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Need suggestions on hosting for OpenCart site

by Moraha
13 replies
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I've been lurking around these forums for a while but just signed up. I don't see a lot of mention about OpenCart so I'm hoping someone can help me choose the right hosting.

My website will have a maximum of 1,000 products at this moment so it shouldn't require too much space. I'm choosing OpenCart because of the flexibility and options it has. It's possible that I might go for a more higher end cart but I will start with them first.

I was going to register with 1and1 but came across terrible reviews. And then I saw Bluehost getting amazing reviews, but then saw many people on different websites saying to stay away from EIG hosts so I'm pretty stumped on what to go for right now. Obviously, SEO is important to me (although I know very little about it) so a host that provides services for that is probably useful.

Please let me know if you can give me any suggestions. I won't be going for a VPN for now but may do so in the future.
#hosting #opencart #site #suggestions
  • Profile picture of the author darbok
    1and1 is terrible... don't know enough about bluehost... I use bluerazor.com (non affiliate) they have open cart plus their own cart, highly knowledgeable... 24/7 phone support their customer service and data centers are all in the USA. If they had an affiliate I'd so be posting it everywhere, I actually believe in them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Moraha
    I took a look at Doug's posts on OpenCart's site...he has tons on there so I'm leaning towards evolvewebhost right now.

    When I was about to sign up with 1and1...I noticed they had the option to buy something called "SEO spotlight" which is supposed to help with Google rankings. I don't know much about SEO and will use this forum a lot to learn. But is that option from 1and1 just BS? If it is legit, do any of these other hosts you guys mentioned offer something similar?
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    • Profile picture of the author LABEShops
      Originally Posted by Moraha View Post

      I took a look at Doug's posts on OpenCart's site...he has tons on there so I'm leaning towards evolvewebhost right now.

      When I was about to sign up with 1and1...I noticed they had the option to buy something called "SEO spotlight" which is supposed to help with Google rankings. I don't know much about SEO and will use this forum a lot to learn. But is that option from 1and1 just BS? If it is legit, do any of these other hosts you guys mentioned offer something similar?
      Yes, it's nice having someone knowledgeable about opencart doing the hosting. My last hosts (midphase) did great at hosting, but never knew the software so couldn't give me any recommendations when it came to optimizing the stores or solving any issues.

      Not sure what the SEO spotlight thing is about, but SEO is really a matter of doing the work and research into keywords. I have a thread on the opencart forums for "Opencart and SEO" so you might want to read thru it (I'm LABEShops there too).
      Signature

      Owner of LABEShops.com & 20+ Niche Online Stores as well as Scifispace.com and other sites. Recommended Host: Evolve

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  • Profile picture of the author ttjr21
    Are there more sites that you can recommend checking out?

    cheers!
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    Started my internet life
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Range
    I use HostGator for 99% of my websites, it works fine for OpenCart, just be aware they charge you $10 to install your SSL and $2/month for a dedicated IP.
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    JoshRange.com
    E-Commerce, Web Design, & Mobile Website Services
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  • Profile picture of the author loedown
    HostGator, BlueHost, iPage.. They'll all do opencart.

    Have you thought about going the VPS or Dedicated route?
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    StressFree.Host
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    • Profile picture of the author Moraha
      Originally Posted by loedown View Post

      HostGator, BlueHost, iPage.. They'll all do opencart.

      Have you thought about going the VPS or Dedicated route?
      For now, I'll be going with shared servers. It'll be something I'll reconsider if my business is successful. I'm starting pretty small so it all depends how it goes.

      As for those other hosting sites you mentioned, those are all owned by EIG. However, I'm honestly not sure why there is so much hate on EIG. Is there a reason why I keep reading that I should stay away from them?
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      • Profile picture of the author kpmedia
        Originally Posted by Moraha View Post

        those are all owned by EIG. However, I'm honestly not sure why there is so much hate on EIG. Is there a reason why I keep reading that I should stay away from them?
        Simply searching Google will tell you why -- it's horror story after horror story with them.
        Signature
        FAQ: Need a Site5/Arvixe/Hostgator alternative? And who is EIG?
        Reviews:         Need a good VPS, dedicated server, or unlimited host? (This is NOT a fake "top 10" list!)
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        • Profile picture of the author Josh Range
          Originally Posted by kpmedia View Post

          Simply searching Google will tell you why -- it's horror story after horror story with them.
          I have had HG since before EIG and there was no issues after they got bought out, all my sites load quickly and I never have any downtime.
          Signature
          JoshRange.com
          E-Commerce, Web Design, & Mobile Website Services
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          • Profile picture of the author kpmedia
            Originally Posted by Josh Range View Post

            I have had HG since before EIG and there was no issues after they got bought out, all my sites load quickly and I never have any downtime.
            You must not monitor your sites, as the ENTIRE datacenter has been down multiple times since August 2013, for almost a day each time. Slow loading and micro-downtimes are also all across the board, but you have to monitor your sites to see the up-and-down stats. Never assume as site is up and "fine" because you manually look at it every once in a blue moon.
            Signature
            FAQ: Need a Site5/Arvixe/Hostgator alternative? And who is EIG?
            Reviews:             Need a good VPS, dedicated server, or unlimited host? (This is NOT a fake "top 10" list!)
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  • Profile picture of the author SnDevil
    I am also starting a site. Because of the subject of the site it will have many articles I have written or other people have. It will have many links to other sites that are resources. I will later add a question and answer area, I have to to compete with others. Plus I will be at first an Amazon affiliate.

    Which of these is easiest to use and has the most flexibility for articles, pictures,links and linking to Amazon as an affiliate.
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