Apr
24
(2006)
The performance of my shared server at GoDaddy leaves a LOT to be desired. Pages render out of the database in several seconds, when they should be easily generated in under a second. Their tech support response was to blame images and javascript, when the actual database-based page generation itself is waaaay too slow. Even when pages are rendered OK, they may be spit out somehow triggering a file download rather than content in the browser. (you may have seen a “Download file: index.php” dialog box - I get it all the freaking time)
Comments on the Wordpress support forum pointed to perhaps the server being overwhelmed and reverting to a “safe” download behaviour.
Either way, I think it’s time to look at the options. I’m currently looking at DreamHost. Their services seem really good (use a wiki for support info, have SSH access and a bunch of other nicenesses that GoDaddy doesn’t). Are there better options? Should I be concerned about Patriot Act and DMCA implications with an American hosting provider?
I’m also wondering about what the migration process is. GoDaddy hosts the DNS as well, so how smooth is it to move that to another provider?
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26 Responses to “Thinking of ditching GoDaddy”
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DNS changes will always lead to some downtime as the changes propigate. There are actually 3 possible changes - change the DNS entry, change the registration to point to a new DNS, change registrars.
If you can keep the DNS at one place and host somewhere else, you just need to change the DNS record. Typically 1-3 hours.
If you want to drop GoDaddy as the host of the DNS - you will need to change the domain registration. Propogation may take 24 hrs to 1 week to happen - depending on how quick your registrar is.
If you can set up the server at the new location, create all the DNS settings at the new provider before you change the information at the registrar then you can minimize any disruption but you are still going to take a hit.
I don’t know if GoDaddy will let you point a domain they registered to another DNS so you may need to move the registation to a new registrar that can get even more messy because there is kind of a three-way handshake of emails that need to be done before registrars will transfer control of a domain. Chances are you are going to be down for a while, could be up to 24 hours.
D’Arcy-
I used to like GoDaddy- but recent moves from their server to my server for clients have been a pain- and slow.
No matter who you choose (I host- for clients and friends http://www.nextwavehosting.net) or another client has good experience with http://www.bluehost.com the process HAS TO BE-
set up your site on the new server-
change your nameservers-
it will take 3 days to change- if you are lucky.
Then switch to another registrar- I have had good luck with BulkRegister.com- it’s an almost instant update of nameservers and propegates really fast.
The transfer to another registrar isn’t as painful- but make sure you don’t do it before you change the nameservers- I’d allow 2 weeks between 1 and the other.
GoDaddy used to be stripped down simple- now all they want to do is retain customers and charge for additional services all the time. Their support speed is slower than your page serves- and a lot of times- they act like networksolutions- forcing you to call them.
I no longer recommend them as an alternative.
Good luck.
I have my domains registered at GoDaddy and their DNS pointing at DreamHost’s servers, where I have my websites hosted. This setup works flawlessly.
If you setup your websites at DreamHost using one of their temporary subdomains you can prepare the move before you make any changes to the domains, and when you’re ready, update the DNS settings at GoDaddy. In fact you should be able to move your sites this way without any downtime at all.
Finally I will recommend you take a look at http://www.dreamhost-promo-code.com before you signup with DreamHost. I got the setup fee waived with one of their promo codes.
One more reason to ditch GoDaddy:
http://www.darrenbarefoot.com/archives/2005/06/godaddy-president-favours-torture.html
BAH! My blog decided to stop rendering entirely this afternoon. Reverting to a different theme seems to work, so I’m guessing my K2 theme + plugins was exceeding my number of database connections. What a freaking joke that is… grrr… I guess I’ll be writing off the rest of the year’s hosting agreement with GoDaddy and moving to Dreamhost ASAP…
Sami’s free for a friend hosting is always an option
Shell and decent amount of space provided, leave at any time, no questions asked. Unfortunately the DMCA applies as it is located in Texas…
Another happy DreamHost customer here. They have great uptime, lots of tools (PHPMyAdmin, shell access, multiple users and groups, the works), plus a one-click Wordpress install if you don’t want to do it manually. Have my Wordpress blog hosted there with no problems, it even survived a Digging.
