While we are all making our New Year’s resolutions, I’d like to suggest that you add, “In 2012, I’m going to hunker down and build that web site for myself I’ve been putting off for way too long!” And, to make things even easier for you to select a hosting site most appropriate for your needs, Webhostinggrating has ranked hosting possibilities to make it easier for you to select the right host.

Some Words of Wisdom on Web Hosting

When it comes to choosing the right place to host, I suggest first that you not buy your domain name at the same place you plan to host. It may be “easier” but it is (in my opinion) much better to have the domain name separate from your hosting service. Most places are on the up and up, but some hosting companies can make it a royal pain – and more or less hold your domain name hostage – if you pick incorrectly and need to move. Ecommerce is tricky enough, choosing the wrong host will just make things a whole lot more difficult for you.

Using a Web Hosting Directory To Help You Seek Out the Right Host For You

Sure you could go to a major search engine and hunt until the cows come home, but why? A solid web hosting directory is going to make your hunt easier. With the prices listed, and reviews from other users posted, you’ll have a good idea where your resting spot on the web should really be. Lots of information is often provided within such a directory, but do make sure to go to your selected potential host and read the fine print, too.

Whether you’re looking for cheap hosting, a more robust account, or even your own dedicated server, a web hosting directory give you that much needed starting point.

Do make 2012 the year you finally realize that having one domain to advertise (and you can list various programs, products or services on that domain) is much more cost effective. Whether you are an affiliate marketer or a business owner, nothing beats have your own domain and hosting to build links to and ensure good search engine optimization for others to find you.

Update Time! You might want to glance at the post below to know what I mean

I’ve spent the past week plus getting a cram course from my brother who (thank god!) understands coding, hosting, windows (which I’m not using), and Plesk and Linux (though he hates the latter).

I (using the term losely) am moving the entire Whole Hog Blogs network of massive wordpress blogs to new servers – bigger, faster, just all in all great to make the move AND save some cash in the process. Of course in the beginning, it was me doing the data gathering and him sewing it all back together.

But the learning curve has been brutual with 16-20 hour days for what seems like my life. I’m sure my brother is thinking the same thing.

I actually interrupted him while he puts together a HUGE website/blog (that I will write all about in the very near future since he’s looking of course for not only readers but WRITERS).

I am pleased to say that with only short/quick phone calls now (and not every single time LOL), I believe I have come close to mastering the art of moving small, medium, and large (well organized) wordpress blogs. There was an instance, or two, where he patiently put back together anywhere from 30,000 to 90,000 lines of code! Thank you Bob!

So the move is almost accomplished! I loved where I was hosting everyone at Rackforce, it’s just that it was impossible to pass up the bargain of a brand new server built from the ground up with over six times the storage and 10 times the backbone (for much less).

I’ve been a cpanel person all my online life, but you know even when you want to give up and run back to what’s “safe” it’s worth it to stick to your guns and learn something new! Now I’m comfortable with another way to do business using Plesk! TaDa!

I don’t know about you, but in the past 10 years or so being online, I don’t know how many times I’ve changed hosting companies. It really has gotten so out of hand, that I cannot count on one hand the number of times I’ve moved websites.

I wish I’d known about the reviews you can find over at webhosting geeks.

Visiting their website today I was astounded at the number of hosting companies – not only out there – but listed in an easy-to-use directory. Yep, they’ve taken most of the work out of finding a decent one and posted it all there in black and white (and other cool colors) so you can select a hosting company just right for you.

A visit to just their front page immediately shows you:

o  The top 10 highest rated hosting companies

o  Features like how much space you get, how much traffic you can have without it impacting your bandwidth, and the price

o  Bonus features! Every hosting companies offers something extra (okay maybe not every one, but those listed in the top 10 certainly do) like a free domain forever, and marketing bonuses to get you headed on the right track for doing business online.

You also can easily click on any link for even more information.

But it doesn’t end there!

Down the left hand sidebar you’ll be astounded at even more ratings, the awards these “geeks” have won since 2004 (I love a website with longevity, that says a ton), along with links out to the Web Hosting Geeks’ Blog.

Loving blogs, of course I had to click.

Their most recent post (at the time of the writing of this post) is their April 14th, called Is Your Business Website Secure?.

Excellent advice to read, especially with the increase in attacks and hackers apparently with a ton of time on their hands. Why be sitting on hosting that does nothing to protect your hard-earned, hard worked asset – your online domain!

Here’s another post I found, that I think you’ll also find fascinating. It’s called Fantastico: cPanel’s Best Kept Secret.

Of course you’ll find even more information and stay up to date just by bookmarking the webhostinggeeks blog

If you’ve chosen the “lazy man’s (or woman’s) way” of creating a website, you might find your current hosting company short on this amazing feature. Fantastico is a wealth of ready-made, one click installations of a large variety of extra goodies for your website:

o  Forums
o  Shopping carts
o  Blog installations
o   Drupal (community building)
o  Wikis
o  and a whole lot more.

The great thing is you don’t have to know how to install a single thing, if your hosting includes Fantastico!

Frankly, I could spend hours looking around Webhosting Geeks at all the tools, resources, suggestions, and recommendation the folks over at webhosting geeks provide (and you should, too!)

Never, ever rush into choosing a hosting service. Always do your homework. And again, their website is the perfect stop to begin to make sure you choose the best hosting for your needs.

Enjoy!