Recommend me a hosting

[fivio]

Dear Pete,

I do not want to argue about the UNLIMITED concept here as it will be off-topic.By the way, to give false advertisement is not my business strategy. Unlimited bandwitdh is not a real thing. There are few website explaining on this concept.

http://www.1stchoicewebhost.co.uk/un...width-myth.htm

Of course, the webhost CAN put unlimited bandwitdh. It is just a gimmick
However, it is your money, if you are happy with the provider then stay ^_^

Thank you,

[peteVA]

This is direct from the hosting services TOS / AUP statement -

customers are privileged to be offered unlimited bandwidth for their web sites

Now I do believe they would just turn down a customer they deemed would be an excess user, but there it is, "in black and white".

As I mentioned, this company specilizes in Internet Marketing customers, who only put up several one-page mini-sites. So, they are just playing the odds.

It doesn't bother me, I take full advantage of their offer and encourage others to do the same.

[fivio]

Dear Pete,

That is why i said I do not want to argue. It is your money
Since you posted some of the AUP / TOS of the company. I will show you the LIMITATION given in your unlimited package.

CPU Usage
Sites may not use extreme unwarranted CPU usage. This includes usage of "heavy" scripts or Flash/shockwave files. By heavy we mean oversized without cause, to the point where most users would be unable to view them in a reasonable amount of time. No single site may consume 30% of CPU usage for a sustained period of time.

Service Resale
Customer may not resell the Service or any portion of the Service unless under a Reseller plan.

File repository / Dump Sites
Customer may not use disk space as a file repository, or dump site. This includes using the space in order to store content used on other sites (remote linking) . Examples of this would be using the web space to store images for flash or any other files used on another site but stored on our server.

Glutting of servers
Oversized storage of any files that would be unreasonably large (ie. making a zip file filled with text files just to pad the size). Again, your webspace is not for data back up. It is only for hosting real sites.

------------------------------

Well, it is not unlimited storage + unlimited bandwitdh. Bandwitdh usage USES CPU. They limit you at 30%. Which means you cannot use the ADVANTAGES of UNLIMITED badnwitdh.

The nice statement in TOS does not change the law of physic. The is NO such thing as UNLIMITED storage + UNLIMITED bandwitdh.

Where can I buy unlimited Harddisk ? Where can I order unlimited lease line bandwitdh ?

Thank you,

[peteVA]

You seem determined to have the last word.

And you seem to not understand that the company is marketing to small business users who will not overwhelm their resources.

I readily admit that the literal interpertation of the word "unlimited" might be cause for a case of false advertising, should Steve Case or Bill Gates care to apply for an account.

However, out in the real world of millions of small businesses using the internet, the offer of "unlimited", or if you prefer "unmetered", bandwidth is a legitimate marketing decision of the owner.

So, with no further haggling over specifics, I will once again say that for the average user, with several online stores, a forum or two, several other sites, etc. that the offer of 6000MB disk space and no extra charges for excessive bandwidth usage is a good deal.

This thread started asking about hosting and I feel that I gave a good reply, recommending a company that specilaizes in hosting small businesses with experince in e-commerce, online stores.

And until you can come up with someone who can say they used the service and were booted off for excess bandwidth usage, I'll stick with my recommendation.

Small Business Hoster

[fivio]

Dear Pete,

---------
And you seem to not understand that the company is marketing to small business users who will not overwhelm their resources.
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Uhmmm ... if so, why would they wanted the UNLIMITED package ? You offer UNLIMITED package but target for users who WILL NOT overhelm their resources. Not bad.

UNLIMITED means that the resources is a lot. Which means in your pricing and package strategy, you target low cost and price sensitive consumers. Moreover, you EMPHASIS on the UNLIMITED features. Which means you WANT to attract people WHO WANT unlimited feature.

But you suddenly say that "marketing to small business users who WILL NOT overhelm their resources". That totally against your pricing strategy.

Thank you,

[peteVA]

Seems like a great strategy to me.

Telling people they can pay once and not have to worry about running out of space under normal use, with no restrictions on sub and add-on domains, emails, etc. as well as no extra charges for bandwidth seems like a pretty good way to market to small business people who do not want to be charged petty fees for everything they do.

Pay once and be done with it seems to be a good strategy.

You may be in the hosting business. You may be used to the 6 or 8 different plans offered by many hosts, all with restrictions. And all with increasingly higher limits and rates.

Just think about the amount of people worldwide who are overwhelmed by all of the confusing plans. This is a simple plan. Pay and go. Just one restriction - 6000MB disk space. This compares to some "reseller" accounts with other hosts.

Seems like a good strategy to me.

And it seems to work.....

[giztech]

Hi guys let just put it aside k. Unlimited is perhaps just a 'trick' for amateur hosting customers. A marketing gimmick. Yes peteVA, i agree with you that it is a good strategy to market your hosting product. Why? Because most web hosting are certain that 99% of their customers would not consume more than 200GB of bandwidth on a single website. Similarly in the case of Godaddy, they offer unmetered/unlimited bandwidth, but in their TOS it is stated that any account consuming over 200GB would be disallowed. Yes, unlimited/unmetered is good from the perspective of marketing and sales.

