IX Web Hosting: A Detailed Look Back
IX Web Hosting was once a prominent player in the web hosting industry, known for its specialized SEO services and reasonably priced hosting solutions. However, as the digital landscape evolved, IX Web Hosting ceased operations, leaving many to seek alternatives.
Company History and Background
Founded in 1999, IX Web Hosting operated out of Columbus, Ohio. At its peak, it managed hosting services for over 110,000 clients and supported around 470,000 websites. The company offered a range of services from shared to VPS and cloud hosting, aiming to meet various business and individual needs.
Acquisition and Closure
In 2015, Endurance International Group (EIG) acquired IX Web Hosting through its subsidiary, Site5. This move was part of EIG’s strategy to consolidate multiple hosting brands under its umbrella. Three years later, IX Web Hosting was officially retired, and its users were transitioned to other EIG brands like Site5, Verio, and Dotster. Unfortunately, these brands did not show significant growth or updated features in the years following the acquisition.
Services and Features
IX Web Hosting offered diverse hosting plans, including shared, cloud, and VPS hosting. Shared hosting was available in three service tiers, each with customizable features that suited different levels of website traffic and storage needs. Their cloud hosting facilitated both Windows and Linux OS, accompanied by a choice of cPanel or Plesk for easier website management.
| Plan | Starting Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $3.95 | Unlimited bandwidth, domains, and email accounts |
| VPS Hosting | $54.95 | Custom disk space, RAM, and dual-core server |
| Cloud Hosting | $7.95 | Choice of OS and control panel |
SEO and Dedicated IP Address
A significant advantage of IX Web Hosting was its focus on search engine optimization. Every hosting plan included at least one dedicated IP address, a crucial factor for improving search engine rankings. The use of dedicated IPs prevented the risk of being blacklisted due to shared IP misuse and allowed easier setup for ecommerce sites demanding secure transactions.
User Experience and Control Panel
Despite robust features, IX Web Hosting’s proprietary control panel was a drawback. Many users found it less intuitive compared to familiar options like cPanel. Due to its complexity, it posed challenges to beginners and those less tech-savvy, potentially delaying setup processes and minimizing immediate usability.
Customer Support and Refund Policy
One of IX’s praised components was its customer support. Clients were assigned personal support representatives, ensuring tailored assistance. Support was accessible through various channels, including 24/7 chat. Additionally, the company offered a 30-day money-back guarantee, showcasing their confidence in service quality.
Clients who canceled during the trial period were reliably refunded, demonstrating honest business practices that few competitors matched. However, after EIG’s acquisition, the quality of support reportedly declined, impacting user experience negatively.
Uptime and Reliability
IX Web Hosting boasted a 99.9% uptime guarantee, supported by a solid infrastructure and their own data center located in Ohio. Equipped with Tier 3 providers and redundancy systems, the company was structured to minimize outages and maintain consistent service delivery.
Conclusion: Was IX Web Hosting the Right Choice?
IX Web Hosting served its purpose effectively for many years, providing specialized SEO benefits and personalized support at competitive prices. However, its dated control panel and eventual closure diminished its appeal to newer webmasters. While they once met the needs of SEO-focused site owners and businesses requiring multiple dedicated IPs, the modern hosting landscape now offers alternatives with better features and support.
Seeking Alternatives
For those seeking hosting solutions akin to what IX Web Hosting delivered, Hostinger and A2 Hosting stand out as viable alternatives. Both provide a mix of affordability, impressive uptime, and reliable customer support, making them worthy successors to explore.
