The biggest hosting company is not always the best. Startup web hosts can provide something a large host can’t. |
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For my next installment, I am covering a web hosting topic that is usually left untouched on all the big forums like WebHostingTalk, SitePoint, DigitalPoint, etc. On these forums, it is common to see numerous threads asking for reviews on the largest web hosting companies. Obviously this is because the companies with the most exposure/highest rankings are going to get all the attention. For this reason, It is common for people new to web hosting to sign-up with the so called top web hosting companies because those are the ones they see/hear about first – you know them HostGator, Yahoo, HostMonster, DreamHost, etc.
So why would anyone want to signup with a startup web host over the large established web hosts?
There is ONE thing that a startup web host can offer that a large web hosting company can’t. That is a personalized service. What’s so important about having a personalized service, anyway? I’ll tell you why. A new web hosting company is going to value every one of their customers far more than a large hosting company. You are one of maybe 50 clients compared to a large web hosting company that has 200,000 customers. To the large host, you are just another number/statistic that they don’t care about. The smaller startup host NEEDS your business so they are more likely to jump through hoops to provide you with everything you need. A smaller web host is also more likely to go the extra yard for you. In fact, some startups will do pretty much everything for you – from transferring your website to manually installing certain software that you may need for your website. With a large hosting company, you would be lucky to get them to install an Apache module that takes 30 seconds to setup. This is because they know that if you go somewhere else, there will be 100 new people signing up right behind you to take your place.
I’m not saying that you should forget about the large hosting companies, because they do have their advantages:
- A large host can usually offer its service for a lower price than the smaller company
- They will have around the clock technical support
- They can offer more disk space and bandwidth
- Established hosts are more stable because they have already been in the business for X amount of years. They know how to run their hosting company successfully.
There is one more disadvantage of a large host that is brought up a lot on all the web forums I visit. I often see a lot of complaints that a customer’s website was shut down for exceeding the CPU limit set on the hosts shared accounts. A large host is more likely to boot clients who use a higher than average amount of CPU resource. In order to make the most money off a server, a web host needs to cram as many accounts on it as possible. The host is able to cram more accounts on a server when everyone is using very little CPU and RAM.
A smaller web hosting company is less likely to give you the boot because their servers aren’t filled up to begin with. They tend to give heavy usage websites more lee-way because there is extra space or resource to spare. Now this doesn’t mean they will scoot you bye forever. Eventually when they fill up that server, they will have to start putting limits on accounts or else the server will crash every 15 minutes.
Going with a larger hosting company will certainly save you money, but at the cost of a personalized service. The startup hosting company is able to thrive by offering a completely personal service at an increased monthly rate.
Sep 20th, 2008 at 2:13 am
I think that only worldwide reliable hosting company like hostmonster, gate host, yahoo, blue host etc. are the best to choose rather than other cheap hosting companies which would not fullfill their proclaimed offers according to your essential requirements.
Sep 25th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Great Post. I wish the little guys could get a better handle on being found. I think if you host with a little guy you should help spread the word. I currently host with a small startup. kgtweb.com and am very happy with them.
Sep 26th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
You know, that principle holds true for more than web hosting companies, when you think about it. It’s an all-around good idea, much of the time. Not just in business, either.
@Toastboy – thanks for that tip.
Oct 1st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Well, I needed to call GoDaddy once, I may assure you it was a real pleasure. The man dedicated to me something like 10 minutes or more to clear my problem.
Oct 1st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Can’t agree with your MORE on this topic. People think that bigger the amount of money they spend, more quality the work they get. However this is totally wrong. There are so many affordable web hosting companies out there who provide a better service than those big shots in the industry.
Oct 8th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Choosing between a large web host company like HostGator and small web host company, I really really really agress on the statement: There is one thing that a start up web host can offer that a large web hosting can’t, and that is personalized service.
Althoug BNS Hosting is not a starting web host, since we were a web hosting company since December 1995, I believe that we should give personalized service to all of our clients. We have these posters in our office that says, it is not our boss who pays us but our clients. This is very true.
In a way, I have read many complains that large web host companies does not entertain support, that when clients fire an email, there was no response, they have these ticket system but always get a auto generated message.
For us, BNS Hosting, we must value each of our clients, give them at least that they need, offer them the best package that they need, and promise them, technical support.
BNS Hosting
http://www.bnshosting.net
Oct 15th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I’m on the fence with this one, here are my thoughts and why for each.
I think you can really benefit by going with small companies, especially if your new to setting up a website and/or hosting. The personal attention, extra services provided to ensure you get up and running and the overall feeling that your a name and not a number. Be sure to check their support qualifications as this may be limited when you go with a one man or small company operation.
On the flip side, large companies have employees who must adhere to company policy and guidelines. These are typically in favor of the customer and ensure you are treated fair and the same no matter the situation. Small companies may take things personal and treat you differently when you request support in the future. You are also tapping into a large resource of technicians.
All the best in your search and comparison.