All my websites and blogs including this Home Business Blog are NOW hosted at HostGator.
I have to say in our Internet Marketing journey, we sometimes have to make many tough decisions. While some of them were good, and you pride yourself for having good foresight, there could be others that sometimes come back to haunt you. The thing is there is never a perfect business, a perfect marketing plan or a perfect solution to our problems. We sometimes deal with the problem when it comes or we take action when we can’t let it go on the way it did. Like my good old web hosting
.
Why Did I Change My Web Hosting
The cost is one BIG factor…. I was paying $15 each month to host my home page and another $5 for each new domain I included. That is a hefty $30 per month expenses for almost 2 years although additional domains were only added recently. Since I switched to Hostgator, that’s a good 200% savings I’ve enjoyed as I now pay $9.95 with unlimited domains. Now I don’t have to worry about incurring additional costs each time I think about purchasing a new domain. Not that I go crazy about adding new domains, but it’s nice to be able to start a new website or a blog when there is good reason to do it. Like working on a profitable niche website.
The Trend Towards Niche Products
Of late everyone I speak to or whose blog I’ve visited seems to be focusing on a niche marketing strategy or in the process of creating a niche website. I have to admit I myself have joined in the bandwagon just to see if there is light at the end of the tunnel. Yep and Hostgator helps to make it a little easier to do this than before.
A New Web Host Offers New Tools
One major reason that convinced me to switch to a new host provider was the fact that my old host (Host4Profit) does not provide C-Panel capability. I remember once having to ask a friend to help me install a new blog and it took him 20 minutes to complete the process. Yeah and all the time laughing at that old dinosaur and exclaiming “this is so 90′s”. In Hostgator I’ve twice set up my WP Blogs in 4 minutes using Fantastico. Glad I don’t have to rely on anyone to set up my own blogs. Whew!
Why I’ve No Regrets Changing Web Host
It’s just been one month after changing to my new web host (I haven’t even been billed yet as the first month is a mere 1 cent charge with the coupon, but so far I’ve never felt happier with their support and service. Absolutely impeccable! I like it that each time I send in a request, it provides an automatic acknowledgment and from my experience someone actually attends to me and provides a solution within half an hour, yes even in the wee hours. I actually started promoting it before even before using it – not quite what I usually do whenever I recommend something to someone. So I guess it now seems practicing what I preach all over again.
Some things you should do before you finally pull the plug
Don’t be too quick to cancel your old web host just because you’ve found your new web host provider. Remember to take care of these things first:
- transfer all your domains to the new web host. Hostgator gives a free transfer to one selected primary domain.
- after all domains and files successfully transferred, change the DNS (domain name servers) to the new web host provider and check your websites to make sure everything looks OK. That’s how I found out some missing images on my blog and Hostgator checked and fixed it.
- When everything seems good, do a one last check. Check your IP address to confirm that your sites are loading from the new web host servers. It’s a little technical here, Hostgator or your new host provider will guide you.
Share Your Thoughts
I like to do a review of some good web hosting on my review blog eReviewer. So do you have a good web hosting or have you like me just recently changed yours? Tell us your experience – good or bad. We like to hear from you. You can be sure that I may use your recommendation for my review if they are good. So over to you….
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- Make Money With The Plug-In Profit Site
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June 27th, 2009 at 1:10 am
My best source of hosting reviews are from friends.
Usually I let my friends be a ‘guinea pig’ in terms of trying out hosting from a web host, before I get hosting from it.
June 27th, 2009 at 1:16 am
@ Lax transportation: Hey that's a good practice. Choosing a web host has to be carefully thought of and recommendations from friends is what I look up to. Thanks for dropping by and always supporting my blog.
June 27th, 2009 at 9:44 am
See you made the switch too, Peter! I wrote a similar article on my blog after the switch. I have nothing but nice things to say about HostGator and recommend them to everyone. I don't think it's been quite a month for me yet, but so far everything is all good. I also agree their support is fantastic!
June 27th, 2009 at 11:36 am
@Alan Mater: Hey Alan, yes I knew you switched too. For me it was a no brainer thing since it was starting to burn a whole in my pocket. I just couldn't let that happen.
June 27th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Much agreed. I just couldn't stand paying the high price, which for me was $24.95 a month. For me I just needed to cut back and save where I could. I have the $7.95 package from Host Gator, which allows me the flexibility I need without any rise in cost.
June 27th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Good for you to switch provider. You should have done it before. Researching before choosing a web provider saves a lot of money. At least this is a lesson for others.
June 28th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Nice change. hostgator is a really good web hosting company. I highly recommend them to start off with.
