According to Wikipedia:
Web hosting is a service that provides Internet users with online systems for storing information, images, video, or any content accessible via the web. Web hosts are companies that provide space on a server they own for use by their clients as well as providing Internet connectivity, typically in a data center. Web hosts can also provide data center space and connectivity to the Internet for servers they do not own to be located in their data center.
I haven’t paid for a web host in about 4 years, and I haven’t shopped for one in about 7. Even then, the options were intimidating. Wikipedia lists 17 different types of web hosting services, and with many thousands of web hosting companies in existence today, how do I choose one that’s suitable for my needs.
I was in a unique position to be familiar with technical specs and I knew what I needed, but that didn’t make the process any easier. I turned to my friend Dan at RankAbove for guidance, and he blew me away. He responded with the message below which provided me with everything I could have dream of:
- Honest and objective advice
- An easy-to-read listing and overview of the different types of service
- Company recommendations for each type of service, based on personal experience and reputation
- Objective Pros and Cons of each type of service
- Addressing each type of service as it applies to my needs
- A final recommendation, clearly stated at the bottom of the report
While he charged me nothing ($0) for this advice, he has already saved me about $60 in the past 2 months, meaning this advice has already proved itself to be worth between $1 and $6 (~1.5-10%)
I also want to wish a Mazal Tov to Dan, who just informed me of his engagement, may it be a short one, followed by a long marriage full of happiness and joy to them and the entire nation, Amen.
The report:
Hey Zvi
Below are, imo, the best solution for each hosting category. At the end is my conclusion as it pertains to you.
~ Closed Hosting ~
My servers (I’m really the only solution in this category)
Pros: Managed, fast, secure, and only open to people I know. *Very* few domains on server.
Cons: Virtual host setting, meaning no root or SSH/shell access.
~ Virtual (Shared) Hosting ~
DreamHost – (dreamhost.com)
Pros: Good reputation, give you a TON of space, bandwidth, and features. For $8/mo you could host unlimited domains with 140 GB storage and 1.4 TB bandwidth.
Cons: Virtual host setting, no root access and, as far as I know, no SSH/shell access. Most probably an enormous amount of domains on each server – which equates to a big hit in speed and security.
~ VPS ~
Hub.org – (hub.org)
Pros: Plans start very cheap and even their cheapest plan (as far as I’m aware) gives full root access and allows you to install whatever software you wish.
Cons: Sharing a server with others means shared resources. Also, since it’s all unmanaged, you’re stuck with a reliance that the other partitions won’t crash the server or allow it to be vulnerable to outside attacks. I hosted with them a few years back and they’re speeds were incredibly slow – though judging by their website they appear to have progressed a lot as a company since then.
~ Unmanaged Dedicated Server ~
ThePlanet – ( theplanet.com)
Pros: Easily the most inexpensive solution to getting your own server. Total control, no one touches the machine but you. Their Economy and Entry-Level servers are really inexpensive, plus they’ve got the Clearance servers which usually have some good deals.
Cons: You’re simply handed the machine and wished the best of luck, you better be comfortable with SSH and Bash (if you’re going the Linux route). You also better know how to secure, manage, and maintain the server. If you’ve never managed a remote server before your first few weeks will be spent learning how to configure, tweak, optimize, and secure it. After that it’ll be an ongoing effort to keep up the server… but you’ve got your own machine to play with.
~ Managed Dedicated Server ~
Rackspace – (rackspace.com)
Pros: They have a reputation as the best hosting provider on the internet. They’ve got a policy called Radical Support, which basically means you *never* have to worry about issues with your server. Since it’s a managed solution, they’ll deal with keeping it secure, optimized and up-to-date – and they’re really good at it. They also customize every server to the clients needs, there are no pre-configured servers to price through or purchase.
Cons: Basically "managed" means you’re employing your own system admin, and if you want them to manage the server instead of dealing with it yourself, it’ll cost you. If you’re not prepared to spend at least $800/mo – for starters – don’t bother contacting them.
Conclusion:
I don’t think shared hosting will suite your needs. So you could (and should) check out DreamHost but you probably won’t get what you want from them. It’s also the most insecure and slowest solution.
Dedicated servers will easily perform the fastest and best of the bunch. With dedicated resources and no one messing with your machine you could really optimize and secure your production environment. Rackspace is clearly out since I don’t think you’re looking to spend anywhere near that kinda cash. An unmanaged solution is ideal since I totally think you’re capable of learning how to manage a remote Linux server (if you don’t already know). I use ThePlanet and am very happy with them. I’m spending around $150/mo on my server and would recommend any non-Celeron solution.
If you’re not looking to spend on a dedicated server – and I don’t think you are – you’re best bet is hub.org. They give an unmanaged VPS solution which can be very cost-effective. But when I hosted with them a few years back they didn’t offer any kind of backend, so make sure you’re really comfortable with SSH/bash (or are willing to learn).
In conclusion, if hub.org fixed their atrocious speeds (which I’m hoping they did by now) they’re your best choice to get the environment you need at the price you want.