Finding a good web host can be a challenge, because there are just so many out there - how are you supposed to pick? One way to choose is through Web Hosting Choice, which lets you put in a few search parameters and it returns matching plans. There are also other good ways to use the site, including the advanced search, which lets you input a bunch of search parameters, and the plans directory, which lets you browse all the hosts that have a particular feature. I’m not sure about the “reseller hosting” button, because that just points you to HostGator, and I know there are a lot of other web hosts that offer reseller plans! In fact, that’s how most hosting directory sites stay afloat - they are actually resellers. I was a little surprised to find that my host, which is a major player on the market, wasn’t in their system at all, and neither are a couple of other hosts that I know of. I’m a little puzzled by their advanced search results, though. I put in for a host that was no more than $10/mo and $0 setup fee, with at least 5GB of space. They returned a few that matched, but they also returned several that were more than $10/mo. On the whole it seems like a pretty good service, though, especially the fact that you can specify a variety of features in the advanced search section.

This is a paid post, sponsored by ReviewMe. This is a just-launched alternative to PayPerPost, with a very different business model. Instead of all opportunities being available to anybody who wants to take them, as PPP does, bloggers post their sites and the advertisers choose who they want to have post reviews. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Will there really be enough advertisers for everybody to get paid for reviews, or will only the most prominent bloggers get picked?

The payment structure is much different than PPP’s, too. Instead of advertisers choosing to offer a few dollars per post, they buy at the blogger’s price, which is set by ReviewMe. Mine is $30 (which is what I’m getting for this post), and that’s based on my Alexa and Technorati ranks, among other things. Another difference is that PPP does not require disclosure that posts are paid, while ReviewMe requires explicit disclosure. The lack of required disclosure is one of the things that’s caused negative publicity for PPP, so ReviewMe has nipped that issue in the bud right away.

PPP has plenty of VC behind it right now, but ReviewMe isn’t starting completely from scratch. It was created by the same people who run Text Link Ads, which is a fairly successful text advertising program - they’re the ones I have successfully used on my site.

I’m giving ReviewMe and PayPerPost a try at the same time. I may not keep it up but they are certainly worth a try! I recommend at least signing up for ReviewMe, because if you write a post similar to this one you’ll get paid too!