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ArticleBot · Mar 8, 2005, 14:21

This is an article discussion thread for discussing the SitePoint article, "Web Hosting - Why Pay?"

theHostingFinder · Mar 8, 2005, 14:35

This article, written back in 2001, still seems quite valid I guess... The point is: who is the REAL customer? With free hosting, you are not the real customer; it's someone else - whoever is actually paying the cost of maintaining the servers. You are not in the driver's seat, you are more like a hitch-hiker.

Nov 21, 2005, 07:00

There are good free web hosting sites. http://www.aspspider.net is a good example.

jamestcs · Nov 22, 2005, 03:29

the problem is , with free hosting, you agreed with the risk of the support probem, they may also advetising in your website, no guarantee of uptime etc... for a serious businessman, i will never consider it to host my website.

ThaMike · Nov 22, 2005, 07:05

I've used hosts in the past with no cost or little cost. For me having large sites with high traffic and bandwidth, it always seems that nothing worth using is free.

You just gotta find a reputable host that isn't charging an arm and a leg.

I'd rather have good service and constant up time over not paying. It's frustrating having problems you can do nothing for than but just wait.

.root · Nov 27, 2005, 01:05

^ Well said mate.

etechsupport · Aug 24, 2006, 06:57

Most of the free host provider mention clearly in their TOS ” the host providers have no obligation to serve your needs if there are problems” means you are no where if you start getting problem if you choose a free host.

it_pimpin · Aug 24, 2006, 15:57

i will rather pay and host than go for free hosting

VertuHost · Aug 28, 2006, 01:57

Free hosting? Free = poor service, poor technologies, ads on your pages... You PAY for what you get.

Chris

VertexBilly · Aug 28, 2006, 17:01

Free hosting is probably a good option for someone who wants to start a pic site for family pics or something like that, however I cannot see were it is beneficial for any company who can risk looking unprofessional if their site is down.

Good luck to whomever it works for though!!

ldcdc · Aug 28, 2006, 17:39

There is good free hosting, just as there is bad paid hosting.

Not all free hosting accounts are ad supported. Some are there simply as a loss leader, in the hope that either it will result in word of mouth advertising, or in paid customers, once the hosting needs of the users increase.

toniya · Aug 29, 2006, 09:19

There is nothing like FREE anything anywhere in this world.

James-A · Aug 29, 2006, 10:51

Free hosting is good for personal pages and non commercial websites and paid hosting is better for business websites.

eukhost · Aug 29, 2006, 10:53

With free hosting you need to place unwanted banner ads and pop up ads on your site which are usually annoying for the visitors and those ads also take away the credibility of your site which eventually is not good for your business.

tokyoice · Aug 29, 2006, 10:56

You just do, I wouldn't trust any free web host ever. Nice read also.

James-A · Aug 29, 2006, 10:59

Yeah that's right no one can trust a free webhost.

maccrazy · Aug 29, 2006, 14:40

If you are a 10 year old creating your first site, then free hosting is probably a good option. But paid hosting isn't expensive and offers such huge advantages over free hosting I can't see why anyone, other than school children, would even consider free hosting.

toniya · Aug 30, 2006, 06:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccrazy

If you are a 10 year old creating your first site, then free hosting is probably a good option. But paid hosting isn't expensive and offers such huge advantages over free hosting I can't see why anyone, other than school children, would even consider free hosting.

Agreed! Absolutelly correct!!

Perpetual · Sep 6, 2006, 12:14

I used to use lifelesspeople.com for free hosting awhile back. If they would allow you to pay for the hosting rather than posting on their forums, I would buy it. No forced ads, great support, plenty of freebies and super easy to use. They offer more than most "paid" hosting sites do.

I agree that anyone serious about their website should not use a free hosting site.

linkin99 · Sep 13, 2006, 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccrazy

If you are a 10 year old creating your first site, then free hosting is probably a good option. But paid hosting isn't expensive and offers such huge advantages over free hosting I can't see why anyone, other than school children, would even consider free hosting.

Well, here's 1 example why one would consider it - at least temporarily.

A friend of mine is married to a pastor of a church. And this church is looking and needs a website for the church they are starting. This couple has been told by someone that they will create and host the church website for free - but they won't be able to get to it for another 3-6 months. This time delay creates a negative taste in the mouths of this couple who are very eager to put something up online & looking to help grow their church. So, they asked me what they should do. They mentioned to me that they heard of free hosting sites and are interested in setting something like that up - at least until the real site gets setup in 6 months.

So, there's another reason - as a temporary bandage to have some information about your organization up online till the real thing gets developed. I'm not saying this works for me - but it works for some people.

dotrig.com · Sep 13, 2006, 09:35

Just think why they are doing?

If they can show you some ads it make senese if they put an ad on your site that make sense, if not what are they getting in return?

Do you believe that some one pay you for free.
-- May be for few days or few years after that?

My experience with a free host who just gave .5 MB space, he went out of business without informing me.

And my sites were down for few days before I get to them and I have lost code and updates etc.

if you want free hosting visit

http://www.Shrig.com (You have to show a one line ad)

Thanks

MichaelByrd · Sep 18, 2006, 01:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by it_pimpin

i will rather pay and host than go for free hosting

agree with you.

There is no such thing as a free lunch!

aeromit · Sep 18, 2006, 06:38

It is ridiculous to discuss free web hosting and to compare it to business services. I don't see a point why anyone would go for a free account if they have a important web site or files to host. There are many cheap web hosting companies.

MrRadic · Sep 18, 2006, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeromit

It is ridiculous to discuss free web hosting and to compare it to business services. I don't see a point why anyone would go for a free account if they have a important web site or files to host. There are many cheap web hosting companies.

