Help me choose a web host for a forum!

Soldato
Joined
1 Jul 2007
Posts
21,700
Location
Various
Some friends and I are in the process of starting up an online magazine and forum. Originally, this will comprise of a WordPress based website and a forum, probably using phpBB3, but it will hopefully evolve into a "full fat" CSS site sooner rather than later.

I'm not sure how much web-space is required for this sort of thing, particularly for running a forum on which pictures and, possibly, Youtube videos will be embedded, so if anyone could advise me on this it would be really appreciated.

The two hosts that look good are Vidahost, which, from the sounds of it, has some great features (including support for phpBB3 and Wordpress which could come in handy), and Surpass Hosting, which appears to have fewer features but considerably more space for the same price. Obviously we need support for SQL and PHP at the very least, and anything else is a bonus.

I've managed to upload and install Wordpress and phpBB3 in a "dry run" on 000WebHost, so I'm pretty sure that I could manage it without needing it to be offered by the web-host, although any support for any malfunctions that the host would offer would be nice!

Anyway, with something like this is it best to look for hosts with great features, or with a good amount of space? Both is obviously ideal, but we can't really afford more than £6 a month; we don't know how this will go, so are trying to keep costs to a minimum! If anyone can suggest a host that would be great :D
 
Looks pretty awesome, I'll wait for a couple more replies to see what they say, and then go for them. The free domain registration sounds great as well!

How are they for reliability?
 
vidahost are also very good and very cheap. have used them for 3/4 years and they reward loyalty as they now give me extras for free even though i'm happy to pay for them. also superb repsonse times, ever have a problem at 11pm you can email them and get a response within minutes.
 
Sounds like support will be important, in which case go for either Vidahost or Tsohost. And go for their most basic package, it'll be enough for standard installs of Wordpress and phpBB, if and when the site grows you can upgrade to a higher package.
 
OK cool...the TSOhost standard option looks like my best bet then! I assume that they let you upgrade to the next one up if you require the space?

EDIT: While we're at it, can anyone recommend me an FTP program? I've been using FileZilla but it keeps disconnecting - is this because of the program, or because 000Webhost blows?
 
Im with TsoHost and their clustered solution can not be beaten and their support is brilliant
 
OK cool...the TSOhost standard option looks like my best bet then! I assume that they let you upgrade to the next one up if you require the space?
Don't see why not, ask them to be sure. I'm with Vidahost and I know they do.

EDIT: While we're at it, can anyone recommend me an FTP program? I've been using FileZilla but it keeps disconnecting - is this because of the program, or because 000Webhost blows?
Probably because 000 blows. FileZilla is what you want to be using anyway.
 
I got a domain and hostage from one.com once. I find there 24 hour online help support amazing as they make difficult situations so easy. It has 3000 MB of disk space which would be good for all your uploading, but the only downside to this is you only get 1 MSQL Database which I would assume you would be using for the Phpbb?

I never realised you already got the hostage sorry lol.
 
Last edited:
I got a domain and hostage from one.com once. I find there 24 hour online help support amazing as they make difficult situations so easy. It has 3000 MB of disk space which would be good for all your uploading, but the only downside to this is you only get 1 MSQL Database which I would assume you would be using for the Phpbb?

I never realised you already got the hostage sorry lol.

Haven't yet, but think that I'll go for TSOhost; 1 SQL database may limit us slightly.
 
Went with TSOhost thanks to all of you. Decided to go with the Pro option, as you get a free domain registration, and I also found a promotional code giving you £35 off if you pay yearly. At £15 for 10GB worth of well reviewed webspace and a domain name into the bargain I'm not sure it can go wrong! Here's the code if anyone wants it anyway :D

OCT-FORUM2-SPECIAL
 
Went with TSOhost thanks to all of you. Decided to go with the Pro option, as you get a free domain registration, and I also found a promotional code giving you £35 off if you pay yearly. At £15 for 10GB worth of well reviewed webspace and a domain name into the bargain I'm not sure it can go wrong! Here's the code if anyone wants it anyway :D

Thanks for the code, just ordered another hosting package :p

Got 3 domains and Web hosting now... All I need is to get myself motivated and build a few sites
 
Perhaps you could get a dedicated server and ask everyone if they would like to share it + split cost?
I think that gives you the most control over how the web server is set up.
 
Back
Top Bottom