7 replies to this topic

[Randy]

This question occurred to me from reading a tread about statistics/tracking programs because a lot of those "free" options require root access to the server.

Does everybody pay someone else to host on each of your domains? Or do you run your own server?

I've done both. Back in the day I paid for hosting by-the-site. Then to help cut down my expenses I became a reseller for the folks who were hosting me. About 2 years ago I got sick and tired (and tired and sick) of all of the limitations... Getting very little bandwidth per month, paying $200+ per month (and that's at the $10 per domain rate I had at the time plus bandwidth overages), not being able to have the software or the version of software I wanted available, etc, etc.

I got so tired of it that one day I found myself a good co-location company and started running my own server. Oddly, I found it was cheaper and easier all the way around. There are places who will lease you a whole server and allow you up to 700 gigs of transfer each month for anywhere from $70 to $130 per month with no long term contract I sell hosting for next to nothing to a couple designer friends of mine, which they resell to their customers. Either one of those friends pays for my server, so I don't push hosting at all to anybody else. The way it's worked out, all of my own sites end up with free hosting. As do the sites of friends and family who I stick on the server for free.

The funny part is... Not only can I do more because I control exactly what's available on the server, but I literally spend less time running the thing myself than I used to spend arguing with my old provider over stuff I'd like to have, billing errors, etal.

So how about it? Do you run your own or pay somebody else to do that for you?

Randy

[mcanerin]

I run my own server for the above reasons, among others. Some of the other reasons include the fact that I wanted custom software, and having total control over my own server makes me happy

It's also way cheaper if you are using Windows 2000 as a platform instead of *nix. Most net admins and hosts "don't do Windows" for reasons ranging from lack of training to cost. Since all of my customers at the time were using MS office, it was just plain easier to offer a server that is MS Office friendly. (ie office extensions, Front Page, etc) Front Page is way better on MS servers (big surprise).

Because everyone and their dog has a free copy of Linux and a cable modem here in Canada, the only profitable hosting companies are the ones that offer very high end services (you have to co-locate, etc). Windows servers are far less common, and many people in the corporate sphere are more comfortable with sticking with MS products (for better or for worse).

You require a LOT of knowledge and effort up front to set up a server, but once it's humming along you usually just ignore it and count up all the money you are saving.

To get the best of both worlds, hire some propellor head to set it up for you, (or buy it preconfigured) then colocate it. You get the best of both worlds.

Ian

[Beth_C]

We have a dedicated server with a small hosting company. We also pay a management fee for them to keep their eyes on things for us, install patches without us having to tell them to, etc.

This is critical to our business since we run sort of an application service provider type of business. We have clients from all over the world that use our software. It is mission critical for us to have the system up and functioning for them at all times. It's also much cheaper to get bandwidth from a provider rather than try to get a T-1 or other high speed/high reliability/redundant connection here in our office.

We also have a non-mission-critical application that we have on a server here on a relatively cheap cable-modem connection.

Our data center expense (I like to say data center instead of hosting company because it sounds so much more professional, doesn't it? ) is probably our largest expense. I've felt it's been worth every penny and I am usually one of the most frugal/cheapest business people around. I often do my own lawyer work but I can't risk my business by trying to handle this inhouse. Plus I'm pretty sure that the cost of the pipe to the office would make it more expensive anyway.

Beth C.

[mcanerin]

Another Lawyer? Heaven help us!

Ian K McAnerin, BA, BSc, LLB, MCSE, etc, etc, etc

[Beth_C]

Another Lawyer? Heaven help us! 

Ian K McAnerin, BA, BSc, LLB, MCSE, etc, etc, etc 

Heck, no, I ain't a lawyer! I just don't like paying lawyer's big fees so I use them sparingly.

Beth C.

[mcanerin]

Oops, sorry. Major insult LOL

One of my best friends is a tax lawyer/accountant - I tell him I like him anyway.

Ian

[Jill]

Beth's not a lawyer, but her brother-in-law is. Luckily for him, she doesn't ask him for much lawyering help!

Jill

[Beth_C]

Beth's not a lawyer, but her brother-in-law is.  Luckily for him, she doesn't ask him for much lawyering help!  

Jill

LOL. Actually I like being hands-on in all areas of the business.

Beth C.