Web Hosting Review For Startlogic
Sunday, July 16th, 2006This is my first hosting company review and I’ll start with Startlogic. In my original post on hosting companies, I listed Startlogic’s basic offerings. Now in a more detailed review, these are the following specs they have for their hosting plans. I’ll go into each one as far as my epinion goes.
Server space of 15,000 Megs (15 Gig) – plenty for most all applications you could require
First domain is free - standard for most hosting companies now
Unlimited email accounts - great for large companies, but for a small business it’s generally not required
Bandwidth transfer 500 gig – this is a high bandwidth allowance for this price range (very nice touch)
30 day refund guarantee – Cost at $4.95 a month – very competitive (arguably the most competitive)
Setup fee is zero – software support – may not seem like a big deal, but it’s something you want
Cgi. perlscript, mysql, and php functionality – a must, and also becoming standard
Ssl server secure – never used it, but an important feature if you collect sensitive information from visitors
Ssi management – as above
Site stats and log files – good to have and becoming standard
Web browser email – becoming standard, nothing to write home about (excuse the bad pun)
Shopping cart applications – generous addition for this price range
Web hosting control panel – Shopping cart applications - Frontpage 2000/0/2/3 – good to have, becoming standard
Multimedia, real audio & video, streaming audio, macromedia shockwave, MIDI file, and MIME types included – in this price range….very impressive, but you’ll have to keep your eyes on bandwidth restrictions as your site begins to receive heavier traffic.
File manager, host manager, ftp manager, anonymous ftp, password security, backup programs – so far I’ve noticed my file uploads and downloads have been quick, faster during peak hours for sure
Web builder with professional web templates, slogan and logo editor, change designs any time, web page and doc editing, publishing program – nice touch and not a standard with packages in this price range
standard with most web builders
Unlimited pop3 emails, unlimited forwarding emails, unlimited autoresponders, unlimited email filtering, unlimited web email, form mail, guestbook, bulletin board, php nuke, chat, blogger, multiple java applets – I don’t use any of these features, very important for some
Ecommerce, Agora shopping cart, OS commerce, paypal shopping cart – not standard in this price range
Marketing guides, promotions, SEO positioner, search engine submitter, meta tags generator, keyword generator, link checker – good services but you can find all these for free anyway
Ad credit of $50 – I’m seeing advertising credits offered more and more with hosting packages. A good idea for new-comers so they can get a taste of traffic
Traffic statistics, access and error logs, bandwidth usage – also becoming the standard
Settings options, gnupg, frontpage extensions, customizable error pages, redirecting, mime types, and handlers – I’ve used the settings options and that’s it
Pricing Options
a) If you want the lowest price per month you have to commit to a 2 year plan. Your cost per month is $4.95
b) If you want the above hosting for $5.95 per month you have to commit to a 1 year plan.
c) If you can’t afford to pay out the bucks, and get the lower price, you can do it for $6.95. Your domain is $8.00 a year, so your total cost for your new domain and hosting package is $14.95. You are then charged the $6.95 every month. This comes off your credit card automatically, so you don’t lose your hosting, and they get their money (of course)
Overview Of Startlogic’s Hosting & Domain Services
What Startlogic has done is offer all the services, bells and whistles to all of their customers. Some hosting and domain outfits only provide extra services (such as ecommerce functions and higher bandwidth) to premium package customers. Startlogic has been doing very well because of this pricing approach.
The two most important traits I require from hosting and domain services are; low down-time and a good customer service. Price is an issue of course, but I’ll pay more if I they have solid servers, and quality customer service. Startlogic has online chat, email, and phone customer services. I use the online chat window when I need help and it’s available 24/7/365.
The web sites I host with Startlogic have had next to no down-time, and their customer service has been exemplary.
Startlogic’s web site for more information.
