I mentioned briefly in my last entry that I had moved hosts, and I wanted to talk about it a little more.
In November I purchased a dedicated server. Before this I had two VPS accounts. One for friends and the other for Giraffe Host. At the time I thought it was ideal to have the two accounts. However, when the VPS for Giraffe Host started to increase ram usage and start to have a lot of issues, I knew I had to make a decision. I contacted my host, Wired Tree and I was able to have a special deal where I could have an awesome dedicated server for just $10 extra of what I was paying for the two VPS accounts. It made absolute sense to do it. Everything has been running well so far!
In my post when I introduced Giraffe Host, I said that I did not want to make the mistake of “upgrading when isn’t necessary” this does not fall under that category. It falls into the upgrading when it makes sense.
I can notice a big difference with website speed and I really feel much more comfortable having a dedicated server, because I know what accounts I am hosting and it is not being shared by any unknown parties. I also love the fact that I know the server I have is good, and I can share that with other people with free hosting.
I have had people say to me that I should charge for hosting. I have tried it before and I just… I feel weird about it. I want it to be a fun thing, and be able to help like minded people in some way. I can understand the logic that there should be some revenue that keeps everything cycling.
Maybe I will sell cupcakes. No. I would probably just eat them all. -_-
66 Responses
I’m still on shared hosting. I’ve been thinking of upgrading but I don’t see a reason to yet, and I haven’t had any serious problems with shared hosting so far! I do want to upgrade someday. 😀
If you haven’t had any problems and you are happy where you are there probably isn’t any need. 😀 But, in the future there are always plenty of opens.
I call dibs on nutella cupcakes!
😀 nomnomnomnom
Hosting is fun only when stuff work well, and with a dedicated you surely won’t have to worry about ram issues and similar for a while. I once made the mistake to upgrade hosting when it wasn’t necessary, and I ended up closing all sites I had back then. I learned from my mistake, and last time I left shared hosting because it was needed, just like you. Also, WiredTree is simply awesome, so yay for your dedicated! 🙂
It can be easy to get carried away and think you need this and that when you just have to find the best for what you can afford. Otherwise you go get into some trouble. 🙁
I hope it stays free, please don’t make me go back to Host Gator. .__.
Don’t worry, you can stay as long as you need. 😀
I’ve noticed a change in speed as well, so that’s awesome! You’re amazing for offering hosting for free and caring.
It’s great you were able to get it for only $10 more than you were paying.
I was really happy about it and thank you. 🙂
I’ve lost touch with web hosting and what not as well as the interest to do up websites. back in those days I may have gone this route 😀
I’ll gobble up those nutella cupcakes with silver XD
Things change with hosting as well, with different offers and technology moving really fast. xD
Mmmmm all the cupcakes.
I understand your point about wanting it to be fun, but I still hope that maybe one day you will make some mullah.. 😉
Mmmmmmmmm maybe. 😉
Okay, I thought I typed moola… Woops.
🙁
Kya!!!!!!!! I love you and also you are so kind………. you are always so generous with your hosting 😀 It’s always been your thing 🙂
😀 Thank you. I really like doing it.
When I was working as a security guard, I used to have to check the servers every hour. They looked so strange to me. xD; Nothing like what I imagined. I used to thing when someone had a “dedicated server” they got the whole tower. 😛
I think it’s amazing that you offer free hosting, (and not just because I use it) it’s great to find something you like to do, it does’t always have to be about getting paid! Not that it’s a bad thing. Eventually you could offer both if you really wanted to. I know I plan to do the etsy thing at some point, personally… orz;
They are very different to what you think. It would have been an interesting job. xD
It’s great to find something you like. I can see the logic in having paid hosting, but I am just unsure about it and don’t want to ruin the feeling I have towards hosting. xD
I’ve tried to run my own hosting site, but I didn’t have much pleasure in that when I charged for it. I think it’s because I started hosting people in the first place so I would be able to help others get on their feet, etc. and have a self-hosted creative outlet that was full of unlimited possibilities. Charging for it made it into a business… You could always take donation that would go toward the server and other fees/fun things, of course. :p
Donations are a cool idea. I just would want to make sure that I could offer something nice for anyone that did. xD
I feel that money should not be a motivation to do anything (maybe a little).
