A Review of Web Hosting Services by WestHost

WestHost started providing web hosting services in 1998. Ever since then, it has been in the good books of web masters from various parts of the world. Today WestHost provides hosting services to more than 20,000 people. Its success is due to very attractive pricing scheme, which comes with some of the best features in the market. The company is among the pioneers to provide Virtual Private Server based hosting. All the users are allowed to install the software solutions according to your choice. They get total control over their website and the virtual machine. The information that you store on your website server is safe as there is no sharing on the software level. For everyone who wants the flexibility of dedicated hosting at the price of shared hosting, WestHost is the best choice.

Price Value:
Even the most affordable plan from this web hosting company comes loaded with a number of features. You get web mail access, FTP access and database support for making dynamic websites. The email accounts are protected by anti-spam and anti virus protection. SSL encryption is also available. You get support for Frontpage extensions, content management system and ability to host a number of domains. Other than this you get scripting support for Perl and PHP. Most of the plans provide you statistical data of your site, ability to use SSH, create web blogs and photo albums etc. You also get search engine marketing tools. All WestHost plans come with a money back guarantee that runs for 30 days.

Reliability:
WestHost claims to offer a 99% uptime guarantee to all its clients. The company has deployed multiple levels of redundancy to ensure that both the data and connectivity are available round the clock. The main features include RAID support, scheduled backups, security upgrades etc. Physical security is also maintained using very innovative systems. The servers are mounted on special units which have shock absorbers built in. The suppression technology is free of Inergen and is completely non toxic. Power supply is maintained on a regular basis using UPS and power generators. The batteries from UPS can handle the servers for 15 minutes. In the meantime generators swing into action and take up the power supply to server systems.

Physical security of the server farm is maintained by a number of factors. There is perimeter fencing round the data center complex. Entry is restricted using biometric scanners. Intrusion Detection Systems are deployed for further security.

The connectivity of data centers is provided using DS-3 connections. These connections can be scaled up to OC48. Redundant lines are provided by major backbone connectivity providers. The connection providers include XO, Global Crossing and AT&T.

Control Panel:
WestHost provides a proprietary control panel which the company has named Site Manager. It is a very powerful control panel solution. It allows you to control the email and FTP access accounts. You can also use the same thing to manage the domain name and DNS related settings of your website. Moreover it allows you to view various settings related to your website and your hosting account in real time. Other than this you can manage your FTP, Web and email servers from the same location. The control panel also allows you to take and restore backups of your site.

Customer Support:
WestHost provides all the common customer support options including toll free phone, email and live web chat.

Hosting Plans
Linux/Unix Hosting Plans
Personal Basic: 250 MB disk space and 10 GB bandwidth is priced at just $3.95/month (3 email accounts, 1 domain)
Personal Starter: 2500 MB disk space and 50 GB bandwidth is priced at just $6.95/month (10 email accounts, 1 domain)
Personal Value: 4000 MB disk space and 65 GB bandwidth is priced at just $9.95/month (50 email accounts, 3 domains)
Business Starter: 2000 MB disk space and 40 GB bandwidth is priced at just $6.95/month (25 email accounts, 1 domain)
Business Value: 4000 MB disk space and 75 GB bandwidth is priced at just $12.95/month (250 email accounts, 5 domains)
Business Pro: 10000 MB disk space and 150 GB bandwidth is priced at just $24.95/month (unlimited email accounts, unlimited domains)

The company also provides you a neat-o interactive Wizard which would assist you to locate the plan your want.