When you’re looking to get a free web host there are a few things you should look into first. These kinds of sites are perfect for learning about how web pages work. Here are some tips to get you started so you can find a good free host that meets your needs.
You may or may not be able to get yourself a custom domain name when you’re using a free web host. Generally, this won’t be the case because it costs money to register a domain name. There are ways around this, like using a service that shortens URLs. Beware of these too, because they may show an ad before leading your users to the right page. Since your host is free, there will probably already be ads on your page, and people don’t like to be spammed with ads all the time.
Figure out how much space you’re allowed to use. Since this service is free, you may want to look into hosting your large files elsewhere. If you want to host videos, look at Youtube or something similar and just link to them on your website. There are plenty of free services where you can host files. If the files are copyrighted in any way and you don’t own that copyright, then don’t upload them!
Most free hosts generate money to cover their costs by putting ads on your site. Some of these may be small, some may be banners and some can even be popups. These can be very annoying if the host overdoes it and can drive traffic away. There are also rules that keep you from covering up ads. Be sure that you read over what kind of ads they require your site to have, if any. If you’re making this site to do business on, think about going with a paid service where you can profit from the ads.
Make sure that the host offers a good amount of bandwidth. It wouldn’t be good if your site went over their limits and got shut down because you’ll be losing traffic. If you’re getting enough traffic to go over you limit, a paid hosting service is probably your best bet. Host large files elsewhere if bandwidth becomes an issue.
Go over the host’s terms of service carefully. Hosts don’t allow certain content on their servers usually. This may keep you from badmouthing a product they advertise or can keep you from making money using their services. Be very careful here, and be sure to keep a backup of your work in case they find something they don’t agree with. Getting your website shut down can make it impossible for you to recover your work, so taking the proper precautions is important!
Use this advice to get yourself a free host that works for you. This can be a great way to get started in finding out how websites work. Once you’ve mastered the basics, consider paying for your hosting service to get the most out of your website.