Fivio is just stating the facts from a very technical post of view. All web hosts know that every server has their limitations as stated by Fivio. The CPU usage, the RAM, the bandwidth and other aspects. If it so happens that the 1%(as i said above) is consuming extraordinary load of bandwidth, i will think most web host will suggest that the customer takes up a dedicated server instead. Why? Because why must i satisfy this ONE customer consuming and overloading my server when the rest of the NINETY-NINE shared web hosting customers are complaining to the support department of the slow speed?

Therefore, technically, unlimited does not exist.

But think about this, if you allow yourself to be hosted on a server with unlimited bandwidth accounts, I don't think you are making your money worth. This is because, half the time the site might not be working properly or loading extremely slow.

Just my two cents. Not against anyone, but just a simple analysis of the situation. Unlimited/unmetered bandwidth is just a marketing gimmick which does not ensure or uncertain in the quality of hosting as the approach is sales centered.

[peteVA]

You guys fail to understand there are NO heavy users. There are a lot of samll business owners, many of them Internet Marketers selling ebooks and software downloads. Then there are online stores, OSCommerce and the like.
None of these use mach bandwidth, nor do they consume much hard drive space. Hardly any overhead on the resources.

So, there is no bandwidth drain, no hogs pulling way more than their fair share. And load times are as quick as you will find. Again, because while the price of $ 120 forever, or $ 12.50 per month for 6000MB storage is very good, the target market will never take advantage of their allocation.

6000MB will host 25 or 30 online stores. Most users have tops, many just one. So, while you can talk about the theory of this or that, the fact is the hosting is an outstanding value with very good performance.


Small Business Hoster

Mask Your Affiliate Links - and Much More!

[fivio]

Dear Pete,

As we argue about this, the more this thread becoming off-topic
But, I think the OP does not mind

------------------
You guys fail to understand there are NO heavy users
------------------

You business operation are based on ASSUMPTION that people does not use a lot. Well, it may worked well for you first 5 months of customers. But about the future ? WAY AHEAD FUTURE, since your contract with them is FOREVER.

Since you based on ASSUMPTION, let me do it also then. Let say, 50% use the resources 50% of thier allotment, let say, then you must purchase MORE reseller package from Bizgoldhosting.com. Their package is much more insane than your eventually

http://bizgoldhosting.com/reseller.html

Unlimited Disk Space ? ^_^ I do not want to start a new arguement.
But, they do not have lifetime package, which means you MUST pay them yearly or monthly to get your reseller RUNNING. Lifetime package is not a WISE choice.

-----------------
Hardly any overhead on the resources.
-----------------

You do not yet sense the OVERHEAD as your business start December 2006. Then billing starts to recurring etc. you WILL fell the overhead over your head.

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the target market will never take advantage of their allocation.
------------------

Another ASSUMPTION here. How would you know that customer will NEVER take the advantage ? Your business plan is using ASSUMPTION that people are using 10% of their resources. Nice idea but bad move. The customer have rights for whatever resources they purchase. So, are you prepare for that ? Because for other hoster, we see the whole scenario from worst case events.

------------------
the fact is the hosting is an outstanding value with very good performance.
------------------

It is not about theories my friend. It about logic. But I already said, it is your business (by the way, you ARE now SELF-ADVERTISE). I highlighting that your business is a risky one. You would be better prepare as later on you need more man power, more resources more more etc. And you income is determined because of LIFETIME package. They paid you ONCE and you must serve then FOREVER. Giving service is NEVER been FREE.

Thank you,

[peteVA]

Actually, the reseller deal you link to has nothing to do with me. I am not a reseller such as that. I did have a reseller account like that for a number of years with an outfit named lypha and have dealt with the market for some time. (whois lookups don't tell the whole story, but that's another thread.)

I will agree that there is a possibility that someone may figure they paid for all these unused resources and begin to use them, maybe even sell some sub / add-on domain space. Anything's possible.

However, after a number of years specializing is selling to small businesses, I think I've got a pretty good handle on my market and customers. With a loyal group of forum members and newsletter subscribers, I maintain a pretty personal relationship with them and make sure they get more than they pay for when dealing with me.

[fivio]

Dear Pete,

Ok, I might be wrong about the reseller. It is because I just base in whois information. My Bad.

But, I check iweb.ca. Their servers do not provide unlimited bandwitdh option. How come you can privode unlimited bandwitdh to customers but your provider (iweb.ca) does not offer it ?

Thank you,

[fivio]

Dear Pete,

I think there is no use argueing this in matter. I already said what should I express. By the way have a good business. Pease.

Thank you,

[peteVA]

Well, you asked a reasonable question and deserve and answer. I have no secrets, many of my clients are well aware of what I will share with you now.

