Best website host?

[PaulH]

Hi all

 

Am looking for an affordable, easy to use website host in the UK, anyone got any suggestions? I don't want to automatically go with something popular like GoDaddy without knowing what else is out there.

 

I'd need something with tools that make it easy to set the site up, as I don't have any experience there. Apart from that though, the site content will be relatively simplistic, and won't require advanced features. 

 

Any advice would be appreciated!

['RZL]

www.squarespace.com might be what you're looking for. It has a free 14 day trial period and makes it easy for you to set up your site. Monthly costs would be at 8$/MO. 

 

The small company I'm working at uses it and it's pretty easy to keep the website up to date.

[Seldoon182]

"The right tool for the right need."

 

Could you tell us what about making a website ? Portfolio right?

[PaulH]

Actually is for a small business, though all the transactions will be handled off site, so it won't require anything too advanced, it's mainly to advertise the business

[AyzOn]

You could take a look at https://www.one.com/en/

My portfolio is hosted there and I never had any issues and its fairly easy to setup.

You can either use the web editor (I havent tried that) or use wordpress. (either installing it yourself or using their super easy install version.)

[MaK]

This is relevant to me. Recently I have been looking around for hosts as well (in the US) because I wanted to put up a small site and portfolio. I've beening looking at stuff like www.dreamhost.com and www.digitalocean.com but I have no experience with either of them (or any host). So hopefully I might see some good recommendations or what to stay away from in this thread.

[PaulH]

Seldoon and Azyon, do you guys know what the website building tools are like on either of the sites you mentioned? Both look decent, quality-wise

 

Also, I keep seeing WordPress mentioned, is that a site building toolset? 

Edited January 3, 2015 by PaulH

[AyzOn]

The web editor I mentioned works via drag and drop. You get guidelines and stuff to place them properly on your chosen template (either a blank or basically finished one).

I made a few screenshots of it. http://imgur.com/a/1Db8K#0

 

Wordpress is for free so It couldnt hurt to give it a shot, depending on if you have the time to mess around with it for a bit.

It has tons of free plugins and themes which are usually fully customizable, but you probably would have to buy them since you´re using them for business.

 

I had written a bit more before but I accidently hit backspace...^^

Edited January 3, 2015 by AyzOn

[PaulH]

No worries, I'll look into it, cheers

[blackdog]

Paul: Wordpress is a blog. You can either register a domain and use it through Wordpress.com so you don't have hosting hassle, or install it in you own space (and test in local).

Dreamhost and I think all other sites, have one-button installs which make it easy, you don't have to worry about updates cos they update themselves if I remember correctly.

It has been modded and developed toward a CMS so shitloads of small businesses use it with plugins (free and commercial) but it's still a blog.

@Mak: I have had dreamhost for several years and I think it's a very good host. Easy to manage domains and space.

It's a powerful hosting, I got it through a 90% discount offer but then the normal price kicked in and I was basically using it only for remote-linking after the first 2-3 years in which I was doing proper webdev with database and everything, so I terminated and switched to ovh (French company).

This one is good as well but I had problems in porting my very basic basic php portfolio pages (they were basic just including other pages) so I've let it die and I'm gonna look for another solution for my portfolio.

Edited January 3, 2015 by blackdog

[Seldoon182]

Actually is for a small business, though all the transactions will be handled off site, so it won't require anything too advanced, it's mainly to advertise the business

 

Fine. What kind of product? Do you have a strategy plan, business plan or something?

 

I would go for something SEO friendly if I were you (the most important thing ppl never take care).

 

Also "anything too advanced" if you want to be seen you need to take care a lots of details. Running a website for business isn't just about the Framework part (html/css/js), it's about Editorial work, Technical optimization and so on.

 

Did you list your competitors or made a list of references? This would be much much appreciated to give you real tips.

[AlexM]

Dont use godaddy or 1and1. That's all I can say. 

 

As for me I use site5 but they arent a website builder type of host. You have to do everything yourself. That said, they have been great. 

[Sjonsson]

Never had bad experiences with One.com except once and that was during a server transfer, that said when it's running on maintenance it's all fine and dandy.

[PaulH]

The business involves video editing, I don't want to go into too much detail on here but essentially all the site needs is the ability to display images and embedded videos alongside text based information, so nothing too fancy at all

[PaulH]

Never had bad experiences with One.com except once and that was during a server transfer, that said when it's running on maintenance it's all fine and dandy.

 

Seems like there's some bad reviews mixed with the good here: http://www.whoishostingthis.com/hosting-reviews/one-com/