# \[OT\] How to pick a shared host **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [April 28, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ot-how-to-pick-a-shared-host/59083 "2006-04-28T15:13:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Christopher\_JSMack](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Christopher\_JSMack](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Christopher_JSMack)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ot-how-to-pick-a-shared-host/59083/1 "2006-04-28T15:13:32Z")
I’m _not_ looking for vendor recommendations or dis-recommendations – I’m looking for the right _questions_, not the right answers 🙂 I’m giving a talk in a couple of weeks which has to include a segment on how to pick a good shared hosting service. The audience are institutional clients looking to support web-apps ranging from organizational intranets to public-access data sites to collaboration services: they’re not looking for $3/mo, they’re looking for reliability/uptime guarantees, assurances that their information will be secure on the host’s servers, etc. They’re also looking for two basic types of services: generic hosting (run your own custom app); and collaboration services appservers (like Basecamp). Hosting services are not my area of expertise, but I know that many of the people on this list have built apps and found hosts for many clients. I’m wondering if you have any wisdom to share about how to identify a reliable, high-quality host? - What do you look for? - How do you know when you have found it? - How do you tell the wheat from the chaff? The audience are current & potential Rails users, so Rails-specific advice is welcome, but so is advice that goes beyond specific platforms. Any advice much appreciated! --CJ ---
**Author:** ![Christopher\_JSMack](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Christopher\_JSMack](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Christopher_JSMack)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2006, 3:50pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ot-how-to-pick-a-shared-host/59083/2 "2006-04-28T15:50:07Z")
> - What do you look for? 1. RAID 2. Good references (although you need to keep in mind the big accounts probably have a bit more than a shared server :-)) 3. 24/7 support (if possible not outsourced to India or Russia) I’d say if cash isn’t really a problem, go for a managed dedicated server or at least a VPS (especially if you’re planning on running rails on it). That way, you’re pretty sure if something’s really slow or crashes all the time, you are causing it and not some other bimbo who’s running insecure scripts. > - How do you know when you have found it? You don’t. We once had a host that offered a really good price and their servers were really good. Then, one day, the problems began and never got solved. Support was sending me evasive replies (they were treating me like a newbie, while i knew damn well what I was talking about, my mails were technical enough for them to get the message). Most of them rent rack space themselves in one of the big datacenters, so it mainly comes down to how good their expertise is. Even then, things can run smoothly for months and then go haywire on you in a matter of hours. > - How do you tell the wheat from the chaff? Well, it’s hard actually. Sometimes the really small ones can be really good, but quite a lot of them are reselling space themselves. 1. Google for reviews, there are a few sites out there that have shared host reviews 2. Contact their sales department and ask “expert” questions, not your ordinary ones, but questions like: how many other accounts are on my server, what action is taken when one account puts a huge load on the server (is it moved off to another server), what server monitoring (and service restarting) software are you using to ensure services are up and running, what security measures have been taken again DoS and other attacks, where is your support center located, … 3. 30 days money back garantee (and also use those 30 days to test the server, don’t host any public apps yet) 4. Make sure it has all the features you want, if security is an issue, SMTPS and POP3S (either by using a shared certificate or buy your own), … Best regards Peter De Berdt ---
**Author:** ![Christopher\_JSMack](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Christopher\_JSMack](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Christopher_JSMack)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2006, 4:32pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ot-how-to-pick-a-shared-host/59083/3 "2006-04-28T16:32:35Z")
Everything suggested already, plus > - What do you look for? Since hosting is a commodity these days the main differentiating factor is the speed and level of service you receive when the crap hits the fan. I’ve ditched 2 hosts because of this, and have found a co whose service is just unbelievable, ie. 24/7 livechat and phone, with a smile 🙂 ([hostmysite.com](http://hostmysite.com) in case anyone wants to know) > - How do you know when you have found it? When you very rarely have problems, and when the problems are dealt with by people with a great attitude. > - How do you tell the wheat from the chaff? Experience… unfortunately you only find out after you’ve signed up! ---
**Author:** ![Christopher\_JSMack](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Christopher\_JSMack](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Christopher_JSMack)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2006, 7:28pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ot-how-to-pick-a-shared-host/59083/4 "2006-04-28T19:28:50Z")
On Apr 28, 2006, at 6:08 AM, Christopher J. Mackie wrote: > collaboration services appservers (like Basecamp). > > Hosting services are not my area of expertise, but I know that many of > the people on this list have built apps and found hosts for many > clients. I’m wondering if you have any wisdom to share about how to > identify a reliable, high-quality host? > > - What do you look for? A provider I trust. > - How do you know when you have found it? When I trust the provider that people I trust have recommended, and after using the provider for a while and being satisfied, then I know that I’ve found it. > - How do you tell the wheat from the chaff? See above. 🙂 – – Tom M.