Can you assist me in selecting a virtual hosting service? After reading numerous reviews, I have become overwhelmed. My intention is to switch from my present hosting provider to a different one, and I am currently considering hostland, timeweb, and handyhost.

I'm wondering if anybody has any experiences with these hosting providers to share, both positive and negative, as I would appreciate hearing your opinions. Alternatively, can you suggest another provider? My primary criteria are as follows: I intend to host 2-3 small websites (with 15 GB of disk space) on the hosting, it should cost no more than $5 per month, and website response time should be quick.

Furthermore, I have a few additional questions:
- Are there any implications for website visibility in search engines when changing hosting providers?
- Is it possible to transfer domain names, and should a fee be paid at the new hosting provider, or does the domain remain with the old hosting provider?

Compare reviews to determine individual preferences. One's perception of quality may differ from another's.

It can be frustrating when websites take a long time to load or stop completely. This highlights the need for reliable hosting providers that offer technical support and various additional options, such as antivirus software and callback forms, as well as domain transfer services.

Therefore, it is recommended to seek out global reviews online to gather comprehensive opinions on various hosting providers.

We have had success with French dedicated megahoster.net/server_fr.php for two years. The quick access and 24-hour technical assistance have been particularly beneficial. Additionally, the tariffs are reasonable.

The type of hosting service you choose is dependent on your goals. If the website is for personal use, a service with basic features will suffice. However, if it is for business purposes, additional functions should be available.

Given your requirements, you could also consider hosting providers such as:

Bluehost - Bluehost is a popular choice that provides excellent service across the board. They offer a range of pricing plans that should fit within your budget, with specific plans offering unlimited websites, free domain name for the first year, and a free SSL certificate.

Hostinger - Another popular, budget-friendly option is Hostinger. It offers a range of plans with the cheapest one starting under $1 per month (if you commit for a long term). Their entry-level plan may not meet your multi-site needs but upgrading to their Premium or Business plans (which cost a bit more but still relatively cheap) will give you what you're after.

Namecheap - This provider is budget-friendly and offers reasonable performance. It's often used for domain registration but also offers shared hosting plans including an introductory offer for the first year.

Ensure to check their performance, uptime, customer support, and if they offer free site migration service.

Now, as for your other questions:

Website visibility in search engines when changing hosts: There won't be any drastic changes to your search engine rankings solely due to a change in your hosting provider, given that your new host delivers good performance (meaning websites load quickly, there is limited downtime, etc.). Just make sure to avoid any extended periods of downtime during the transfer process, as this could impact your website's visibility.

Transferring domain names: Yes, it's possible to transfer domain names between registrars, and the process typically involves a fee. You'll first need to unlock the domain with your current registrar, then provide the EPP key (a unique domain transfer code) to the new registrar. The domain will remain with your old hosting provider until the transfer process is completed, after which it will be registered with your new host. There may be a renewal fee with the new registrar, but that varies between different companies.


Here are two more to consider:

DreamHost - This is another reputable provider that offers a wide range of services. They offer an affordable shared hosting plan that allows hosting multiple websites and it comes with a free domain provided you sign up for a least a year. They also have a strong commitment to keeping your sites up with a guaranteed 100% uptime promise.

A2 Hosting - Known for its speed and reliability, A2 Hosting is another solid choice to consider. They offer a variety of hosting solutions that can fit different budget constraints and requirements. They have a Lite plan which is their most basic plan but you would need to move to their Swift or Turbo plans to host more than one website.

Bear in mind that these are general recommendations based on your stated criteria. The specific circumstances of your websites may call for a different kind of hosting plan. To find the best fit, identify your priorities (Do you value speed? customer service? scalability? etc.) and use those to compare against what each hosting provider offers.

Furthermore:

Most hosting providers will offer some kind of migration service, either for free or for a fee. If this is your first time transferring your site to a new host, it may be worth it to pay for professional assistance to ensure a smooth transition.

Pay attention to the hosting provider's renewal rates. Many hosting providers offer cheaper rates for your first term (whether that be 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, etc.), but then the price increases when you renew your plan.


In addition to the hosting providers already mentioned, here are some more potential options. Remember these are general suggestions, and you should research each one to see if they match your specific needs:

SiteGround - Known for their excellent customer service and high performance. They offer varied plans that could fit your needs and budget. They also provide a free website migration service, SSL certificate, daily backup, and CDN.

GreenGeeks - This is an eco-friendly hosting service provider known for good speed and uptime. The pricing for their plans is reasonable, and they offer unlimited storage and bandwidth, free SSL certificate, free domain name for the first year, and unlimited email accounts.

Please consider these additional points too:

Trial/Refund Policy: Some hosting providers might offer a trial period or have a refund policy that lets you test their services. This can offer a great way to try out their performance, customer support, and overall service quality risk-free. Make sure to check this beforehand.

Security: Check out the hosting provider's security measures, such as firewalls, DDoS protection, and others. This is crucial for protecting your site from potential threats. Extra perks like free SSL certificates are also beneficial for both security and SEO.

Customer Support: Even if you're tech-savvy, reliable customer support can be a lifesaver when you run into any issues. Look for hosts that offer 24/7 customer support with various contact options (phone, email, live chat, etc).

Hosting multiple websites (each with its own name and content) on a single server is one of the main benefits of virtual hosting. By sharing costs with many other organizations, this method allows companies to pay less.