Thinking about switching

I came across Hostgator through WebPro and it looks interesting. The reselling looks like I could keep my websites and sell a few and therefore get my sites for free. But it seems like the package (aluminum) is kind of small. Right now I am on 1and1. I have never noticed it being slow, it has seldom been down and I don't use the support, so it's all good. What I need to know is:
1. How hard is it to sell space?
2. Is the aluminum package really that much smaller than 1and1's business package, or am I just confused?

[Serra]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

1. How hard is it to sell space?

Easy to sell, hard to compete. You can compete with a company like 1&1 who sell basically an entire server's worth of space (200gb) for $9.95 a month.

A user here, kmaw posted this article in another fourm:

http://www.hostingtech.com/?m=show&id=1523

You might want to read it.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

2. Is the aluminum package really that much smaller than 1and1's business package, or am I just confused?

It is hugely smaller than 1&1's business page. 5gb vs. 200gb. ($24.95 vs $9.95).

The difference is shocking! 1&1's prices makes HostGator look like a bunch of crooks. If only price was an imporant factor in finding web hosting companies.

Let me quote a real brain on this kind of stuff: (from another thread)

Originally Posted by serra

Hosting should be found using this criteria:

1. Quality - Uptime, process power, response time.
2. Support - 24/7, telephone and email, short response time to questions, good resolution time for problems and the level of support needed for the user. (Example would be managed or unmanaged dedicated server)
3. Size - Enough space and bandwidth for the website.
4. Access, Security and Tools - The required level of access to files (FTP, shell), secure environment (Like PHPSuExec, PRM, Mod_Security) and tools (Urchin, Webalizer, Mailing lists and site builders, as needed).
5 Price - Must be in the price range that can be afforded.

I think that about covers it. 1&1 is by far the best deal around when it comes to price. If you are happy at 1&1, stop looking, you will not find a better deal at a hosting company that has been around a while and is stable like 1&1 (meaning it isn't going to close shop any time soon).

1&1 however, is not top knotch hosting. If you are looking for quality, run from 1&1, IMO.

Thanks for the answers. What is wrong with the quality of 1and1? My site is always there, I can get my email, I'm a happy camper. Will my site be better here? One thing I see is shopping cart software, which I could use, right now I'm using a Paypal shopping cart, and it's a pain. I have 8 domains, could they all fit on the aluminum package?

[Serra]

Customer reviews for 1&1 have been poor in the past. Customer support issues are a problem, I've heard.

In addition, the business model required for 200gb of space for $9.95 is some what questionable. My server doesn't have 200gb of space on it and I'm pay about $180.00 a month! I'm not stupid, so something isn't right.


As I said, if you are happy with 1&1, say there, you will not get a better deal anywhere. No matter what!

HG is FAR more expensive than 1&1.

..and yes, you can likely fit 20 domains in an Aluminum package.

I believe 1and1 can afford such low prices for large quantity because they oversell. I know...the feared "O" word. Hostgator is great, they've been wonderful for the time that I've hosted with them on Baby Croc.