Free Web Hosting...Is it really cut out?

[Red Circle Web Hosting]

I would just like to hear your thoughts on free web hosting! Comments etc. I The Best free web host i have come accross is probly httpcity.com but seriously free web hosts suck! I also hate big a$$ web hosting companys that have millions of people! Whats up with that?I like a little company that u can become friends with not no big ass company that has over 500 employess man business these days........

Chris Reid
CEO of Red Circle Web Hosting (geting a site soon)
Dark_Side_316@hotmail.com
68987390

[JohnM]

Everyone knows that free hosting isn't everything it's cut out to be (ie: it sucks :)),httpcity is pretty good, but they don't have CGI. F2S is slow, so is Portlands, Virtualave displays banners. Those are the bests free hosts (that i have found) and they all have huge disadvantages.

[jehraen]

I've used free webhosts for many years myself before forking out some money for a domain and paid host. I think we need to remember that when one is a newbie webmaster or just new to the net, one might be a little wary and have lots of stuff to learn.

I would easily suggest free webhosts to any newbie who might want to start a personal homepage or such. I've tried alot of free hosts myself: geocities.com, crosswinds.net, freeservers.com, webjump.com, f2s.com, angelcities.com etc. But having being on the web for a few years, plus having 'additional needs', I can't really recommend any of them for a 'serious webmaster'.

I wouldn't suggest forking out $$ for a domain and paid host to a newbie either as it probably would be wasted as he/she has to take the time to learn how to put up pages, code etc. Best option is to learn first and use a freehost(any decent one will do), then fork out $$ when one knows more and/or wanna get more 'serious' or have additional needs. I don't really think that free hosts 'suck' as they do provide a decent service to newbie webmasters out there, keeping in mind that they are "free". :)

Just my 2 cents..

[JohnM]

Hmmm, well I guess everyone is entitled (?) to their own oppinion. But from a confident webmaster's point of view, free web hosts just arn't very great, not only do they have more downtime and make you display banners and often don't support cgi...but as soon as I see a page was created at Geocities or Freeservers or Angelfire etc., my brain has already classified this site as a 'newbie' site. I think to myself, this site can't be very good if it's hosted here. Sure, this isn't a very good system because there are good sites hosted on those servers, but it's just the way I see it. Hope you can understand what im saying :)

[TheKman]

I agree with both points of view. i don't take free host site seriously, but they can be useful when you are learning the trade.

[Jason]

Originally posted by JohnM
...but as soon as I see a page was created at Geocities or Freeservers or Angelfire etc., my brain has already classified this site as a 'newbie' site. I think to myself, this site can't be very good if it's hosted here.

In my mind's eye (oohhh a fancy cliche) free webhosting IS for newbies (or part-timers), and has its place as such. At the very least it is not for a professional business. I think that it is a fine idea for a personal site, or a part time webmaster working from his/her bedroom/basement to host on a freeserver if they don't want to sink money from something that may not give them any return. But as a rule of thumb, if you are trying to run a serious business "ixnay on the reefay ostinghay".

[JohnM]

*nods head in agreement*

[Jason]

Originally posted by JohnM
*nods head in agreement*

There should be an icon for that... Ian?

[AgentJestr]

I think free providers are fantastic. Granted there are a lot of things to be desired with them. But you'd all agree with me if 9 times out of 10 you were flat broke too!!!