Is HostGator right for me and if so, which package?

[carla74]

I've read a lot in this forum and other forums in my never ending search to find a home for my start up business. I was all set to sign up with HostGator until I came to the forums. My main concern is being shut down later on down the road for using too much CPU resources. However, because I'm almost ignorant to how much CPU resources I'm going to be using, I don't want to over do it, either.

I've been reading that HostGator just shuts you down without warning if you use too many CPU resources. Is this true? Is there not an automatic upgrade available to keep your site from just disappearing?

Here's what the problem is. Right now, space used is about 100mb or so. Bandwidth is minimal. However, we're running a campaign in October that will shoot our registered users over 550 (at least) with each of them using blogs, chat room, forums, uploading images/biographies, etc. Then beginning in January, we'll have members and non-members voting, blogging, chatting, etc. By that time, if I'm going to err on the side of caution, we could have as many as 100,000 registered users. This is a site run on databases and we want to eventually use a CMS. (which will be even more database focused with dynamic pages).

Should I even bother with Host Gator? Is there another host that offers automatic upgrades if you exceed the CPU resources limit? Or AT LEAST an email before they shut you down so you have a chance to throttle some databases?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!!

[carla74]

Also, in Host Gator Terms Of Service, it says this:

7a.) Resource Usage
User may not:
a) Use 25% or more of system resources for longer then 90 seconds. There are numerous activities that could cause such problems; these include: CGI scripts, FTP, PHP, HTTP, etc.
b) Run any type of interactive real-time chat applications that require server resources. Remotely-hosted services are fully allowed.
c) Run stand-alone, unattended server-side processes at any point in time on the server. This includes any and all daemons, such as IRCD.
d) Run any software that interfaces with an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) network.
e) Run any bit torrent application, tracker, or client. Please note that you may link to torrents off server, but may not host or store them.
f) Participate in any file-sharing/peer-to-peer activities
g) Run any gaming servers such as counter-strike, half-life, battlefield1492, etc
h) Run cron entries with intervals of less than 15 minutes

When using PHP include functions for including a local file, include the local file rather than the URL. Instead of include("http://yourdomain.com/include.php") use include("include.php")



So if I'm using Drupal hosted on the site with a chat, blog, forum, and user points system, then I shouldn't use HostGator, correct? I know through Drupal, Joomla, Typo3, etc. that the actual program is hosted on your server, so that would qualify as a no-no, right? Which is kind of confusing since fantastico offers these to install.

Thanks again for any help.

[slapshotw]

Originally Posted by carla74

So if I'm using Drupal hosted on the site with a chat, blog, forum, and user points system, then I shouldn't use HostGator, correct? I know through Drupal, Joomla, Typo3, etc. that the actual program is hosted on your server, so that would qualify as a no-no, right? Which is kind of confusing since fantastico offers these to install.

Drupal and Joomla are fine, a lot of people here run them. Honestly, a lot of the anti-suspension advice comes down to "don't be stupid." Not all, but a LOT of people who come here complaining about suspension were very dumb.

If you're really concerned, and will really have tons of users doing tons of stuff, go with the semi-dedicated. You'll get a lot more room on there to use resources.

[Serra]

Originally Posted by carla74

Should I even bother with Host Gator?

In those respects, Hostgator is no better or worse than any other host. Some hosts will allow you to get away with more, but that good for you, but bad if someone else on your server is the one getting away with things. In other words, if you are a bad user, this isn't the place for you. If you are a good user, then you'll like the fact that others are punished when they hurt your site.

Originally Posted by carla74

Is there another host that offers automatic upgrades if you exceed the CPU resources limit? Or AT LEAST an email before they shut you down so you have a chance to throttle some databases?

There is no upgrade path for CPU. You are either in the shared environment or you are in the (semi-)dedicated environment.

You will not be warned before being suspended. HG expects that you will monitor your site and move to dedicated before you become a problem.

[joemailey]

Joomla and other sites are fine.
If your getting the amount of users your talking. Then in any shared hosting enviroment your probably going to end up at the same place sooner or later.

