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Guest Author: David Kendall
This post will feature eight of the top hosting providers for 2012. We will also include information on the features that help each site stand out above the rest.
1. HostGator
This service provider entered the scene in 2002 and has since then extended its service to support over eight million domains. Dell PowerEdge servers are used for its fully managed dedicated servers, and clients receive support on a 24/7 basis throughout the year. Customers also enjoy a lot of easy-to-install site templates, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited disk space, and an uptime guarantee. Other special features include unlimited email, $100 worth of credit for Google Adwords and one-click installs. The longer clients are signed up, the more they save on their monthly bill. Starting cost per month is $3.96.
2. Bluehost
For a starting cost of $4.95 per month, Bluehost customers enjoy unlimited bandwidth, disk space, file transfer and unlimited email. They also receive a free domain registration, free site builder and access via a cPanel. Their basic plans cover features such as domain parking, unlimited hosted domains, e-commerce and one-click WordPress installs.
3. InMotion
This service provider has been in operation since 2001. Their focus group has so far been small to medium-sized businesses to which they offer affordable hosting solutions that they find to be effective. They have dedicated server plans, use cPanel architecture and are suitable for any size business. Disk space, bandwidth and domains are unlimited, and their plan costs $5.95 monthly.
4. Justhost.com
Starting at $3.50, customers enjoy unlimited monthly transfer bandwidth, unlimited disk space, unlimited email and unlimited domains. There is a 99.9% uptime guarantee, website builder and ecommerce features. Other features include Fantastico, and customers receive Google advertising credits. Justhost.com is a favorite service among website owners.
5. Hostmonster
Hostmonster has several features that have found favor with its users. These include unlimited disk space, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited domains, unlimited email accounts and a free domain. The provider uses the cPanel control panel, and clients receive a $100 Google advertisement credit. Other features include free site builders, free online stores and WordPress. Their plan begins at $5.95 per month.
6. iPage
iPage also remained a favorite web hosting provider during 2012. Website owners enjoy features such as its unlimited disk space, unlimited bandwidth, and unlimited email addresses. An iPage package also includes free domain registration, a free security suite and free site building tools. Other features that users enjoy are free credits for search engine marketing, and a free online store. iPage is a green site that is 100% powered by wind energy, and costs $4.50 per month.
7. Fatcow
Fatcow also made it to the list of top web hosting providers with its many features and offerings. Aside from being an affordable $4.67 per month, Fatcow offers unlimited bandwidth, unlimited disk space and unlimited email, along with unlimited hosted domains and unlimited MySQL databases. Other features include a free website builder, free domain name and a free shopping cart.
8. DreamHost
This web host provider is no doubt among the top sites because it is customizable and scalable. This allows businesses to grow and accommodate growth. They currently run over 500,000 sites that have WordPress as their core. DreamHost features include unlimited bandwidth, 150 gb disk space and 500 email accounts. Packages start at $8.95 per month and include free a domain name and spam protection.
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For more resources, see our Library topics Marketing and Social Networking.
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About the Author:
David Kendall has been extensively involved in the hosting industry over the last few years. He enjoys sharing his hosting insights on various tech blogs. Use the WhoIsHostingThis.com search facility to see where sites are hosted.
Reference:
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/05/five-best-web-hosting-companies/
