Website hosting - need help

[rudirautenbach]

After some rather steep learning curve, we finally managed to build a little website for my wife's recruitment firm using Incomedia's Website X5.

We have also registered a domain, and currently we use Google Apps to manage her email account. Works OK.

I guess the next step is to find a reliable (but cost-effective) web host, that would not rip us off, but would host the little website and offer us some advice on our own web design, and fix it if necessary.

We would also need to be shown how to upload content changes ourselves.

Importantly we do not want to transfer the domain to the hosting company, but rather just point the records (A-records methinks?) to the host.

I have looked at "free" solutions, but all of them would result in the website address being preceded by the host address followed by our address. We want to print some basic stationery with the website address on it, and it always looks more professional to have it as your own domain address.

Anyone here that could offer us some help with the setup and hosting of our little website please?

Rudi

 

[mh348]

I use Serv Hosting, excellent service, haven't any problems.

Since you already using Google Apps for mail, check out Google Sites, for free web hosting, I haven't really used it my self but I think you can use your own domain name. I Currently use Serv for the web hosting and Google App's for the mail.

 

[Borrels]

It is very cheap to host a small website. For the entry level site it is only R20 or R30 per month with about R50 setup fee. I've only dealt with Hetzner and Imaginet, but as someone that also needed some help with hosting a site for the first time, both of these gave very good support.

There are many threads on myBB re web hosting companies - have a look at them for more details that you may need to take into account.

 

[rudirautenbach]

Thanks for the advice.

My next question is, can I not host my own website at home? We do not expect that much traffic in the beginning, and with SA bandwidth prices decreasing (or so we hope ) would it not make sense to host it at home for a few months, just to see what kinds of traffic volumes are generated, before we commit to a hosting packages?

I understand that we would need a PC at home which is always on, obviously enough bandwidth and a fairly reliable internet connection.

Is it possible, and what would I need to start?

 

[dequadin]

Thanks for the advice.

My next question is, can I not host my own website at home? We do not expect that much traffic in the beginning, and with SA bandwidth prices decreasing (or so we hope ) would it not make sense to host it at home for a few months, just to see what kinds of traffic volumes are generated, before we commit to a hosting packages?

I understand that we would need a PC at home which is always on, obviously enough bandwidth and a fairly reliable internet connection.

Is it possible, and what would I need to start?

There are a couple of problems hosing at home. The first that comes to mind is security, you'll be opening your box to the net, so you'll need to configure it 100%.

The second is you probably have a dynamic IP address from your ISP. So you'll need to set up some sort of dynamic DNS so that www.yoursite.co.za always resolves to your IP address. This is possible but is it worth it?

I'd say pay the money, get it hosted "off site"

 

[rudirautenbach]

OK, I think I am venturing too far into the unknown (and costly) here

I read this article http://www.boutell.com/newfaq/creating/hostmyown.html and its not as easy as it sounds. Most importantly is the security risk associated with hosting your own website.

I guess I'll be calling Hetzner on Monday morning then...

 

[James]

The problem with hosting your own site on dsl is upload speeds are low. You will be hosting a site and a few people browsing could max your upload pipe. Dynamic IP is not a problem as you can just use something like no-ip and set up a lamp/wamp box and security should be fine. Biggest issue is reliability and upload capacity imo.

Unless you find a friend or someone looking to gain something from you, they are probably not going to give you hosting for free I am afraid but if you are just doing basic hosting of a small site, no databasing and basic scripting you should be able to get away with R10-R20 max even if you have to go offshore to one of the many hosting companies in the US.

You could try guys like Host4Africa and get their R10pm package if that is suitable.

 

[mh348]

The problem with hosting your own site on dsl is upload speeds are low. You will be hosting a site and a few people browsing could max your upload pipe. Dynamic IP is not a problem as you can just use something like no-ip and set up a lamp/wamp box and security should be fine. Biggest issue is reliability and upload capacity imo.

