| This may be a trick question to some, because | | | | uptime for all of their sites. Cheap web hosting |
| often times we see quality pay services | | | | companies are more likely to send monthly |
| advertising “cheap rates.” It mainly | | | | notices of shutdown time or perhaps no notice at |
| depends on what you consider cheap. Of | | | | all when a “dark” period occurs and your |
| course, the least expensive option when it comes | | | | site is mysteriously shut down. Another trend to |
| to web hosting is that of free web hosting. | | | | watch out for is smaller web hosting companies |
| There are a few companies that may offer | | | | going out of business. The nation’s economy |
| “cheap” rates, perhaps a dollar per month, | | | | has wreaked havoc on some small to medium |
| or something to that effect. (A dollar a month | | | | sized Internet businesses, so don’t be |
| plan would probably translate to a $12 per year | | | | surprised to learn that cheap companies you do |
| payment) | | | | business with cannot afford to stay in business |
| The first thing to consider is just how cheap this | | | | past the one year mark. |
| type of web hosting service really is and what it | | | | Other issues to keep in mind include bandwidth |
| offers. Some websites may offer almost free | | | | (which refers to how much traffic you can |
| services but charge for a domain name. The | | | | accommodate) as well as special features in |
| first step in researching a new web hosting | | | | programming like MySQL, PostgreSQL, blog and |
| opportunity is to read between the lines and find | | | | chat features and streaming media capability. |
| out what services are actually provided. The | | | | What services does this cheap web host provide |
| second consideration is how many pros and cons | | | | in terms of security? |
| you get with free or cheap service. | | | | The more freedom you want over your site |
| The most obvious disadvantage of using a free | | | | content and site administration, the more you |
| service is the advertising. However, even if you | | | | should be willing to pay for higher quality |
| opt for a cheap but pay-based web hosting | | | | services. However, if your needs are limited and |
| company, you still have to be aware of some | | | | your business can recover from unexpected but |
| possible obstacles. The most troublesome | | | | infrequent website downtimes, then you may be |
| feature of cheap web hosting companies is usually | | | | able to benefit from the savings a cheap web |
| that of uptime. The best and most expensive | | | | host offers. |
| web hosting companies guarantee about 99% | | | | |