PowWeb Review
Since 1999, PowWeb has offered a low-cost, feature-rich Web hosting platform that appeals to a broad spectrum of users. As stated in their website, Pow Web claims themselves as one of the few web hosting companies that stands on our own two feet, as they develop their own custom Web hosting software and automation tailored directly to customers’ needs. Pow Web’s entire infrastructure was built, developed, and operate in-house by programmers and developers.
PowWeb overall rating
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Pow Web Hosting
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What’s good about Pow Web?
Instant Install Central is better than Fantastico
The coolest thing with Pow Web hosting is that you get the ability to easily install the most popular open-source scripts around. There are over 40 scripts available to be auto-installed in their in house server software (Instant Install Central) - which I think makes them the best auto-install program. A quick highlights on scripts included are: Koomla, Mambo, php-Nuke, Drupal, PHP Fusion, e107, phpWebsite, WordPress, b2evolution, Gallery2, Coppermine, SimpleViewer, Plogger, ZenPhoto, Singapore, IPG, Media Wiki, SMF, php-BB, Phorum, nmsGuestbook, Gbook, WebCalendar, netOffice, ZenCart, CubeCart, nmsSimpleSearch… and many many many more. (gosh, did I just typed all that?)
Host unlimited domain in one single web hosting account
The same as you can get from HostMonster, BlueHost, or Web Hosting Pad; Pow Web offersunlimited disk storage, bandwidth transfer, and number of addon domain. In other words, you can host all your websites in just one single web hosting account.
On offer! 50% off for 12 months hosting plans
Cheap is another advantage for Pow Web. At the time of writing, Pow Web 12 month hosting plan cost $3.88/mo, which is among the cheapest hosting package you can get online. Definitely recommended for those who are looking for budget hosting.
What’s not-so-good about Pow Web?
Slow Customer supports
A simple search online and you’ll see PowWeb hosting customer support department is not at the top of its class. Their offers are a good bargain but they receive quite some complaints on slow and unhelpful customer supports. In case you’re advance webmasters who can fix most problems with your web host then this shouldn’t be your concerns (seeing that they are giving 50% offer!); however if you’re newbie, then perhaps you might shop else where on those with better reputation in customer supports.
Pow Web Hosting Features
So here you go, web hosting plans by Pow Web.
| Pricing | Details |
| 24 monts plan | $5.77/mo |
| 12 months plan (Special Promotion) | $3.88/mo |
| Hosting Features | Details |
| Disk Space | Unlimited |
| Monthly Bandwidth | Unlimited |
| Free Domain Name | Yes |
| Free Site Builder | Yes |
| CGI-BIN | Yes |
| SSI (Server Side Includes) | Yes |
| Frontpage Extensions | Yes |
| FTP Access | Yes |
| Domain Features | Details |
| Host additional Domains | Unlimited |
| Parked Domains | Unlimited |
| Subdomains | Unlimited |
| Email Features | Details |
| POP and IMAP Email | Unlimited |
| Email Forwarders | Unlimited |
| Email Autoresponder | Unlimited |
| Webmail (Browser Based Email) | Yes |
| CGI/Database Features | Details |
| Perl 5 | Yes |
| PHP 5 | Yes |
| mySQL Databases | Unlimited |
| Ruby/Ruby on Rails | Yes |
| Java script/DHTML | Yes |
| Free Plugin Features | Details |
| Simple Script Support | No |
| Fantastico Script Support | No |
| Instant Install Central (PowWeb inhouse program) | Yes |
| Message Forum (PHPBB & more) | Yes |
| Guest Books | Yes |
| Image Galleries | Yes |
| eCommerce Features | Details |
| OS Commerce Shopping Cart | Yes |
| Agora Shopping Cart | No |
| ShopSite Shopping Cart | Yes |
| Private SSL | Yes |
| Multimedia Features | Details |
| Flash & Shockwave Support | Yes |
| Support Streaming Video | Yes |
| Support Streaming Audio | Yes |
| Other Web Hosting Features | Details |
| Log Files + Site Stats (Awstats & Webalizer) | Yes |
| Customizable Error Pages | Yes |
| Web File Manager | Yes |
Conclusion: Is PowWeb Recommended?
Hosting features for Pow Web are pretty the same with Hostmonster or Bluehost where you’ll get unlimited hosting capacity as well as domain names hosting. A smart way to host multiple websites is to signup with such kind of hosting packages and host ALL your websites in the same account.
Note that Pow Web’s hosting cost jumps a lot when you switch from short term subscription to long term (24 months). The hosting cost might differs nearly 50% when you compare the 12 months/24 months pricing. For those who wish to try Pow Web, I would recommend you to pay a little extra for the first two months to test on their service, then go for long term if everything’s up to your standard. On the other hand, if you think PowWeb Hosting might not be the right choice for you, read reviews on my recommendations: Hostgator, Bluehost, Lunarpages, and FatCow.