Yes get the shared hosting for now. see how things go. if you get extremaly popular, monitor your useage. See were your going to end up for future then think about a semi/dedicated server.

From the sounds of things you'll need semi/dedicated server.

[charlesgan]

keep in mind that its a shared hosting, that is used by many other users. basically, a $6.95 hosting will allow you to host a good website with tenth of thousand of visitor a month.

when figures goes to 100k.. its adviced to source for dedicated server etc. much more faster page load, and 100% of the cpu usage at the end of the day.

[carla74]

Thank you to everyone that has responded so far. It's been a great help!! I'm not sure I understand what a "bad user" is. Perhaps I'm one of the "stupid" ones that someone else referred to earlier. I assume, also, that I am speaking with people that have sites on HostGator rather than a HostGator sales representative, right? I can't imagine a sales rep calling his/her clients "stupid" and "bad". Uninformed, yeah.

Anyway, I did find a host that actually sends you emails when you're approaching the limit, allows 12 hours to throttle or upgrade, and allows mutiple upgrades in order to allow the usage to grow with the business. I also found several hosts that do automatic upgrades if you select that as an option when you sign up. Unfortunately, all of those are content restricted. We don't have nudity on the site, but I'd hate to get booted off a host because someone said "sh*t" or "fu*k" in a blog.

My worry for hosting was doing a show and expecting 5,000 people to sign up and instead we have 25,000. There's just no way to accurately assume that. If we were already using half of our resources, then we'd get shut down...and lose the traffic of the other how many ever members that would have signed up.

However, I also understand that being on a shared host means that CPU resources are shared and if my site has a spike, it could slow others down. I think I may start out with shared and then move to VSP in September before we expect the first big increase. Thank you to the Junior Croc (I think?) that suggested that.

I've realized that I can't use HostGator for this business. After doing some figuring, I'll pass the INODES limit because of members' "My Account" pages of 2kb each. (Which I completely don't understand if I don't have space and bandwidth overages, but ok.)

Perhaps I'll go with Gator for a smaller business venture I have cooking up instead of this one.

Thanks again everyone!!

[slapshotw]

Originally Posted by carla74

members' "My Account" pages of 2kb each. (Which I completely don't understand if I don't have space and bandwidth overages, but ok.)

If you're using a CMS (like joomla or drupal), member pages won't all be their own files. They'll be dynamically generated from 1 php file.

[Serra]

Originally Posted by carla74

Thank you to everyone that has responded so far. It's been a great help!! I'm not sure I understand what a "bad user" is. Perhaps I'm one of the "stupid" ones that someone else referred to earlier. I assume, also, that I am speaking with people that have sites on HostGator rather than a HostGator sales representative, right? I can't imagine a sales rep calling his/her clients "stupid" and "bad". Uninformed, yeah.

Yes, as I have no stake in HG, I'm free to call every idiots...

Originally Posted by carla74

Anyway, I did find a host that actually sends you emails when you're approaching the limit, allows 12 hours to throttle or upgrade, and allows mutiple upgrades in order to allow the usage to grow with the business. I also found several hosts that do automatic upgrades if you select that as an option when you sign up.

Odd, I can't see how that is possible. HG gives HUGE bandwidth and space, so you'll not need an upgrade there. The only thing left is cpu. Autothrottling would be nice, but there are no CPU upgrades...

Originally Posted by carla74

Unfortunately, all of those are content restricted. I also found several hosts that do automatic upgrades if you select that as an option when you sign up. Unfortunately, all of those are content restricted. We don't have nudity on the site, but I'd hate to get booted off a host because someone said "sh*t" or "fu*k" in a blog.

I can't stand content restricted hosts. Keep it legal, yes, find a nude picture of someone, that should be fine.

Originally Posted by carla74

My worry for hosting was doing a show and expecting 5,000 people to sign up and instead we have 25,000. There's just no way to accurately assume that. If we were already using half of our resources, then we'd get shut down...and lose the traffic of the other how many ever members that would have signed up.