I recently changed hosting companies. I went with knowhost.com for a vps hosting account. $41 a month for all my needs. I highly recommend them if anyone is ready for a vps hosting account.
June 28th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
@ lovephileo3: I agree with you switching provider has saved me some money. I wish I had done this much earlier but I guess better late than never. Thanks for dropping by.
June 28th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
@ Deneil Merritt: Wow that's probably a higher end web host but I'm sure you're getting more for this kind of money spent. Thanks for the visit.
June 28th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Yeah, I wanted to learn the backend of a vps as well as have the room to grow my network of sites.
June 29th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Needless to say, Hostgator is the best web host among others on the internet. Nevertheless, the fees is a little bit higher. Anyway, I'm going to give a try to Web Hosting Pad which only charges $1.99 per month for a 36 months subscription. I'll update you all whether this web host is reliable.
Regards,
Lee
June 30th, 2009 at 8:45 am
this year I've had a baptism of fire with hosting. I originally started on a UK-based host, which turned out to be incredibly expensive and massively under-featured. The support were very helpful though. Anyway, when I needed to add extra domains I found I was unable to, and they wanted me to buy another hosting package for every domain!!
Long story short, I've found hosting to much better in the US or Canada, and I've heard very good things about HostGator, for example.
June 30th, 2009 at 10:18 am
@ Make Money Online: Hi Lee,I've not heard of this name, but probably because I've not been looking at too many others besides the usual popular ones. Yes do share with us how this new web host turns out for you.
June 30th, 2009 at 10:21 am
@ Home-Work-Newbie: Well we do have something in common about being charged for domain ad ons. In this age and time when we have a good no. of sites and blogs, it is just too expensive to maintain these running costs, however tgood the support we get.
June 30th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Same as Peter. I've never heard of that web host until now. I was only looking at two different web hosts when I wanted to make the switch. One was Host Gator, the other was Blue Host. Since I was paying $24.95 for hosting before, $7.99 is a real bargain to me. Thanks for the resource, though. I'm interested to see how well you like it.
June 30th, 2009 at 10:43 am
@Alan Mater: Do you know what's the difference between $7.95 vs $9.95 plan. I read it before signup and made the decision to go for the $9.95, but just couldn't recollect it now. Yeah I too was paying $24.95 for the old host until recently when I found out I could pay $14.95 if I forgo getting my commission on each signup.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:47 am
@Peter, Hi Peter, I don't even see a $9.95 web hosting package. I see the $7.95 and then a $12.95 option. The differences are small between these two. I payed the $24.95 the whole time because I was receiving commissions from them and didn't want to forfeit the commissions. Now, I can still get commissions since I was with them for over 3 years.
June 30th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
It's listed in the Top 10 Webhost. Nevertheless, I've no idea about how is the services and performance. I'll try and keep you guys update. If it's really reliable, I think you guys should try it since it's cheap.
Regards,
Lee
June 30th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Right now I am using a local hosting company. So far things are pretty good. There's hardly been a downtime…so far. For me a hosting company should try to achieve at least 99% uptime.
July 1st, 2009 at 3:11 am
Which reasons you have described to change the Web Hosting I think appropriate. I will think about that.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:20 am
If I could go back to last year and start again, I would look very hard at things like multiple domains and so forth. Also I personally prefer hosting with cPanel control panel. Most of the ones I've used in the UK run with Plesk, which is just horrible…
July 1st, 2009 at 7:52 am
I thought the $7.95 is a 3 years subscription, while $9.95 is a monthly payment. If you would like to take the advantage of $7.95 per month, then you have to pay for 3 years fees 1 shot.
Regards,
Lee
July 1st, 2009 at 8:04 am
You might be right, Lee. I actually haven't looked into it too much. That would explain why I have yet to be billed… LOL.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:26 am
@ Home-Work-Newbie: Yes I simply love cPanel too and that's something my old host did not not support. It makes a lot of hard work seem so simple.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:19 am
@Buat Duit Online:Glad to hear you have a good web host. I've not seen you on this blog so I welcome you to my humble blog. See you around.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:24 am
@ Lax transportation: Yes you should do that. Since we depend so much on our web host, it's a worthy effort to evaluate our host and make a decision to keep it or change to a better one. After all there is keen competition so we can afford to get picky.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:00 am
This was what I observed when I planned to sign up Hostgator, I thought it was $7.95 too, but when I was going to sign up, it stated $7.95 was only for a 3years subscription. =.=”
But it's worth for their services and uptime.
Regards,
Lee
July 1st, 2009 at 10:05 am
Well in that case I'm even more pleased.
