When trying to find the best hosting site, many web masters completely miss the boat and make costly mistakes (such as relying on free domain and web hosting). Many of the most important factors which should be considered ultimately get ignored.

Are you going to be hosting web php scripts? Is hosting unlimited websites important to you? Are uptime guarantees something that you would prefer? If you’re planning on launching a new site, web host considerations should be among the things that are first and foremost on your mind.

Over the years of trying different webhosts, I’ve discovered a few that definitely stand out and have never disappointed. I’m proud to say that HostGator.com is one of those hosts, and one that I don’t hesitate to recommend to anyone who is on the hunt for an affordable business or personal web hosting provider. Be sure to check out our HostGator discount coupon code section for the latest promotions and deals.

Comparing web hosts is more difficult than simply looking at lists of included features or pricing structures, you also have to things like the quality of support and server uptime into account.

Remember, not all webhosts are created equal and you should choose a company that has a track record of providing solid hosting and good support on top of good pricing. In my opinion, HostGator.com is one of the best hosting options available when it comes to this.

Having said that, it’s important to note that the cheapest hosting companies often end up becoming extremely costly if downtime is an issue. Host Gator provides an extremely reliable, rock solid webhosting service at a really low price, and that’s worth it’s weight in gold.

I’ve had good webhosting providers, mediocre hosts, and a few of those nightmare stories that you hear about as well. I make it a point now to compare more than just prices whenever I’m looking for a webhosting account — just saving a few bucks each month on hosting fees means nothing to me if my server is unresponsive and support is non-existant.

Hopefully these webhost tips have given you some things to keep in mind as you’re searching for an affordable web host. As I mentioned, HostGator.com is a solid choice and one that I definitely recommend. I don’t think you would be disappointed.

Having said that, there are always ways for a company to improve the quality of it’s services and I think it’s good for people to know the good and the bad before purchasing Web hosting.

Do you have any HostGator complaints? If so, please leave a comment detailing your experience below…

Before making a decision on a plan, be sure to read our HostGator hosting review. It will give you a good overview of what is included with the various hosting packages and also what to expect when it comes to prices.

Last but not least, don’t forget to check our HostGator coupon code area for the latest in discounts and promotional offers being offered. This is a great way to save some money on your webhosting, regardless of the plan you decide on.

To downgrade a HostGator hosting account, simply send an email to HostGator’s customer support staff at support@hostgator.com. You’ll need to provide them with your primary domain name, username, password, current hosting plan, and desired hosting plan.

To upgrade your HostGator hosting account, simply send an email to support@hostgator.com and inform them that you would like to upgrade your service. Upgrades are typically done the same day they’re requested.

This package allows for unlimited bandwidth and domains, and includes a generous 1,000 gigabytes of disk space. The Swamp web host account comes with a free site builder, instant backups and does not bind you down with a contract. You’ll also enjoy free and instant set up. All of the domain and FTP features are unlimited, including add-on and parked domains, sub domains, FTP accounts and also anonymous FTP.

MySQL databases are unlimited with HostGator’s Swamp Plan, but the Web hosting features go on and on: CGI, PHP 5, Ruby on Rails, SSH, Chillisoft ASP (only available with this package), Python, Curl and several others. Like the other plans, there is streaming audio and video and module installation, which is free.

What good is a Web hosting service without email? Of course HostGator offers this service, and also makes it secure to use with features like Spam Assassin to avoid flooded inboxes with messages that may contain viruses. There’s also unlimited POP3 accounts to access outside email, mail forwarding and auto responders, along with other features.

The control panel is impressive with offerings like the Fantastico, Soholaunch, Hotlink protection, and the “Instant” features: guestbook, blogs, portals, PHPnuke, forums, counter and FormMail. Ecommerce is also made convenient, with shared and private SSL, osCommerce and a few other features. The Web site and FTP statistics features complete the package with real-time updates for AWStats, Webalizer, and tools like Raw Log Manager, referrer and error logs.

For only a few more bucks, the HostGator Swamp hosting plan has the most to offer out of the shared hosting lineup. With all of the great features and guarantees it comes with, this package is hard to pass by.

The HostGator Hatchling plan offers a plethora of options and features, although it is the most modest plan in their shared webhosting lineup. It has ample disk space at 350 gigabytes and bandwidth and 3,000 gigabytes, and one domain is allowed with this plan.

In addition to the money-back guarantee, the Hatchling package offers a 99.9 percent uptime guarantee, free instant setup, no contract, instant backups, 24 hour a day customer support, and a site builder. There are also unlimited subdomains and FTP accounts.

Web hosting features seem endless for this small price or only $4.95 per month. The Hatchling package includes:

• Unlimited MySQL databases
• CGI
• PHP 5, Ruby on Rails, SSH, Perl, Python, SSI, and Cron
• FrontPage
• Curl
• GD and Image Magick
• Streaming audio and video

The Hatchling web host plan even makes email convent and secure with features like the Spam Assassin. Also offered with this package are Web mail, email alias, auto responders, mailing lists, catch alls, mail forwarding, IMAP support and SMTP. The control panel features are also impressive. They include phpMyAdmin, Web-based file manager, Instant Counter and many other offerings. Web site and FTP stats have Webalizer, real-time updates for AWStats, and a log manager. For those who are interested in e-commerce, this inexpensive plan also has options in that area, including shared SSL, Agora Cart, osCommerce, ZenCart and Cube Cart.

