| Whether you are creating an informational website or | | | | with these types of sites, then in the end you will |
| starting up your first ecommerce site you are going to | | | | probably wind up purchasing hosting from someone |
| need a good and reliable host provider. For most | | | | else in order to keep your website going. If you are |
| people when doing their first general search on Google, | | | | building a blog, informational, or personal site then free |
| Yahoo, Bing, etc, they will find plenty of listings for free | | | | hosting maybe the way to go, because these site |
| and paid websites that offer hosting. Many will ask, | | | | usually require the least amount of space and support. |
| what's the difference? And only a few will find out | | | | Another difference between free and paid hosting is |
| before it's too late. Free and paid hosting have their | | | | with paid hosting you have more control over your |
| advantages as well as their disadvantages, and in | | | | website and the content that's on it. There is a catch |
| order to pick which one is right for you and your | | | | that comes with many free host providers, and that is |
| website you need to be able to differentiate between | | | | they will post advertisements on your site in exchange |
| the two. | | | | for their free hosting. Advertisements for other |
| Price is the most obvious difference between free and | | | | products and services are where they usually make |
| paid hosting and is usually why many beginners jump | | | | their money since they are not charging you for their |
| on the free ride. If you have a very limited budget and | | | | services. It's also almost definite that you will not get |
| would like to spend you money on other areas of your | | | | your own unique domain name when pursuing the free |
| website then free hosting always looks appealing. In | | | | side of hosting. Usually your domain name will end up |
| the long run though, paying those few extra dollars a | | | | being their sites name followed by the name of your |
| month can be very beneficial because most paid | | | | websites. This can sometimes be looked upon as |
| hosting come with extra features like; site builders, | | | | unprofessional from the Internet community and people |
| content management, enhanced functionality, and email | | | | visiting your website. With paid hosting however you |
| accounts. These extra features can end up saving | | | | have total control over your site and you can do as |
| you a lot of time and even money as time goes by. | | | | you please when it comes to having your own unique |
| Both free and paid hosting also have their limitations, | | | | domain name and the content and posting of |
| but with paid hosting you always have the option to | | | | advertisements. |
| upgrade if your website starts to demands more. With | | | | So which one is better for you? Well it all depends on |
| most free host providers you have a limited availability | | | | what type of website you want to create and how |
| of space, file size, and support. Once these numbers | | | | far you want to take it. Most webmasters will tell you |
| have been reached you have very few options, if any, | | | | to go with paid hosting because in the long run its |
| to choose from. Free hosting would not be | | | | better and comes with more options and flexibility. |
| recommended if you are planning on building an | | | | Whatever road you do decide to travel down make |
| ecommerce, social, or file sharing website. This is | | | | sure you do your homework first and know exactly |
| because these types of websites usually require the | | | | what you are getting into before you make your final |
| most space and support that is offered by hosts that | | | | decision. |
| you have to pay for. If you do try to go the free route | | | | |