See, already you've taken this well beyond what you should expect from shared hosting. If those are your concerns, then you are an idiot... ok, kidding, but you are playing in the wrong sandbox. When you are trying to figure out if your business can survive a shared hosting shutdown, you've already pushed your business needs beyond what shared is good for. You really should consider the semi-dedicated account here at HG.

Originally Posted by carla74

However, I also understand that being on a shared host means that CPU resources are shared and if my site has a spike, it could slow others down. I think I may start out with shared and then move to VSP in September before we expect the first big increase. Thank you to the Junior Croc (I think?) that suggested that.

You get nothing from moving from shared to VPS. VPS IS shared hosting on a virtual server. The upgrade from shared is semi/dedicated. NOT VPS.

You would go to VPS for more security, not for more processor power.

Originally Posted by carla74

I've realized that I can't use HostGator for this business. After doing some figuring, I'll pass the INODES limit because of members' "My Account" pages of 2kb each. (Which I completely don't understand if I don't have space and bandwidth overages, but ok.)

You are going to have 45,000 html user pages? I'd investigate your design alternatives! That just seems odd. Anyway, the semi-dedicated doesn't have an INODE restriction.

Originally Posted by carla74

Perhaps I'll go with Gator for a smaller business venture I have cooking up instead of this one.

Again, if you are thinking your business is too big for a Hostgator account, you should assume that its too big, move to a bigger type of account, not to a host that will let you 'get away with it'.

[Goddess Dix]

Originally Posted by carla74

My worry for hosting was doing a show and expecting 5,000 people to sign up and instead we have 25,000. There's just no way to accurately assume that. If we were already using half of our resources, then we'd get shut down...and lose the traffic of the other how many ever members that would have signed up.

However, I also understand that being on a shared host means that CPU resources are shared and if my site has a spike, it could slow others down. I think I may start out with shared and then move to VSP in September before we expect the first big increase. Thank you to the Junior Croc (I think?) that suggested that.

if someone is getting to a place where they are using even close to half their resources and preparing for a big event, they need to move up to a dedicated environement before any large events anyway. there is NO shared environement where you could expect to be able to do this without an issue, becuase you're not the only client on the box.

and frankly, if you could, i wouldn't want to be with that host.

[steve_a]

To me it's simple, you have something big? invest money. Get a server for yourself.

[carla74]

Originally Posted by slapshotw

If you're using a CMS (like joomla or drupal), member pages won't all be their own files. They'll be dynamically generated from 1 php file.

Yeah, I understand that and we eventually want to use a CMS. (And hopefully before we get too busy...IF we get too busy.) Though I am scared of the clause in the TOS that says you can't host a real time chat or IRC on your site. Don't the scripts from Joomla and Drupal actually put the code on your site? So that you're actually hosting the chatroom?

Or am I misunderstanding that in the TOS? Or in the Drupal/Joomla scripts?

[carla74]

Originally Posted by Serra

Yes, as I have no stake in HG, I'm free to call every idiots...



Odd, I can't see how that is possible. HG gives HUGE bandwidth and space, so you'll not need an upgrade there. The only thing left is cpu. Autothrottling would be nice, but there are no CPU upgrades...





I can't stand content restricted hosts. Keep it legal, yes, find a nude picture of someone, that should be fine.




See, already you've taken this well beyond what you should expect from shared hosting. If those are your concerns, then you are an idiot... ok, kidding, but you are playing in the wrong sandbox. When you are trying to figure out if your business can survive a shared hosting shutdown, you've already pushed your business needs beyond what shared is good for. You really should consider the semi-dedicated account here at HG.




You get nothing from moving from shared to VPS. VPS IS shared hosting on a virtual server. The upgrade from shared is semi/dedicated. NOT VPS.

You would go to VPS for more security, not for more processor power.




You are going to have 45,000 html user pages? I'd investigate your design alternatives! That just seems odd. Anyway, the semi-dedicated doesn't have an INODE restriction.




Again, if you are thinking your business is too big for a Hostgator account, you should assume that its too big, move to a bigger type of account, not to a host that will let you 'get away with it'.

