LESSON #24: Choosing a Web Host

By | September 18, 2008

In the previous lesson, I talked about the importance of having your own website, and we went through the process of registering a domain name.

Now it’s time to take the next step toward getting your website up and running…

(Watch this video…)

Main points:

  • Web hosting is what makes your website available on the internet.

  • It’s important to choose a good web host in order to avoid potential problems.

  • Important things to look for in a web hosting company…

    1) The resources and tools that you’ll need

    -Plenty of storage space and data transfer
    -Cpanel control panel (I wouldn’t go anywhere without it)
    -MySQL, PHP, etc…
    -Fantastico scripts installer (one click WordPress, etc)

    2) Great support

    -look for 24/7 support, and multiple support options

    3) Reliability.

    -If your website isn’t online, it’s not making money!

    4) Affordable price.

  • Some web hosts have gone “green” to help the environment, which is an added benefit when choosing a host.

  • The host I recommend is Hostgator because they meet all of the above criteria. I have referred literally thousands of customers to Hostgator, and they have a great track record of taking care of my customers.

    Action step:

    1) Get web hosting.

    Click here to visit my recommended web host…

    In the video, I talk about how to choose a hosting plan that best meets the needs of your business. Essentially, it comes down to this question:

    How many websites do you intend to have?

    If you only plan on having one website (ever), then you should go with a single hosting plan such as Hostgator’s “Baby” plan. You can get started with your first month for as cheap as one penny by using my coupon code during checkout.

    Coupon codes:
    ERICSTIPSCOUPON ($9.95 OFF)
    TAKE25PERCENT (25% OFF)

    If you plan on having multiple websites, your best option is to get a Reseller account, such as Hostgator’s “Aluminum” reseller plan. This will allow you to launch an unlimited number of websites without having to pay any additional hosting costs.

    Watch the video for a comparison of shared hosting, reseller hosting accounts, and dedicated servers to see which one is best for your business.

    After you’ve obtained hosting, we’ll want to make sure your domain is pointing to your hosting account, and we’ll get familiarized with the tools you’ll be using (I’ll be covering those things in the next lesson).

    As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below 🙂

    Have a great day!

  • 237 thoughts on “LESSON #24: Choosing a Web Host

    1. FERRIS

      13 APRIL 2012
      YOU NEVER MENTION THE TOP TRAFFIC-HOSTING HOSTZILLA . MY MAIN PROGRAMS ALL RECOMMEND HOSTZILA LIKE COMMISSION CHEAT SCIENTIFIC COMMISSIONS ETC. THIS AS TO AVOID WEBSITE-CRASH AND CONSEQUENT ACCOUNT-CLOSURE .
      BUT THEY OFFER ONLY 100 DOMAINS AND I GOT FAR MORE > 1000! . WOULD HOSTGATOR’S ALUMINIUM-RESELLER WITH UNLIMITED DOMAIN NAMES BE A GOOD ALTERNATIVE ? . WILL THE TRAFFIC-OVERLOADED HOSTGATOR’S
      ACCOUNT CRASH AND BE CLOSED BY HOSTGATOR BECAUSE THEYB ARE NO TRAFFIC-HOSTING ARE THEY ? . PLEASE YOUR EXPERT COMMENTS . THANKS . YOUR MEMBER .
      ALL THE WEBHOSTS KEEP THIS A MISTERY EXCEPT HOSTZILLA .

      Reply
    2. Micah

      Hello Ferris,

      Yes, the Aluminum plan would be a great option. We’ve never had any real traffic problems with Hostgator.

      Reply
    3. barry

      Hi Eric, thanks for the great video’s I just was wondering how do you keep all this info in order. I have been with you from the start of your lessons. We are very new at this. and I am starting to have files all over the place. Will you be talking about that at all?
      We are learning so much from you.
      Keep up the great work!

      Reply
    4. Micah

      Hello Barry,

      There are many different organizational techniques that lend themselves to different people.

      These lessons are presented in a sequence that starts at the very beginning, where the very first things you need to learn about online marketing are shown in the first few lessons!

      Reply
    5. Jaques

      Hello Eric,

      I have been with 1and1 and other webhosts. I still find Hostgator to be the best one for me. Whenever I submit a ticket, it is not long and my query is professionally answered. Thanks for the insight as to which plan is best to choose.

      Reply
    6. John

      Hi Eric,

      I use Bluehost and I got your Socrites. Only problem is I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m not sure about the Socritestheme software I bought seams hard to work with. I wanted to incorporate music with a video but have no clue how to do it. I really like what you’re doing though. Excellent information.

      Reply
    7. Susan

      Hi Eric, Your tips are great. Just have a question. If we decide to set up our own domain name reseller site as mentioned in Tip 23, wouldn’t it be logical to buy our web hosting from ourselves?

      Reply
    8. Anne

      Hi Eric, Great lesson as usual. I do not have a website, should I go ahead and get web hosting? Also do your tips include creating a website? I would like to put all your videos in one file or folder so that I view them whenever I wish and not have to search through my mail for them, please advise.

      Reply
    9. Micah

      Hello Anne,

      The videos are only available here at http://www.ericstips.com, but you are welcome to revisit the lessons any time you wish.

