Multi Domain Hosting - Before I leap...

[Norris416]

Still new to this...

I want to host multiple domains with one hosting company, under one plan and one price. At first I expect to host between 5-10 sites, most of them "minisites" and the odd larger site (nothing crazy big).

The domains I have are all registered thru GoDaddy.

My questions:

- If I choose a hosting provider OTHER than GoDaddy that claims unlimited or multiple domains hosted - Do I have to pay extra if the domains are registered somewhere else?

- If I host with A but registered with B, how does it work?

- If my traffic requirements suddenly grow - Will most hosting providers allow me to upgrade with ease? (Or is it complicated/not possible)

- Considering what I'm trying to accomplish, what else should I look for in a host?

Feedback and advice appreciated. I'm not a pro yet so having a hosting provider with easy to use CPanel and simple script installation is important.

Thoughts? Experiences? Warnings?

Thanks

 

[BitcoinDK]

Hi,

Welcome to NamePros.

First... never have your domain names and hosting at the same place!

- If I choose a hosting provider OTHER than GoDaddy that claims unlimited or multiple domains hosted - Do I have to pay extra if the domains are registered somewhere else?

Some hosting companies offer discount if you host the domain name and website with them. (DO NOT DO THAT!!!)


- If I host with A but registered with B, how does it work?

You just have to change the nameserver for the domain names, its not that difficult.


- If my traffic requirements suddenly grow - Will most hosting providers allow me to upgrade with ease? (Or is it complicated/not possible)

If its a good hosting campany, this will not be any problem.


- Considering what I'm trying to accomplish, what else should I look for in a host?

STAY AWAY from hosting companies that offer UNLIMITED DISK and UNLIMITED BANDWIDTH. This doesnt exist so they are just overselling.

I myself use Fusedhosting.net for my minisites. They are polite and reliable.

Good Luck.

 

[MK3Design]

hostrocket.com its 5 bucks a month and you get unlimited space, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited domain hosting and unlimited DB's..

 

[-MGS-]

testingyou has given you all the advice anyone can give you here. Read what he has said, and make sure you take note of all this points for when you go to look at a host.

And also, when you find a host, ensure that you go and look for some reviews and feedback about that host.

 

[.Andy]

Still new to this...

I want to host multiple domains with one hosting company, under one plan and one price. At first I expect to host between 5-10 sites, most of them "minisites" and the odd larger site (nothing crazy big).

The domains I have are all registered thru GoDaddy.

My questions:

1) If I choose a hosting provider OTHER than GoDaddy that claims unlimited or multiple domains hosted - Do I have to pay extra if the domains are registered somewhere else?

2) If I host with A but registered with B, how does it work?

3) If my traffic requirements suddenly grow - Will most hosting providers allow me to upgrade with ease? (Or is it complicated/not possible)

4) Considering what I'm trying to accomplish, what else should I look for in a host?

Feedback and advice appreciated. I'm not a pro yet so having a hosting provider with easy to use CPanel and simple script installation is important.

Thoughts? Experiences? Warnings?

Thanks

Thats fine 99.9% of the shared hosts shouldd be able to accomidate you.

2)You just change your Domain name servers. It takes 3 min!

3)If your concerned about high traffic make sure they have a plan bigger then yours. If so it takes one support ticket or phone call (if they offer phone support) and it will be done within 20 min. No big deal!

4)You mentioned moving away from godaddy! Great choice. Godaddy crams there servers. You should look into reviews (like on forums) Top site sites are scams. They get paid via affiliate lnks. Talk to there support see i they are knowlegeable.

 

[-JC-]

hostrocket.com its 5 bucks a month and you get unlimited space, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited domain hosting and unlimited DB's..

Prove to me that hostrocket.com has the ability to offer unlimted space and unlimited bandwidth!

I know for a certain fact that they will not be able to offer unlimited bandwidth. It is not possible!

To the OP ... there are many great hosting companies out there that will offer you what you need.

Yes, do not host your domain name with a hosting company. Host your domain name with a certified registrar, like GoDaddy, enom, etc...

But, it is easy to direct your domain to the hosting server by updating your DNS settings. If you get a host and need to know how this is done, then open a support ticket with them. They will be more than happy to assist you.

My number one tip for you is to never host with a company that claims to offer unlimited space and bandwidth. This is not possible!

Here is a great explanation on what unlimited space and bandwidth is and why it is not possible: Learning About Unlimited Disk Space & Bandwidth Web Hosting

My next tip is to email or call the company. Ask all the questions you can think of, and even see if you can get a free trial of the hosting.

Test their response rate, their attitude of helping you, and test their servers and services if they allow you a free trial/money back guarantee.

You will find several great hosting companies that are regular members to this forum. I would start researching them first!

If you have any questions or need help along in your research, then just ask us

 

[BitcoinDK]

There is also an article here in NamePros about Overselling:
http://www.namepros.com/featured-articles/584407-you-being-scammed-unlimited-host-debate.html

I recommend you to read it OP.

 

[rumsfo]

Overselling that is really bad for the market. The companies which do not mark themselves as oversellers have small chances to be noticed by potential customers.

 

[Norris416]

Thanks for all the great advice guys.

I've read alot on the overselling / unlimited claims. Now I understand why its BS and impossible to be truly unlimited, so it basically means those host are essential "lying"...BUT what I struggle with is this:

- 95% of the larger hosting companies offer the unlimited. Its the nature of competition...but doesn't it make sense that if any company is going to be able to support a large strain on their servers, it would be a large one? (ie. GoDaddy rolls in cash...they may not have unlimited resources but they do have the money to buy what they need). So basically my choices are a) Go with a small hosting company - which may be a very good host - that doesn't have all the resources and discounted pricing or b) deal with a large host that makes the impossible claim of unlimited BUT has access to much more resources and in many cases, offers less expensive plans?