If you have important data, cheap hosting companies isn't where you put it. Honestly in this industry you get what you pay for.

ed welch · Sep 18, 2006, 08:57

Free hosting makes sense for non commercial sites with no funding.
You can find deals with no ads easily, but there will normally be some other
disadvantages, normally you won't be able to use your own domain, and also they limit the file size and file types (no multimedia allowed normally).
There is no guarantee that service won't be discontinued at any moment (although, in my case I did use a free hosting that has being going for the last 2 years, actaully more reliable than the commercial hosting that I used)

Mar 8, 2005, 14:21	#1
ArticleBot SitePoint Articles Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 0	Article Discussion This is an article discussion thread for discussing the SitePoint article, "Web Hosting - Why Pay?"

Sep 13, 2006, 09:35	#21
dotrig.com Non-Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 32	Problem with completely free hosting Just think why they are doing? If they can show you some ads it make senese if they put an ad on your site that make sense, if not what are they getting in return? Do you believe that some one pay you for free. -- May be for few days or few years after that? My experience with a free host who just gave .5 MB space, he went out of business without informing me. And my sites were down for few days before I get to them and I have lost code and updates etc. if you want free hosting visit http://www.Shrig.com (You have to show a one line ad) Thanks

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Mar 8, 2005, 14:35	#2
theHostingFinder SitePoint Zealot Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 162	This article, written back in 2001, still seems quite valid I guess... The point is: who is the REAL customer? With free hosting, you are not the real customer; it's someone else - whoever is actually paying the cost of maintaining the servers. You are not in the driver's seat, you are more like a hitch-hiker.

Nov 21, 2005, 07:00	#3
tojo SitePoint Community Guest Posts: n/a	There are good free web hosting sites. http://www.aspspider.net is a good example.

Nov 22, 2005, 03:29	#4
jamestcs SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 47	the problem is , with free hosting, you agreed with the risk of the support probem, they may also advetising in your website, no guarantee of uptime etc... for a serious businessman, i will never consider it to host my website.

Nov 22, 2005, 07:05	#5
ThaMike SitePoint Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4	I've used hosts in the past with no cost or little cost. For me having large sites with high traffic and bandwidth, it always seems that nothing worth using is free. You just gotta find a reputable host that isn't charging an arm and a leg. I'd rather have good service and constant up time over not paying. It's frustrating having problems you can do nothing for than but just wait.

Nov 27, 2005, 01:05	#6
.root SitePoint Zealot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 112	^ Well said mate.

Aug 24, 2006, 06:57	#7
etechsupport SitePoint Evangelist Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 538	Most of the free host provider mention clearly in their TOS ” the host providers have no obligation to serve your needs if there are problems” means you are no where if you start getting problem if you choose a free host.

Aug 24, 2006, 15:57	#8
it_pimpin SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 39	i will rather pay and host than go for free hosting

Aug 28, 2006, 01:57	#9
VertuHost SitePoint Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3	Free hosting? Free = poor service, poor technologies, ads on your pages... You PAY for what you get. Chris

Aug 28, 2006, 17:01	#10
VertexBilly SitePoint Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: las vegas Posts: 16	Free hosting is probably a good option for someone who wants to start a pic site for family pics or something like that, however I cannot see were it is beneficial for any company who can risk looking unprofessional if their site is down. Good luck to whomever it works for though!!

Aug 28, 2006, 17:39	#11
ldcdc Community Advisor Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ploiesti Posts: 3,864	There is good free hosting, just as there is bad paid hosting. Not all free hosting accounts are ad supported. Some are there simply as a loss leader, in the hope that either it will result in word of mouth advertising, or in paid customers, once the hosting needs of the users increase.

Aug 29, 2006, 09:19	#12
toniya Non-Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 497	There is nothing like FREE anything anywhere in this world.

Aug 29, 2006, 10:51	#13
James-A SitePoint Zealot Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 112	Free hosting is good for personal pages and non commercial websites and paid hosting is better for business websites.

Aug 29, 2006, 10:53	#14
eukhost SitePoint Zealot Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 110	With free hosting you need to place unwanted banner ads and pop up ads on your site which are usually annoying for the visitors and those ads also take away the credibility of your site which eventually is not good for your business.

Aug 29, 2006, 10:56	#15
tokyoice SitePoint Evangelist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 456	You just do, I wouldn't trust any free web host ever. Nice read also.

Aug 29, 2006, 10:59	#16
James-A SitePoint Zealot Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 112	Yeah that's right no one can trust a free webhost.

Aug 29, 2006, 14:40	#17
maccrazy SitePoint Wizard Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,019	If you are a 10 year old creating your first site, then free hosting is probably a good option. But paid hosting isn't expensive and offers such huge advantages over free hosting I can't see why anyone, other than school children, would even consider free hosting.

Sep 6, 2006, 12:14	#19
Perpetual SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 36	I used to use lifelesspeople.com for free hosting awhile back. If they would allow you to pay for the hosting rather than posting on their forums, I would buy it. No forced ads, great support, plenty of freebies and super easy to use. They offer more than most "paid" hosting sites do. I agree that anyone serious about their website should not use a free hosting site.

Sep 18, 2006, 06:38	#23
aeromit SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New York Posts: 68	It is ridiculous to discuss free web hosting and to compare it to business services. I don't see a point why anyone would go for a free account if they have a important web site or files to host. There are many cheap web hosting companies.

Sep 18, 2006, 08:57	#25
ed welch SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 33	Free hosting makes sense for non commercial sites with no funding. You can find deals with no ads easily, but there will normally be some other disadvantages, normally you won't be able to use your own domain, and also they limit the file size and file types (no multimedia allowed normally). There is no guarantee that service won't be discontinued at any moment (although, in my case I did use a free hosting that has being going for the last 2 years, actaully more reliable than the commercial hosting that I used)