I've had the same web host for about 10 years and pretty much let it run itself because most of website "stuff" is greek to me. However I'm considering a change of web host because they offer an upgraded program that provides more services for actually less cost than my current plan. The rub is that to take advantage of this I have to essentially start over and build a new site in the new version. Soooo, since I have to start from scratch anyway and since I have had issues over the years with this service, I'm shopping.
I would like recommendations from those of you who are happy with their web hosting service and importantly, does it include email accounts. My domain name is registered independently from the host so I can keep it and would prefer if I can keep my current email address so I don't end up with a ton of PR materials no longer valid because the email address is no good.
I looked into Zenfolio and it was very attractive but it does not offer any built-in email service. My domain name provider says I can link email to them but then got into an IP this and IP that discussion that lost me so maybe someone can help decoding how email through domain provider works too.
Sorry this is so long and not sure I'm even explaining it very well so do fire off questions for more info if I've not provided it. Otherwise, I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks for any assistance
My first question is, why would you have to build a new site? I took a quick look at your code (View>Source) and didn't see anything that was 'off the wall'. As far as transferring your existing site to a new host, you have a couple of options. Some of the better hosts will do the transfer for you, but they will charge extra for this. The other option is for you to download your entire site to your computer using an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program such as WS-FTP and then upload your site via FTP to the new host when everything is set up by the new host.
EDIT: I looked at one your gallery pages and notice it uses 'asp' (Active Server Page). ASP is for a Microsoft Windows platform, so any host you choose will have to support ASP. Web.com and Network Solutions have Windows servers.
Since you already own your domain name you'll have to change the DNS (Domain Name server) so it points to the new host. Your new host can help you do this. Regarding e-mail: If your e-mail address is you at yourdomain.com, you should not have to change it. You will have to set up e-mail on your new host, though. Again, they can help you with this.
I have been using Web.com for a long time and have been very happy with them. Network Solutions is also very good (my domain is registered through them). Both hosts have excellent service and have lots of help pages and great support.
I hope this helps, and if you have more questions. please holler.
Thanks Phil and Preston. I will check out your suggestions.
Preston, to your note...I don't want to rebuild the site but I was told that's what I would have to do in order to upgrade to the current version offered by my host. I would much prefer to simply migrate my site and then tweak it to take advantage of any new features of a different plan.
Don't really know anything about FTP or what I'd do with my site once I got it on my computer (see, told ya I was not real informed on this...I know Photoshop inside and out but computers, internet, web this, web that, all still a mystery to me).
As for email, it is johnreed@johnreedphoto.com. Based on your response then, I gather since I own the domain johnreedphoto.com through a separate party, that once I decide on a host I can then somehow incorporate this address. This is where Zenfolio said "sorry". Perhaps once I check out your suggestions I will find an alternative.
If I utilize the email service provided by my domain provider, would that interfere with the web host? Well, wait a minute - I guess I should ask the domain provider that and just hope it makes sense so never mind on this one. Don't want to take up too much space here.
Thanks again
As an aside to NPN, I received 3 identical emails notifying me of your post! Isn't that strange!!
There a re two basic types web server platforms: Apache/Linux and Windows. Apache servers do not support ASP or ASP.Net which are proprietary Microsoft Web platforms. Now, if your host has only Apache/Linux plans, then yes, you'd have to rebuild your site. If your host supports ASP, then you should be able to migrate the site.
Basically, FTP is a way for us to upload or download files such as images. In fact, when you upload an image to NPN, you're using FTP that's from within NPN. Basically, you'd need an FTP client (such as WS-FTP) on your computer. You would transfer (download) your site (All folders and files) to your computer. Once your new Web address (site) is set up by your new host you would use your FTP client to upload all of your site's folders and files to the new site.
As I mentioned above, your new host may be able to do the transfer for you. You'd have to ask about this because it's not automatic, and there may be a charge.
I gather since I own the domain johnreedphoto.com through a separate party, that once I decide on a host I can then somehow incorporate this [e-mail] address.
Yes. You would have to set up the e-mail box (johnreed at johnreedphoto.com that your new host will provide.
Just a note: Your domain provider has nothing to do with e-mail--you simply registered your domain with them. If they do have an e-mail web application, it's best to have your e-mail through your web hosting service to avoid any conflicts. For example: My domain is registered through Network solutions, but my website and it's associated e-mail box is hosted by Web.com.
