Very urgent, webhosting dilemma

hostingmaster18 · Post #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 03:25 AM

Hi guys
I just want to ask you a question.

What is the deferent between free web hosting providers and paid ones? And does the fact that I chosen a free provider heart me in the long run, let say with the search engines?

Thank you

csn-uk · Post #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 05:34 AM

Most free hosting providers limit their accounts in some way, be this by the number of databases, sub domains, size of the package or bandwidth. Others instead enforce advertisements on your website.

That said a number of these companies as I am aware have been hit hard by those using accounts simply to spam (emails) and other very counterproductive measures (illegal content) that can affect both search rating and also may have resulted in their servers already being blacklisted to some of the large email providers (MSN, Yahoo, Gmail) and for other services.

Performance was something I had noticed previously when trying a free service however a slower speed is expected due to the obvious load on the server. Despite that it’s usually a case as in any industry “you get what you pay for”.

SenseiSteve · Post #3 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 08:11 AM

@ csn-uk - couldn't have said it any better.

Whether free hosting would hurt you long term depends on your site. You can always upgrade to paid plans as your grow.

hostingmaster18 · Post #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 10:04 AM

thanks guys

romes · Post #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 10:08 AM

Yep, csn-uk said it well. Also, if your site is important to you; you should consider paid hosting as it will offer you security, stability, and flexibility.

SenseiSteve · Post #6 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 10:55 AM

@hostingmaster18 - if this is more than just a hobby, I'd absolutely opt for paid hosting upfront for all the reasons Romes just listed. The initial investment really isn't that steep anymore, and it's virtually nothing compared to opening a brick and mortar store.

ldcdc · Post #7 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

And does the fact that I chosen a free provider heart me in the long run, let say with the search engines?

That is very unlikely to be of any influence for your search engine rankings. At the very least though, do buy yourself a domain. It'll be your address on the web, and you'll be able to easily change hosts (paid or free) without losing any of the promotional work you put into your site.

kalo · Post #8 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 02:34 AM

with domain name in hands , if it is for business purpose, you can easily rebuild your virtual house with other hosting provider and keep client in your list!

romes · Post #9 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 01:42 PM

Yeah, buy a domain so all your hard work with promoting doesnt become a waist when it is time to switch hosts.

jeff-ay · Post #10 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 02:40 AM

You should have one....your own identity

louis87 · Post #11 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 09:14 PM

Free hosting will have limited resources. Whereas paid hosting will provides you security and more stability. You may consider of choosing the paid hosting company. There are many company out there for you to choose.

Saurabh · Post #12 (**permalink**) 07-13-2009, 02:45 AM

Can someone give me one good reason for choosing a free web hosting service? apart from the so called fact that its for free.
I am curious to know the various reasons why people choose free webhosting services, despite of knowing the disadvantages related to it.

Gineey · Post #13 (**permalink**) 07-13-2009, 03:10 AM

Free Hosting Providers are Good for :-

1) Prices : as you have to pay nothing to host/ test your web projects.

2) No grate experience needed to use the services : If you are a newbie in web development or just trying out your intelligence in programming, you will get free codes, templeates for your use.

3) Free Subdomains : you don't need to spend money to buy domains, as you will get enough free subdomains to test your projects. However, they allow level one domain hosting too.

4) They offer enough space and resources to host : One can get enough space to host his project.

But if you are seriously looking at your online business through your website, then you should get a PAID Hosting because not only they provide you serious service, but have liability for any data lose.

Ronok · Post #14 (**permalink**) 07-26-2009, 01:54 AM

There are advantages and disadvantages for both paid and free web hosting. But it actually depends on what ones requirements are and what one is trying to achieve.

Advantages of Free Web Hosting

- As it is free it is the one of the most obvious advantage.

- Free web space can be used to practice programming. Some free web hosting plans support a programming language such as PHP, ASP, CGI/Perl, Cold fusion or JSP but several do not support all the languages.

- For creating a small personal website free web hosting plan is great.

Disadvantages of Free Web Hosting

- The majority of free web hosts cannot afford to offer 24/7 or any support as they are offering free hosting.

- Many free web hosts do not allow FTP access, which is an obstacle if one has many files to upload this one of the major flaws with free web hosts.

- Many free web hosts place their banner and text ads on the website.

- Very few free web hosts with their plans offer control panel.

- Ones website is placed in a sub-domain or a folder with a large number of free hosts, which results in poor search engine rankings most of the time.

- Much disk space or data transfer is not offered by free web hosting plans. This can be a problem if one have a lot of large files or if ones website generates a lot of traffic.

Advantages of Paid Web Hosting

- Most paid web hosts offer 24/7 supports.

- One will not have any unwanted text or banner ads placed on ones website with paid hosting.

- Control panel such as cPanel, Vdeck, Plesk or Ensim which offer features like web stats, the ability to password protect directories, and the ability to create web based email accounts are being offered by a lot of paid web hosting plans.

- One will have ones own domain name (consumerswebsite.com) which will not only result in better search engine rankings, but will also look more professional. Thus ones website will not be placed in a sub-domain or folder.

- As with paid web hosting one gets more disk space and data transfer, one can add more files to ones website and it can also handle more traffic.

- Most paid web hosts are offering FTP access.

- Couple programming languages such as PHP, ASP, CGI/Perl, the majority of paid web hosting plans is supporting Cold fusion and JSP.

Disadvantage of Paid Web Hosting

- It’s not free this is the only major disadvantage of paid web hosting.

The-Pixel · Post #15 (**permalink**) 07-26-2009, 11:49 AM

Well the difference is very simple. One you pay for a service and your guaranteed a certain amount of service. With the free hosting its there for you to use but, they do not guarantee anything - you are left to fend for yourself in other words.

I feel it will effect your search engine rank and popularity. I also think that with a free web hosting company they will have some sort of advertising on your website. Could be a pop-up or an advertising frame but they will have something to generate traffic to their website. I feel this can be a poor reflection on you and your website.