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With the growing number of free Web Hosting survives
available on the Internet today, you may be asking yourself "Why should I pay
for Web Hosting when I can get it for free?". This is actually a very good
question and in the this article, I plan on evaluating the benefits of each type
of Web Hosting.
Several free Web Hosting services
include Xoom, Hypermart, and GeoCities. Most offer varying degrees of
flexibility when it comes to setting up an account. For instance some give you
the ability to have an actual domain name while most require that you have a sub
domain under their primary domain, i.e. http://geocities/yourname/... Some also
allow you to run your own CGI scripts while others do not. One thing almost all
free Web Hosts have in common is that they provide only a limited amount of disk
space (usually 5-10 MB), they are very strict when it comes to data transfer and
they usually require that you have their ads on your Web Site.
One of the biggest complaints that users of Free Web Hosting have is that
they must often allow the Web Host to include banners or advertisements on their
Web Sites. You've probably come across a Hypermart or GeoCities Web Site and
seen how an advertisement window pops up when you access the site. Many people
find this annoying and want the freedom that paid Web Hosting allows.
Another big factor that often causes people to go in search of paid Web Hosting
is the desire to have a domain name. Most free Web Hosting companies do not give
you this opportunity. If you do have access to your own domain with a free Web
Host, chances are that you will have to put up with advertisements on your Web
Site.
Most companies that offer free Web Hosting also have strict limitations with
regards to running and installing your own CGI scripts. Some will provide
pre-installed scripts that you will have access to such as guestbooks, counters,
or email form processors. However, if you want to test, install and run your own
scripts, you will probably need to find a reliable paid Web Host. If this is a
feature that you are interested in, be sure to ask any potential Web Host about
their CGI script policies since they vary widely from company to company.
If you have a fairly large Web site or offer lots of graphics, free Web Hosting
may present some problems for you. Most free Web Hosting companies have strict
disk space limits, usually 100 MB or less. While this is plenty for most Web
Sites, some may find this is not enough. Before signing up with any Hosting
service, be sure to ask ask disk space limits and the policies involved in
increasing the allotted space.
Ultimately, the type of Web Hosting you choose depends on the specific needs of
your Web Site. If you have a small personal Web Site and don't mind the ads and
limitations that come with most free Web Hosting, then that may be the best
choice for you. However, if you have a company or business, then you probably
want your own
domain name and that usually requires that you find paid Web Hosting.
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