High trafic site host recommendation?

[joevv3]

Hi guys...

Can anyone recommend a web host for a joomla/SMF site that gets between 10,000 and 50,000 unique visitors per day?  I would guess that would put the number of page views at probably between 100,000 and 500,000 hits per day...

In addition to very dynamic content, and fairly heavy forum usage, the site would also host several chat rooms using flash chat from Tufat...

This site has not launched publicly yet, but I think the numbers given above are not unrealistic expectations of traffic to expect... so I'm trying to get an idea of what our server costs are going to be when we reach that level.  Will we need a dedicated set up or would a VPS account work?

I would really appreciate any advice, anyone can give on this as the site needs to be stable and reliable once it launches...

I don't know what this forum's rules are regarding posting of hosting account provider information, but if such information shouldn't be posted in the forum.  I would appreciate if anyone with such recommendations could private message me...

Thank you,

Joe

ps-By the way, this is a nonprofit site... check it out at: http://www.theunderrepresented.com/joomla/

[joevv3]

any1 have any experience with these guys: http://www.rackspace.com/ ...?

[brad]

Are you looking for paid hosting?

Rackspace have a good reputation, however they are very expensive.

[joevv3]

yeah, rackspace is quite spendy...but we are going to need high reliability, security, and expandability...

can you recommend a cheaper host w/ those qualities...?

joe...

[MMMedia]

I host with Rochen - http://www.rochenhost.com I have had my hosting with them for 2 years, and you couldn't pay me to move my sites away.

They are extremely reliable, have excellent customer support and are very security conscious.  I am fairly certain that in terms of expandability they can come up with customized plans depending on your needs.  I do know they handle the hosting for the Joomla! family of sites and do an awesome job of handling the high traffic needs.

[brian]

One thing to consider that may or may not be important to you is the locatioon of the servers. You dont say where your users will be from but if they are NOT in the USA then I would strongly recommend that you look for a host whose servers are physicaly located in your locality.