The first step into establishing a presence online is to have a website. In order to do this, you will need to find a web host provider that will store and share your data on the internet. Budget may play a role in finding a web host provider; a good option for those with limited resources is to opt for a free web hosting. Eyebrows are often raised when the term “free” enters the picture. Along with these comes a number of questions about free web hosting and what’s in store for customers that will sign up for one.

In order to present a clearer idea, below are some of the commonly asked questions about this type of web hosting:

Is it really free?

The first question that pops into one’s head upon hearing about this type of offer is that, if it’s really free. Sure there is no such thing in this world as a free lunch and the same thing applies to web hosting. The service maybe free in terms of monetary conditions; companies offering free web hosting typically doesn’t charge any fees and signing up is free. But what’s the catch? Free web host providers get their many from online ads which mean your website may have pop up advertisements and banner ads that are less likely to appeal to online readers. You may end up saving a few dollars by not paying for a provider but you’ll need to repay this “free” treat in a different way.

What are the pros and cons of free web hosting?

Aside from the obvious that it is free, this type of web hosting also allows the users to build and maintain several websites. This is also a good starting point for beginners who are looking into launching their own website. Since the service is free. Students of web design can also use these free web hosting sites to practice their skills and try out different tricks in website building.

On the other hand, one of the disadvantages of free web hosting is that you cannot have your own domain name. Registering your own domain is very important if you want to build a strong presence online. This is one of the downside of free web hosting wherein you are only given a sub domain name. There is also the lack of technical and customer support in a free web host environment. This means that in cases where your website might encounter some technical difficulties it may take a long time before you can get help in resolving the issue.

Which one should I choose?

The best way to answer this question is to determine first your goals and objectives in launching website. If it’s only mean to share images or have a personal space online then a free web host is not a bad idea. But for professionals who are looking into marketing their services or businesses that are planning to launch their company online, a paid web host provider is the better choice.

Looking for a free web hosting solution is an imperative decision. Try to identify a reliable web host can be a daunting task especially with so many service providers and options available nowadays. Throw in the feature sheets and promises, the task can be that much more intimidating.

But it doesn't have to be. Let's take a look at some of the most common features a good free web hosting provider should offer:
Disk Space and Bandwidth

Disk space refers to the amount of storage space assigned to you by the free web hosting provider. This space will be used to store your web site files, including text, images, audio, etc. files you use for your website.

Bandwidth refers to the amount of traffic that is allowed to access and leave your website. Access means every time a visitor types in your website name in their browser. Leave means every time a visitor receives something from your website, whether it be viewing a photo, listening to an audio clip or downloading a file.

For example, if your website has a lot of graphics (ie. photographs) then you will require higher storage and greater bandwidth.
Website Creator and FTP

If this is your first website and you have limited or no scripting experience, then look for a free web hosting provider that offers a free website creating application where you can create your website simply by choosing a template and adding in your own text and images.

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is the protocol for transferring your website files from your computer to your free web hosting server, or vice versa. This allows you to upload your finished website files (including images and other multimedia files) from your computer to your service provider's server. It also allows you to download your files from your web hosting server back to your computer. A good free web hosting provider should offer 24/7 unrestricted FTP access.
Email

Yes, your free web hosting provider should provide you with email services - so that you can setup @yourdomain.com email accounts. In addition to a webmail interface (so you can login and manage your emails using your web browser), the email service should also include POP3 and SMTP access so you can setup and access your @yourdomain.com emails using your mobile devices.
Support and Uptime

You should always choose a free web hosting service with free, reliable telephone and email support.

While no host can offer a 100% guaranteed uptime (think problems out of their control, ie. city power outage), they should provide "just-in-case" measures to limit website and email downtime to a minimal. These measures may include 24/7 server and network monitoring, redundant hardware and network configurations, and onsite backup power supply. While you might not completely understand the technicalities of these, look to see if your free web hosting provider has these listed somewhere on their website. If not, ask them about it.
Pricing

If you're looking for a free web hosting provider, then you should expect to pay absolutely nothing for all the basic features listed above. You shoudn't have to compromise pricing with banner ads. Any free web hosting providers that forces ads on your website is a no-no.