I switched from my old host, Hostright UK, to DreamHost.
I had been thinking of switching from my current host for sometime, and at the time DreamHost seemed the best host to move to.
I signed up on the cheapest package, Crazy Domain Insane!, which normally costs $9.95 a month. Currently (for a limited time), DreamHost are quadrupling all new user's disk space and octupling (not even a word…) all bandwidth. This means, even on the lowest package, you get:
*Features*
I got 20GB disk space (which increases by a further 160MB per week you are a member), 1TB bandwidth (which increases by 8GB weekly), Unlimited mySQL databases (not really unlimited, it takes up your disk space! But really, I doubt you are going to have a 20GB DB!), 3000 POP/IMAP mailboxes, 75 FTP and Unix Shell users, 1 domain name registration, Unlimited hosted domains and subdomains, PHP4, PHP5, Crontab, Ruby on Rails, CVS, Subversion, SSI and canned CGI scripts, QuickTime and Real streaming. This is very feature-full compared to many other hosts, and hence my interest.
*Discount code*
As I said above, this normally costs $9.95 a month (or $7.95 on a two-year contract). If you choose to pay monthly, you have a $50 set-up fee.
However, if you use my promocode WEBBYSWORLD you can apply the following discounts:
On all pay-monthly packages: $37.50 off (about three quarters of the set-up fee)
On all yearly packages: $80 off (which means that the above package would only cost you $22 for the first year!)
On all bi-yearly packages: $80 off
It's worth noting that the code can only be used by first time customers and it only applies for the first payment (so you don't get $80 off each year…). Also, I will get paid a comission on any sale made through this promocode, but you're saving quite a bit of money!
So, if you are planning to buy hosting with DreamHost, it is worth your while to use the WEBBYSWORLD promocode.
* Problems/Downsides *
A few days later, I began to tire of DreamHost. It used an in-house control panel, which wasn't very attractive, while most hosts use Cpanel - which is must more attractive.
I found the loading time of all pages fairly slow, and this is the case with the majority of large hosts. It is also slow when you are setting up sub-domains, FTP accounts, and such - and it takes 2 hours to do this. I am the impatient type, and I know this can be instant - but it is not.
* Support *
I have to say that they have good support. They offer a 97 day money-back deal, and I asked for this and they refunded it without a single problem.
Also, when I required help they didn't hesitate to provide it.
* Alternatives *
From DreamHost, I switched to Bluehost. Though it is still slow, it has Cpanel and in my opinion, better support.
by (15%):
22.09.2007 11:53
A great review.
16.06.2007 19:13
Great review - well written - lots of detail xxx
07.09.2006 23:56
Good useful advice.