Web Hosting NIGHTMARE!

[Dave Gurtcheff]

I have had my own photo site for about 5 or 6 years. I have had the same hosting company for the entire time. I pay for two years in advance. Apparently my 2 years were up, and I was never notified. The next day I tried to get to my site, and it was a pornography site! It seems both my hosting contract was up, AND my domain name had also expired. I have spent hours on the phone (1.5 hours on hold waiting to speak to someone yesterday), and I'm still not sure it is fixed. Today I was told that my domaine name was renewed, but my site was being moved to another (new type) platform at 1AM tomorrow morning, so I still cannot get to my site. This after I have had thousands of brocures, business and advertising placards printed, and displayed in restaraunts, museums and gift shops. Oh man, I'm sick about it. I have spent years building my reputation here on a small island rsort, and now this!

I don't know what the moral is here, but I could use a little encouragement about now.
Thanks for reading my rant.
Best wishes from Long Beach Island, NJ
Dave Gurtcheff  

[jecxz]

Dave,

You're still listed as the owner of the domain name, that is positive. If you have not already:

1. Renew your domain name for 10 years or for as long as you're going to keep your name

2. Obtain new hosting and setup your website on a reliable hosting server and service provider

3. Change the DNS records (this can take between one and three days to be completed) to point to your new website (step 2).

Find a company that will do the above with you on the telephone. Don't worry, just get the above done and good luck!

[Dave Gurtcheff]

Dave,

You're still listed as the owner of the domain name, that is positive. If you have not already:

1. Renew your domain name for 10 years or for as long as you're going to keep your name

2. Obtain new hosting and setup your website on a reliable hosting server and service provider

3. Change the DNS records (this can take between one and three days to be completed) to point to your new website (step 2).

Find a company that will do the above with you on the telephone. Don't worry, just get the above done and good luck!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177764\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Derek: Thanks, I needed that. During my lengthy calls with my hosting company, I renewed for 2 years, so I'm probably stuck with them. When I signed up 5 or 6 years ago, part of the fee was their registering my domaine name. Would I renew it for 10 years with them, or some other place? Sorry for the dumb questions. I built the site using Frontpage 2002, using the instructions that came with the software, but really didn't (and still don't) know what I was doing. I also update it regularly, and "hold my breath" each time! Your saying I still own the Domaine name is a BIG relief!!! (How did you find this out)?
Thank you more than I can ever adequately express to you.
Dave Gurtcheff

[lightstand]

sorry to hear of your trouble & I hope the best for you. What I don't understand is how your domain name could of become available overnight. I tried to buy a popular domain name that was expiring a year ago and was told the original owner would have a month+ to decide after the expiration date before it would return to the open market.

On a side note I am with Dogbark web-hosting and they have been very friendly & helpful. Jeff

[mistybreeze]

No professional should make a hosting decision without consulting webhostingtalk.com.

You are VERY LUCKY you got your domain name back. I know two photographers who never got theirs back due to hosting service negligence. I was one of them, and I sought to press legal action against aplus.net as a result. They are the worst in the industry.

It is almost never good to have your hosting company be responsible for Domain Name renewals. It is best to have name registrations and hosting come from two different sources.

For Domain Name Registrations, I recommend either Register.com or Network Solutions.com. These are the largest professional choices. Both offer great transfer offers for lengthy periods. Get on their mailing list.

For hosting, I recommend realwebhost.com. The owner, Joey Moses, often picks up the phone when you call. Their customer service can't be beat and neither can their reputation in the industry. Be sure and tell Joey that Misty Breeze sent you.  

