September was another cracking month for web hosting, and as ever, the Internet just keeps growing and growing. Netcraft predicted the Internet would hit 100 million 'hostnames' in September, meaning there are more than enough sites to go round the industry! In September Aplus.Net reminded us of the key issue of 'net neutrality' and it was also a month when GoDaddy.com launched its new 'Racy Commercial ' - I am sure a lot of people are looking forward to seeing that one! Globat got on the promotion bandwagon by bringing in 90s 'icon' Dustin Diamond as a celebrity spokesperson. The environmental benefits of shared web hosting were also discussed in September and AIT did a good thing by offerings military units and personnel free websites with a domain name purchase -- good job AIT!
With a few people starting to worry about the amount of information Google was controlling, there go Google offering free downloads of classic titles that are no longer copyright. September also saw vital research into a variety of stereotypes related to IT personnel, with results showing a clear bias in favor of IT staff as far as heavy metal t-shirts are concerned. Host Depot celebrated 10 years in hosting and Web.com took another approach selling its hosting suite sold across the USA. On a more serious note, web hosting provider HostOnFiber.com dropped a vampire-themed website after the recent school shootings in Canada and Go Daddy 's General Counsel testified before the Congressional Subcommittee considering ICANN. Oh... incidentally... not to be forgotten... ever... HostSearch introduced a new daily news service in September - a daily collection of the web hosting industry's top news stories sent directly to your email inbox for your pleasure and perusal! Check it out!
Plenty of money around in September - Datapipe 's future looked rosier with the company securing $12M in investment money and ServerBeach must be doing OK because they opened new headquarters and a new data center. Earthlink got some money in September, winning an $11 million judgment against a CAN-SPAM act violator. On the flipside, HostGator got it rough with a much publicized hack attack that exploited cPanel vulnerability.
Also in Septmeber, plenty of domain activity ... ResellerClub announced it was offering '.mobi 'domain registration, and Hostway kicked off 22 more domain extensions. Whereas many people expected them not to, September was also a month when the U.S. Commerce Department renewed its authority over ICANN.
As with every month, there were a lot of new hosting services in September - Tugboat Enterprises offered hosting services, CMATHER.COM expanded into web hosting design and domain names, and WebCinch announced 'semi-dedicated 'web hosting services with a 'no overselling 'pledge. Intermedia.NET kicked off Windows Virtual Private Server hosting in September, Pipe Ten launched reseller services, i6 Networks offered free hosting, SupremeCenterHosting.com announced a number of new services, and Host Department launched NOLIMIT hosting. Also, on the managed / colocation / dedicated front, Verizon Business expanded its managed hosting capabilities, and ColoServe added CAT6 Cabling.
As ever, to keep ahead of the curve, a number of web hosts enhanced the services they offer in September. Cirtex Hosting upgraded packages and added Sitebuilder, Avantex upgraded its Linux servers to Plesk 8.0, and MillionDollarHosting.net announced multi-language options. In addition, HostMonster upgraded its plans, Intermedia.NET increased Hosted Exchange storage, NetPivotal included ASP.Net 2.0, RoundBerry offered Ruby on Rails, WireNine upgraded their hosting plans, and WhatsYourDomain.com added RoundCube. Other hosts upgrading services included Host Color, InQuent Technologies, Whatcom Host, and Media317.
A number of companies received awards in September. 1and1 Internet and EV1Servers led RealMetrics 'web speed index for two months running, Rackspace appeared in the North American web hosting Magic Quadrant Leader 's Quadrant, as were SAVVIS, and Data Return, while Aplus was named one of 50 fastest growing technology companies in San Diego and Zen Internet was listed in The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100. In addition, plenty of new contracts won in September... Awecomm for one. Telanetix also won a contract from Hostway Corporation, and Easynet was awarded a telent contract.
There were masses of promotions in September, AKBrothers offered free web hosting and a domain name for one year, MochaHost.com offered a new affiliate and referral program, Host Department launched its 'Domain for Life ' while Arkhold, Inc. offered 'Immortal Websites ', and Flizard.com offered a range of bonuses.
September also saw a lot of acquisitions and partnerships, CrystalTech selected FusionReactor, Apptix acquired Mi8, Independent Bankers Bank selected Open Solution 's imaged payment technologies, IceStorm Network and United Commercial Bank partnered, and Open Solutions and Ceto formed a strategic partnership. In addition, Freewebs acquired Mad4Milk.net, Schipul - The Web Marketing Company acquired the assets of Aim Managed Hosting, Dominion Enterprises acquired a leading web design, Internet marketing and web hosting provider for real estate professionals in the United States, and Brinkster selected Nominum's ANS Server.
All in all, plenty of activity to show just how the web hosting industry grew in September...!
