Setting up a blog: Part 3 - Choosing and Subscribing to a Web Host
My previous post will give you details on how you should choose your domain name, and which registrars that I have used before to register my domain name.
Now let’s move on to the next important thing:
Step 2: Choosing and subscribing to a web host
Arguably one of the most daunting decisions that you’ll need to make as a blogger is choosing your web host. Your web host is a service provider whom will be providing you with the server space and bandwidth to run your site. There are literally thousands of web hosts out there, from very big out fit like GoDaddy.com that serves international customers, to your local web host provider (like IT Works Interactive in Singapore, to your many resellers whom most often than not working on a one manshow basis.
Over the years, I have subscribed to (and in some cases, ditched) many web hosts. In my experience, often when you choose a web host, there are a few key things you need to consider:
How much web space do you need? Typically as a blogger, you don’t really need that much of web space. Unless of course, if you are a photoblogger (but even so, you can get started with a free photo hosting service like Flickr). As a guideline, a 100 MB webspace will be more than enough for you to get started. Remember to check that your web host provides easy option for you to add on space later on without too much hassle.
How much bandwidth do you need? Again, a typically blogger really does not need a lot of bandwidth. Unless you are streaming live video (why not use YouTube?) and audio (consider imeem.com?), 1GB bandwidth is more than enough for a starter blog.
How much setup support do you need? This depends on how much technical knowledge you have. If words like “web space” and “bandwidth” and “DNS settings” set your brain all fuzzy, you’ll need the best customer support there is from your web host, who can guide you, step by step, in setting up your blog. That narrows your choice somewhat, and often you need to pay more for such helpful hosts. If you are okay with (or willing to learn) these technical aspects, than you will have more web host options
How much technical support do you need? Specifically, find out if your web host provides back up. If so, how often? Is the site hacker proof? What kind of uptime does the host promise? I will recommend a weekly back up host, with certain measures in place to protect your server from hackers, and 99% uptime will be sufficient. Why is this important? Well, as someone whom recently lost three years of hard work due to a hacking incident of my largest site, you don’t want to be in my shoes. The recovery is literally a pain in the ass.
Let’s move on to recommendations. Personally I can vouch for the following services:
Don’t be deceived by the bare (and seemingly unprofessional) website. MJZ Hosting, ran almost single-handedly by Matt, offers a no frill web hosting at unbelievably cheap prices. I have been hosting many of my sites with him. The thing about Matt is that, he is very flexible with your needs, and he responds to your email personally. His hosting plans are really, really affordable. I remember subscribing to his ATOMIC plan - which offers 500MB web space, and 15 GB bandwidth, at US$19 a year! That’s like less than US$2 a month! I highly recommend MJZ Hosting for blogger beginners.
Recently I have moved one of my sites to Mid Phase Hosting due to recommendation by a high-profile blogger. Also goes by the Anhosting, the web host offers unbelievably package for the price they are charging. The package that I am having right now is for 500 GB, and bandwidth of 5000 GB a month! That’s like 100x more than what I used to get, all for less than US$5 a month! My buying experience with Mid Phase Hosting has been pleasant experience. According to some past users, they have very strong customer service, robust back up system, and hacker-proof protection. Not sure if the promo that I subscribe to before is still there, but I suggest you check out their packages. Not only that, they also offer you free domain name, as long as you are subscribed to their service!
While I can recommend and vouch for these two web hosts that I am using, I am sure there are others good web hosts out there. If you have any recommendation, do drop a comment so that I can include in this list from time to time.
My next post will be on the final step in your blog setup, before you actually start blogging, and that is choosing your blogging platform.
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