Which Hosting & Domain Companies Do You Recommend?

[Getagrip]

I wanted to take a minute to ask which web hosting and domain registration companies you use. I'd like to know about both good and bad experiences you have had.

The reason I'm asking is because a friend and I are working on a project (details coming soon), and part of the project entails recommending web hosting/domain companies, and we would like to recommend good companies.

We are defintaly going to use Godaddy, since we have had good experiences with them, and we will probably also use Blue Host...but we would also like some additional recommendations.

Please let me know what your recommendations are.

Thanks!

[Jim Guinn]

How about many of the same GoDaddy services, provided BY GoDaddy, only cheaper?

Risking shameless self promotion, I would recommend my own TPCDomains at http://www.tpcdomains.com. While I am actually a GoDaddy Reseller, I have some services I sell cheaper then the main GoDaddy site.

For instance, I sell the Basic Reseller program for $10 less and the Pro Reseller program for $40 less than GoDaddy. There are exactly the same reseller programs, too.

Another example....my dot com domains are selling for $1 LESS (7.95) than GoDaddy's current price (8.95). Same exact dot com service, but cheaper.

So, I am a Godaddy reseller that is selling many of the same, exact GoDaddy products, only cheaper. In fact, I am one of the few Godaddy Resellers that sells many Godaddy services cheaper than GoDaddy.

BTW...my autoresponder services at http://www.TPCAutoResponse.com are comparably to aWeber and GetResponse, but cheaper. It is an Alstrasoft reseller program. (Free Trial available)

I am toying with the idea of becoming a HostGator reseller also...in which case I will do my best to cut the prices there, too. I will let you know.

Jim

[Getagrip]

This morning I woke up and saw that there was another post on hosting companies right below mine! Anyway...it looks like we are going to go with Host Gator as out third campany since a lot of people seem to be in love with it...

[Lynn Terry]

I use and recommend HostGator myself

[AuctionCUT.com]

I really wouldn't recommend godaddy or any of their resellers (at the risk of offending Jim)

There are a few GoDaddy scare stories where they suspend your domain name if they disapprove of what your doing.

See http://nodaddy.com/ for more details

Also, it's really best to register your domain name at one place and host at another. This way if you need to move hosts, you can do so without your host holding your domain name ransom.

For hosts, I'd recommend WebCinch. I've recently posted the following review over at webhostingtalk.com

I moved to webcinch.com after moving from hostdime.com. I'd been with hostdime for about three years and although they were good during the time, they kept making changes to the mail server setup which resulted in my forum failing to send out notifications, membership confirmations and alerts.

Once or twice was enough, but it seemed to happen on a monthly basis which unfortunately cost me new members to my forum. Basicly, I felt they were trying to please everyone by making changes to the server setup everytime someone requested. However these chances effected others negatively. Communication was never their strong point.

Obviously I was extremely careful in picking a new host after deciding to move. I'd saw WebCinch mentioned at the digitalpoint forum so initially spoke to Eric of Webcinch using the Live Chat feature.

I still wasn't sure after the live chat, so left it till nearer the date when my reseller hosting was about to expire. Then I emailed Webcinch again.

Like MasterLL, I also probably asked two many questions. My gmail conversations with Eric are spread over two days (about 30 emails). However, he remained professional, courteous, and any requests I made were quickly arranged. Then I was convinced to move.

Webcinch moved over 50 accounts with ease & without any problems. They made the whole move very easy and made me feel very confident - after three yrs with one host moving was a difficult decision.

However, I'm pleased I made the decision to move to Webcinch.

Support tickets are generally answered within an hour. Eric seems to go out of his way to solve any problems or issues.I've been with a few hosts over the year, and I've never saw cPanel load so fast! More importantly, my forum has not encountered any problems.

[Jim Guinn]

Hi AuctionCUT.com,

No offense taken.

I have heard of other domain registrars doing the same thing as Godaddy. That is nothing new.

