Thread: Does hosting matter?

Does hosting matter for seo purposes? Is it possible that search engines could penalize a site because other sites on the same server are spam sites?

no hosting doesn't work like that.

check out http://robotstxt.org or http://sitemaps.org for some more information.

Thanks for the info. I've just heard a lot about blacklisted hosting or "bad hosting [FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']neighbourhoods". But guess its nothing to worry about. [/FONT]

If you are on a shared Web hosting account, then yes - this could be a problem. Shared Web hosting works by allowing many different accounts to use one Web server. Shared hosting usually does not give each user a dedicated IP address - if one user abuses a certain service which could associated with the server (such as spamming, phishing, or blackhat SEO), there is the chance that SEs would block that IP address.

Web hosts do a pretty good job of closely monitoring shared hosting accounts, however. You are not likely to run into this problem these days, especially if you go with a "name brand" host. There are many automated scripts available that monitor a user's email usage and Website files that
lots of Web hosts now employ.

Now, there is some speculation that certain hosting types can actually enhance your search engine position. Hosting companies such as hostingseo.com (a division of HostGator) are based on this presumption. However, keep in mind that this has not been proven as fact, so until it is, you are acting only on an educated assumption.

Bottom line? You are probably Ok, as long as you choose a reputable host. If it really bothers you, pay a few bucks extra each month for your own dedicated IP address, and you should have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Yes it matters.

Free hosts are penalized by search engines because they are filled with so much junk and everyone is on the same IP address.

Shared hosting is better but not perfect as you will still probably share an IP but it won't be as bad as choosing a free host. You can get a dedicated IP with a shared account so look into that.

Any serious agent should be using a dedicated server for their site ensuring they have a dedicated IP and they have full control of their site. Also, dedicated servers run faster and crash less so you're site will load fast and won't be down when you're generating lots of traffic.

Go with a dedicated server. It's not as hard as you may think.

Originally Posted by nuvru

Any serious agent should be using a dedicated server for their site ensuring they have a dedicated IP and they have full control of their site. Also, dedicated servers run faster and crash less so you're site will load fast and won't be down when you're generating lots of traffic.

Go with a dedicated server. It's not as hard as you may think.

With all due respect to nuvru, I must disagree. Shared account are not necessarily more prone to crashing, here's why:

1. Shared servers are typically more robust than dedicated ones. This is for the same reason a 747 is more robust than a small 4 seater plane, it has to be, it must be able to handle much greater loads. Also, when a 747 crashes many people are affected and this would be devastating to an airline. However, when a small plane crashes the result is usually less catastrophic. I know, it's morbid but it's true.
2. Shared servers are typically backed up nightly. This is expensive with dedicated servers.
3. Shared servers are administered by experts. A dedicated server is administered by you. (unless you go for fully-managed hosting which is VERY expensive)

So, you are probably thinking: "Why would anyone choose dedicated then?". Here are some reasons:

1. Security - In a shared environment, if one site is vulnerable to a hacking attempt they all may be to some degree, a hacker could gain access to one site and, using sophisticated methods, break through and affect others on the same machine. This is not to say shared hosting is not safe, and with the measures good hosts take nowadays the chances of this happening are slim but, still, a risk is still a risk when it comes to highly sensitive data.
2. Enhanced Control - For the reasons stated above, many accomodations can't be met with shared plans so if a customer requires special software of plugins to run their site they may choose to go dedicated.
3. Expandability - With dedicated hosting, a large site can continue to expand by adding additional dedicated servers.

I hope this helps! Don't jump into anything beyond your needs, instead start small and expand as your needs dictate, your money is probably better spent on attracting new customers and supporting the ones you already have.

Warmest Regards,
Tom

Well Tom, you're wrong and surprisingly enough your post is one big advertisement for shared hosting. Hmmmm.

Don't respond with **** posts just to advertise your company. No one appreciates it. Learn some netiquette!

I'm sorry you can't take the criticism but I have been in the business for years and I know the difference.

Yes, we are a hosting company. Yes, we offer shared hosting. DEDICATED HOSTING IS OUR PRIMARY FOCUS. I would rather Maca buy dedicated hosting through me as I make much more off it but I am discouraging dedicated in this case because it is probably not appropriate for them, it's waaaay overkill. I see this happen alot to people not just in hosting but with website development, all the customer needs is a simple website but some developer comes along and sells them on a system that is way beyond their needs, costs them a fortune and winds up being a total loss because they can't properly manage it (or the proposed solution was so big the developer couldn't even finish it, in which case they usually just run off...never to be heard from again).

My goal is to provide solid, honest advice and expertise with Maca. And, if I get to plug my services at the same time, well, I don't see a problem with that.

So, who's the real bulls***er? Why would you try to convince someone they should buy something that may be 20 times more expensive than what they really might need? You didn't even try to find out haw large or small their operation was, you just jumped in with a blanket statement like:

Any serious agent should be using a dedicated server for their site ensuring they have a dedicated IP...

By-the-way: you can get a dedicated IP with shared hosting too.

The fact is, realestate agents aren't in the web buisiness, they sell houses, and while they should embrace current technology we can't persist in trying to shove it down peoples throats because they will eventually resent us for it.

I completely agree with JuniperAvenue.

Hosting should be provided to the customer needs, there is no point having a 5 five website that is looked at 5 times a month and you are on your own dedicated server!

Different companies have different needs, I am on a dedicated and managed server with dozens of dedicated IPs - but this a need that I require.

Most agents would never find their way around their cp and would end up causing more damage than good.

Hosting is very important if you want your online business to work and succeed, and people seem to forget how much work hosts actually do.

There is no point having a site that you have poured blood and sweat into - and having a poor host company with poor support, uptime & speed.

You pay for what you get!

Where your server is located (either shared or dedicated) does matter for SEO.

Try and get a server as close to your market as possible as this will help with load times as well as local search engines.