LiquidWeb Review – The Best Host I’ve Ever Dealt With

March 4th, 2008 | 15 comments

I just got a dedicated server through LiquidWeb (they offer shared hosting and VPS as well) and as every other host I’ve ever dealt with had horrible support, I had to give them a well-deserved shout-out.

This recommendation may be a little premature since I just signed up a few days ago, but I’ve already put in several support tickets for different issues (none that were the fault of LiquidWeb) and every one was replied to and corrected within an hour. Their support reps are very professional and they’re actually eager to help, which is a pleasant surprise dealing with a host.

They granted several requests I had, which weren’t included in the package I purchased and they were quick in doing so.

Their prices are equal to and even better than many of the other hosts I looked into.

I’ve NEVER highly recommended any host because 99% of them have poor support and I believe that the support makes or breaks a web hosting company.

I recently sold a site and did the transfer for the buyer who purchased a shared hosting plan with them. He provided all of the details to me so I worked directly with the shared hosting support and they were just as good as the dedicated support!

Outstanding host! Highly recommended!

http://www.liquidweb.com/

*edit* I am using affiliate links in this post, but I would have written the same review whether they had an affiliate program or not!

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15 comments

Chuck (70 comments.)
5th March, 2008 at 1:02 am

I agree completely, Josh. Except for one small glitch, I’d still be with them. They weren’t always “perfect” when I dealt with them…but they WERE always there to talk to…and that’s way more than you get with most companies. In my experience, it’s worth paying a little extra for top-notch support. However, half the time, when you pay more…you STILL don’t get top-notch support. LiquidWeb is a keeper.
Howard Young (3 comments.)
5th March, 2008 at 3:32 pm

Josh, Thanks for the info. I’ve never heard of LiquidWeb and pretty much use LunarPages VPS hosting since they have excellent support and 24/7 phone support for VPS and Dedicated users.

What were the deciding factors to lease a Dedicated Server over VPS?
Josh Spaulding
5th March, 2008 at 3:44 pm

@ Chuck – Yeah they really impress me. What a nice change from HostGator!!!!

@ Howard – For me I just needed more space and bandwidth. As a matter of fact, this blog reached it’s bandwidth limit JUST before the DNS switched to the new server.

I don’t know much about VPS (never had one) but here is a quote from LiquidWeb’s VPS page:

Liquid Web’s Virtual Private Server line is the ideal solution for clients who require the control of a dedicated server matched with the affordablity and simplicity of a Shared account. Virtual Private Servers allow an unmatched level of freedom and control by providing root level access to your own server environment.

Fully Managed Virtual Private Servers

Every Virtual Private Server includes unlimited accounts/domains, fully managed Heroic Support®, and your own brandable version of our online control panel to offer your users. Liquid Web’s Virtual Private Server line also includes The Fantastico auto-installer which allows you to easily deploy over 40 different web applications with the click of a button. Using Fantastico, Liquid Web clients can install Portals, Blogs, Polls, Forums, e-Commerce, Content Managemement Systems and more for free!
Chuck (70 comments.)
5th March, 2008 at 10:11 pm

I suspect that, as Howard suggest, LunarPages might be capable of a VPS hosting system that actually works, simply because of their 24/7 access.

However, I would definitely warn anyone away from them as a shared host. They cost me HUNDREDS of dollars over the course of about 2 weeks with their ridiculous lack of service (and nonexistent communcation)…this moneytary amount, of course, being far more than I paid them for 2 YEARS of hosting…which now sits idle for the next 1.75 years, as I wouldn’t trust them to host a site for my (imaginary) dog.

LiquidWeb is an exceptionally good host when it comes to service (I used them for VPS for a time). I am currently using SolarVPS for my VPS needs, as well as IX Web Hosting, NameCheap Hosting and BlueHost for my shared hosting needs. BlueHost is a little iffy, because they are prone to simply turn off your sites if your bandwidth runs too high. But they are cheap and convenient…and a solid solution for low-bandwidth customers. I won’t re-up with them after my contract is up, though.