As I mentioned, I was a reseller with lypha. I had been with them for several years, but by last summer had begun to have communications problems with them. Not real down-time issues, just ask a question and get no reply, or get the run-around, not a reliable answer.

So, I began looking.

At the same time, for a number of years I had several online businesses selling "drop-shipped" goods in the US only. I buy from a company called SMC, which promotes being in business for yourself on TV and elsewhere. They have thousands and thousands of customers, many working from home.

A couple of years ago they set up a forum for their customers, which grew to 13,000 forum members. I was the moderator of that forum, as a volunteer, not a paid employee, just a customer who was helping out. Anyhow, after about a year and a half they shut down the forum. I managed to alert some
of the members and set up a forum of my own within hours.

So, I have a forum with about 700 members who are also customers of this SMC (www.smcorp.com). They are just what I mention - small business people. Many are looking for websites to sell their 3,000 items. I provide those sites.

I have other clients as well, mostly through forums, friends telling friends, etc. Word of mouth, no PPC or such.

Last fall I found out about this guy - bizgoldhosting, offering the lifetime sites, so I bought one for $ 129.00. Just to see how it did. I was great, did all I could ask, so in December I approached him about reselling his services. He agreed and made me an offer that I could not refuse.

My deal is nothing like the reseller deals he is offering anyone. And you are correct, iweb.ca does not offer such packages. But I do not deal with them. The owner of bizgold owns his own servers, but has them located at the iweb center, sort of renting rack space.

So, without going too deep into details, rest assured that I can offer what I do and still maintain a good business. You are correct regarding the time required for support at times, but the fact is that I was helping people for nothing anyhow. Either through forums or be email.

Right now, when someone buys a $ 12.50 per month payment plan I will spend many hours with some, since they are newbies and do not know what ftp is, or how to upload a databse to their shopping cart, or how to set up their email on their servers. So I do spend a lot of time for $ 12.50. But after serveral months, when they have found their groove and are standing on their own, it is a good income.

Plus, I do have clients who pay me to totally manage their shopping carts. That gets up to $ 30 a month, or more. So it is not like I will not have any groceries next week.

In the meantime, I'm a Billionaire, working on my first Million!

[Cognigens]

wow, a simple request for recommendation turned into a heated debate...

so, sloth, what do you make up of the wise words so far? easier to choose or even harder?

SEVEN simple facts for today's hosting:-

1. disk space is cheap. don't settle for less than 1GB and market price is around rm100 or less. but you can get as much as several hundred GB for not too much, affordably around rm200/year. there's no such thing as unlimited space -- hard drive have limits! I doubt you'd go for RAID hard drives unless you'll be hosting youtube-like content (terabytes of them).


2. bandwidth are cheap. get at least 10GB minimum because i've seen even ebook-selling minimal pages site, forum or blog consuming several GB per month, due to traffic. that's if your site is expected to reach top 500,000 or so in traffic ranking. minimal hosting price usually cover this, but heck, you can get TERABYTES of bandwidth today, also affordably for the same rm200/year hosting package (yes, with storage)


3. get a dedicated/separate email. free emails included in hosting account usually either come with little storage (10-25mb each) or big storage but shared with webhosting accounts (and other resource-consuming tasks, thus making the server less reliable!!). Email is IMPORTANT, so again, get a SEPARATE email solution. A commercial email service with 1000MB space can be purchased for around RM100 or less. Or just settle with gmail with nearly 3gb of FREE disk space and superb innovative features. (anyone still need the exclusive free invite??) -- free yahoo and windows live (formerly msn hotmail) offers ~2gb disk space too, but you need to log in frequently to keep your account active and no POP access (and no custom sender's address either)!

4. SUPPORT is expensive! This is what you'll actually be paying for, be it RM50 or RM1000. 24-hour support?? local/physical shop? Any friendly phone support during the emergencies and confusing times? Life chat? decent faq/knowledge base? prompt and easy-to-understand email replies? language preference - ie. boleh faham melayu, broken manglish dsb. tak? web-based control panel? Good reputation? How long has the business run? What type of company? Will the company still be here next year? next 2, 3 yrs etc??

5. another concern would be the order process. what type of payment accepted? bank-in instead of credit card? or can i pay with credit card, without extra fees! online order? billing control panel?? any setup fees?

6. Then only we go into features details - back to storage, bandwidth, backup, 1-click script installation, cpanel/plesk/helm/proprietary, scripting support etc.

7. FINALLY. MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE?? Especially important!


Well, if you'd ask me since I'm also a host, of course I'd recommend my own... But, I've offered here some pointers, so go ahead and do your hunting. All the best!

[fivio]

Hello,

Nice article cognigens, but no self-recomendation here

By the way, hosting does not comes cheap. Unless you willing to eat peanuts for whole months. Charge the customers a little extra and you will be more motivated to serve your customers in the future.

Thank you,