We’ve been conducting an experiment over the last 12 hours and have found on average that PinchHost is 6% faster than HostGator and 11% faster than DreamHost. This data is based on bandwidth speed and the data was generated with Derek T Del Conte’s Bandwidth Meter. The software was installed on PinchHost server ‘Raptor’, HostGator server ‘Gator476’ and DreamHost server ‘Mystique’.

We tested the speeds in the West Midlands (UK) plus Pennsylvania (US). Testing each host every hour on the hour (three times) for 12 hours. After averaging (mean method) the data, we found that PinchHost was 6% faster than HostGator and 11% faster than DreamHost.

HostGator speed was tested on on a random server, but they also provide an official speed test installation, which you can find here, this can be compared against us. DreamHost unfortunately doesn’t have an official installation.

As a relatively new company, we take the time to deal with customers personally. That means assigning the same support staff to the same customers so that a rapport can be built, essentially allowing the customer or prospective client to have their queries answered promptly due to the background knowledge gained through previous contact.

As part of this, we prefer to take a more relaxed approach to billing and account procedures. That’s to say, your website won’t be shut down or suspended immediately due to an unpaid invoice. We’ll contact you and as long we receive correspondence then we will make sure your website stays online. Clearly though, no correspondence and a long period of unpaid bills will lead to account suspension. If you can’t make the payment on time for whatever reason, contact us and we’ll make sure you’re account isn’t suspended.

Rest assured, our relaxed approach doesn’t apply to the speed of customer support or the quality of our web hosting.

Our affiliate program is a tremendous opportunity regarding earning online through advertising. For each paying customer you refer to PinchHost, you’ll receive 20% of the sale.

We’ve endeavoured to make the program as straightforward as viable. The process requires that you fill out a brief registration form, after which you’re immediately provided with your affiliate link. You can withdraw your funds after just one sale. Payments occur through PayPal, we payout 60 days after the sale to avoid fraud.

If you have any queries at all concerning our affiliate program, please don’t hesitate to submit a support ticket.

There is a fine line between playfulness with the truth/truth inflation and deception, is DreamHost crossing it? In 2006, DreamHost generated revenue of $13.1 million and has no doubt increased in recent years. Surely a company of this magnitude has a responsibility to avoid the sales trickery that they’re currently utilizing. Firstly you’ll notice the offer of unlimited everything, which is a matter in itself, but it isn’t that which has caught my attention. It’s the hidden costs and unreasonable numbers used. $5.95 is the monthly cost advertised on the homepage.

Navigating to the purchasing stage, you’ll find that you actually need to spend $714 for 10 years of web hosting to gain that stated homepage figure. If you wish to pay on a monthly basis then a setup charge of $49.95 is required, plus a monthly fee of $10.95. There is the argument that the asterisk stating, “depending on pre-payment” makes this completely acceptable practice, but it just feels wrong.

At PinchHost we don’t have any hidden costs or setup fees and the prices stated on the homepage are the most that you’ll pay. We’ll be the last web hosting company to move to unlimited plans, we just don’t believe in overselling and unattainable promises.

As a web host, we endeavour to communicate everything that is relevant and give a sense of who we are. Having personally put my faith into hosting companies and being disappointed I don’t want PinchHost to be a profit hungry unethical company. Our profit margins are actually relatively low as a new entrant into the market, we do understand why it might be tempting to exaggerate, but in all sincerity, we would rather be an honest company in a sometimes-misleading industry.

Today was our official launch after months of development and testing. Support lines are up! We have one in the UK (London) and another in the US (New York City).

UK: 020 3287 3336
US: (347) 414-8340

Find us on Twitter.

We’ll also be actively searching out websites that we feel are under performing and unobtrusively proposition the owner with an analysis and possible solution. If you’d like your site analysed for free then get in contact.

As a customer in the industry I’ve seen support that strives to squeeze every last penny, treats their customers with contempt, makes excuses for their own failings without any sign of compassion plus those that simply treat their customers like an idiot. With years of experience in web hosting and customer of dozens of diverse hosting companies I hope I can fulfil my vision to create a company that tirelessly aims to go the extra mile and provide a product with unrivalled support and maybe even make someone’s day.