If you’re on a tight budget, it’s almost impossible not to go for the HostGator Hatchling hosting service. It is inexpensive, guaranteed, and backed by great customer support. Each consumer is given “VIP attention,” because they are in fact very important.

HostGator reseller web hosting allows customers to create and host unlimited accounts, with the use of cPanel and Web Host Manager (WHM). This has many benefits.

Host Gator’s Copper reseller package allows for 40 gigabytes of disk space and 350 gigabytes of bandwidth. But that’s not all. Some of the hosting features that come with this package include the following: templates, private name servers, a free billing system, no contract and a free setup that happens instantly. There’s also unlimited FTP accounts, domains and subdomains, POP3 accounts and MySQL databases.

Although the Copper plan is on the lower end of the price range of Host Gator’s reseller hosting lineup, it still includes many standard features that will impress customers looking to build a site. Some of these are free installation for PHP and Perl modules, streaming audio and video, Image Magick, GD, Curl, FrontPage and Cron, among others. Extra services that can be offered include Chillisoft ASP and Site Builder, which will help customers create professional-looking sites conveniently.

Email is always an important part of a Web site, and this package provides many useful email features such as SMTP, IMAP support, email alias, Spam Assassin for security, catch alls, mailing lists and auto responders. The control panel also is packed with instant features, including FormMail, Counter, Portals, Guestbook, Forums, PHPnuke, customer support desks and blogs.

Web site and FTP Statistics will be taken care of by the HostGator Copper webhosting package with its real-time updates of AWStats, Webalizer, Raw Log Manager, referrer and error logs. Finally, e-commerce is also offered with the plan’s shared and private SSL, Agora Cart, osCommerce, ZenCart and Cube Cart.

The HostGator.com Aluminum Hosting Plan allows for 24 gigabytes of disk space and 250 gigabytes of bandwidth. The service costs $24.95 per month and allows you to host unlimited domains.

This webhosting package includes many impressive features, including a money-back guarantee after 45 days and a 99.9% percent uptime guarantee. Also coming standard with this plan are private name servers, a free billing system, website templates, 24-hour tech support, instant backups and free set up. There also is no contract needed.

The Aluminum hosting service also allows for unlimited subdomains, POP3 accounts for email, MySQL Databases and FTP accounts. Once the account is set up, you’ll have access to a host of features, including CGI, PHP 5 with Zen Optimizer, MySQL 4+, Perl, Ruby on Rails, and Python among several others. Other options or “extras” include Site Builder and Chillisoft ASP. Host Gator email is user-friendly and secure, offering Web mail, email alias, auto responders, mailing lists, catch alls, Spam Assassin and mail forwards, but the list doesn’t stop there.

The HostGator control panel (cPanel) for this plan will keep the user busy. It includes Fantastico, Soholaunch, Multilanguage, Hotlink protection and many other tools. Also included in the price are features for Website and FTP Statistics, as well as e-Commerce features like shared and private SSL.

Just because the Aluminum Plan is the cheapest HostGator reseller hosting account, don’t be fooled into thinking that it doesn’t deliver good value. HostGator.com has earned an excellent reputation for providing affordable yet extremely reliable web host services.

HostGator’s Baby plan has 600 gigabytes of disk space, 6,000 gigabytes of bandwidth, unlimited domains and costs $7.95 to get up and running. The impressive package also includes a site-builder, support around the clock, instant backups, the freedom of no contract, and an instant setup that is at no cost to the buyer.

There also are unlimited add-on and parked domains, subdomains and FTP accounts. Additional features of the Baby plan include, but are not limited to, MySQL databases, CGI, PHP 5, Ruby on Rails, SSH, Perl, Python, SSI, Cron, FrontPage, Curl, GD, Image Magick, streaming audio and video, and free installation of modules.

Email also comes with the Host Gator’s Baby plan and is widely accessible, with unlimited features such as POP3 accounts. There’s also Web mail, email alias, auto responders, mailing lists, catch alls, Spam Assassin for security, mail forwarding, IMAP support and SMTP. As for the control panel, Baby has Fantastico, Soholaunch, Hotlink Protection among others. The Web site and FTP statistics include real-time updates for AWStats, and other features include Webalizer, Raw Log Manager, Referrer and Error Logs. Finally, e-commerce options included in the Baby plan are Shared SSL, Private SSL, Agora Cart, osCommerce, ZenCart and CubeCart.

Those who purchase any of the HostGator Web hosting plans will be treated on an individual basis, and not just like a number. Their 24-7 support will assist customers with any problems they might have and issues are typically resolved quickly.

So — is it really possible to have reliable, cheap web hosting?

Fortunately, there are affordable web hosting companies out there such as HostGator who do deliver when it comes to customer service and server uptime. HostGator offers 24 hour customer support via email, their toll-free phone phone number, or live chat. As a longtime HostGator hosting customer, I’ve always been pleased with the responsiveness of their tech support staff.

For additional piece of mind, Host Gator also offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee and a 45 day money back guarantee — neither of which I’ve personally ever had to use.