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They're all fast, cheap, and ICANN accredited, but which one of these hosts should you trust with your Web site?
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CNET review
(12/6/01)
By Matt Lake
Literally hundreds of Web hosting services will rent you Web server space and e-mail addresses for a monthly price tag that ranges from zero to hundreds of dollars. If all you want is a basic site, you'll probably be fine with service providers such as AOL or a free, ad-supported service such as GeoCities or Tripod. Indeed, these types of hosts are great for getting your feet wet. But when you're ready to get serious, it's time to get your own domain.
And that's where the choices really begin.
To help you pick your first full-fledged Web host, we evaluated four front-runners. Each of these hosts provides up to 15MB of Web server space in addition to e-mail addresses with at least one POP3 e-mailbox. And each brings it in on a budget--factoring in everything you'd pay over a year (setup charges, domain registration, and monthly fees), we'd expect to pay less than $8 per month. Plus, each is blissfully ad-free.
Dozens of hosting services meet these criteria, more than enough for many reviews to come, so to narrow the field even further, we reviewed only hosts that are ICANN accredited. Just four fit the bill: Catalog.com, DirectNIC, Namezero, and Stargate.
To test our subjects, we anonymously registered domains, set up sites, and compared the four hosts based on ease of use, pricing, and server performance over a month (using server tests provided by NetMechanic).
Keep in mind, of course, that your mileage may vary. Web hosting is a moving target--prices change often, and a server that works just fine one week can go under the next. That said, we're pretty sure you'll like our winner. Read on.
CNET recommends
Like the rest of the hosts in this roundup, this one is fast, cheap, and ICANN accredited. So, why is it near and dear to CNET's heart? Find out.
Feature comparison
Cut to the chase with this side-by-side feature comparison chart.
CNET Software and Internet Services contributing editor Matt Lake dons his utility belt whenever the domain beacon flashes, then assumes his alter ego as the editor of RegSelect. Got a question for him? We'll pass it on!
