Who do you recommend for…
I have been working as a tech in this field for 20+ years and have some trusted providers I work with and use myself, that I can recommend. I’m sharing them with you.
Web hosting and domain registration
Fused Network – David and his staff at Fused are Canadian and competent, two of my favourite things. I host my own websites with Fused and have moved several clients to them when their existing hosting has issues. They’ve agreed to offer any users I refer free migration (they move your site for free), audit the website for malware on arrival. These guys usually get back to me within the hour when I have questions or issues, so I recommend them without qualification. They are mid-range in terms of price, but the great service alone is worth paying slightly more for business users over low-value budget hosts.
Hostutopia – Also quite good, and affordably priced for sites not requiring more robust hosting like smaller information only sites is Hostutopia – I like them because they actually have at least one woman tech, who is excellent. This hosting company is also Canadian, and the people answering their phones last I called were in the Pacific Standard time zone in greater Vancouver, which is convenient.
Computer repairs / hardware setup
Make it Work, PC Galore and The Hackery – At the beginning of my career I did computer repairs and setup but I now specialize in different areas. Since then, I have referred several people to Vancouver-based Sarah Millin of Make IT Work Computer Solutions with good results. I also regularly take my own computer hardware to PC Galore (see below) and The Hackery for computer repairs and upgrades.
Affordable, environmentally friendly computer hardware with advice?
I have been buying computers from PC Galore in Vancouver for 20 years. Greg and his staff are competent, ethical and reliable and have a good selection of reusable computer equipment, which fits with my environmental values. I have regularly referred clients there over the years, and have always heard good things.
Photo by Tom Grünbauer on Unsplash