With the popularity of websites growing at a very fast rate, it is now possible to get a web hosting site for free as well as paying for the privilege. However, the choice of using a free site or paying for it depends on the type and purpose of the website.
Even if opting for a free hosting site, there are many factors to consider. After all a website is being built for a particular purpose and if the host cannot provide the required facilities for free, then a paying site should be looked at.
Band Width or Traffic Limitations are important aspects to consider when the website is to be used for business purposes, that is, to sell a product or service. Check to see if there is a limit placed on the amount of traffic that the website can have per day or per month.
File Type and Size Limitations can impact on the scope of the website. The types of files that can be uploaded on the website, and if there is a limit on the size of the files that can be uploaded, should also be ascertained. File Transfer Protocol is the method used to transfer a file from one computer to another. Check that the hosting site has FTP capability as well as the facility to allow an upgrade of the web space requirements if the website needs to be expanded.
Remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Most free sites have a requirement that the website carry their advertising. This could be in the form of a banner, a pop-up window or an advertising frame. Check what type of advertisement that they wish to place on the website and consider if this is suitable.
When paying for a hosting site, value for money, comes into play. Therefore, in addition to the above, there are other factors to be considered. One very important factor is the up-time and back-up frequency. The time taken to upload information should be at least above 99.5% with 99.9% being optimum.
When launching a new website there could be teething problems associated with it and being able to access support to iron out difficulties as soon as possible is a must. Therefore, the provision of access to customer support twenty-four hours a day, seven-days-a-week can be a crucial requirement.
If the website is being launched for a retail business purpose, then customers need to be provided with the facility to purchase items from the website. Ability to access a shopping cart and make payment via a secure server is a necessity. Other ancillary facilities such as auto responders, multiple e-mail addresses, pop mailboxes, etc., are services that are needed to build up a data base of customers and to keep in touch with the customers in the future.
When the facilities needed from a web hosting site is finalized, various sites should be checked out to see if they meet the requirements and, if one can be obtained for free, it would be the ideal situation.
Even if opting for a free hosting site, there are many factors to consider. After all a website is being built for a particular purpose and if the host cannot provide the required facilities for free, then a paying site should be looked at.
Band Width or Traffic Limitations are important aspects to consider when the website is to be used for business purposes, that is, to sell a product or service. Check to see if there is a limit placed on the amount of traffic that the website can have per day or per month.
File Type and Size Limitations can impact on the scope of the website. The types of files that can be uploaded on the website, and if there is a limit on the size of the files that can be uploaded, should also be ascertained. File Transfer Protocol is the method used to transfer a file from one computer to another. Check that the hosting site has FTP capability as well as the facility to allow an upgrade of the web space requirements if the website needs to be expanded.
Remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Most free sites have a requirement that the website carry their advertising. This could be in the form of a banner, a pop-up window or an advertising frame. Check what type of advertisement that they wish to place on the website and consider if this is suitable.
When paying for a hosting site, value for money, comes into play. Therefore, in addition to the above, there are other factors to be considered. One very important factor is the up-time and back-up frequency. The time taken to upload information should be at least above 99.5% with 99.9% being optimum.
When launching a new website there could be teething problems associated with it and being able to access support to iron out difficulties as soon as possible is a must. Therefore, the provision of access to customer support twenty-four hours a day, seven-days-a-week can be a crucial requirement.
If the website is being launched for a retail business purpose, then customers need to be provided with the facility to purchase items from the website. Ability to access a shopping cart and make payment via a secure server is a necessity. Other ancillary facilities such as auto responders, multiple e-mail addresses, pop mailboxes, etc., are services that are needed to build up a data base of customers and to keep in touch with the customers in the future.
When the facilities needed from a web hosting site is finalized, various sites should be checked out to see if they meet the requirements and, if one can be obtained for free, it would be the ideal situation.
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