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If you are looking for quality web hosting, I have listed below some of the top web hosting companies in America.
Not all web hosting providers are built the same, and some even lack features as commonplace as MYSQL compatibility. In addition to this, not all web hosting services offer the same basic tools for websites. There are important difference in uptime, tech support, and the control panel (to name a few points). My preferred host is Bluehost. However, I also use the hosting services of all companies listed below.
One important aspect of the recommended web hosting companies below is that they offer a free website builder, access to the Fantastico Script Library (for one-click installations of popular software, including WordPress), E-commerce ready tools, and other features that are required for a successful website. I don't use the website builder tools, but I do use the quick WordPress installation features often.
Hosting Company |
Key Features |
Notes and Suggestions |
Bluehost
Overall Rating
Tech Support Rating
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- Unlimited email accounts
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited data transfer
- Unlimited hosted domains
- Free domain registration
- Automatic WordPress installs
- Free site builder w/ templates
- cPanel control panel
- $75 free Google credit
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Anytime money back guarantee
- FANTASTIC tech support
- Price: $6.95 /mo
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Recommend the base plan plus the extra $2.50 per month for a dedicated IP address.
Author's Note: I have over 100 websites hosted here. I have been nothing short of happy with uptime, and the responsiveness of tech support and billing departments.
NOTE: Any time I've had an issue, I've been able to get hold of tech support quickly. They are in the USA, so they are easy to communicate with (no accent hurdles).
Web Hosting $6.95 Per Month / Free Domain >>> |
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100% Eco Friendly Web Hosting Service
iPage Web Hosting
Overall Rating
Tech Support Rating
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- Unlimited email accounts
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited data transfer
- Unlimited hosted domains
- Free security suite
- Free domain registration
- Automatic WordPress installs
- Integrated Google control panel
- Free site builder tool
- Free shopping cart
- cPanel control panel
- Anytime money back guarantee
- 24/7 customer support
- Price: $4.50 /mo
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NOTE: The free security suite is unique to iPage, and is pretty nice. It is the SiteLock security suite, and most other hosting companies charge $9.95 to $12.95 for the service.
Another unique feature is that a Google Control Panel is integrated You'll have a single point of access for Adwords, your sitemap, site search and more.
Click here for more >>> |
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Host Monster
Overall Rating
Tech Support Rating
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- Unlimited email accounts
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited data transfer
- Unlimited hosted domains
- Free domain registration
- Automatic WordPress installs
- cPanel control panel
- Free site builder w/ templates
- $75 free Google credit
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Anytime money back guarantee
- Made in USA
- 100% USA-based support
- Price: Check sale prices
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Base package plus unique IP upgrade.
Click here fore more >>> |
Windows Class Web Hosting |
Applied Innovations
Overall Rating
Tech Support Rating
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- 100% guaranteed uptime!!!
- Secure (PCI compliant)
- Supports enterprise applications as well as small business apps.
- 24/7 tech support
- Services:
- Shared hosting
- VPS hosting
- Dedicated hosting
- Application hosting
- Business solutions
- 60 day money back guarantee
- Intuitive control panel
- Microsoft Sharepoint partner
- Supports MySQL, SQL, and .php
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If I could rate these guys higher than five stars, I would. Applied Innovations is hands-down the best hosting company I have ever worked with. I've been using their services since 2001, and their uptime has been flawless. Even better, their tech support is ultra-fast, and these guys go above and beyond the call of duty.
They are a Windows platform, and unfortunately, technology has taken me toward a Linux platform. All of my older Windows-based sites are still here though!
We recommend Applied Innovations >>> |
What to Look For In a Web Hosting Account
Platform
First, the platform of the servers that will be hosting the sites should be considered. Some providers use Windows based servers, while others are Linux environments. Although Windows Servers are used by many web hosts, they do not offer the same reliability, stability and security that Linux servers are known for. Not sure what platform you need? If in doubt, go with a Linux host. If you need a Windows host, you will know it and this will not be a question. Again, the top five in the list above are Linux hosts.
MySQL Compatibility
MySQL is a light flavor of the traditional SQL that many databases are reliant on. MySQL is a very commonly used component for website administration, and should be offered by the web host. A MySQL database is needed for most content management systems (WordPress, Joomla, etc) as well as eCommerce / shopping carts, and many custom applications. If your new web hosting company doesn't offer MySQL, RUN. Bluehost is a quality provider of support for MySQL, ensuring that all database needs can be easily met.
Control Panel Functionality
The control panel, or CP, is how the user directly interacts with the web host controls. Some hosts can offer very advanced and excellent CP’s, while poorer hosts will offer bare bones CP’s. CPanel is the name of one of the best CP’s available in the hosting industry. It offers superior tools with a wide variety of functionality. The top 5 hosts in the list above all have CPanel.
Site Speed and Bandwidth
In order for a website to be successful, it needs to have quick loading times. Site speed and bandwidth are essential components for a site that visitors enjoy visiting and do not leave due to frustration with slow load times. Don't go cheap!!! Many web hosts, including those in my list, offer a low cost web hosting plan. One starts at $1.99. Problem with this type of account is that you will typically suffer performance issues like slow loading times. And slow loading times now impact your Google ranking. Bite the bullet and choose at least the mid-range hosting plans that are usually in the $6 to $8 per month range. That's still incredibly cheap!
Shared vs. Dedicated Hosting
The method of hosting also matters greatly. With shared hosting, resources are allocated amongst many sites. With dedicated hosting comes greater reliability as resources are only used by the one site and are not spread out amongst others. Shared hosting is much cheaper than dedicated. However, if your site gets a lot of traffic or has many applications running at once then you may want to look into a dedicated server. Chance are though, if you are reading this article and deciding on a web host, then a shared server is fine.
Quality Support
With websites, downtime means lost visitors and lost profits. When things go wrong, it is important to have access to quality support that can help get issues resolved quickly and minimize problems and downtime. Few things are more frustrating than dealing with tech support staff that cannot understand English, or that give me stale, canned answers to questions. All the web hosts listed above have great technical support.
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