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Darin
July 26th, 2001, 01:30
In the past year and two months, I was hosted for free at several big gaming networks. My experience with free hosting is awful. I know that if you don't have the kind of money to pay for hosting, free hosting is a good solution, but with all the limits and bad stuff, it's just not worth it. For example, I recently decided to sell my domain name, which was receiving 12,000 unique visitors daily.

Why? Well, after my host's ISP decided to fix some problems on the server by formatting the whole thing, that just tipped me over the edge and I couldn't take the bull**** of free hosts. I have not had a successful four months on a free host with the amount of traffic and bandwidth my site used. I also decided to expand by creating a network for my site, thus adding more load on the server. And that wasn't enough for me, so I created a GameCube web site, which started getting 8,000 unique daily visitors in less than three months.

All free hosts I have been at have problems. THERE IS NO HOST, PAID OR NOT, THAT OFFERS UNLIMITED SPACE AND BANDWIDTH. I just want people who still seem to think that, to hear it from someone who has been on free hosts for over a year and has reached the space and bandwidth limit more times than I can count up to. I'm not trying to bash any free hosts out there, since if you are a newbie, a free host is what gets you going. But with all the troubles and stuff, it's just not worth it.

If you decide to pay for hosting, you can easily earn the money back and more on top, by placing your own ads on the site. ALL free hosts require you to display some sort of advertising. Let it be pop-up, small frame at the top or bottom of the page, banners, buttons, it's always something. With paid hosting, you control everything about your site. Advertising, content, etc... Depending on what kind of plan you sign up for, that is what you will get as far as space and bandwidth.

I'm currently planning and starting work on a business site, working together with my dad, on a paid host. At least with a paid host, you can be sure that you receive top of the line service and support. Free hosts don't seem to care if you are having troubles with something or have reached the bandwidth limit. When you tell them you have reached the bandwidth limit for that month, they tell you, "well, we are hosting you for free after all, if you want more, pay for hosting!".

I'm not trying to bash any free hosts out there or trying to start fights with people at this forum, since this is the place I visit the most for any help I need. Just trying to express my opinion and experience with free hosts. :)

Gayowulf
July 26th, 2001, 01:38
Few people seem to realise these facts. It is important to choose a free host that does not offer unlimited space and/or bandwidth. there are many very good low cost paid hosts around. If you are serious about your site pay for it. Ads woun't make you much money.

Darin
July 26th, 2001, 01:43
I'm not saying ads will make you a fortune, but I've made over $2,000 in the past year or so, from free hosts who pay for placing their banners on your site. That is more than enough money to start paying for hosting for a couple of years ahead, or even get your own deticated server and pay for the first couple of months.

On top of that, all hosts take about 50% of your revenue and keep it for them, that is why you never receive a check from the actual ad company, but from your host personally. So, with your own ads, you will be able to pay for hosting like I said, and get revenue for yourself.

Hoth
July 26th, 2001, 03:14
Originally posted by Darin
ALL free hosts require you to display some sort of advertising. Let it be pop-up, small frame at the top or bottom of the page, banners, buttons, it's always something.

Well, actually, that part isn't true. Most require some form of advertising, but some don't. Usually ad-free hosts hope to make money by getting people to purchase additional features once they outgrow the free hosting.

Ironically, "unlimited" hosts usually seem to have lower space and bandwidth limits than most of the hosts that specify a limited allowed amount. Unlimited just means you don't know how much you're getting, and makes it harder to predict when you'll exceed the limits.

Still, I sure wish I had to worry about all the problems of getting 12,000 uniques a day. ;)

megagente
July 26th, 2001, 11:30
That«s right.

-Free webhosts sometimes start to charge you after some time, because free isn«t enough.

-Some people said their pages use to be deleted without warning and even without any violation of terms or agreements.

-Domain or ftp stops working for a period of time.

-Most don«t allow your own banners on your site.

-Pop ups can tilt a Mac.

On my opinion pay for webspace. Don«t go for anything unlimited.

Archbob
July 26th, 2001, 11:52
Or choose a small host that doesn't have 10 billion members eating up server space. Bandwidth is never unlimited. As soon as I get over 5000/day, I going to shell-out $20/month for 30gb bandwidth.

jon787
July 26th, 2001, 12:09
I have used angelfire reliably for four years but I haven't even gotten 2000 hits on my counter yet. Although the counter is only a few months old.
For a simple free host Angelfire is the way to go for me.

Darin
July 26th, 2001, 16:48
Free hosts are the way to go if you have a fan page or gaming web site. That is what gets you going. But for any kind of business site, pay hosts only! And if your site starts getting larger and more hits, it's better to move to a pay host, before the free host starts causing you troubles.

Archbob
July 26th, 2001, 17:15
I chose freehost.nu to host my freebie. The 5mb is enough since I don't have downloads on my site and my site is just a bunch of html and some graphics. Freehost.nu's speed is fast and for the moment I'm happy with them. My site doesn't suddenly dissappear like it did on crosswinds.

Archbob
July 26th, 2001, 17:25
What I don't get about freehost.nu is that no have no ads whatsoever. No banner, pops, junk mails, not even any ads on their file manager. They don't offer a paid option either and they've been up for over a year. Now, how do they manage to make any money?

I know they only offer 5mb and no ftp, but I just dont get how you can run a free host without any kind of ads.

Nick
July 26th, 2001, 18:06
I hate it when people state the obvious :rolleyes:.

Temeluch
July 26th, 2001, 18:57
They may use a super cool deal just to get a whole bunch of folks under their roof and then start charging later. Almost none of the free hosts guarantee they won't start charging tomorrow. Not to mention selling cookies about you and other stuff you don't need to you.

Archbob
July 26th, 2001, 20:09
Actually I don't think they have that many members wince they only offer 5mb.

fsws
December 15th, 2003, 16:30
Stop complaining, You get what you pay for. Free Hosts have to put up the cash to support the servers, pay for bandwidth and network charges you know.

Matt8
December 15th, 2003, 17:43
Free Hosting isn't all bad. I have hosted so many sites on reliable places, I have had an OVERALL good experience. There are decent hosts out there, however I will agree that paid is so much better.

Polykranopalous
December 15th, 2003, 19:34
sell my domain name, which was receiving 12,000 unique visitors daily. I got up to that point and than I stopped cause it would be a waste to read the rest of the article....

If your getting 12,000 uniques Im sure your site can make enough money to actually pay for hosting!!!!

HeadBuilder
December 15th, 2003, 19:41
Anyone else noticed that this thread was brought back to life after 2 YEARS ?

However, it seems like things have not changed much in this 2 years. Free hosts with unlimited or incredulous offerings usually do not last long.

trenzterra
December 15th, 2003, 19:42
If you can make $2000 from ads alone, then buy paid hosting and stop whining... 12,000 unique visitors/day isn't a small figure...

deathdemon321
December 15th, 2003, 22:28
free hosts aren't bad at all I have found some that don't have ads on their site(see freewebspace.net's free host search). Also they give over 5mb. I still don't mind one banner somewhere on a free site. Still if you want great reliable hosting stick with paid hosting.