MediaTemple.net – This is a great hosting server provider that powers some very large websites. It has some powerful web-based admin tools including Plesk and it offers one click application installers. It has several upgrade paths and can grow with a very large website. MediaTemple is a great choice for almost anyone.
Rackspace.com – Rackspace offers absolutely amazing technical support. You can call up and get a live tech on the phone and he’ll help you with a wide variety of server administration issues and even install software on your server for you. Rackspace also offers packages that include performance and hardware customization. They can build a server for your large scale website and talk to you about backup plans and disaster recovery. If you need top-notch technical support and are building a large website, consider Rackspace. Be aware that you will pay more for their value added services.
Hostgator.com – This hosting provider is extremely user-friendly and offers a large variety of hosting packages from very basic hosting up to dedicated servers. What I love about HostGator.com is that it uses Cpanel and WHM software: which are hands down the easiest and most user-friendly web administration tools I’ve ever used or seen. They are noticeably easier to use and more intuitive than even Plesk (the admin tool used by MediaTemple). I’ve deployed lots of websites to Hostgator and found them to be a reliable host and have used the ticketing tips above to get quality tech support from their technicians. Hostgator is one of the largest hosting companies and has lots of value added features that you don’t even pay extra for including templates, graphics, a huge knowledge base and active forums. socialmediasystems.com and several clients have dedicated servers that we setup with Hostgator.com, and we would be happy to help if you need it.
Hosts you should specifically avoid
Bluehost.com – Even for small websites, do not use Bluehost. They only offer one hosting package and there are no easy upgrade options if any. From my experience they offer lower quality tech support and if you get a spike in traffic, your website visitors will be served with error messages like “this user account has used up all its allotted bandwidth.” You’re always better off going with website hosting that has easy server upgrade options and more than one package. Use Hostgator or others as an alternative to Bluehost.com even for very inexpensive (under $5 per month) hosting.
If you're still looking for a good team to take your project to the next level, the authors of the 2010 Rothman Guide to Building Successful Websites are available for free, no obligation, creative consultations that you will not forget! Call 1-866-945-1113 or e-mail your contact info to info@socialmediasystems.
When I presented at an important teacher’s conference (CATESOL), the site crashed because of the sudden increase in traffic. I was assurred it was a freak incident and would not re-occur.
But it did! During the international English teachers conference (TESOL), the website went down too. I lost a very valuable opportunity to connect with thousands of fellow English teachers and sell my little self-published conversation book. Of course, I must accept the blame for continuing to use Blue Host after the first fiasco.
I believe in good mistakes, but staying with Blue Host was a stupid mistake.
Thank you for letting me share that sad story.