Outgrown the capabilities of free services like Facebook or MySpace? Building a website for a special event, ie. a family camping trip, or a specific need, ie. a hobby?
Generally, your needs are simple, and you will find plenty of providers that can meet them. Considering most basic hosting packages offers fundamentally the same features, it’s not a bad idea to go for the best deal you can find. However, you may want to consider choosing one of the bigger, more reliable and flexible providers, just in case you should need upgrades later down the road. As well, you do not want to be going through this whole ‘shopping’ process again in a year’s time.
Doteasy Offers: $0 Hosting Plan, comes with free hosted applications (Website Creator, Blog, Forum, Web Tools).
Small Business Hosting:
You are putting up a website for a small business. Additional email accounts, website building tools, and/or basic scripting and database capabilities might be things you need.
In this case, you may want to choose a provider that specializes in servicing customers in your line of business. Rule of thumb, if your biggest competitors and/or well-known webmasters are using them, maybe you should check them out, too.
Doteasy Offers: Ultra Hosting, available in both Linux- or Windows-environment.
Advanced Hosting Solutions:
You are operating an application that is more complex than a simple website. You are looking for specific scripting and/or database capabilities. Choose a provider who has the technology and expertise to back you up. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions or test their knowledge. It’s only understandable that no one would trust their mission-critical applications in the hands of incompetent administrators or technical support. If it’s something that is important to you, make it known. No question is too silly to ask.
Doteasy Offers: Unlimited Hosting, available in both Linux- or Windows-environment.
Dedicated Hosting:
This refers to those who need larger-scale bandwidth or disk space. Most likely, your website has already grown to the point where it needs its own server hardware. You should begin your search by asking your current web host for referrals or recommendations. In this industry where words travel fast, I am sure your web host can share with you their ‘personal favorites,’ or at least tell you which ones you should stay away from.
Doteasy Recommends: In2net Network for Dedicated Hosting and Server Colocation.