Hi all I'm thinking about moving my organisation's website to a better host. Our budget is tiny (as you've probably seen in the news, people don't want public money being splurged..!) but should be enough for something half-decent. At the moment we are using Xcalibre on a shared server with 189 other sites. Performance is okay, and the service is generally fine, but there is no SSH access which is becoming a problem as I attempt to implement a CMS which requires some command-line shenanigans (emailing tech support to do it for me just doesn't cut the mustard). The package we have at the moment is a shared host for £170 a year. It has all the features we need except SSH (3gb space, 40GB/month bandwidth, php, mysql etc etc). But SSH is the sticking point. Another problem is that government organisations (i.e. those with domains ending .gov.uk) can only use hosts from an 'approved list', which can be seen ja dot net /services/domain-name-registration/approved-isp-membership/a-isp.html, but there are so many of them that it's impossible to know where to start. Anyone have any ideas? Ideally I'd like to be able to install an opcode cache, which is another thing I can't do at the moment (although the site isn't big enough and doesn't receive so much traffic that this is an issue. Would be nice to know that it is running as efficiently as possible, though.) Any suggestions would be welcome!
Since you need SSH access. Shared host is not your best bet. You need at least VPS or be better dedicated server.
There are many which a simple search on google will get for VPS or Dedi. If you are dead tight on the budget, go to bluehost.com Cheap and reliable. regards, Ryan
melat0nin is looking for a provider under the approved list, so bluehost is certainly out of the question Your only option is to move towards VPS as you require SSH, budget constraint and mostly importantly, government website which contain confidential information. I suggest you take a look at othellotech.net VPS service. You are looking at least £200/year with a basic VPS with no control panel. £300 to £400/year with control panel.
Most shared hosting providers will be able to provide you ssh access upon valid request at a small additional price. You can get cheaper price than what you are paying.
You should go with shared hosting ... and if you ask the host they will give you ssh access at no cost for limited time
As far as I know not every shared web host can offer that. Most of them do not provide that at all. Batter have low end VPS for such kind requirements.