- The register / hosting situation - Maybe I'm reading these posts wrong but it seems like one person is suggesting NOT to have my domains registered where I host & another is suggesting that I do infact do that? So what are the downsides/upsides to each situation?

- Domain reviews. I'm losing my mind trying to wrap my head around this. I 100% understand the net is riddled with affiliate "top 10 host" review sites that are uber bias and I get that it makes sense to put more stock in a companies negative reviews bcs they are likley more honest. HOWEVER, if companies are willing "bribe" or write their own reviews...isnt it just as likely that their competitors will write negative reviews about them or grease affiliates / reviewers to knock the others? Basically what I'm struggling to do is find an honest source of web hosting reviews. I thought this forum would be the place, but there seems to be alot of selling very mixed opinions here lol. Any trusted web hosting sites? (ie. rotten tomatoes for hosting or cnet etc.)

- I've only done this once and it was to GoDaddy. I sent a request/ticket to ask about their hosting services. The note I sent was just a long and complex as this post (haha sorry)...I wanted to see how fast they got back. I received a very detailed point-by-point reply in about 4 hours. I consider that pretty good. I should test others.

All this feedback is very helpful and I've finally wrapped my head around pointing my domains etc. So thanks everyone!!!

I'm about to start another thread on CPanel, unless someone can get to that question here:

- Is CPanel (from what I understand its a simplified web based control panel for managing your hosting and settings) - only available on dedicate of VPS hosting accounts? I like the sound of CPanel but G Daddy said it wasn't available on shared hosting....would love some details on this!!!

AGAIN - THANK YOU TO EVERYONE for the wisdom and help

 

[BitcoinDK]

NEVER HAVE YOUR DOMAIN AT THE SAME PLACE AS YOUR HOSTING!

if anybody else says anything else, don't believe them.


CPanel exist also for shared. But it depends on the hosting company.

If you are going to make more then minisites, then it would be better for you to get a VPS instead of shared. This will save you the headache and time later on.

If you only are going to make minisites then at least take a shared reseller hosting. This way each website will have its own cpanel.

You should also look at DirectAdmin instead of CPanel, if you are bad at hosting configuration like I am, you would maybe find DirectAdmin easier to work with. Its interface is easier to understand and its more logical, imho.

Best luck to you.

 

[Norris416]

NEVER HAVE YOUR DOMAIN AT THE SAME PLACE AS YOUR HOSTING!

if anybody else says anything else, don't believe them.


CPanel exist also for shared. But it depends on the hosting company.

If you are going to make more then minisites, then it would be better for you to get a VPS instead of shared. This will save you the headache and time later on.

If you only are going to make minisites then at least take a shared reseller hosting. This way each website will have its own cpanel.

You should also look at DirectAdmin instead of CPanel, if you are bad at hosting configuration like I am, you would maybe find DirectAdmin easier to work with. Its interface is easier to understand and its more logical, imho.

Best luck to you.

All good stuff, thank you - but can you expand on why I shouldn't do it?

Also VPS gets more pricey (from what I understand), so how much beyond a dozen mini sites, would I have to be running for it to be necessary?

I don't think I understand reselling as much as I should. Am I not paying a premium as a reseller so that I can rebadge a white label Hosting plan as my own business and sell hosting? If its simple I'd probably do it...but then so would anyone else. I think thats a little much for a newbie, no? Love more details on that too.

Thanks again !!!

 

[BitcoinDK]

1. if you host your domain name and website at the same place, then if there is a problem with either one of them, both will be affected.
Read around, you will find many that has a headache now, because they had all the eggs in one basket.

2. VPS is not that much more pricey. If its only minisites you are going to be hosting, then you dont need VPS. A Reseller would be good enough for you.

3. Reseller account doesnt neccessary mean that you are going to have you own hosting and sell to others, you could if you wanted but its not the primary thing, at least in my opinion.

Whats good with reseller account is, that you have the option to have separate account and login to each of your domain names. This is good if you, maybe need to give others access to one website you are hosting, then that person would only have access to that one website and not all other websites you have hosted. Its more secure.

Or maybe if you sell one of your minisites, then you can just handle over the login info to that one website, and the buyer would not have access to the other websites.

Good luck.

 

[Norris416]

1. if you host your domain name and website at the same place, then if there is a problem with either one of them, both will be affected.
Read around, you will find many that has a headache now, because they had all the eggs in one basket.

2. VPS is not that much more pricey. If its only minisites you are going to be hosting, then you dont need VPS. A Reseller would be good enough for you.

3. Reseller account doesnt neccessary mean that you are going to have you own hosting and sell to others, you could if you wanted but its not the primary thing, at least in my opinion.

Whats good with reseller account is, that you have the option to have separate account and login to each of your domain names. This is good if you, maybe need to give others access to one website you are hosting, then that person would only have access to that one website and not all other websites you have hosted. Its more secure.

Or maybe if you sell one of your minisites, then you can just handle over the login info to that one website, and the buyer would not have access to the other websites.

Good luck.

You first point is a really good one. Thats something most people don't usually consider. Great idea. That might be the reason I don't host with my registrar.

I think for now, I'm going to skip VPS and reselling, part because of the money but mostly because I don't need it yet. If I ever did a reselling account, I'd like to do it for the right reason and sell hosting with it.

Once I can bring in some regular mini site income or sell some of my domains for decent money, then I think it'll be time to go all in and get a dedicated server (I have big plans but not until im ready)

Thanks again for the great advice!!!

 

[SiberForum]

That is recommended to start with the simpliest account and it seems that you indeed understand that