Hosting! - Any reviews/warnings or recommendations?

darren13 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 10:32 AM

Hi,
I'm looking into changing hosting suppliers for our site. It's a little daunting as the site is absolutely critical to our business. So I want to get it right.

The reason for the move, is that we can run any php or database stuff on the server we're on and the company can't upgrade us to a new server which will meet our requirements. So we're pretty limited on this server - although it did fulfil our requirement over the last few years of being reasonably reliable and cheap!

If anyone has any information which would help me choose our new provider that would be great. Ideally we would like them to have both their servers and customer service staff based in the UK.

Many Thanks,
Darren.

Tamaloo · #2 (**permalink**) 06-26-2006, 05:18 AM

Darren

Have you visited www.thehostingchart.com?

timmathews.com · #3 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006, 08:15 PM

I have used ipowerweb in the past, before I had in house servers... They are dencent.

cyanide · #4 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamaloo

Darren

Have you visited www.thehostingchart.com?

Is this your site?
I've rescued numerous clients from several of those hosts listed.
I wouldn't go by any of these ranking/reveiw type sites. Many are influenced by paid reviews.

Before anyone can make recommendations, you need to detail what you requirements are.

darren13 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-29-2006, 05:16 AM

Hi guys - to clarify briefly on the above - (sorry, I meant we can't run any php etc!) - anyway! -

We expect the host to offer:

99.9% or above uptime
Customer service responses within 24 hours
a server I can use php on
a server I can use a MySQL db on
perl/cgi
access to server logs
5 or maybe 10 Gb bandwidth
3Gb (ish) storage
preferable server/company located in UK

Basically, we'd like to run an nms formmail script, a tell-a-friend script, have access to server logs, start a forum using phpbb and generally have a site that was available all the time too!
Is there anything you think I should add to the list of requirements above?

Thanks for the info,
Darren

timmathews.com · #6 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 09:29 PM

How about the kitchen sink?
LOL
Only kiding m8

darren13 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 03:47 AM

...chuckle...you're on the right track Tim,

I was in 'Carlsberg Advert' territory there for sure, where the staff are all very attractive (semi-clad) ladies (possibly of Scandinavian origin) who serve you a cold one (condensation on outside of glass) and give you a shoulder rub as you wait to sign up for free hosting for life!!! Ha!

:D

greeneagle · #8 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 04:02 AM

I have one client with IPowerWeb and their Stats lack in comparison almost as badly as their support does. Last time I checked there was no 24-7. Temporary redirect issues have always been a problem there and still are.

All kinds of issues with EV1 Servers also!

See if you can find what you need here:

http://www.hostindex.com/
http://www.hostfind.com/

This one is one of my favorites:
http://www.findmyhosting.com/

I have been fine with GoDaddy - No Real Complaints for over a year.

It depends on your needs though.

Whatever you do --- Select a known reputable source with real 24-7 support.

Ken

kgun · #9 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 07:14 AM

Do not use ip01.net. They have costed me hours of problems even if their service is stable. It is more than service.

I host MultiFinanceIT.com there. I also ordered a new domain PercentileBands.com (My speciality in finance). I have collected all my registration at my Norwegian hoster, Domeneshop so I have control of the name servers and there are no problems by changing hoster. It is very important that the control of the name servers is at a reliable hoster.

My Norwegian registrar has sent nearly 50 requests to move the registration to them, but they reject to do any modification. Now they do not answer my emails longer. I am going to change hoster, when the periode expires. Only small changes is done to MultiFinanceIT as log as it is hosted by ip01.net. And I do not implement PercentileBands.com as long as I can not change registrar.

I had no problems moving the registrar for ForumNorway that is hosted by and were registered with imhosted.

Weedy Lady · #10 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 11:58 PM

I have my site hosted with fxstudios.net and the CP has everything I think you want. The customer support is terrific. The prices are reasonable. And you can have a free 14 day trial to see if you like it or not.

I made the permanent move after just 5 days of my free trial period.

This is the 4th hosting company I've used and it is the only one I would recommend unconditionally.

Isn't it worth looking at? Tell them The Weedy Lady sent you. Not for profit for me, just to keep up my great relationship with them.

The only thing you said you wanted was a company in the UK, and fxstudios is in Canada. Not sure where their servers are located. Don't care. They do a great job.

grosolo · #11 (**permalink**) 07-08-2006, 02:06 AM

do not use readyhosting.com. No matter what you do.

**jawn_tech** · #12 (**permalink**) 07-08-2006, 10:53 PM

I'm connected with a particular hosting service, but there's also a lot of other great linux hosts out there that would serve your needs as well.

webhost1 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-16-2006, 09:27 AM

might look at quik.com They are US base thou.

darren13 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-29-2006, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greeneagle

This one is one of my favorites:
http://www.findmyhosting.com/

Ken

Ken, thank you - findmyhosting seems to be a very handy site indeed - although the forums seem to be unavailable at present. I will check back there soon.
Darren.

**dharrison** · #15 (**permalink**) 08-29-2006, 12:47 PM

Whatever you do Darren, steer clear of EasySpace and/or IOMart. They are rip merchants and I still get customers who have been ripped off by these outfits.

I use www.gnhosting.co.uk for my hosting. They have PHP-based servers for a good price and their support is OK.

HTH

kgun · #16 (**permalink**) 08-29-2006, 02:51 PM

What you risk about posting this type of information:

I got an email from a major hoster that told that a person wrote negative about their company on a blog.

That email told that if you was able to reduce that persons blog posts on the SERP's you should get USD 100.

The only way to fight this is:

1. Be serious and be earnest.
2. Write about it all over the internet so long as there is no serious place to complain about bad services. There is not in Norway yet.
3. Join the fight for Internet Freedom.

Read more of my experience with iP01.net here.

And they are still not stopping. Some days ago I got an email about asking my Norwegian registrar to send a new requirement about moving the registration of PercentileBands.com . I told my registrar to do it with the following message:

"I do not believe them before I see it."

Do you think anything has happened? Of couse not. The are laughing at my registrar and me. I have also reported it to the Norwegian police for economic criminality without response.

P.S.
I still have that email.

**dharrison** · #17 (**permalink**) 08-29-2006, 06:03 PM

If that was directed at my post, kgun, all I can say is one petty post from one person in our colossal community is the least of this outfit's problems.

Magazine articles, Trading Standards (and the like) and an online petition signed by 200+ disgruntled customers is more likely to cause a stir.

Shall I PM you the link? It makes for interesting reading.

darren13 · #18 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 06:47 AM

Hi DH,

Yes, please pm the link - I'll have a butchers,

~Ta,
D

**dharrison** · #19 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 08:57 AM

Sent to you Darren just now.

BTW look at signature 124. By being totally obscene, a key member of staff also added their name to their anti-petition.

**puts tongue in between teeth and bottom lip** Dur Thickies!

darren13 · #20 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharrison

Sent to you Darren just now.

BTW look at signature 124. By being totally obscene, a key member of staff also added their name to their anti-petition.

**puts tongue in between teeth and bottom lip** Dur Thickies!

Ho ho ho - yes, interesting reading....will definitely steer clear of that little outfit methinks....looks like they've annoyed a lot of people.

Thanks for the info,
Darren.

kgun · #21 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 10:16 AM

Yes, Pm me the link too.

**dharrison** · #22 (**permalink**) 08-30-2006, 02:30 PM

I have just PM'd you Kjell.

Happy reading! :)