I think it’s nice that you’re helping others, and not thinking about the money aspect of it.
I understand how “painful” is it when it’s time for invoices to pay for your domains and hosting, etc..
So your generosity is really wonderful. 🙂
I’m still new to the whole server thing. And I don’t know what is a VPS or a dedicated.
But it sounds really awesome!
I wish you all the best with Giraffe Host and everything! 😀
Thank you! 🙂
I want money, and I want it noooooowwwwww!
Santa, I thought you were all about the giving???
i think it’s really cool that you want hosting to be a fun thing hence making it completely free. i think you’re probably the only person i know who’d do that for free while the others offer different package at different prices. i don’t really understand the whole idea with hosting (like the complexity of it) so i always think it’s cool how some people really wanna share / provide spaces for others – strangers, even – and host them on their servers. not to mention if there’s report on issues etc etc need to be managed haha i always think hosting as a big deal, like it’s such a huge thing and so complicated and so much work and maintenance to do :)) i guess that’s why i’ll never host someone else 😛 i’m lazy like that.
It can be a lot of work, there are many different aspects that you have to take into account when doing it. But even so, I find it to be a rewarding thing to do for me. I like giving people space, being able to host their websites and help when there is a problem. 😀
I tried running my own paid hosting site too and hated every minute of it. I found that it was just so much work and was becoming a full-time job with less then part-time pay for me. I know lots of people can do it but I definitely don’t have what it takes, too much other things going on.
I think that the fact that you want hosting to be fun and not charge for it is great! I don’t pay much for my hosting so I don’t mind sharing it with people who can’t afford to or who could really put the money to other use.
It can be a lot of work and can take a lot of time. If you are very busy with a lot of things, it probably won’t work. Or if you don’t want or like doing it, it’s not the right fit either.
That is how it started with me. When I had my first website I wanted to be able to host people, but I couldn’t. Eventually I got a reseller and thought it was awesome. xD
I really think and believe what you’re doing is awesome. I know people are entitled to their opinions, but you are entitled to yours as well. You shouldn’t be inflicted by others opinions. If you see that what you’re doing is right, forget those that are doubters. I have to do this every day with several people I know.
Anyways, I’m glad you went with the free-hosting. I’m hosted by you, and have NO problems.
Thanks! 😀
Freeeeeeedddddooommmmmeeeee!
😉
I work for free because Santa makes me. 🙁
Oh no. 🙁
Yeah, I work fo free too… But I also want everyone to love me. A misfit’s gotta do what a misfit’s gotta do.
I love you.
I do it free because of all the tail it gets me.. 😉
Nicccce. 😉
I actually get paid.. Suck on that.
:O
Wait… What? How much do you get, Pranc?
Enough to get your girl any time I please.
BURN.
Ho Ho Ho… Time to make the dough…. Give away the crappy gifts to the boys and girls… While selling the best to all the stores.. That’s how Santa rolls. Now, elfettes… Get on those candy canes and make me my money or else Imma gonna have to slap you all with my pimp hand.
Hahahahahahahah.
All the ugly elfettes better get in the kitchen and bake me some Christmas cookies or I will feed you to true reindeer. Hahahaha
Hahahaha meanie.
I am working on the side to get through college.
You can doooo it.
I got a icicle with your name on it, Tinsel!
:O
Hey Tinsel, baby.. It’s cold outside.. Come on inside where it’s hooottttttt!
😉
That was awesome of your host to give you that special offer. I can see that many people are grateful for the free hosting you are offering. |) Keep it up!
😀 I shall!
Hey, Tinsel….. Ho Ho Ho. Come sit on my lap!
B)
Siriusly?
Siriusly.
Oh, Santa… I’m not getting anything for Christmas. I’ve been a NAUGHTY girl!
That’s the POINT of sitting in my lap. Get it? POINT?
GET A ROOM. :3
I’m glad to hear that the upgrade is worth the money so far! As long as the websites are running smoothly and doesn’t go down, it’s worth it (as long as it doesn’t make you go into debt or something). Hopefully you’ll be able to keep the server going because I know it helps people who just want a bit of space :).
That would be bad if I got into debt. Everything is alright at the moment, so hopefully it can keep going that way for a while. 😀