Wanting To Move Our Site

[Paul_G]

Hi there,

I hope you can help.

We've been with a couple of web providers over the last few years, our main site with one host, and our forum on a different provider. The idea was that when one goes down, the other one is still available.

Our forum was a very outdated version of SMF forums, so over the last few days, I've been upgrading. I wanted to upgrade to SMF 2.0. Even though Cpanel said that the server had the required version, when I tried to install, it doesn't. Control Panel says version 4.1.2, phpinfo says it's 3.2!

So, I raise a support ticket... and 24 hours later, no response - not even an automated response. I send them an email - no response. I call their telephone number - no answer and no answer machine.

That doesn't strike me as being very promising should anything serious happening to the hosting.

I was very encouraged to see that you guys have a support forum, as well as the features I'm looking for. My Sql and up to date php will be crucial if we're updating the forum, or even adding other features. At the moment, we have some 3rd party blogs for news and other blogs. I'd be happy to PM the link to our site if anyone wants to take a look (I realise posting may look like spam, so I'll offer the link via PM)

Our website is one for an animal rescue, so it's uptime and availability is crucial; if the site goes down for any length of time, lives could be at risk if people cannot contact us.

However, the idea of migrating everything is a little bit of a concern for the above reason. I'm not afraid to ftp and get stuck in myself, but it's crucial there is support if anything goes wrong.

I know it's a little bit naive perhaps to ask this, but what is your uptime and response times should there be issues? Also, are you guys able to take recurring payments via PayPal as that would be the best method for us.

Thanks for reading,

Paul.

[Paul_G]

Sorry, just to add...

What I would probably like to do is set up a hosting package, upload everything and make sure it works, and then change nameservers. Perhaps that's the safest way to do it?

Suggestions very welcome of course.

[Ross]

I have gone through your requirements and I strongly recommend you to consider our Cloud Server which offers 100% uptime guarantee. Cloud servers are setup on a Cluster of servers, so even if a server in that cluster goes down, your websites will be accessible from other servers within the same cluster.Cloud server can be customized as per your requirements. All our hosing plans are Fully Managed with 24X7 Free Uninterrupted support via Live Chat, Email and Phone. Yes, we accept payments via paypal and if you want you can set it for recurring mode. We do offer you 30 day moneyback on Cloud server, so you can test your websites on our Cloud server.

You can check the following link for server details :- Cloud servers

[Paul_G]

I did have a look at the Cloud option, but £30 per month would be too much at this moment in time.

So, how can you accept payment?

[Harry]

Originally Posted by Paul_G

I did have a look at the Cloud option, but £30 per month would be too much at this moment in time.

So, how can you accept payment?

to our Webhosting UK community.

Paul, £30 per month(cost of plain server) is very reasonable for such high end server cluster ensuring you 100% uptime, fully scalable with robust environment.
You will be getting Full Root / RDP access to your server hence you can manage your server and hence have total freedom.

Regarding Payments, it's online order and payment process. You have wide range of options to complete online payments via Google Checkout, Paypal, Credit/Debit Card - Moneybookers and can also go with Online Bank transfer.

[Paul_G]

Thanks for the welcome. I understand that the deal is good for the services available, it is just that for our organisation it is a significant jump from our current cost.

We will have to have a serious think about that, as it is a great option, but we need to move swiftly thanks to the issues we're experiencing on the host we are currently on.

[Paul_G]

Looking at the details more closely, I think the deal-breaker on this will be the three-month billing cycle.

Are your other plans on three month cycles too?

Please bear in mind that we have been with the same webhosts for the last 5 years for the forum; and the host for the full site for 10 years.

Thanks,

Paul.

[Harry]

Originally Posted by Paul_G

Thanks for the welcome. I understand that the deal is good for the services available, it is just that for our organisation it is a significant jump from our current cost.

We will have to have a serious think about that, as it is a great option, but we need to move swiftly thanks to the issues we're experiencing on the host we are currently on.

Alright Paul, take your time and feel free to reply this thread in case you need more information.
Can you please confirm the hosting platform and control panel you have been using with your current host. We may help you with data migration if you currently use cPanel or Plesk (upon request)

[Harry]

Hi Paul,
Well, it's month to month billing term on higher hosting. If you consider higher billing term like Semi-Annual or Annual you will be getting attractive deal.
Two months FREE server usage for Annual and One month on Semi-Annual payment hence you can save good amount.
I assure you won't be disappointed using our Fully Managed Hosting services and will be our loyal customer for more then few decades

[James]

Originally Posted by Paul_G

Looking at the details more closely, I think the deal-breaker on this will be the three-month billing cycle.

Are your other plans on three month cycles too?

Please bear in mind that we have been with the same webhosts for the last 5 years for the forum; and the host for the full site for 10 years.

Thanks,

Paul.

Hi Paul,

Thank you for posting your requirements on our forum.

Except shared hosting plans, we have quarterly option available with all the other packages. We accept only yearly payment for the shared hosting plans. Cloud Server would be an ideal choice, let me know if you have any other package in mind.

[Paul_G]

Thanks for all your feedback.

The forum website is on Linux, with cPanel 11, running SMF 1.1.14 - which I want to upgrade to 2.0 (which I can't do on that server). Our forum database is in MySQL.

Being able to pay monthly is important, as that is how we have to budget.

It looks as though any of the cPanel hosting (for now) would be fine; Supreme or Advance would be more than enough. Presumably it is possible to upgrade to the 'cloud' option later, should that become financially viable?

[Paul_G]

I don't want to sound too dim, but I've just tried to sign up, but it will only let me do that pay annually, or biannually.

Do you not offer per month? This is expecially confusing as all your prices are quoted per month...?

[Harry]

Paul, Our low end Shared cPanel plans are only offered on annual billing. James had already updated you about the billing term for shared hosting plans as below

Originally Posted by James

Hi Paul,
Except shared hosting plans, we have quarterly option available with all the other packages. We accept only yearly payment for the shared hosting plans. Cloud Server would be an ideal choice, let me know if you have any other package in mind.

You can request our support staff to install SMF2 for you once account is activated. Please keep us updated with your questions and order status.

[Paul_G]

Apologies, I misread that.

Off for a serious think...

[Ross]

You can keep us updated with your decision and feel free to post if you have more queries before placing the order. We will be glad to assist you.