      Yes, Eric covers many aspects of having your own website. We recommend that you continue with the lesson series, as each continuing lesson will teach you what you need to know, in the proper order.

      Reply
    10. Chris

      eric…. went to sign up with host gator. im a newby . do you really need the site secure lock, sure makes the price jump

      Reply
    11. Jorge

      Eric as always very interesting lesson thanks,regards and blessing

      Reply
    12. Chris

      I’m finding all this information very useful but at same time overwhelming, I don’t have a business set up yet nor do I have a domain, I’m taking it all in and would like to get started just trying to figure out my angle.

      Reply
    13. Salvador Jr Ropan

      Hi Eric,

      I just want to clarify something, when you say Web Hosting, does it mean Traffic Hosting?

      Reply
      1. Micah

        Hello Salvador,

        No, Web Hosting is a service that you upload your website to. Then, they provide visitors with access to your website. They use powerful computers called, “Servers.” When visitors want to go to your website, they connect to those servers, rather than your home computer.

        Reply
    14. Andrew Haley

      Yes, hostgator is good. I personally use bluehost. But I guess its much of a muchness really. Hostgator maybe better in website transfers though.

      Reply
    15. Jude

      Hey there! I understand this is kind of off-topic however I needed to ask.
      Does operating a well-established blog like yours require a
      large amount of work? I am completely new to blogging however I do write in my diary
      on a daily basis. I’d like to start a blog so I can share
      my own experience and feelings online. Please let me know if
      you have any recommendations or tips for brand
      new aspiring bloggers. Appreciate it!

      Reply
      1. Micah

        Hello Jude,

        Yes, Eric has put much hard work into his online business. That’s the best way to produce success.

        Here is the link to Eric’s lesson called, Getting Started with WordPress:

        LESSON #33: Getting Started with WordPress

        Here are some additional lessons you may also find helpful:

        WordPress Recommended Settings:

        LESSON #34: WordPress Recommended Settings

        WordPress Themes and Plugins:

        LESSON #35: WordPress Themes and Plugins

        Customizing WordPress:

        LESSON #36: Customizing WordPress

        Reply
    16. Humberto

      Hello Eric, ones again a valuable lesson…thank you!!

      Best Regards
      Humba

      Reply
    17. Dennis McKay

      I have just been on Hostgator site and they have changed their pricing where the lowest oprion is now priced at $12.95 but it is for one blogging site only.

      The second option is for 5 sites and is priced at $29.95 per month.

      Is there another recommended option that is more affordable for the beginner.

      Your thoughts would be appreciated.

      Reply
    18. Eric Post author

      That is not correct, they have plans starting as low as $5.56. Click on the “web hosting” tab on their site. And use this code to save 25%: TAKE25PERCENT

      Reply
    19. Gertrude Onwukwe, Nigeria

      Hi Eric,
      The teaching looks simple and straight forward but trying to apply it sometimes throws stubborn spanners in the works.
      I tried to pay for Baby Plan web hosting advertised at the rate of $6.96/month with a 30% discount for 36 months but the computations don’t look to me anything near correct.
      As per the ad & discount , I expected a bill of $175.40 in addition to the addon of $40.14. The bill me $403.14 instead of $215.54.
      Again when I validate the rate escalates to $9.67/month and the amount due and the discount change inexplicably.
      Please any reason why these discrepancies and how can I get over this challenge and move on?

      Reply
    20. Gertrude Onwukwe, Nigeria

      In addition to the complaint above, after I went on to take a 36-month subscription with HostGator, I did not receive a welcome email from them.
      I am now stranded.
      I cannot access my account because I don’t have the password to do so.
      I also can’t raise a ticket to report this problem for the same reason.
      Please can I reach HostGator through you?

      Reply
    21. Timothy W. Bethune

      I like using MLSP with all that comes with it It is a training site as well as haveing a crm and in August they are adding a coaching program. Along with godaddy and aweber.

      Reply
    22. Sharon Mayer

      I need your help do i need to buy webhosting from host gater? i am only interesed in making money from affliate websites for right now do I still need to do each and evrey lesson?

      Reply
      1. Micah

        Hello Sharon,

        Hostgator is Eric’s recommended webhost.

        You can use one of the following coupon codes for a discount:
        ERICSTIPSCOUPON ($9.95 OFF)
        TAKE25PERCENT (25% OFF)

        You may skip any lesson that isn’t applicable to your business. Although, Eric has arranged the lessons in the best order, that can help you build your business from the ground up, without missing any important steps!

        Reply
      1. Eric Post author

        I personally just don’t like the feeling of being responsible for other people’s websites. But it’s a GREAT business model, and I still recommend it for that reason. I still recommend the reseller accounts at Hostgator, and if you want more of a turn-key reseller solution I recommend Lifetime Hosting (You have to sign up as a customer first then they show you the reseller options).

        Reply
    23. Ralph

      With many web sites seemingly open to security breaches, how secure are Hostgator websites? What security software do they use?

      Reply
      1. Eric Post author

        I think they’re about as secure as you’ll find with any “shared hosting”. They use various security software and configurations at the server admin level. But a more important factor is making sure your own site is secure by keeping up on WordPress updates, and avoiding vulnerable scripts, etc.

        Reply

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