Unless you find a friend or someone looking to gain something from you, they are probably not going to give you hosting for free I am afraid but if you are just doing basic hosting of a small site, no databasing and basic scripting you should be able to get away with R10-R20 max even if you have to go offshore to one of the many hosting companies in the US.

You could try guys like Host4Africa and get their R10pm package if that is suitable.

Stay away from Host4Africa, crap service. A few years back they double charged us for the year and refused to refund.

Rather use Serv, you get 1GB storage for about R25 per month, and get 9 extra add on domains. Texo is also an option, they also give 1GB storage but no add on domains, should be fine if you just hosting 1 website.

 

[RSkeens]

Make sure to ask the web host if they will assist you with the website design / coding before you buy. Good luck!

 

[rudirautenbach]

Make sure to ask the web host if they will assist you with the website design / coding before you buy. Good luck!

That is probably one of the most important things I'd be looking for in a hosting firm.

I am definitely not looking for a freebie, or even low-cost, just something that is right for what we need and cost-effective.

I have been looking at Hetzner, they seem to offer a good solution. I will need to speak to them on Monday to check whether they will audit our owner-created website done with Website X5, if they would (and fix it where required) I will consider signing up. Has to be hosted locally, our target audience would be based in SA and it makes more sense to me to have it hosted locally for that reason. Am I right or not?

 

[AntiThesis]

Texo.co.za

Above and beyond in almost every situation. Support on time, every time, any time. Seriaas.

 

[rudirautenbach]

OK I managed to get sorted with www.peerlevel.com, Roscoe Skeens (ravenservers) sorted me out. Hosting for R350 for 12 months, and he guided me on Skype through the whole process of uploading the website. I believe its good value for money, and accompanied with excellent service!

Its not often that someone helps out at 21h00 at night, and that deserves kudos! I would definitely recommend them, especially for first-timers like me.

Thanks Ravenservers!

 

[RSkeens]

Thank you for your kind words, Rudi. It was a pleasure helping you - please feel free to contact us if you need anything else and we'll be happy to assist.

 

[Borrels]

OK I managed to get sorted with www.peerlevel.com, Roscoe Skeens (ravenservers) sorted me out. Hosting for R350 for 12 months, and he guided me on Skype through the whole process of uploading the website. I believe its good value for money, and accompanied with excellent service!

Its not often that someone helps out at 21h00 at night, and that deserves kudos! I would definitely recommend them, especially for first-timers like me.

Thanks Ravenservers!

I'm glad to see consumers giving their business to companies that provide excellent service. I which ISP's would take some note.

 

[rudirautenbach]

Borrels, agree 100%, especially when looking at iBurst' latest antics wrt their product offering.

 

[Pearson6]

Thanks guys I was kinda lost cause I'm also in the process of openin my own business and I learnt a lot from this thread.....

 

[nausea]

Word of warning: I just had a horrific experience with Host4Africa. Stay away from them at all costs.
They upgraded software on their servers, had no rollback plan and my site was down for 2 days. Cost me a lot of money.

 

[francoisvj]

Woow, great info from this thread THANKS guys ! THANKS Mybroadband !!

 

[DanielGoosen]

After some rather steep learning curve, we finally managed to build a little website for my wife's recruitment firm using Incomedia's Website X5.

We have also registered a domain, and currently we use Google Apps to manage her email account. Works OK.

I guess the next step is to find a reliable (but cost-effective) web host, that would not rip us off, but would host the little website and offer us some advice on our own web design, and fix it if necessary.

We would also need to be shown how to upload content changes ourselves.

Importantly we do not want to transfer the domain to the hosting company, but rather just point the records (A-records methinks?) to the host.

I have looked at "free" solutions, but all of them would result in the website address being preceded by the host address followed by our address. We want to print some basic stationery with the website address on it, and it always looks more professional to have it as your own domain address.

Anyone here that could offer us some help with the setup and hosting of our little website please?

Rudi

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=201623