Is any of this making sense? I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible for you.
Infoquest.com might be a place to look at. They have Microsoft servers that can handle your ASP, and most of their plans include email accounts. They are located in PA, and I can personally vouch for their tech support which has always been top notch and speedy with no runarounds or finger pointing.
Discussion
6 repliesI would like recommendations from those of you who are happy with their web hosting service and importantly, does it include email accounts. My domain name is registered independently from the host so I can keep it and would prefer if I can keep my current email address so I don't end up with a ton of PR materials no longer valid because the email address is no good.
I looked into Zenfolio and it was very attractive but it does not offer any built-in email service. My domain name provider says I can link email to them but then got into an IP this and IP that discussion that lost me so maybe someone can help decoding how email through domain provider works too.
Sorry this is so long and not sure I'm even explaining it very well so do fire off questions for more info if I've not provided it. Otherwise, I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks for any assistance
My first question is, why would you have to build a new site? I took a quick look at your code (View>Source) and didn't see anything that was 'off the wall'. As far as transferring your existing site to a new host, you have a couple of options. Some of the better hosts will do the transfer for you, but they will charge extra for this. The other option is for you to download your entire site to your computer using an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program such as WS-FTP and then upload your site via FTP to the new host when everything is set up by the new host.
EDIT: I looked at one your gallery pages and notice it uses 'asp' (Active Server Page). ASP is for a Microsoft Windows platform, so any host you choose will have to support ASP. Web.com and Network Solutions have Windows servers.
Since you already own your domain name you'll have to change the DNS (Domain Name server) so it points to the new host. Your new host can help you do this. Regarding e-mail: If your e-mail address is you at yourdomain.com, you should not have to change it. You will have to set up e-mail on your new host, though. Again, they can help you with this.
I have been using Web.com for a long time and have been very happy with them. Network Solutions is also very good (my domain is registered through them). Both hosts have excellent service and have lots of help pages and great support.
I hope this helps, and if you have more questions. please holler.
--P
Preston, to your note...I don't want to rebuild the site but I was told that's what I would have to do in order to upgrade to the current version offered by my host. I would much prefer to simply migrate my site and then tweak it to take advantage of any new features of a different plan.
Don't really know anything about FTP or what I'd do with my site once I got it on my computer (see, told ya I was not real informed on this...I know Photoshop inside and out but computers, internet, web this, web that, all still a mystery to me).
As for email, it is johnreed@johnreedphoto.com. Based on your response then, I gather since I own the domain johnreedphoto.com through a separate party, that once I decide on a host I can then somehow incorporate this address. This is where Zenfolio said "sorry". Perhaps once I check out your suggestions I will find an alternative.
If I utilize the email service provided by my domain provider, would that interfere with the web host? Well, wait a minute - I guess I should ask the domain provider that and just hope it makes sense so never mind on this one. Don't want to take up too much space here.
Thanks again
As an aside to NPN, I received 3 identical emails notifying me of your post! Isn't that strange!!
There a re two basic types web server platforms: Apache/Linux and Windows. Apache servers do not support ASP or ASP.Net which are proprietary Microsoft Web platforms. Now, if your host has only Apache/Linux plans, then yes, you'd have to rebuild your site. If your host supports ASP, then you should be able to migrate the site.
Basically, FTP is a way for us to upload or download files such as images. In fact, when you upload an image to NPN, you're using FTP that's from within NPN. Basically, you'd need an FTP client (such as WS-FTP) on your computer. You would transfer (download) your site (All folders and files) to your computer. Once your new Web address (site) is set up by your new host you would use your FTP client to upload all of your site's folders and files to the new site.
As I mentioned above, your new host may be able to do the transfer for you. You'd have to ask about this because it's not automatic, and there may be a charge.
Yes. You would have to set up the e-mail box (johnreed at johnreedphoto.com that your new host will provide.
Just a note: Your domain provider has nothing to do with e-mail--you simply registered your domain with them. If they do have an e-mail web application, it's best to have your e-mail through your web hosting service to avoid any conflicts. For example: My domain is registered through Network solutions, but my website and it's associated e-mail box is hosted by Web.com.
Is any of this making sense? I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible for you.
--P
Good luck with your move.
Thanks to all