Server question for business startup.

[TiGrrPrr]

When starting out new in the business and a new site, do you think it's better to rent your server for awhile or plunk down the cash to buy it? Looking for your opinions...

[liquidmoe]

Definitely makes more sense to rent the server, or even try out a virtual account first. Get a feel for what kind of resources you will need and just general knowledge, then you can make a more informed decision. Plus with a variety of packages we dont charge any server rent, just bandwidth.

Hit me up on icq at 36837470 if you have any other questions.

[TiGrrPrr]

So trying out a virtual account is free? How long is the try-out period? Is this the only thing that the virtual account is used for checking out?

[infecto]

No they are not free. But usually alot cheaper compared to a server. Anyway you can rent a decent server with like say 1000gb bw for $50 from some companies.

[CaroMark]

I would suggest that you actually speak to a few of the quality hosts that can be found all about GFY. Let them know the type of site you are putting up. What kind of content will be stored. Will there be ecommerce or databases involved? What your growth expectations are and what type of marketing you plan.
With that information you will not only narrow down your list on who you liked working with but you should also gather some solid information that will help you both in the startup and continued growth of your business.
Good luck with your search and if there is any help I can lend, hit me up

[PbG]

Solid advice here and I agree. Buy a virtual account from a company with scalable plans including but not limited to dedicated servers. Grow your site and upgrade your hositng plan and/or server[s] as necessary.

Don't look for cheap either look for quality and assess your needs. If you have no server admin skills then you're looking at considerably more for a managed server/solution. If your site is merely pulling bandwidth and uses no databases, or other intensive resources then a virtual account will serve you well for quite some time and/or up until you are pulling 2-300 hundred gigs per month.

[SetTheWorldonFire]

I would do virtual and with http://www.oxeo.com

they will blow you away with their support and fast servers.

not only have I hosted with them for a while but I learned a lot from them. Plus they help you move, install, maintain every now and then when you have trouble.

[sexsup]

Rent the server at the begin, no doubts

[superweb]

It mostly depends on the type of site you're starting. But in most cases, the basic virtual hosting is enough for the start.

[N J]

IMHO virtual can reach a long way, if you don't have tons of domains. For TGP submission it's more about getting the cheapest (and ofcourse reliable) solution, more than getting your own dedicated - rented or not.

[etech]

If your new to this biz, and dont wanna spend a fortune by getting your own server, i wold suggest http://www.cj2hosting.com

[DarkWhale]

definitely rent unless you used to be in IT, or until you can afford someone that used to be in IT, sometimes the hosts will do "some" work on your own server (obviously like rackspace type places), that offer more flexibility, but often it ends of being way more than you bargained for..

[TiGrrPrr]

Thanks for the input everyone! You guys are great!

[jamisonbell]

Take it from someone that sells them. RENT the damn thing until you know you are successful.

Hit me up on IM with any questions

IM is jamisonbell

[SpoinkDexter]

Think of this also: It's much easier to find a place with a new dedicated server to lease than it is to colocate your own box if you move hosts. Some hosts will not allow any machine they didn't lease/sell you on their network.

Also consider: You buy a box with slackware linux installed, then you move to a host that runs 100% FreeBSD... They will not be able to support you as well as you would like.

We have owned and leased boxes for seven years. Trust me.

Spoink