Free hosting - would you?
- Thread starter citycm
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Soldato
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No I wouldn't go for it same with the ones you see on ebay.
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I use a free hosting package for my personal web site just to showcase my work. Even if servers are over populated and your site loads slow, for web developers just showcasing work - it doesn't matter if it takes 5 seconds to load. It's just for demonstration purposes. free is a great service depending what's on offer. only need 1 database, 50mb's of space etc.
000hosts have a good approach just the "1 file upload at a time" ftp is really slow. but I guess once that's done it's all bells and whistles.
000hosts have a good approach just the "1 file upload at a time" ftp is really slow. but I guess once that's done it's all bells and whistles.
Thanks, I was thinking of offering something like a single database, single FTP user, and offering pre-configured email through Google Apps.
I've spoken to my server provider and they've advised me on a limit of accounts to prevent overselling.
If it was all above board, depending on the circumstance I was in and use I would likely go for it.
I only pay £25 a year for my hosting that is more than adequate but a home suer wanting to dabble without getting plastered with banners and ads might be interested.
Years ago companies were giving out free domains and hosting, they put advertisement on your site but it was free and worked. Used it as a kid in school. (proper domains, not subdomains of ones they owned)
The biggest catch in most free and cheap hosting is not being able to use it as a file server and that uploaded content must be linked on pages. I told FastsHosts where to stick it when they suspended my (paid for) account for serving files off it (legit files) because I was not linking from content.
I only pay £25 a year for my hosting that is more than adequate but a home suer wanting to dabble without getting plastered with banners and ads might be interested.
Years ago companies were giving out free domains and hosting, they put advertisement on your site but it was free and worked. Used it as a kid in school. (proper domains, not subdomains of ones they owned)
The biggest catch in most free and cheap hosting is not being able to use it as a file server and that uploaded content must be linked on pages. I told FastsHosts where to stick it when they suspended my (paid for) account for serving files off it (legit files) because I was not linking from content.
Good reviews on WHT, cheap prices, maybe a free trial but most shared hosting is only $5 so its not that tempting really. You are just opening yourself up to abuse by spammers and scammers.
Well I think, one thing I would do is not offer the instant setup that I offer on other accounts. Therefore, I can verify their IP's, etc myself to make sure they're not spammers. I guess there's no way of testing for scammers as such (unless they use false contact details).
I think there is a reason that there aren't many free hosting companies out there though, and it's not because other people have missed a trick.
To be successful at free hosting, you have to put just as much time and effort into promotion, the running of the "business" and server administration as you would if you had paying customers.
To be successful at free hosting, you have to put just as much time and effort into promotion, the running of the "business" and server administration as you would if you had paying customers.
Soldato
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I just can't agree with that. If your portfolio is slow to load, prospective clients will most certainly assume it's your fault and anything you do for them would be the same.
Alternately, you could explain to them beforehand that you're using a freehost, hence the slow loading time, but then to me, that makes it look like you can't afford your own hosting or just aren't even bothered.
To be fair, I don't see why any 'real' dev or designer can't or won't have their own site and hosting. Going with a free host just reeks of amateur. I'm not calling you an amateur, just stating how I, and many clients would/could view it.
Ok, thanks for all the comments. It's great to get some real feedback.
I am currently looking at other incentives and special offer ideas so if you have any suggestions, please let me know. It's always helpful to know what the potential customers would like
I am currently looking at other incentives and special offer ideas so if you have any suggestions, please let me know. It's always helpful to know what the potential customers would like
Nope not in the least, especially if someone was serious about their website.
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Disagree with you there...by doing that your potential clients will just think that you've made a 'slow' site.
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Soldato
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- 19 May 2005
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Exactly what I was thinking.
I wouldn't bother with free hosting because standard shared hosting is so cheap. You can get a decent amount of space and bandwidth for less than £2 per month. It isn't enough to worry about.
Surely it's worth a couple of quid a month to give a much better impression to your clients?
Surely it's worth a couple of quid a month to give a much better impression to your clients?