LOL. I'm glad I came to the forums before just signing up. I literally WAS one of those ones you would have complained about later on down the line because unless you read the really fine print and search until your face turns blue, your ignorant to waht you're really getting in to. I did not have these account suspension worries BEFORE coming to the forums.

I'm starting a new business and just trying to prepare for EVERYTHING. And since nothing is foreseeable...and everything is a guess (or crap shoot)...and I've invested my life savings already...which, by the way, is NOT even close to enough to run my own server properly (I already checked and I WOULD if I had the money and staff. There's only four of us.), I'm trying to gauge what I should start with that would be the most economical but still not kill other sites and effectively getting mine shut down as a result.

I'm pretty ignorant to all of this hosting stuff. (I have a personal site, but that's nothing compared to what we're doing here...besides, I, myself, still write in basic HTML! That's how far back I still am..and just trying to catch up on what I've missed.)

As for the INODES, I didn't see an exclusion for dedicated servers in the TOS, but maybe I missed it somewhere. If we don't have our CMS up and running yet and end up with 100,000 members, then we'll have 100,000+ pages. Our site is static HTML with some php and java right now. MySQL for databases and Paypal as payment gateway. But each member will have an account page and short bio page. So yeah, with the way we have it set up now, it would be a ridiculous amount of pages. They're not big files, but still a different page each.

Another thing is that I'm fiercly loyal. I don't believe in "using" anyone, so once I sign up with someone...like HostGator, I would feel incredibly guilty in going somewhere else if we get big. I would rather stay in one spot, let the host I started with take a bunch of money (because I'd be making it at that point) and everybody wins. But I guess it is possible that we could get too big for even a host and have to go with our own servers. We have a really BIG contest starting in October, but I'd hate to leave the people that helped us out when we were small. (i.e. Start with HostGator and leave later when we have the moola for our own servers.) I live in LA and I see that crap all the time. Make sense or am I just being on overly dramatic female?

[Serra]

Originally Posted by carla74

I'm starting a new business and just trying to prepare for EVERYTHING. And since nothing is foreseeable...and everything is a guess (or crap shoot)...and I've invested my life savings already...which, by the way, is NOT even close to enough to run my own server properly (I already checked and I WOULD if I had the money and staff. There's only four of us.), I'm trying to gauge what I should start with that would be the most economical but still not kill other sites and effectively getting mine shut down as a result.

That is basically the whole argument for getting a dedicated server right there. Your business depends on your hosting. Lets face it, for a four person office, you'll be luck to get phone service cheaper than your dedicated package. Which is more important? Phones or hosting? I'd guess from the way you are talking, they would both be equally important. So, it would be unwise to spend a small amount on hosting.

As for the dedicated server. Yes, even a managed dedicated requires some knowledge. However, the knowledge isn't of a technical nature, its more of a business nature. The technical stuff can come over time. HG's tech can handle the technical stuff.

Originally Posted by carla74

As for the INODES, I didn't see an exclusion for dedicated servers in the TOS, but maybe I missed it somewhere.

No Inodes restrictions on the dedicated machines, figure there is a physical limit in the millions.

Originally Posted by carla74

Another thing is that I'm fiercly loyal.

HG will handle your needs for a long time. Going with any business is a risk, but HG seems fine. I've dealt with 3 different top end companies over the last year on dedicated server and HG is no better or worse than any of them and far better than the sucky ones. I did see one company that on paper looked better than HG the other day, but that is only on paper. On paper 1&1 and goDaddy look like WONDERFUL hosts.

[slapshotw]

Originally Posted by carla74

If we don't have our CMS up and running yet and end up with 100,000 members, then we'll have 100,000+ pages. Our site is static HTML with some php and java right now. MySQL for databases and Paypal as payment gateway. But each member will have an account page and short bio page.

I don't understand why you're doing it this way. What's the MySQL database actually storing then? You are really shooting yourself in the foot by having that many files when they have 90% the same code (headers, footers, site design etc...) and just a little changed content.