PowWeb Review
Published in Jun, 2008 . Last Update on Sep 24, 2011 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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PowWeb Hosting
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What’s good about PowWeb Hosting?
| PowWeb Plan | Price |
| 12 months plan | $3.88/mo |
| 24 months plan | $3.88/mo |
| Hosting Features | Specs |
| Disk Space | Unlimited |
| Monthly Bandwidth | Unlimited |
| Addon Domain | Unlimited |
| Free Domain Name | Yes |
| Free Site Builder | Yes |
| CGI-BIN | Yes |
| SSI | Yes |
| Frontpage Extensions | Yes |
| FTP Access | Yes |
| Email Features | Details |
| Email Accounts | Unlimited |
| Forwarding | Unlimited |
| Spam Filter | Yes |
| Web-Based Email | Yes |
| DNS Text Record | Yes |
| eCommerce Features | Details |
| ShopSite | Yes |
| ZenCart | No |
| OSCommerce | Yes |
| Shared SSL | Yes |
| Software/Plugin | Details |
| Instant Install Central (inhouse program) |
Yes |
| Perl 5 | Yes |
| PHP 5 | Yes |
| mySQL Databases | 75 |
| Ruby/Ruby on Rails | Yes |
| Java script/DHTML | Yes |
| Message Forum | Yes |
| Image Galleries | Yes |
| Payment Method | Details |
| Credit Card | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes |
| Policy | Details |
| Full Refund | 30 days |
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
Just like most other web hosts (ie. think HostMonster, BlueHost, FatCow, JustHost, iPage, and so on); Pow Web offers unlimited 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.
Reliable web host with very, very good server uptime record
PowWeb has a remarkable server uptime record. As the company has a long history in business, its server performance was tracked since many years ago and the server uptime is amazingly good. On average, PowWeb is scoring 99.872% server uptime.
I repeat, 99.872% uptime, for a $3.88/mo web host, unbelievable.
Updates May/June 2011: Cheap. I mean really, really cheap!
PowWeb is currently giving out 50% discount at $3.88/mo for all 12- and 24- months subscribers. This is a H-U-G-E plus as starting year 2011 many web hosting companies have raised their price (ie. iPage, FatCow, GreenGeeks, JustHost… etc) and PowWeb is now one of the very few that cost less than $4/mo.
Trust me, PowWeb is among (if not the only) the cheapest hosting services you can get online. PowWeb is definitely a must-look for those who are searching for a ultra-low-cost web host.
What’s not-so-good about PowWeb?
Slow Customer supports
A simple search online and you’ll see PowWeb hosting customer support department is not at the top of its class. The hosting company received quite some complaints on slow and unhelpful support staffs. But hey, you can only ask for what you paid, right?
Besides customer service, I don’t see anything particular bad about PowWeb hosting.
Limited MySQL Databases
Unfortunately, the unlimited hosting has limited databases. PowWeb customers are allowed to add only up to 75 MySQL databases per account. 75 is quite a big number but if you compare with others (who normally offer unlimited, or at least 100), PowWeb is slightly lacking in term of MySQL databases.
PowWeb Hosting Uptime Review
One word, unbelievable. For the monthly price less than a cup of coffee, PowWeb users are getting hosting services with 99.8% uptime. BestHostRatings.com had been tracking PowWeb service uptime since December 2005 and the score sheet is amazing high.
For your reference, the dynamic image on your right indicates PowWeb server uptime for the past 7 days.
Conclusion: Is PowWeb Hosting Recommended?
Frankly with the kind of low price tag you are getting I don’t expect much from the support department. The hosting company, indeed, received quite some complaints on slow and unhelpful support staffs. But hey, you can only ask for what you paid, right? In case you’re advance webmasters who can fix most problems by yourself then this shouldn’t be your concerns – the promotion price is real cheap, take advantage of it now! However if you’re newbie, then perhaps you might look else where with better reputation in customer supports.