The real danger in shared hosting is that almost all companies oversell their servers…i.e., they are gambling that you won’t use a whole lot of bandwidth, and they measure it daily…so if you have an article on Digg, for example, they’ll simply switch you off. HostGator and many others (like BlueHost) are reknowned for this. That’s what you get with VPS…somewhat protected space (not oversold), and that’s why I use them for my ultra-priority sites.
Josh Spaulding
6th March, 2008 at 3:44 pm

Well Chuck if you agree then I know I got something good because I know you can be critical with the services you use, which is a good thing.

A good point you made that I had never considered, but that makes alot of since, is your comment on many hosts overselling their servers. Makes a whole lot of sense and I’d imagine you’re absolutely correct.
Brent Crouch (30 comments.)
7th March, 2008 at 12:59 am

There is nothing worse than dealing with a bad hosting company. I wouldn’t ever mention any here…I …P.OW…E…R.

I swapped to a VPS at Servint.net last year. I spent sometime at a webmaster’s forum and everyone had good things to say about them.

The support is unbelievable! If you need support you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on holidays. Within 2 – 3 rings, somebody answers the phone. There is no pressing one for this or two for that.

What absolutely blows me away is the email support. The first time I had a minor issue, (of my own making), I wrote a support ticket. Within 3 minutes I had an email notification that my request was answered.

The first time this happened, I was thinking, “It has to be a fluke. Nobody responds that quickly all the time.” Well, it was no fluke!

When I email a support request I usually have a response within minutes. I’m pretty spoiled now. Once I write a support request, I just hang out and wait for the response. If it takes more than 5 minutes, I start getting frustrated. Then I remember the days of I…PO…W…ER and realize how good I have it.
Chuck (70 comments.)
7th March, 2008 at 1:05 am

Strong recommendation, Brent. I will definitely keep those guys in mind for my future VPS needs. I like SolarVPS for now, but the idea of phone support is superior to chat support. I’ll have to take a look at their pricing.

I’ve never heard anything but horror stories regarding Ipower. No personal experience with them, though.

Thanks for the info!
Josh Spaulding
7th March, 2008 at 3:37 pm

Thanks for the heads up with Ipower and the good words about Servint.net I’ll keep that in mind.
Gary Huynh (4 comments.)
11th March, 2008 at 8:33 pm

Another thumbs up for Liquidweb. I’ve had a dedicated server with them for over a year and they’ve always been eager to help with any issues. You should pay more for peace of mind when deciding on a web host.
Josh Spaulding
11th March, 2008 at 8:45 pm

Yep, I’m still in love with them lol I’ve honestly never been so happy with any host, ever.
Vern (17 comments.)
27th March, 2008 at 9:03 am

Josh, I’ll probably declare that this is the first time I’ve heard about liquid web.

What do you think about them giving out c-classes features?

Can i have more than 1 main directory
like mainone.com , mainone2.com , and mainone3.com ?

I’m thinking so much to get a better hosting provider…

Since this is important for better SEO
in terms of getting better indexing
in the SE’s for niche marketing
plus some other features that we can’t
find anywhere else.

Cheers,
Vern
Josh Spaulding
27th March, 2008 at 2:35 pm

@ Vern – They’re a great host. Of course you can host as many domains as you want. mainone.com, mainone2.com and mainone3.com are not three different directires, they are 3 different domains.

You can also have different subdomains subdomian.domain.com etc.

and obviously you can have different subdirectories as well yoursite.com/directory

However, you’ll have to request different c-classes and I’m not guaranteeing you’ll get them. That was just something I requested before purchasing my dedi with them. If you go with shared hosting you probably won’t be able to get multiple c-classess.

If you’re looking for multiple c-classes, but don’t want a dedicated server you may want to go with seohosting.com

Multiple c-classes just make it harder for the SE’s to associate different domains with one person. It doesn’t help with indexing or anything else.

It’s just a personal preference of mine and se’s can still look at the registrar to see if different domains are registered to the same person.

It may or may not help, it’s just a personal preference.
shreyas (1 comments.)
28th March, 2008 at 3:43 am

Have you guys tried hostgator , i think they are good..i have a account with them and never had any problems.
Josh Spaulding
28th March, 2008 at 4:14 am

@ shreyas, I was with HostGator for nearly 4 years. Their servers are generally good (they don’t even own them,) but their support is garbage!

LiquidWeb owns their own servers and provides AWESOME support.
Reliable (1 comments.)
25th June, 2008 at 11:51 am

I’ll switch hosts after my current one ends, this looks good.