I have had this website for some years now, and as far as I can remember it has resided at the same host since it’s birth. It is a provider with servers in Norway and the provide me with just about all the services I need. Storage, data transfer, ftp uploads, email, subdomains, URL forwarding, PHP and CGI, and shell access. I believe I can even get a dedicated IP and set up SSL if I am so inclined. The only problem is that everything is limited. I am capped at 500 mb of storage and I have only two MySQL databases to play around with. This means that I’m hosting almost all the services I am running on the same database, and I am now running with approximately 20% free space. In short: Not good!

I have some ideas for some new online projects I want to start up, but because of the storage capacity issue and the fact that I only have 2 databases I have been forced to but these ideas on hold pending an upgrade of my webhostingservice. Unfortunately, my current provider can only set me up with 10 GB of storage and 10 databases. Maybe not too bad you might think, but the price is 90 NOK or almost $14 (about €10)  per month! That amounts to 1080 NOK or $180 (€120) per year and I am very reluctant to pay that when I can get unlimited storage, unlimited traffic and unlimited databases for less that 30 NOK or $5 per month at other hosts. So why don’t I just move my site to different provider?

See, it’s not that simple. All these unlimited storage hosts are set up in the US of A. And their terms and contracts are very much tailored to the US marked. Not to mention the fact that their servers are located “over there”. So I’ve been searching high and low for a European and preferably a Scandinavian host that will give me some decent storage space, unlimited traffic and a few databases along with the PHP/CGI, FTP, email and shell access that I need so badly at an affordable price. And what have I found you ask?

Nothing. I have found none. Not a single provider has stepped up to Google’s or Twitter’s plate and presented itself to me as the shiny, golden solution to all my online desires. And so I ask you this: Is there a webhotel out there for me or am I forced to chose between expensive and far away?

Replies, tips, hints and experiences are welcome!