Q: I am now on GoDaddy for my garden club site and it costs more I want and I do not like that I can not use folders to separate the different elements (photos of documents from newsletters). I use Microsoft SharePoint Designer to create my pages and want to continue using it. I tried to classify the different hosting services using your information here, but I do not know enough to make a good choice. Can you advise me? I am an experienced beginner or a green intermediate user.
Many web hosts only provide accommodation based on Linux, which is generally not a problem, but the programs are using ASP.net one of the few exceptions to this rule. Since you want to stick with Microsoft SharePoint Designer, you will be limited to services that offer both Windows and Linux servers and you must be sure that you choose a Windows server option when you register. I recommend you contact customer service to which company you choose to tell them that you are using Microsoft Sharepoint Designer and will need a host to work with the program. A representative can help you choose the right plan.
Among the companies that we are looking only Lunarpages, Network Solutions, 1 & 1, GoDaddy and offer the ability to use Windows servers for shared hosting (which is what you want for a small pass -time or personal website as a garden club website). We do not generally recommend Go Daddy (and you said that you are not satisfied with them), but the three other companies on the list have won four or five stars in our tests.
All these hosts should allow you to create as many folders as you want in your server space. Some factors that could make you choose one of three remaining options on the other:
Cost: If price is your most important factor Network Solutions is the cheapest option at $ 2.99 / month with our discounts. The other two are not far behind, with Lunarpages to $ 4.95 / month and 1 & 1 to $ 3.49 / month for the first 12 months and $ 6.99 / month.
Domain Registration: If you move your domain to the hosting company, you may want to note that 1 & 1 is the only option for these three that includes registration free domain (for a domain) for life. Network Solutions offers a free entry for 10 years, while Lunarpages offers 1 free domain registration year and charged $ 19.95 / year after.
Support :. Of these three options, Lunarpages is the only 24-hour support without
Given these considerations, I would say that your choice is really between Network Solutions and 1 & 1. The additional annual charge for domain registration with Lunarpages, coupled with the limited hours of service make it a little less attractive. Take a look at our comparison chart and individual reviews to make your final choice. Remember, you can also contact the support services of these companies to ask specific questions about your site and your service if you have them. Good luck!