July 1st, 2009 at 11:44 am
Congratulations to your new host. I know hostgator well. And I know they are reliable. You can sleep well and you can also take good care of your pocket.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:39 am
I think that you are using it. If i am not wrong than you are telling us your experience.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:42 am
Its a good web hosting review post thanks for sharing I am thinking to change my web host.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:53 am
HostGator is one of the leading hosting point.
But my blog is still at wordpress and have no income out of it.
so do anyone can make me to earn income out of my blogging!!!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 am
@hiphop, Do you mean your blog is hosted by WordPress? If so, I would suggest setting up your own domain and moving your blog to your own host where you have full control. Host Gator is cheap and very reliable. This would be the first step in making money from your blog.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I know so many people who have gone with Hostgator, yet my research seems to indicate that Hostmonster might actually be better. I have to help a client make a decision, and this one's beating me up. Oh well, I'll make a decision soon.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:14 am
@Mitch: Never heard of HostMonster…sounds really intimidating….hope you make a goodd decision for your client.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Oh Peter! The best choice ever..Hostgator is just so good..especially their customer support.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:09 am
I am making a website for valentines for my girlfriend. I know kinda gay but meh. Anyhow what would be a good web hosting place to host this? Going to be probably using dreamweaver or frontpage to upload so if it could be compatible with this that would be needed. I think its called FTP/PHP.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
You were NOT talking about me, weren't you? Oh yeah, HP4 is so '90.
Yan
July 9th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
To each his own. Both are equally good if you ask me…
July 10th, 2009 at 8:58 am
I'm looking for a web hosting company to host my business website. I'd like to conduct some e-commerce and also to be able to set up a content management system on my site. Do you know of any good web hosting companies that could accomodate someone with needing these features?
July 10th, 2009 at 10:00 am
@ Ciggarest: LOL Yan yes indeed I was referring to you as that friend who laughed at my old host…well I'm glad I changed my web host and yes you contributed a little in my decision to change…I didn't want to get laughed at by you again LOL…
July 10th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Well, hope you were not offended in anyway! At least you made the right decision to switch to one of the best hosting companies I've ever used.
July 24th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
With a WordPress hosted blog, there are many limitations including: design, plugins, widgets, the type of content you're allowed to post, etc. You run the risk of them shutting your blog down if you do something they don't like.
With a self-hosted WordPress blog, you can literally do whatever you want with it. Full control over design, plugins, widgets, the content, etc. There are numerous amounts of features to take advantage of that you can't with a WordPress hosted blog. And, no one can shut your blog down as it's hosted on your own server with your own domain.
Hope that helps.
Alan
August 26th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Very good tips, Peter. Thank you. Another consideration is finding great hosting that also includes an autoresponder and other web services. I recently learned about a very reputable company that offers this, and I wrote a blog post about it.
March 8th, 2010 at 4:45 am
I'm looking for a web hosting company to host my business website. I'd like to conduct some e-commerce and also to be able to set up a content management system on my site. Do you know of any good web hosting companies that could accomodate someone with needing these features?
April 1st, 2010 at 12:44 am
I am happily enjoying their services since last 4 years and am very much satisfied. I transferred after test and try of several hosting companies but this one is The Best.
I have hosted many domains on 1 single account and have got no issues with them till now.
You can see that they are hosting over 1,000,000 domains which means ofcourse they are the best.
Good Luck
April 6th, 2010 at 1:37 am
(lets say candles) where a customer can fill in a .pdf form. Also being homebased, something that I can do for a low cost, where I can run/maintain my site and build the site myself. Any ideas? I used to have a small site on yahoo. I used yahoo to design my own site as well as had a domain name through them and for $11.95 a year. I maintained it myself and had paypal orders. I was wondering other types of companies that offer webhosting, etc. and I specially need pdf.
April 7th, 2010 at 12:58 am
Good web hosting?
I'm looking to start a non-business website. I'll need a server to house a forum, several pages, maybe a few videos, polls, and possibly a chat room (later).
I'm prepared to pay for this – I'll be buying a domain.
Who provides good hosting services for this sort of thing? I've tried Go-Daddy, but I found that it was too difficult to completely customize a site when so much was already set up. Any suggestions?
April 28th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Currently I am using Hostgator since my friend told me to switch and I'm very much comfortable with it. This is really recommended by a friend of mine, who happens to be well-known regarding this matter. I am very much thankful with him.
April 28th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Currently I am using Hostgator since my friend told me to switch and I'm very much comfortable with it. This is really recommended by a friend of mine, who happens to be well-known regarding this matter. I am very much thankful with him.