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There are many free web hosting options onweb, but do some research before you use one for your online business. |
by:
Syd Johnson |
Where can I find free web hosting?
There are hundreds of free web hosting services onweb. You can type “free web hosting” into any major search engine and getexpanded list. However, when you sign up for free hosting account, you are basically signingexpanded advertising agreement.
What exactly is free hosting?
In exchange for free hosting,company can place ads your website. The ads can be placed ontop ofmain page,top of every page, or onsides. The ads are usually not targeted. It is possible that they won’t matchdemographics of your web visitors. In addition, they are not customized to matchcontent on your web page.
This isvery expensive exchange program if your goal is to build uponline business. The area abovefold, everything that is visible without scrolling, ismost effective advertising area onentire site. This isarea you should use for your affiliate links, Google Adsense, paid links and expanded site navigation.
Some free web hosting contracts gostep further and ask for your participation in their email marketing campaigns. You will receive emails that requireclick through tomerchant site, and/or fill out endless surveys. This can be very time consuming and annoying.
Before you sign any free hosting contract ask to see sample sites. You want to getfeel fortypes of ads that are being shown on other website. What do you want to look for?
one. Do you see pop-up ads? What about banners?
two. How large areads?
three. Are they just off topic or are they inappropriate?
four. Where areads? Are they on every single page or on selected pages?
Even ifads are not on every page, watch out. It could mean thathosting service has figured out which pages bring inmost revenue and they can afford to ignore everything else. Guess what? If it brings in lots of revenue for them, it could probably bring in lots of revenue for you.
There’s free and then there’s FREE
Ifspace is free, what aboutdomain name?
If your new site will look like http://yoursite.freewebhost.com you’re gettingsubdomain for your site. It’s not really your unique domain name. They are simply loaning youspace for your stuff.
This is notunique domain name that you can use to brand your business. You can’t use it anywhere except with this particular web hosting company. Ditto ifnew domain names is http://www.freewebhost.com/yoursite/.
So what if they offertruly unique domain name?
How long will it take before you actually owndomain name? Evencheap web hosting services will require that you stay withcompany for thirty to sixty days before you can keepfree domain name.
What happens if you want to switch to another company beforeperiod is up? Sometimes there’scharge to keepdomain name or to transfer it. This should be clearly stated in their FAQ's or intext ofhosting contract before you agree to use their service.
Do you have enough bandwidth?
Many free web hosting services are providing their services in suchway that you will need to upgrade your hosting package if your site has any degree of minor success. The tipping point is usually bandwidth. That ismeasure of how much text, pictures, ftps etc. you can send to your web customers every month.
The Bandwidth in your contract is measured onmonthly basis. Checkcontract to see if there are any fees for going over your monthly amount, or if you will lose your free hosting privileges.
Free host today, no host tomorrow
There isvery high turnover for free web hosting services that heavily depend on advertising revenue. Evenmost successful web companies will find that their advertising revenue varies onmonthly basis. Willcompany suddenly go out business if they hitthree month slump?
There should bewritten policy on what happens to your content if they site suddenly goes out of business. Can you still access your files? Is therealternative URL or login site with your information? How much time do you have?
You are only as reliable as your hosting service
Check outstatistics onuptime for their servers. This applies to any hosting service, whether you are paying or not. If their uptime is inlow ninezero’s and below, then try to find another hosting provider.
You are takingbig risk if you usefree web hosting services for your business site. The inability to control your advertising, high turnover rates amongfree hosting providers, and variable contracts usually spells disaster for e-commerce sites.
To runsuccessful online venture, twofour-hour live customer service, high uptimes ratios and control of your advertising space ismust. These features are alsomajor weaknesses ofaverage free hosting provider.
A better option for you company would be to sign up foraffordable or cheap web hosting provider. You will have many service options in this category and can usually avoidlimitations offree hosting companies.
Aboutauthor:
Syd Johnson isExecutive Editor of RapidLingo.com,Financial Solutions Website. This article may be freely distributed as long asauthor's bio is included withactive link to http://www.rapidlingo.com
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