Cheap web host or free web hosting service is a good option for personal websites and hobbyist websites. While these type of hosting services are not necessary bad there are certain drawbacks you should investigate thoroughly before uploading your information and allowing your company to be represented on the internet. Only when you are comfortable with the drawbacks should you proceed with using the free web hosting services. One of the reasons why you should make your decision with care is because changing web host is a major inconvenient both to you, and a disruption to your business.

 

In business appearance is everything and often free web host or cheap web hosting sites place ads on your space and that may have a negative impact on your business. Moreover, free web hosts, and sometimes cheap web hosting services, do not offer the flexibility in web technology, domain names, or hosting features that most businesses may require to operate and administer to their marketing websites successfully. The following are some of the drawbacks of using free website hosting or cheap website hosting services:

Cheap Web Host / Free Web Host - Some cheap web hosting services, and especially free web host is ideal for personal websites or hobbyist websites, but not recommended for a business websites if you want your website to look professional. Free web hosts are often limited in functions and is ideal for simple website displaying texts and images. Usually with free web hosting services you cannot use your own domain name, because they want your contents going toward improving their website. Thus, allowing you to use your own domain name would work against that objective. What you can expect is a subdomain name (e.g. your-domain.free-web-host.com) or a directory within their domain (e.g. free-web-host.com/your-name). In both cases, your uploaded contents will go toward enhancing their website. If you have a business website you should invest in a proper web host and your own domain name, because that will look more professional and credible.

Domain Name Limitation - Some cheap website hosting service providers, and most free website hosts do not allow their users to use their own domain names. This limitation is okay if you are only hosting a personal website or a hobbyist website. However, if you own a business you would want to host your website under your own domain name. Not only using your own domain name looks more professional but also it is much easier for your customers to remember, print on business cards, and to communicate within your promotional materials. Plus, when you choose not to register your own domain name for a saving of about $20 per year you are giving up on your internet brand name, your marketing worth and your online identity.

Unwanted Advertising - Placement of unwanted ads on your web page is one of the few ways that operators of free web hosts or cheap web hosts make their money. You should be aware that in most instances you do not have a choice on which category of advertising gets displayed on your web pages. What that mean is that you may end up displaying ads that directly compete with your business, because the ads are automatically selected base on its relevance to the web pages topics.

Minimal Features - Another way for cheap web hosting service to generate profit is to offer you web hosting packages in which it is stripped of functions and features. If you are only running a basic brochure website then a basic web hosting package with minimal features may suffice. However, keep in mind that when your business grows so will your website. Do not get caught with signing on with a cheap web host to save a few dollars per month that do not have the features and functions to support your future website, because you may end up having to change web host and migrate your information to the new host, including email accounts. Speaking from experience the process of switching web host is a big of inconvenience. When you are running a business you don't have time for inconveniences.

Hidden Costs - Hidden web hosting costs is something that every business owner should make every attempt to ascertain before signing on with a website hosting service. You may save money now by signing on with a cheap web host, but when you need more features, you will have to upgrade and you may find that there are hidden costs which you have not anticipated. Protect yourself and ask lots of questions before committing to any contract. Also, make sure that you can terminate a hosting contract without having to pay cancellation fees or penalties. If a web host does not offer a 30-day money back guarantee (pro-rated for use) you should consider signing on with one that does.

Changing Host - Changing host is a huge inconvenience and in most cases it is preventable. You can help to prevent having to switch hosting service by signing on with a proper web host that is well known and one has been in business for a while. This is by no mean a guarantee, but at least you can protect your interest by signing on with a well known web host. Look for one that allows you to pay on a monthly basis and one that has a no cancellation fee should you decide to cancel your web hosting service before the year is up. Look for a web host that offers value added features over and above what you presently require is another strategy that ensure the selection of a suitable web host..