A little over a year ago I selected a blog hosting service, purchased my own url and moved my blog. I chose my host from the top five industry recommended services at the time. For the most part I have been very happy. The freedoms I now have running my own website are such that I don’t think I’ll ever go back to free hosting.
On the plus side, as I said, when I chose my website I did so based on an industry comparison review of the five most popular webhosting services on the market. I have gone through the incredible learning curve of figuring out how to run SQL and FTP on this platform. When I’ve need help tech services have been relatively fast and very efficient. I like the way they explain what I need to know and don’t talk down to me.
On the minus side, that host has recently been having issues. In fact, shortly after I re-upped my yearly subscription, they had a hacker take them — and consequently me — offline for a good part of a day. Lately, I am not receiving my email — notification of your comments — until two to three hours after you post them on the blog! That really chaffs me. And it seems like they are constantly down for maintenance. On the other hand, migrating posts to a new host are a royal pain.
My webhosting service doesn’t even make the top ten anymore. They say it is growing pains. That didn’t expect to grow so popular as quickly as they did and expansion got away from them. So, do I stick with them, or bail for one of the current top five?
What a hassle – a domain is a mixed blessing, I guess. I just can’t bring myself to pay money every month for my blogging hobby!
.-= Mocha with Linda´s last blog ..You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes Review & Giveaway =-.
Linda — I pay once per year, and with the money I make on my paid posts and the free books I get, I figure it pays for itself.
for me the bottom line at this point would be dollars
if you switch now
what happens to the dollars you just paid to re-up?
and
are the top five in line with your current pricing?
then theres this question
whats to say that any one of the current top five
wont suffer growing pains as well
and so is it worth it to struggle through the growing pains
Tilden — my bottom line is ALWAYS dollars! LOL!
Not a clue. I tried to move and couldn’t pull it off!
.-= Mama Zen´s last blog ..Sky In Bloom =-.
Why? What went wrong? Do you need help?
I’m no help… you know… I’m still perfectly happy with blogger.
.-= Melli´s last blog ..Here We Go Again! =-.
Melli — as long as you are content, that is all that matters.
I am very happy with my host, and haven’t had a problem in the entire time I’ve been with them.
So you know, most decent hosts are able to switch over your site for you, completely for free. Even when they don’t offer the service, it can be done on WordPress very easily. And any reputable company will refund whatever you’ve paid upfront, although you should certainly ask ahead of time.
I would argue that any web company worth their salt does not have growing pains. They’ve already anticipated the growth, and reinvest enough into their business to keep it running smoothly. If you are experiencing hangups, there’s a problem. Now, normal maintenance is a different issue. It must be accounted for. But there’s no excuse for hackers or dying technology.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Slowly =-.
Lisa — I am not likely to leave my host. I haven’t had that many issues with them, but some of their dedicated server patrons are ticked with a capital T.
I’ve no idea as I am still on a free one, but I do think about moving to a paid one sometimes. Not sure I am quite ready for that, though.
.-= Barbara H.´s last blog ..Friday’s Fave Five =-.
I paid for my domain and that’s as far as I go LOL. But I have managed websites for local charities, and know what a pain or blessing a host can be.
I’d tell them straight out I was thinking of moving, the minute another issue comes up — and see if they might offer you some compensation for their ‘growing pains’, like greater bandwidth or something shiny or discounted rate when you renew. There are too many good painless hosts out there, and they know that.
Meanwhile I admire you learning SQL and all that other mumbo-jumbo I shy away from LOL. I used to be reasonably ‘techie’ but it all ran away from me these past few years.
.-= Susan at Stony River´s last blog ..Microfiction Monday #16 =-.