ClickNewz! Internet Marketing Blog

Web Hosting -> HostGator vs ThirdSphere

March 18th, 2006 · 4 Comments ·


I have been using ThirdSphere hosting for almost two years now. They offer excellent service and support, tons of features, and I’ve never had a problem with my account that wasnt resolved quickly and easily. In fact, I’ve had very few problems at all - and those were mainly “how to” issues.

The price is $24.95/month, and while that is a bit steep for web hosting these days… you have to consider that I have at least a dozen sites/domains hosted under that one account. In addition to resolving a lot of stress and downtime that I experienced with my previous host, I was actually saving quite a bit of money by switching to ThirdSphere.

One of the things that they offer that most hosts dont is a full ecommerce package. Each account comes with a built-in Affiliate Program Manager, a snap-in script center, an ‘Automation Station’, unlimited domains/sites - and much more. I could go on and on here, but the Affiliate Program Manager alone is worth the monthly price for the account!

I have had no problem recommending ThirdSphere to friends and peers, and actively promoting it as an affiliate. However, I have recently began promoting HostGator as well, which prompted this question from one of my site ‘regulars’:

Question: “Lynn, I noticed you are recommending HostGator for web hosting. Does this mean that you are having problems with ThirdSphere?”

My response: No, not at all! In fact my primary websites are still hosted at ThirdSphere. I simply realized that ThirdSphere isnt the perfect solution for everyone, and so I set out to find a less expensive web host that was still reliable and feature-rich. HostGator is the one that I chose to recommend to people who wouldnt be setting up an Affiliate Program, creating their own products, etc. You can get a hosting package there for under $10 a month.

HostGator actually offers many of the same features as ThirdSphere that most full-time Internet Marketers would want:

  • Unlimited Domains/Sites under one account
  • Unlimited MySQL Databases
  • Cpanel
  • Fantastico (one-click install for scripts, CMS, etc)
  • Multiple statistic packages with detailed stats

… and that’s just the basics. They also have toll-free phone support, and a Live Chat support option on their website. I actually had an issue with one of my HostGator accounts just this week. It was 7:45pm on a week night, so I clicked the Live Chat button, spoke with a support tech… and the matter was resolved within minutes! You can’t beat that ;-)

For under $10/month, it’s a great solution for Affiliate Marketers that want to develop several websites and manage them all under one account - as one example.

So yes, I still have my account with ThirdSphere, and I also have two accounts with HostGator. There are a lot of options when it comes to web hosting, but these are two that I consider reliable and super-easy to use.

My advice: If you are going to develop your own products/services and set up your own affiliate program, go with ThirdSphere. If you are going to develop affiliate websites, look at HostGator.

Happy Web Hosting! :D

Lynn Terry, a woman who likes to share her opinion!

Tags: Internet Marketing · Web Hosting

4 responses so far ↓

  • Rick Wilson // Mar 18, 2006 at 3:18 am

    Hi Lynn!

    It sounds like HostGator FINALLY has gotten their act together! You’re right about having different types of hosting accounts for different uses. GREAT point!

    Curious … Are you using the reseller accounts or just the shared hosting?

    BTW, this blog of yours is looking GOOD!

    Ciao!

    Rick Wilson aka CorpRebel

  • Lynn Terry // Mar 18, 2006 at 5:32 am

    Thanks, Rick! :D

    I just have the basic hosting accounts, myself - not reseller accounts. I have two separate accounts set up at HostGator so far (one for myself and one for my son) and so far I’m super pleased with them.

    ~ Lynn

  • marcus // Sep 30, 2006 at 10:39 pm

    Hi, I just posted on my blog but then read this post of yours and it answered mw questions. thanks.

  • Lynn Terry // Oct 1, 2006 at 8:15 am

    I’m glad you found it helpful!

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