I don't necessarily recommend buying domain names and hosting from separate sites....EXCEPT for 1 condition.....If the hosting plan INCLUDES the domain name....then, they can hold the domain name hostage. This is not the case with Godaddy or any Goddady Resellers. It is the case with such notables as IPowerWeb and SiteSell (SiteBuildIt). SiteSell charged me over $50 to move my domain name...and that didn't include the cost of the new domain registration at a new registrar.

Jim

[AuctionCUT.com]

I have heard of other domain registrars doing the same thing as Godaddy. That is nothing new.

I honestly can't - although I'll take your word for it, I know there are a few high profile cases of godaddy doing the same. At the end of the day, their only protecting their business - but at who's expense.

It is the case with such notables as IPowerWeb and SiteSell (SiteBuildIt). SiteSell charged me over $50 to move my domain name...and that didn't include the cost of the new domain registration at a new registrar.

That's exactly the problem - as with a lot of sellers on ebay (for example) when a reseller hosts registers the name on your behalf for you using traditional registers - they'll hold your domain name in their account.

Offtopic for a sec, members should really check out Bob Parsons (ceo of godaddy) , 16 rules for success at http://bencivengabullets.com/bullets.asp?id=22&rs=1

i find them quite inspiring.

[Jim Guinn]

Offtopic for a sec, members should really check out Bob Parsons (ceo of godaddy) , 16 rules for success at http://bencivengabullets.com/bullets.asp?id=22&rs=1

Hmmmmmmmmm...each time I click on Bob Parson's site, my McAfee Virus Contol says:

McAfee has automatically blocked and removed a potentially harmful script.

Details
Detection: VBS/Psyme (Virus)

More Info
Scripts typically run when you let programs act on your behalf, such as when you connect a personal handheld device to your computer, when you connect your computer to the Internet, or when you surf the Web. However, some scripts can act unexpectedly. Suspect activity

Jim

[Domain Name Guy]

Hmmmmmmmmm...each time I click on Bob Parson's site, my McAfee Virus Contol says:

McAfee has automatically blocked and removed a potentially harmful script.

Details
Detection: VBS/Psyme (Virus)

More Info
Scripts typically run when you let programs act on your behalf, such as when you connect a personal handheld device to your computer, when you connect your computer to the Internet, or when you surf the Web. However, some scripts can act unexpectedly. Suspect activity

Looks like your McAfee hates Bob.

[Jim Guinn]

Jim

[Deltlake1]

I have my domains registered thru GODaddy
under "private" and "locked". Thus far, I have had no problems with them. As for hosting, I was with
UltimateMarketingCenter.com and the webmaster was absolutely great. Then they revised the site and it became very complicated to use. I am now with HostGator.com and I really like their "live chat"
feature.

[karynsolo]

I have personally taken knowledge that I gained working as a support agent for hostgator and incorporated it with my own hosting business. I can honestly say I could not have had a better mentor.

Lynne knows this, she and I spoke a couple times when she called in looking for a host.

It is my goal to provide the same quality service to all of my customers but go a step above and offer a wide variety of tools to help anyone who has a web based business succeed.

I have found personally that a simple reseller account is not what a serious host needs and that is why I have my own servers, so that I truly can offer my customers nice plans without having to oversell to do it.

[Daniel Cassidy]

I use NameCheap, Dynadot and Global Domains International.

For hosting I use H2-OH Hosting. They have a really good cheap reseller plan for only $10 a month.

[rfresh]

GoDaddy is the KMart of web hosting. When you don't know much about web hosting, you may tend to go with them. Don't. Their web hosting is very restrictive. For example, if you're using a database on the backend, you MUST use their tool to access your data. You can't use a third party SQL tool. If you would ever need to SSH into your site you can't. If you need a semi-dedicated server they will kill you with a 'must have' tech support contract at 99.00 per month!

We have a VPS (semi-dedicated) hosting account with 1849WebHosting for 9.95 per month and a ton of free software apps available to us.

[edysby]

I use godaddy and moniker to register domain name.

For hosting I choose bluehost and hostgator. Both of them has good service and you can manage your account in user friendly cpanel.

I have used godaddy hosting before, but the cpanel is not user friendly (I don't know if godaddy do improvement on their hosting cpanel).