Free web hosting

Grouchy

I'm wondering if anyone knows a reputable and half-decent free web hosting? I have a hobby website which I'd like to put up on the net. Don't need anything fancy and a subdomain name is fine.

I have searched and there are so many it seems but once you click through there are always some hidden charges etc.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Cheers

The_Magnificent_Spoon

Sorry but as far as I know, there are no reputable free web hosts.

Web hosting costs money, for the hardware and electricity costs to run the servers to host the website, for the bandwidth used, and for any application services licensing (SQL databases etc) that may be needed.

If you really need a 'free' web host, you may consider hosting it yourself. With modern broadband connections, you could quite comfortably host a website using your own connection as long as you aren't expecting much traffic. There are a couple of issues though:

1) it requires more than basic knowledge. For either obtaining a static public IP address for your broadband or for setting up a dynamic dns service. And for setting up your own domain/DNS. And for configuring your own router with correct NAT/firewall settings, static address on your PC/device you'll use for web hosting (lots of modern NAS devices can run web hosting software), setting up IIS/etc.

2) You'll need to leave your PC/web hosting device on. This will ultimately cost you in electricity.

3) Opening your PC to the world through port 80 is a potential (manageable) security hole.

4) Upload traffic could hamper your broadband connection (EG if you're online gaming, this will cause sparodic bouts of lag as people are browsing your website/downloading images etc)

Depending on your thoughts though, it may be an option for you!

earthstorm

The_Magnificent_Spoon wrote: »

Sorry but as far as I know, there are no reputable free web hosts.

Web hosting costs money, for the hardware and electricity costs to run the servers to host the website, for the bandwidth used, and for any application services licensing (SQL databases etc) that may be needed.

I agree with this Plus

Free hosts will plaster your site with adverts
Free hosts will provide no support
Free host will most likely not give you any CGI/Databases etc. but most important the server will be bare bone, so no DDOS or security protection
Also as you are not paying anything the host could suddenly pack up and you would lose all sites and files and have no recourse against the host.

Better off getting a paid host, you will find some £1/£2 a month hosts if you do google searches or look at sites like webhostingtalk.com

The_Magnificent_Spoon

I completely agree, for the sake of a couple of pounds a month for a basic webhost, it simply is not worth worrying about.

They will get paid somehow, whether its by you for hosting, by the companies who pay to spam adverts all over your site, or by charging per limb for support, you may as well start now by paying for the most ethical service.

Sooler

Penguin have a limited offer of a basic account for £1/year for first year, then £8.50

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4741422

It's not spam.

forgotmyname

I tried a few free ones and as mentioned free is not best.

Worst one was one of the 000 named hosters. I forget which. But everytime you uploaded new content it would take the site offline until they had approved it.
It was supposed to be approved within so many hours, But once it took over 3 days. Then i found a tiny mistake and needed to edit it.. Then no site again whilst they approve it again.

I pay for one now. About £40 a year i think? But i can host upto 10 sites. And unlimited subdomains.

Grouchy

Thanks for all the replies, that is useful. I'm ok with playing a few quid a year so will go that route.

If anyone has experience and recommendations of other small cost hosting would appreciate the nod.

Cheers.