A Blog Post from 2009 - Details from my point of view
I wanted to take a minute and try to clear something up that many of you are likely already aware of due to the fact another member has publicly made two posts about it.
Way back in late 2009 I published a post on my blog called: Wealthy Affiliate hosting vs Hostgator hosting.
In the post I give MY 7 reasons why I use Hostgator or Wealthy Affiliate (in 2009).
I'm not going to post the link, but it's easier enough to find if you want to read it as I just gave you the title.
Was I lying about WA?
What I'd like to point out here is nothing I said was lies in my opinion, now other members opinions who experienced the hosting back then may vary a little but I'd guess that most would agree with what I'd said.
Was I bashing WA?
Maybe a little depending on how you look at it, but I wasn't going to start lying saying it was great, because it wasn't back then. (again this my opinion from 2009)
Now I'm not sure of the time frames here, but Carson and Kyle have consistently continued to improve the WA hosting and WA as a whole
A major turning point for the hosting was when they came out with Wordpress Express and then later eliminated Plesk.
About a year or two ago, the WA hosting changed dramatically (in my opinion) and surpassed the hosting performance and support you can expect from a shared Hostgator plan and many other plans.
Getting back to the point here, I wasn't aware that the post I made in 2009 was causing such a problem.
The site/domain I've had for several years and it's a mess, I've attempted to go in different directions with the site.
I was aware in the past the post in question was ranking on the first page for a few phrases, but this wasn't and isn't something I track and monitor.
I'd like to also add that this post wasn't making me any money, it had someone else's coupon codes I found online back in 2009 and my old CJ.com affiliate links. I do promote Hostgator and use the in-house affiliate links and my own coupon codes.
So if I was intentionally trying to bash WA and make money from it the links and coupon codes I would have changed the affiliate links and coupon code, plus the broken image link and the broken video would be fixed too.
Updating the content/post
I haven't been posting or commenting within WA for several months, but I received a PM from Kyle in regards to the blog post, he asks if i plan on updating the post etc.
I replied to Kyle and said:
"Hi Kyle,
Hope you and you're family are doing well.
I'll update that post in the next few days.
This is something I should of done some time ago.
I also just read and responded to the post MOZ made in here. I didn't realize the affect it may have been causing, but people should also realize it was 5+ years old.
I'll let you know when I update the post.
Thanks
Craig"
I then started to reread the post MOZ posted and all the negative comments towards me, a few members comments have been removed or edited.
My feeling were hurt and as a result I responded out of line to one member, I then apologized.
Don't get me wrong, now that this has come to my attention I fully understand why the post needs to be deleted or updated.
But the only reason is because it's currently on page #1 for a few search terms. If it was on page #2 people wouldn't care I'm guessing and they'd probably see it as what it is, an old outdated 2009 post.
I'm going to be either deleting the post or updating it to reflect on a new updated post, if I go that route it will be very clear that this is my old view from 2009 and to checkout my new updated post to see how things have changed with both companies.
Recent Comments
23
Unfortunately, people have a way of ignoring the date something was posted. It's a shame that Moz decided to resort to personal attacks. His posts could have been made without accusing you of being a liar.
Never jump to conclusions is the lesson I learned from my life BUT unfortunately still can't always follow it. The same applies to most of us I think.
Craig, you have been a help to so many of us here and I thank you for that. I know you're also a respected member and have always been a supporter of WA (and I've known you online for almost two years). You continue to have my full support as well.
Hey Graig, you have my full support. I apperciate your effort in helping fellow folks in WA. I understand the post why you chose your own host back then. There no need to feel bad about it. There always people who like and dislike, we can't please every single one.
Thanks
Cena
When people speak up, it often engender self assessment and transformations occur as a result.
That said, wouldn't it be appropriate to update "product reviews" following marked improvements? I guess this is a rhetorical question because I don't know how one can keep up with the many reviews / posts from long ago to effect changes as they occur. There is a high probability that the author has moved on to other ventures.
Just a thought!
Thanks Welshy. I read the old post and being new here was not sure what to think. After reading your post now I am ok with it.
Thank you Craig. I remember what it was like back then and I did not use WA hosting then either. It was just too difficult and confusing. Kyle and Carson have done wonders with this place and their hosting is now top notch. I knew that our Welshy never intended to bash WA but rather you were telling your own viewpoint back in 2009. I applaud you for this post.
Glenda
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Yes, glad to hear from the other side. I wasn't here back then, so have no opinion. And it's changed, once again, today. Glad to be with an organization that is always improving and growing.