Site Hosting Question

[fraserhannah]

We are UK based web designers who have recently been asked to build a website for an Australian Charity. Normally we would host the website in the UK with our current hosting company, but as this is an Australian website with an .au domain I was wondering if it would be better to host it in Australia.

If it is better to host it in Australia, I would appreciate if someone  could give me the name of a reasonably priced hosting company.

Thanks

Fraser

[RyanKent]

Hi Fraser.

The question of where to host a site really comes down to the location of your target audience.

If this charity was the Red Cross which has offices throughout the world, then you can host the site anywhere and use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to improve page load speeds throughout the world.

If those who will benefit from and donate to the charity are mostly in Australia, then I would definitely host the site in Australia.

I can't share any personal experience for a host in Australia. I was recently in a similar position where I needed to locate hosting in another country. The steps I used to locate a host were:

• asked my current host whom I was very happy with if they had any offices in the other country, or any recommendation.

• check http://www.webhostingtalk.com/. They are the world's top site for web hosting discussions.

• gather a list of all your requirements. Think of your current host and anything you like or dislike about them. Think of technical requirements for any CMS or shopping cart. Consider how critical managed hosting or fast replies to tickets are for the organization.

• when it comes to pricing, shop around. I found the site which offered everything I wanted and had some extras such as green hosting and a 24/7 phone number for tech support. I then quoted my current pricing which including a sign-up special and the overall price was half of what the new host wanted. They price matched! This may be easier for you since this is a charity.

Good luck.

[fraserhannah]

Thanks Ryan,

That is what I thought as they are a small charity with a local audience. I never thought to ask my local hosting company so will drop them an email.

Thanks again

Fraser

[gfiorelli1]

Host in UK if it is better for you, but IP proxy to Australia for Localization.

[RyanKent]

Interesting suggestion.

Will the IP proxy offer any benefit other then showing search engines an Australian IP?

What about page load speeds? I have worked with people from Australia previously and there are significant, measurable differences in page load speeds for a local hosted site vs a Euro hosted site for Australia.

[gfiorelli1]

Personally I have no experience with Australian IP... but I have not really seen significative page load speed differences in the case of Italian sites with USA/UK IP