The Definitive Guide to Finding Free Web Hosting
Komodor
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Here you are, in front of a computer, and you want web space, but you don't know how to get it. Maybe you do know how to get it, but you don't know where to get it from. Maybe you've seen your share of hideous sites, and you don't want to be the same. Maybe the hosting you have now puts a h 
uge banner on every page. Whatever the reason is, welcome to the Definitive Guide to Finding Free Web Hosting.
Important Things to Consider:
What's the goal of the site? Is this supposed to be professional? Is it just going to be used for storage? Are you looking for a small personal homepage? Do you plan on using PHP or other scripting languages?
Do you just want a simple, easy way to make a site?
If you're looking to make a professional site, you'll want to look into registering a domain name (i.e.: http://JohnSmith.com).
Some general guidelines:
You want something memorable. If you're going to have a sub-domain (HTTP://subdomain.domain.com) you'll be wanting a short domain name so that people aren't distracted by the domain name. "Joe.free-web-hosting.co.uk" just isn't glamorous or clean cut.
You want the server your site is hosted on to be reliable. It shouldn't be a gamble of, "I wonder if my site will be viewable today..." Find a respectable host. Try to avoid a host that seems to have very few customers or a bunch scam sites.
Where to look:
- http://free-webhosts.com
Free-webhosts.com has a large database of free hosts that you can search to match your needs (Power Search). Along with a user ratings system and testimonials, sites that have had past problems have notes next to them.
- Google
Of course, if you ever need to find something on the Internet, use a search engine. Google is just a personal preference, but try searching for things like, "free web hosting reviews" rather than "free web hosting". By shopping around you can choose which host will be the best for you.
- Yahoo Geocities
You can have your free page on Geocities - if you can stand having their fram on your page. This is an alright choice for the average user who just wants to set up a simple homepage with static HTML or CSS.
Common Features:
Important Things to Consider:
What's the goal of the site? Is this supposed to be professional? Is it just going to be used for storage? Are you looking for a small personal homepage? Do you plan on using PHP or other scripting languages?
Do you just want a simple, easy way to make a site?
If you're looking to make a professional site, you'll want to look into registering a domain name (i.e.: http://JohnSmith.com).
Some general guidelines:
You want something memorable. If you're going to have a sub-domain (HTTP://subdomain.domain.com) you'll be wanting a short domain name so that people aren't distracted by the domain name. "Joe.free-web-hosting.co.uk" just isn't glamorous or clean cut.
You want the server your site is hosted on to be reliable. It shouldn't be a gamble of, "I wonder if my site will be viewable today..." Find a respectable host. Try to avoid a host that seems to have very few customers or a bunch scam sites.
Where to look:
- http://free-webhosts.com
Free-webhosts.com has a large database of free hosts that you can search to match your needs (Power Search). Along with a user ratings system and testimonials, sites that have had past problems have notes next to them.
Of course, if you ever need to find something on the Internet, use a search engine. Google is just a personal preference, but try searching for things like, "free web hosting reviews" rather than "free web hosting". By shopping around you can choose which host will be the best for you.
- Yahoo Geocities
You can have your free page on Geocities - if you can stand having their fram on your page. This is an alright choice for the average user who just wants to set up a simple homepage with static HTML or CSS.
Common Features: