# Free Servers
Advantages:
* No Cost.
* You manage the server software and network.
Disadvantages:
* Search engines view free hosting services as inferior and sometimes do not include them in their index.
* Some free hosting services do not allow you to use a custom domain name.
* The bandwidth is restricted and may cause difficulty for visitors attempting to access your site.
* Because the service is free, some providers do not strive for 100% uptime which could result in your site being frequently inaccessible.
* Software availability is limited, and free hosts do not generally provide database options.
* Disk space is sometimes limited, ensure that you are getting all the room you need.
* Poor response time for support.
* Very limited support.
# Cheap Web Hosting
Advantages:
* Server, software and network is managed and supported for you.
* You can select a custom domain name.
* Search engines don’t view you as second class if you have your own domain name.
* Improved response time for support.
* Technical support is provided, generally 24 hours a day.
Disadvantages:
* Bandwidth restrictions.
* Shared processing power.
* Limited software.
* Potentially limited disk space.
# Mid-Priced Web Hosting—Shared Servers
Advantages:
* Server, software and network is managed and supported for you.
* You can select a custom domain name.
* Search engines don’t view you as second class if you have your own domain name.
* Improved response time for support.
* Uptime is improved and generally guaranteed.
* Technical support is provided, generally 24 hours a day.
* Generally offer a wide range of software options and configurable bundles.
* Improved bandwidth.
Disadvantages:
* Shared processing power.
# Expensive, Dedicated Servers
Advantages:
* Server, software and network is managed and supported for you.
* You can select a custom domain name.
* Search engines don’t view you as second class.
* Improved response time for support.
* Uptime is improved and generally guaranteed.
* Technical support is provided, generally 24 hours a day.
* Generally offer a wide range of software options and configurable bundles.
* Improved bandwidth.
* Processing power is not shared.
Disadvantages:
* The cost is higher than any other options.
Your choice of server will depend on how much money you have available at the beginning and how much you plan to grow in the future. In my opinion, for commercial sites, free hosting is a waste of time. Your users are going to get blasted with annoying pop-ups every time they surf to your page, it’s going to be impossible to get a decent position in a search engine, and you don’t even get a real business URL. But it is possible to choose a cheap host at the beginning and move up as your business begins to bring in money.