[jecxz]

Derek: Thanks, I needed that. During my lengthy calls with my hosting company, I renewed for 2 years, so I'm probably stuck with them. When I signed up 5 or 6 years ago, part of the fee was their registering my domaine name. Would I renew it for 10 years with them, or some other place? Sorry for the dumb questions. I built the site using Frontpage 2002, using the instructions that came with the software, but really didn't (and still don't) know what I was doing. I also update it regularly, and "hold my breath" each time! Your saying I still own the Domaine name is a BIG relief!!! (How did you find this out)?
Thank you more than I can ever adequately express to you.
Dave Gurtcheff

Let me try to answer your questions:

1. I don't think you're stuck with them; If it were me, let them keep the 2 year fee, just find another company and change the DNS to point to the new hosting company - I use www.networksolutions.com, others can chime in and recommend their hosting company, just hook up with someone with good service. I have no connection with networksolutions, I am just a customer.

2. Renew with a company that does not require/bundle hosting with renewal - like networksolutions. I'd call them NOW, tell them your situtation, ask them to help - they should do this without charging you. Ask them what could be done now (as in this minute), how long will it take, hopefully you'll get a good support tech and not someone with a "modern" attitude.

3. It does not matter what you used to create the site, I mostly use Notepad to create mine.

4. I used the WHOIS function at networksolutions, here is the link: http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp and input just your domain name (no www.) - it does say it expired 02/22/2008, so you must renew ASAP (unless you have already done so).

Good luck!

[jecxz]

Oh, one more thing: After you've switched to another company and you're all set up, ask the new hosting company what can be done to prevent your current "porn" hosting company from changing your DNS again. But take care of this after everything is fixed.

[DarkPenguin]

Who are you hosting with?

[jecxz]

Who are you hosting with?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177779\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Looks like: www.ipowerweb.com or www.onlinenic.com

[DarkPenguin]

Looks like: www.ipowerweb.com or www.onlinenic.com
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177782\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I don't recall any horror stories about them.  I've been with Bluehost for a while now so I'm not fresh on that stuff, tho.

To be honest whenever I hear of a crappy hosting experience I just assume it is dreamhost.

[Dave Gurtcheff]

I don't recall any horror stories about them.  I've been with Bluehost for a while now so I'm not fresh on that stuff, tho.

To be honest whenever I hear of a crappy hosting experience I just assume it is dreamhost.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177784\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

It is ipowerweb
Dave

[DarkPenguin]

It is ipowerweb
Dave
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177789\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Um, based on the first page of the google search I tried I would move to a new host.

[Alaska]

Keep in mind that Network Solutions charges a premium for their domain names.  Firms like Go Daddy are in the range of ten bucks per year.  Also NS has been cited for holding on to a domain name to prevent it from being purchased from a lesser expensive source.  

Blue Host as part of their package has a free domain name for the life of the account.  Others just may also have the same plan.

Most hosting firms do a good job of notification.  However, it is the owners responsibility to make sure that their domain name and hosting services do not lapse.  Some have auto renews using a credit card for that reason.

Google the net for the top ten hosting firms.  Various site will privide different informaiton.  Here is one as an example.

http://www.top10webhosting.com/

Jim

[mistybreeze]

Keep in mind that Network Solutions charges a premium for their domain names.

How much is your Domain Name worth to you? Sometimes you get what you pay for. Serious business folk don't cut corners on the things that matter most to them. Every NYC business owner I know either uses Network Solutions or Register.com. I've been with both for years and I couldn't be happier.

Yes, Network Solutions will charge you $35 for your first year if you sign up without an offer. As long as you don't sign up for auto-renew, you will receive special offers long before your first year has expired, and the deals are great. You can also take advantage of "Switch Registrar" offers which can't be beat. If you know how to work the system, you can find very good deals.

Type ipowerweb into the search field on WebHostingTalk.com and be sure to have a barf bag at the ready.

There are only two places on the internet you can trust for web hosting reviews. One is WHReviews.com and the other is WebHostingTalk.com. All the others accept money for reviews and for placement on top-10 lists. They CAN'T be trusted.

The owner of WHReviews.com is the Jeff Schewe of web hosting. His username on WebHostingTalk.com is icdc. The guy is fantastic and he's one of the few I would trust with internet business guidance. Tell them all Misty Breeze sent you.    And your online businesses will ROCK!

