space/bandwidth/what plan?

[online88]

the project is a nationwide classified directory whereby each member will have a single page for their profile and products & services (with 1 or 2 photos). Estimated members is 3000 ++.
The web should look something like www.globalsources.com once it is completed.
Can anyone help me the following :
1)how much space and bandwidth is required ?
2)what hosting plan is most suited ?
3)is it necessary to invest on a server ?
pls help and comment on any other things. thanks

[michaelfoo]

Hi online88,
Please answer these questions before we start recommending something to you:
1. What is the current project capacity? (in MB)
2. Would you define the 3000+ members as active members or registered members?

Thanks.

[online88]

thanks for the reply michaelfoo
ok...1) the capacity for the web is only 10MB, 2) because we are a classified directory, we plan to add in one page of web for every new member who join us. The page would be around 0.3 MB for each new member, and we expect to have 3000+ members joining us.
hope this is enough information. thanks again,really appreciate it.

[michaelfoo]

Hi online88,
You can start with a 500MB account with around 10GB bandwidth/month. It should serve around 1300+ members and it is a good start for you with lower budget.

Once you exceeded the space given (more than 1400 members), you should consider moving to a dedicated server. It should have more resources for your site.

Hope that helps.

[online88]

thanks for the advise. really helps

[michaelfoo]

You're welcome. All the best to your project.

[Cash]

Like what michaelfoo mention, start at 500MB. Now the 500MB hosting account is cheap. But IMO, I think the bandwidth is more important to you if you have much active members.

[Filuren]

I host 2 commercial website (1 for educational & 1 for comics) and with just about 200 members, they are using 50GB bandwidth per month each. Both accounts are marked 'RED' usage of 70-150GB per month in my WHM now.

For such it is recommended that you get a private rack when your web site has successfully reach it's target. I'm sure webmastermalaysia itself uses over 50gb per month just for forums. Consider other web pages, directories & search.. it'll consume a lot.

While you're just getting started and wanted to test your project online, you may subscribe to shared hosting plan until you decided to switch. After all, your project cost might be a lot if you start in private servers now.

The project is a good thing! Good luck!