With so many web hosting services available, deciding which one is the best can seem an impossible task. This is especially true because "best" is a fairly subjective term and every webmaster is looking for something a little bit different. The choice will likely depend on a variety of factors, including: what CMS you want to use, what software you will need to use, what control panel you want to use, what type of databases and programming languages you're familiar with... Before you start your search, it is important to make a list of what you need and then create a short-list of possible candidates.
When choosing the best web hosting service, it is important to first consider your own needs before looking at the recommendations of others. However, using Expert and User reviews are a great way to get informed information about what you will be getting into, in terms of reliability, performance and customer support. The best list below is based upon results from the "Who's the Best Web Host" poll at WebmasterFormat.com, which included 20 of the most popular hosting services available. Here is a quick overview of the top 5 vote-getters.
1. JustHost
JustHost is a fairly new host compared to much of their competition. It was launched in 2008 and immediately started to bring in awards, including the #1 Host of the Year in 2010. Its parent company is the Just Develop It Group, which has become well known for the quality of their products and services. JustHost can easily fulfill 99.9% uptime guarantee as every website is stored on multiple servers that use load balancing technology and super fast backbone connections. The basic package starts at $3.45 per month and includes unlimited space, bandwidth, and domains, with one free domain included in the package.
Every user gets access to unlimited email accounts and MySQL databases. The operating system is Linux, with Apache web server and #1 rated control panel: cPanel. The languages that are supported include: PHP 5, Python, Perl 5, and Ruby on Rails. It also provides one click installation of Wordpress, Joomla, and b2evolution, plus a wide range of free software like OS Commerce and Agora shopping carts, PHP Nuke, Mambo and more. They also offer an anytime money-back guarantee.
2. Web Hosting Pad
Web Hosting Pad has been in the game since 2005 and has become well known for its shared data plan and state of the art datacenter. It was founded by industry veterans who wanted to put emphasis on customer service and quality, yet affordable, web hosting service. Since then, they have won a number of customer service awards including Web Host of the Year in 2009.
The basic web hosting package starts at $1.99 per month (with a 4 year contract). It includes unlimited disk space, bandwidth, domains, subdomains, and MySQL databases. Web Hosting Pad offers cPanel as the control panel as well as FrontPage extensions and Fantastico script support. The private N+1 datacenter is well known because it offers: AC and DC raceways with 2N distribution, redundant 30 ton HVAC units, onsite security, and even biometric hand geometry readers at all doors, and even the cages.
3. MyHosting
MyHosting was launched in 1997 and is based in Toronto, Canada. They offer a wide range of hosting packages from less than $5 to nearly $20 per month. Packages include unlimited disk space, bandwidth, and domains as well as a website builder with a variety of templates. They also include Google Postini email spam and virus protection, a Microsoft Exchange Business email account, one-click application installers for a number of applications including: Wordpress, Drupal, Magento, Joomla and more.
One reason why they have gained popularity over the years is because they offer a variety of services that compliment their hosting service. They offer website design services, PPC and SEO services, outsourced IT services and Web App management services. If you are looking for a one-stop solution, then MyHosting is one of the best options available.
4. InMotion
InMotion has been offering shared hosting services since 2001, when it was founded. They currently use 2 datacenters (Washington DC and Los Angeles, CA). This has allowed them to create "Exclusive Max Speed Zones) to ensure faster loading times. They also utilize peering exchanges with the leading ISP's to create faster connections.
The most basic package starts at $3 per month and rises to just below $18 per month. The cheapest package offers 100GB of disk space, 1000GB of bandwidth, and 1 FTP account. They do weekly backups of their servers to ensure that your website will never be lost for good. They use cPanel for the control panel along with FrontPage extensions. It is fairly noticeable that personal packages are a bit thin – some options you may expect like additional sub domains and secure IMAP email support are missing. However, the business class plans are much more suited for even the most basic of webmasters and are still affordable ($5.95), especially when you take into account that they come with Max Speed Zone enabled.
http://www.inmotionhosting.com
5. FatCow
FatCow has been offering web hosting services since 1998. They are well known for powering both their offices and datacenters completely with wind energy. While there are a number of green hosting companies to choose from, many do not actively promote "being green" outside of powering their datacenters. FatCow has become recognized as having some of the greenest overall set of Standard Operation Procedures that was built from the bottom up.
Their basic package is less than $4 a month and includes unlimited disk space, bandwidth, and MySQL databases. FatCow also offers a free website builder, shopping cart, and domain name. They support a number of different programming languages including PHP 4 and 5, Python, and a fairly expansive script library as well as applications such as: Wordpress, Joomla, Gbook, phpBB and Carbonite Online Backup.
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your serious right just host has some of the worst reviews on the web