Choosing Free Web Hosting over a paid option should, in theory, be based solely upon on the type of web presence that you are contemplating, rather than cost. The alternative can ultimately end up restricting your growth down the track.
By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of Free Web Hosting you can understand exactly what you are getting. The following is a common sense review of the pros and cons of Free Web Hosting.
Advantages
1. A free and no cost option that gives you a web presence.
2. Works well for non business ” i.e. families, students and non profit organisations ” all with the need for only limited disk space and bandwidth.
3. Best when there is only limited traffic to the site.
Disadvantages
1. Typical for free web host provider to require that their name is part of the domain, such as http://WebHostName.com/YourSiteName instead of http://YourSiteName
2. Bandwidth of the site is often limited. This might be fine at the start but will definitely limit your growth.
3. Linking to files not offered. For driving traffic to your website this is an especially important SEO component.
4. Limited storage space
5. Uptime is not assured. Unreliability causes a lack of confidence amongst your customers.
6. Distracting and annoying web page/ad banners that are often unrelated to the site, can often be added to the site.
7. Customer service support is either limited or not guaranteed.
8. Limited special features ” such as PHP, MySQL, FTP accounts and POP email.
9. Susceptible to spamming
10. Graphics ” may be limited because they use up the advertising space. This limits the brand presence that you can give to your own website.
Any discussion on whether to go Free or paid web hosting is further complicated by the fact that for as much as $5 a month, a web hosting company will promised 24/7 customer support, along with a stream of other special features, such as
1. Unlimited Disk space
2. Unlimited bandwidth
3. Unlimited number of domains
4. Choice of UNIX or Windows operating system
5. 24/7 telephone customer service and support.
6. Shared or dedicated hosting environment, depending on your needs.
The choice to go with a Free or paid hosting provider should be made looking at your current and future needs. Keep in mind, however that often the short term gains are not worth the headache caused in the long term.
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