Seeking recomendations on webspace providers.

[Esoteric]

I think I've finally decided to have my own website. I want to start building an online portfolio in hopes of getting some attention, and maybe eventually some work. But I know almost nothing about web providers. Can anyone suggest some providers with good support and reasonable rates? I want to have an HTML site, and of course, since it's a portfolio, there will be lots of images, so whatever consideration that takes into bandwith....like I said, I know barely anything. Advice? Suggestions? Resources?

[shooraijin]

Why isn't deviantart suitable for your purposes?

This isn't merely a rhetorical or obvious question -- it's to consider what features you need in your portfolio site that free portfolio sites like deviantart, or elfwood, don't offer you.

Also, depending on who your ISP is (I can determine this, but I'm not sure if they offer it), you may already have a free hosting arrangement or at least webspace to use already.

For bandwidth, you need to figure in the estimated user base as well as the size of your files. This can be very difficult to estimate. Fortunately, it's not hard (just inconvenient) to buy extra in the middle of a billing cycle if you pop.

Provider-wise, I have personally done business with Coastal Internet ( http://www.buoy.com ) and Tim is a reputable guy. Please say hi to him for me (use my real name, of course ) if you inquire. Also, I have heard from others that jatol ( http://www.jatol.com ) is a reasonably inexpensive service.

[Esoteric]

You know, I'd been to DA only a few times before...and only saw amateur work.
After your suggestion, I took a better look around, I didn't realize they actually had a print shop and some professional artists as well. (I'm quite curious to know how many prints people actually sell). But it's definitely something I will look into now...a good source of exposure since so many people are there.

However, that is also one of the site's major drawbacks. I don't like the cluttered feel it has and I didn't find it particularily easy to navigate around. It's likely because I'm not familiar with the site...but someone I directed there might encounter the same problem. There would also be certain people I wouldn't want to send to DA, if they just wanted to see my art.

As for my ISP provider...it's a roomate-esqe situation. It's not my account, hence not my webspace, (if there is any offered). But thank you for the bandwith and web provider info. If/when I do start my own site, I'm sure traffic will be minimal to start (and perhaps always, who knows? ) Thanks again!

[Mr. Rogers]

I would highly recommend either:

E-Starr Hosting:
http://www.estarr.com/

or

ServerPlace.net:
http://www.serverplace.net/

I've used both and they have good pricing, features, support, reliability, etc. So go check those out if you don't want to use something like DeviantArt.

[FadedOne]

ok, my personal reccomendation?

http://www.flockhosting.com/

The head guy, Chuck, is a friend of mine...great guy, great heart for people. If you end up getting webspace, consider flockhosting. (i need to charge him fees for all the advertising i do. XD)

[ClosetOtaku]

I use Speakeasy.net. I like their services; however, the interface leaves a lot to be desired. So I don't recommend them unless you like do-it-yourself websites.

[Mithrandir]

I didn't know SE did hosting. I just thought they were an ISP.

[Esoteric]

Cool, more input! Thanks guys, every idea helps.

[ClosetOtaku]

I didn't know SE did hosting. I just thought they were an ISP.

Sure thing. I run a hidden website that I use to share images, sound files, etc. Not really for public consumption, but it beats having to e-mail big files to friends. But I find the web page creation engine clunky, and if you want to do it the old fashioned way you have to know a little UNIX for file manipulation. Or am I spoiled?

[shooraijin]

Some of us like Unix, anyway.