So many different opinions - Newb Needs Help Please!
 

Hi folks, I have been lurking for about 3 weeks now, reading all sorts of threads, trying to decipher some of the tech speak and acronyms and I have finally decided that I don't know enough to know I don't know.

So I decided to join up, bear the embarrassment of being this much of a newb and ask some probably very, very basic questions. I do apologize in advance. I know someone will probably say to use the search feature. I have been, but I have read so many opinions pointed in different directions I am officially convinced I am not qualified to formulate an opinion without feedback for my contingent.

I have been a Mod on a good sized (in excess of 10,000 members worldwide) VBulletin forum for several years, so I have the bare basic understanding of how VBulletin works, the basic features, etc.

Currently I, and a small group, am in the process of setting up our own forum. This is an area that we do not know much about, hence the hours and hours of research. I would expect the forum to start out with 25 to 75 regular members that will be online throughout the workday and into the evenings. As the content will be of interest (and some controversy) all over, the membership will be on at different times from around the country and a few foreign to US members from time to time.

In doing a bunch of reading, and consulting with my small team (none of whom are technical in this arena), we THINK the best option for us is to go with managed hosting. We have already priced several options from companies that are well represented here on this forum and most are in our price range.

Where some of the confusion sets in is all the threads where people are recommended one option over another based on size or expected visits to the site.

Some say VPS is the way to go.

Some say Shared Hosting is the way to go.

We don't know what direction to concentrate because why we know we will start small, we already have a lot of content developed (text/pictures/article based) that will draw site views. Site views will hopefully translate to people joining to post their opinions, counter arguments or experiences.

We don’t want to choose something that is “just right” to start out, but then quickly outgrow it. We also don’t want to sink a ton of cash into a Ferrari when a ’94 Mustang can handle our needs for a year or so while we grow the name.

Budget: Open to reasonable expenditure. Ideally we would like to purchase a year block with a well-known, reputable, responsible, reliable host that will take care of us as we grow and has the ability to be scalable based on growth. Wiredtree and URLJet are on the top of our list currently.

Goal: We’d like to be big enough to handle an influx of traffic, and content, without paying for way more server than we really need.

Needed: A recommendation on VPS vs. Shared, along with some stats or server specs based on real world experience would be greatly, GREATLY appreciated. :up:

Many thanks in advance for reading! :cool:

Cb