[locpham]

How much is your Domain Name worth to you? Sometimes you get what you pay for. Serious business folk don't cut corners on the things that matter most to them. Every NYC business owner I know either uses Network Solutions or Register.com. I've been with both for years and I couldn't be happier.

Yes, Network Solutions will charge you $35 for your first year if you sign up without an offer. As long as you don't sign up for auto-renew, you will receive special offers long before your first year has expired, and the deals are great. You can also take advantage of "Switch Registrar" offers which can't be beat. If you know how to work the system, you can find very good deals.

Type ipowerweb into the search field on WebHostingTalk.com and be sure to have a barf bag at the ready.

There are only two places on the internet you can trust for web hosting reviews. One is WHReviews.com and the other is WebHostingTalk.com. All the others accept money for reviews and for placement on top-10 lists. They CAN'T be trusted.

The owner of WHReviews.com is the Jeff Schewe of web hosting. His username on WebHostingTalk.com is icdc. The guy is fantastic and he's one of the few I would trust with internet business guidance. Tell them all Misty Breeze sent you.    And your online businesses will ROCK!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177801\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I've used Verio without any problems.

[LoisWakeman]

http://www.top10webhosting.com/

[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177793\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Top10webhosting isn't that impartial IME (not based on user feedback, at least). But there are lots of web hosting forums where you can read good and bad reviews.

I'd concur about avoiding Network Solutions* and having a different host and domain registrar.

* not because they are more expensive - but they have a reputation for being rather underhand if you want to move away.

[jecxz]

Looks like you're back: http://www.modernpictorials.com/

Good for you (hope you don't mind my posting your website address)!

[mistybreeze]

The web hosting company dogbark.com caters to many photographers. I've written about them on WebHostingTalk.com. Their home page features an endorsement from the infamous Seth Resnick. Don't bother with them if you're a penny-pinching amateur type. Professionals tend to be willing to pay more for important services.

I'd concur about avoiding Network Solutions* and having a different host and domain registrar.
* not because they are more expensive - but they have a reputation for being rather underhand if you want to move away.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=177931\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Sounds like a newbie tactic running a small house of names. My years of professional experience with hundreds of web business clients says this accusation is simply not true. Of course, nobody is perfect and you can read anything on the internet.

Network Solutions was once the first and only place to register a domain name. No longer a monopoly, they remain and maintain one of the largest libraries of domain names, corporate and private-user alike. My clients and I find their service first rate. They also provide Private Domain Registration which protects against personal identity theft. Register.com didn't provide this once but now they do.

I have numerous clients who have switched many names between these two companies depending on their "Switch Registrar" special offers. None has had any problems and both companies offer telephone customer service.

[DarkPenguin]

Network Solutions was once the first and only place to register a domain name. No longer a monopoly, they remain and maintain one of the largest libraries of domain names, corporate and private-user alike. My clients and I find their service first rate. They also provide Private Domain Registration which protects against personal identity theft. Register.com didn't provide this once but now they do.

Blue host does this with their free domains.  For registering a domain I've never heard of anyone having issues with godaddy.  I wouldn't host with them but for domain registration they are fine.

And if network solutions isn't a group of bastards today it is only because the market forced them to change.

[Dave Gurtcheff]

Blue host does this with their free domains.  For registering a domain I've never heard of anyone having issues with godaddy.  I wouldn't host with them but for domain registration they are fine.

And if network solutions isn't a group of bastards today it is only because the market forced them to change.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=178024\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Well I guess this is a "happy ending" story. Before all the excellent advice given here was read, I had renewed my web provider AND domain name renewal with ipower. That, however,  did not solve my problem until I set my alarm for 6AM (I'm retired, what can I say?) and got through to tech support. He had to "point" my address correctly (don't know what this means exactly), and said it would take 3 or 4 hours to take effect. It is now OK again. When the dust settles, I will look into using a differnt provider, as suggested above.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart to all who have helped me.    
Dave Gurtcheff
www.modernpictorials.com