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web site hosts

Started by JohnG21 • 13 replies • 2427 views

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JohnG21 (West Virginia)
Posts: 2
Posted:
I am a President of a Homeowners Association in Huntington, Wv. The Board is interested in having our association put on a web site. I know a lot of hoa are on a web site. Im looking for some info on who are the best hosts for hoa's. Any Suggestions? Thank you
SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699
Posted:
I prefer blogger.com its owned by google, free and easy to maintain.
JenniferM10 (Illinois)
Posts: 97
Posted:
As someone who builds websites, my recommendation is to get a Dreamhost hosting account and setup Joomla on it. My own HOA is doing something similar.

Joomla is nice because you can setup user accounts and put some information behind a username and password. Things like financial statements, forums, comments, etc all won't be public. It would take some minor know-how to get it setup, but once it is, the only additional costs would be to renew the hosting once a year (about $120). The templates to create the look a Joomla site are often free.

The disadvantage to many of the pay monthly sites is that if you decide to switch providers, you have to start over. The design is theirs, and you can't move it.

Having a website is a really good idea. Good luck!
JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219
Posted:
Hi John:

I also do web design and agree with Jennifer. However, the site I always recommend for webhosting is: http://www.webmasters.com/web_hosting.htm and they charge $119.40/year.

Over many years I nor any other companies I recommend use them have ever had an issue, very professional and you can view easily on this site what they offer and compare to other hosting companies. They offer alot of bang for the buck including Joomla.

They also offer a partner type program where your HOA could potentially earn a little money if others sign up. This could potentially help earn the HOA a little money to cover website costs depending on the sites exposure: http://www.webmasters.com/make_money.htm
JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219
Posted:
Hi Jennifer:

I was looking at information regarding Dreamhost and one item that impressed me is they offer "Free Hosting for 501(c)(3) Non Profits". Kuddos for them!!!

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 65
Posted:
We changed to community123 about 8 months ago. It has been the best choice we have ever made.

They Host this site.

Mark Mc
JenniferM10 (Illinois)
Posts: 97
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JanetB2 on 01/25/2011 9:50 PM
Hi Jennifer:

I was looking at information regarding Dreamhost and one item that impressed me is they offer "Free Hosting for 501(c)(3) Non Profits". Kuddos for them!!!


Honestly, I forgot about that! It is pretty cool of them to do that. I helped a non-profit group setup their hosting for free there last year.
ScottJ4 (Maryland)
Posts: 4
Posted:
Maybe you should just consider using a web development company that only does HOAs, thats what our Association did. Its http://hoasitedesign.com
JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219
Posted:
John ... something else you might check is do you have a property management company? Some management companies also have sections where their HOA customers have web page sections and can post the HOA documents, meeting minutes, etc. included as part of their services.

When making your choice first you need to determine what you want to include, your teams knowledge of web design, and your website budget.
JohnG21 (West Virginia)
Posts: 2
Posted:
Thanks for all the replys to my email. We will only have about 150 homes when the builder is done. That should make it more simple to figure out the cost. I also would like to make changes to the site by email or mailing to the host. Dont want to get bogged down having to fill out compilicated forms that no one can figure out much less fill out. Thanks for your help.
JohnO6 (Georgia)
Posts: 424
Posted:
JohnG

To clarify what you seem to want, it appears you're not looking for just a "website host".

Instead consider the following (somewhat arbitrary) descriptions:

1). Website Host - this is a company that will store your website on their servers that are connected to the internet. You have to create and maintain the website content yourself. They just provide the hardware infrastructure to get your website on the internet. There are thousands of these companies and they vary widely in both cost and reliability. You've already received some suggestions for reliable hosts in previous posts on this thread. This will be the lowest cost option for you, but will require the most time and technical skills to create/maintain your website.

2). Website Service - this is a company that will create (or provide you with the tools to create) your website and will also host it. This is usually referred to as a "Software as a Service" or SAAS model. Once the website is created (either by you or them), the SAAS model usually includes some type of Content Management System (CMS) - which is really an administrative "back end" section of your website - that allows you to add, edit, delete content to your website. Typically the cost of this is a subscription model either monthly or annually. The cost is more than #1 above. Companies usually charge by the number of homes (e.g. "website members"), or by the richness of website features available, or both.

3). Managed Website - this is a company that will both create and manage the day-to-day content of your website. Your comment about wanting to update your site "by email" suggests that this might be what you're looking for. It will be the most expensive of the three options, because it will require the "work" of human labor to update the site to be paid for in addition to the usual technology.

Most "HOA Website Companies" fit under #2 above. It will require someone in your HOA with only modest technical capabilities to be able to maintain your website.

Hope this helps!
DanielW2 (Texas)
Posts: 3
Posted:
hey there.. check out this webhosting site.. They have a very reliable support in my opinion and I'm sure they will answer all your questions
DanielW2 (Texas)
Posts: 3
Posted:
sorry wrong code there you go!: webhosting site

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