If you’re thinking of using DreamHost, I can tell you from my experience that they’ve been very dependable. I’ve hosted with them for a few years now and haven’t had any problems.
Another vote for Dreamhost! They have been wonderfull since I moved to them on November 2005 (was hosting hte site out of my home but was sick of my office always being super warm). I also read that they are moving to a “all your stuff on one server even though it’s shared hosting” deployment plan… Check with their sales people. Also, tell them about your problems with GoDaddy and see what they do different. Hopefully you will find whet you are looking for. I have been very pleased myself.
A vote here for Bluehost. We’ve used them at UMW for all our grassroots Web 2.0 development. Every Instructional Technology Specialist has an account, I have an account, and several departments have also bought their own accounts/domains. Very few problems, and customer service has been excellent.
Dreamhost will be a “Plan B” scenario - I’ve decided to take Sami up on his generous offer. This blog is now running on his Etopian server in Texas somewhere. It’s performing about an order of magnitude better than it did on GoDaddy’s shared Celery server.
If I wear out my welcome on Sami’s server, I’ll head to Dreamhost. Thanks for the feedback all, and most of all, thanks to Sami for the space/bandwidth!
dreamhost has been good to me too. thumbs up here, for future reference. even problems haven’t been much of a problem.
I use TotalChoiceHosting, and I’ve been *very* happy with them. One-click Wordpress install, incredibly reliability, low prices, good support, and a very helpful “family” forum (TCH users are the “family”).
Highly recommended.
Holy cow! You’re not kidding about the poor performance! I just logged into my blog for the first time in a while and I can’t believe how slow everything is. Whether it’s loading up the blog itself, or making a posting, it’s just painful. It’s ridiculously slow. I might have to follow you to DreamHost.
I'm so glad i found your blog about this.
I have a client who just started hosting with Godaddy.
we are using a php program and it's sooooo slow, and same thing, I get a "download" page when i need our program. I have never had this happen before and thought it was me! I'm hoping we can move him and get Godaddy to give him his money back, i think he signed up for the 2 year plan! UG!
Kim
on the plus side, throwing away a 2 year contract at $5/month isn't the end of the world…
hey, I just signed up recently w/ godaddy and they are horrible!! first off, they don't have a real cpanel and my site is extremely slow! I can't take it anymore.
Dreamhostis great if you want lots of features and don't need much customer service. I'm registering all my domains through dream host after <a href="http://www.bloomington.thislittletown.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=54&sid=db7f5827016077f6255f465dbba993b8">godaddy</a> totally ripped me off (that and I'm into rails). Here's some honest advice: stay away from godaddy!
I've been using Dreamhost since 2004, and I like it alot. But I haven't tried their new stuff like windows hosting and whatnot. You can use this link http://www.dreamhost.com/r.cgi?61135 or enter code TEST666 for free setup. Feel free to email me if you'd like a different code.
I also have a GoDaddy account for a client that is slooooooow. But they already pre-paid for 2 years :(.
Good luck!
I also recommend bluehost.com. I have been using them for numerous accounts for a year or so. 24/7 support, 50 databases, 20 subdomains, 5 add on domains - i havent seen better - if you do - let me know.
Jesse - sounds cool. I switched to Dreamhost several months ago, and have been loving it! I’ll keep bluehost.com in mind though…
Dreamhost is my current hoster and they are better than average, I believe, if not fancy. Some predictable downtimes but other than that, they are good at what they do.
I have found dreamhost to be cheap and pretty reliable too. I found the promo code DREAMPROMO4U on http://www.hosting-promo-code.net/ which offers the maximum discount.
[...] DarcyNorman - “Thinking of Ditching GoDaddy“ [...]
Dumped Godaddy Host & Migrated to Bluehost.
http://www.stylomilo.com/wordpress/dumped-godaddy-host-and-migrated-to-bluehost