What web hosts do you recommend?

August 27th, 2009

It is human nature to ask friends or trusted experts for advice before making a purchase. My clients often ask me what web hosts I recommend. A web host is going to be the home for what may be some of your most precious data, so you want to make a good choice. Read my Eight tips on choosing a hosting service to get an idea of what a good host provides.

Below I’ve listed some hosts that I believe offer reliable, affordable services*. However, it is important to remember that no host is perfect, and even the best hosting companies can experience machine failures or hack attempts. I cannot guarantee the reliability of any host. I use the site FindMyHosting.com as a guide to choosing a web host. They collect user reviews, allow you to compare plans, and keep a record of every hosts uptime.

Some hosts offer a free domain name in their packages. Some plans require you to sign up for at least a year or more of service to get the best rates. Personally, I prefer to pay for hosting month-to-month in case I’m unsatisfied with the service.

QualityHostOnline.com
Quality Host Online is one of my preferred hosts. I’ve got my main blog hosted here and the support has always been fast and helpful. They automatically keep weekly and monthly backups. Prices vary depending on what specials they’re running, but you can get a starter plan for $1.99-$4.99 a month.

TotalChoiceHosting.com
TotalChoiceHosting.com is my other preferred web host. I’ve hosted sites with them in the past with no problems, and their forums provide excellent customer support. They make their login information very secure, which makes it harder to remember, but safer from hackers.

Pronethosting.com
One of my clients uses this host and has been happy with their service. They charge $4.95/mo and have unlimited storage and bandwidth. They also keep daily backups of your site. Get Pronethosting.net Web Hosting

HostGator.com
I have several sites currently hosted with HostGator. They’ve provided excellent service and uptime, but my only quibble is that they do not have regularly scheduled backups of my sites. I have to do it manually.

* Please note, I am a member of the affiliate programs for several of theses sites, which means I make a small commission if you sign up for hosting via my links. I assure you that I have linked only to hosts with whom I or one of my clients has a positive experience.

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