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1&1 Be Gone

14/10/07

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6 comments

For the past year and a half or so I've been hosting my websites on a 1&1 Internet managed server. The hosting service has been fine for the most part, though I like many others have born witness to the wholly inadequate 1&1 Internet technical support.

After much deliberation I have taken the decision to move web hosts. The managed server I have with 1&1 Internet is overkill for my needs, not to mention too expensive. I've been reluctant to move up to this point due to the hassle involved in transferring my various domains and messing around with email settings, but it's time to bite the bullet. There are much cheaper, better services out there. The question is, which should I go with?

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This is where I need help. I'm looking at Media Temple (and have read good things about them), but are they any good if you're not based in the US? I've also heard good things about Rackspace, but the same question goes for them. They also appear to be more business oriented than anything else.

So, does anyone have any experience with either of these or any other host they could recommend? What are they like to use? Any problems?

In terms of requirements, I need to cover the following:

  • Host 50+ domains
  • 50+ mailboxes
  • 50+ MySQL databases
  • mod_rewrite support
  • Generous bandwidth
  • Plenty of storage
  • Budget of anywhere up to £40 (~$80) per month

Anything beyond the above is a bonus really.

Moving web host is not a task I have undertaken before and I have to confess I'm not looking forward to it. Transferring even the handful of domains, mailboxes and databases I have set up is likely to be a royal pain in the arse. I dread to think how those with hundreds of domains manage it, and I can see why it is simpler to stay put rather than go to the trouble of moving. Still, I shall remain complacent no longer. I've had enough of 1&1. Any help or advice would be warmly received.

Addendum

Perhaps 1&1 read this post as I got my wish early. Every domain on my 1&1 account was down for an indeterminable amount of time this morning (17th Oct). Coincidence or conspiracy? It only hastens my desire to leave.

Addendum #2

And down for another 6 hours this morning (19th Oct). Wonderful.

Comments are closed for this journal entry.

Mike

14 October, 2007

http://www.site5.com/

Great customer service, uptime, features, and customized control panel.

Good luck with the move. You have an awesomely designed web site.

Ryan

16 October, 2007

I have been with Knownhost for a long while now and couldn’t recommend them any more. I use a VPS, and my speed and uptime is exceptional. I’d at least give them a shot to see what you think. I believe you wouldn’t be disappointed. Shoot me an email if you have any questions.

Zachary Mayberry

16 October, 2007

http://www.powweb.com

I have never had a problem with this server and can host unlimited domains (though I passed through a lot of loopholes to set up the service) from a single account.

They are having a sale right now, I believe.

kitsimons

17 October, 2007

Much appreciated chaps. I’ll give them all a look.

Elliot Jay Stocks

17 October, 2007

While a part of me still feels hesitant about recommending the web’s most famous host, you were right to look into Media Temple. I too was a disgruntled 1&1 customer (again, mainly because of their woefully inept tech support) and moved to MT just over a year ago.

I joined when they first launched their Grid Server product and it was a very flakey service for a few months; so much so that I almost left. But that’s all been ironed out now and I’m extremely happy with the service… especially their tech support. And I’m in hte UK too.

Nice site, by the way.

kitsimons

17 October, 2007

Cheers Elliot, for the info and the kind words about the site. I think I’m going to plump for Media Temple’s Grid-Service.

Kitsimons...

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...is the online home of Simon Kitson, a web designer with a healthy enthusiasm for standards-compliant, accessible design and a penchant for blogging about nothing in particular.

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