Which web host?

D

dan johnston

• Feb 2, 2006

• Original Poster
• #1

Hi Folks

Decided to get out of the rat race and start my own business, I'm looking to set up a simple website to advertise my services and most importantly allow potential customers to complete an online form. I have no prior experience of web design/management can anyone recommend a friendly reliable and relatively cheap web hosting company?

Thanks

Dan

 

Rob Holmes

Free Member

Business Listing

Mar 23, 2005

3,600

23

Kent

theivybridgecollection.com

• Feb 2, 2006

• #2

Hi Dan,

There are a few of us around on the forums, vshosting, twd hosting and ourselves www.matrixxhosting.com to name a few.

See: http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/sutra61238.php&highlight=#61238 for a blinding testimonial

Hope this helps,

Rob

 

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DavidHorn

Free Member

Jan 3, 2006

289

30

52

Northern Ireland

• Feb 2, 2006

• #3

Hi Dan -

I tend to go with 34sp.com for small, starter sites, and www.mediatemple.net for sites that require a bit more oomph.

I'm sure that Rob and the others he mentions can do great jobs for you too.

David

 

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D

dan johnston

• Feb 2, 2006

• Original Poster
• #4

Dave, Rob, thanks for the replies. What features should I be looking for from my host, specifically

1. Bandwith
2. Disk Space
3. The ability for people to send emails to a range of addresses eg, info@, enquiries@, dan@ etc
4. The ability for people to fill in an online form

Apologies for my naivity but I'm totally new to all this

Cheers

Dan

 

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DavidHorn

Free Member

Jan 3, 2006

289

30

52

Northern Ireland

• Feb 2, 2006

• #5

1-3, yes - all those are factors.

4 - well, your web host isn't really responsible, except in what programming languages you're able to send forms with.

Without knowing your full needs, my advice would be to go for a Linux server (rather than a Windows server) which will offer you or your developer great flexibility. (there will be windows hosting providers here who will say different, I'm sure)

You probably don't need much bandwidth or disk space, since it's a simple enough brochure site you're talking about - so most peoples basic end packages will probably do the job for you.

Other things you should look for are recommendations (as you're doing here), and telephone support. You want to be able to reach someone if the whole thing dies a death on you.

 

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DuaneJackson

Free Member

Jul 14, 2005

8,641

1,099

Brighton / London

• Feb 2, 2006

• #6

DavidHorn said:

(there will be windows hosting providers here who will say different, I'm sure)

Click to expand...

Yep But another time another place.

David makes some good points though. I'd like to add that you should not choose who you go with soley on price. There's a reason why some of the hosts out there will host your site for $10 a year - they're crap.

Look at something basic to mid range. Expect to pay around £100 a year.

And do go for a host that has been recommnded by someone you trust.

I'd suggest you also go with one of the smaller firms, like those suggeste dby Rob above. The bigger firms aren't anywhere near as good when it comes to user support.

Best of luck

d

 

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DavidHorn

Free Member

Jan 3, 2006

289

30

52

Northern Ireland

• Feb 2, 2006

• #7

DuaneJackson said:

Yep But another time another place.

Click to expand...

yes - it's often personal preference ... it's certainly not a hard rule that linux / windows = more flexible.

To be honest, if you're hiring a developer, chat with them about your needs and let them recommend hosting to you (or at least let them recommend a hosting platform to you) ... unless you're coding the site yourself, your developer will most likely have a personal preference ... as Duane and I clearly do!

 

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U

uksbc

• Feb 2, 2006

• Original Poster
• #8

hi mate,

i will pm you about one of our content management / hosting packages. it will work well based on your needs and limited experience

hope i can help

 

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D

DarrenC

• Feb 3, 2006

• Original Poster
• #9

I don't usually recommend hosting companies, but I do recommend www.xilo.net - good support, and so far on 100% uptime on both of my domains.

 

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Rob Holmes

Free Member

Business Listing

Mar 23, 2005

3,600

23

Kent

theivybridgecollection.com

• Feb 3, 2006

• #10

dan johnston said:

Dave, Rob, thanks for the replies. What features should I be looking for from my host, specifically

1. Bandwith
2. Disk Space
3. The ability for people to send emails to a range of addresses eg, info@, enquiries@, dan@ etc
4. The ability for people to fill in an online form

Apologies for my naivity but I'm totally new to all this

Cheers

Dan

Click to expand...

Hi Dan,

All of this is pretty standard, any host should provide the email facilities, as for diskspace and bandwidth that all depends on the size of your site and how busy it gets.

If it's new, just a few pages and you're not sendin gtraffic there via an advertising campaign then I'g say 50Mb of Diskspace with 500Mb of Bandwidth would suit you.

Rob

 

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Rachael

Free Member

Jun 6, 2004

518

11

Wales

• Feb 3, 2006

• #11

I'd reccomend http://www.openmindhosting.co.uk/

 

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M

multilingual

• Feb 3, 2006

• Original Poster
• #12

If you want a web host, go with Matrixx (Rob Holmes).

Anyone who uses his services will say the same.

Faultless.

(No I don't work for him, I just know how hard it is to find good people in business)

JB

 

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T

Toon

Free Member

Jul 18, 2004

905

14

NE England

• Feb 3, 2006

• #13

Hi. I can help you out at a great price (we can beat most prices). Please contact me with your requirements.

 

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A

annethedonn

• Feb 3, 2006

• Original Poster
• #14

www.freelanceofficeservices.co.uk

We do web design and also hosting through an affiliate program.

 

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