How to Host a Website for Free + Best Free Hosting Suggestions
Web hosting services are essential for any startup business. Affordable hosting solutions are widely available, but some people prefer to host their website for free. Free web hosting is typically offered in shared hosting environments, resulting in limited functionality and flexibility.
The good news is that many free website hosting services offer enough resources to run a small online store. Some even feature advanced tools like automated CMS integration, making them ideal for beginner programmers learning about website development.
This article provides a step-by-step guide to creating and hosting a website. We have also included the top 8 free website hosting companies and 6 key limitations to consider.
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How to Host a Website for Free
Hosting a website for free is easier than using a paid plan. Here are the 4 steps to host your website on a free hosting environment:
1. Find a Free Web Hosting Service
There are many free web hosting providers, but finding a reliable one takes careful consideration. Here are some factors to help you make an informed decision:
- Uptime: Look for a web host with 99.9% uptime, ensuring your site remains accessible.
- Connection Speed (SRT): Choose a provider with a server response time under 200 ms. Tools like Bitcatcha or GTmetrix can help check SRT.
- Data Center: A provider with a data center near your target audience will reduce latency and improve performance.
- Resources: Free hosting usually offers limited resources like CPU power, disk space, RAM, and bandwidth. Calculate your needs before selecting a provider.
- Security: Ensure robust firewall features and protections like DDoS mitigation, malware scanning, and backup policies.
- Customer Service: Check if customer support is available on the free plan or only on paid plans.
- User Reviews: Use forums and review sites like Stackoverflow, G2, and Trustpilot to evaluate the provider’s reputation.
2. Decide What Type of Website to Host
Once you’ve chosen a hosting provider, think about the type of website you want to build. Websites generally fall into two categories:
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Static Websites: These are read-only websites (e.g., online portfolios, resumes, documentation sites) that don’t change based on user interaction. Static sites are ideal for free hosting, as they require fewer resources and are less vulnerable to attacks.
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Dynamic Websites: These sites update in real-time and change based on user input (e.g., e-commerce, news sites, social networks). While some free hosting services support dynamic sites, static websites are generally recommended for free hosting due to their resource limitations.
3. Set Up the Free Web Hosting Account
Setting up a free hosting account is straightforward. Here's a general guide using Hostinger as an example:
- Sign up for a free hosting plan on your chosen web host.
- Enter your email, password, and domain name (some hosts allow custom domain names, while others use subdomains).
- Log into your account to start building your website and uploading files.
- Many free web hosts include a website builder with drag-and-drop functionality and customizable templates to simplify the design process.
4. Get a Domain Name
A domain name is a crucial part of your website. Free hosting providers usually offer subdomains with service-based extensions (e.g., yoursite.provider.com), which can appear unprofessional for business websites. However, personal websites can use these without issue.
Some free hosting services allow you to connect a custom domain name, or you can buy one separately from an ICANN-accredited registrar.
Top 8 Free Web Hosting Providers
Finding the best free web hosting provider can be challenging. Here are eight providers to consider:
1. 000webhost (Powered by Hostinger)
- Best for: WordPress blogs, review sites, small businesses, school projects, and test sites.
- Main Features:
- Built-in website builder with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Auto-installers for WordPress and Joomla.
- 300MB disk space and 3GB bandwidth.
- Robust firewall and DDoS protection.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- Limitations: Only one website per user, no free professional email.
2. GoogieHost
- Best for: Image and video hosting, small businesses, and portfolios.
- Main Features:
- 1GB NVMe SSD and 100GB bandwidth.
- SSL certificate, Cloudflare integration, and anti-malware.
- SitePad website builder with customizable templates.
- cPanel for easy installation of CMS.
- Limitations: No free domain, only .cu.ma and .thats.im domain extensions.
3. InfinityFree
- Best for: Unlimited bandwidth websites and multiple site hosting.
- Main Features:
- Unlimited bandwidth and 5GB of storage.
- Up to 400 MySQL databases.
- Softaculous one-click installer for CMS like WordPress.
- 99.9% uptime guarantee.
- Limitations: Limited server performance, no free domain, and email accounts.
4. WordPress.com
- Best for: WordPress websites, blogs, and personal sites.
- Main Features:
- 1GB storage, unlimited bandwidth, and pre-installed SSL certificate.
- Customizable themes with preset colors, fonts, and images.
- Jetpack integration for performance, security, and SEO.
- Limitations: Ads displayed on free websites, only available with .wordpress.com domain.
6 Free Website Hosting Limitations to Consider
- Limited Resources: Free hosting typically offers fewer resources, including storage, bandwidth, and CPU power.
- Ads: Many free hosts place ads on your site, making it look unprofessional.
- Lack of Support: Customer support may be limited or unavailable on free plans.
- No Custom Domain: Free hosting often restricts you to subdomains.
- Performance Issues: Free hosting can suffer from slower load times and performance throttling.
- Security Risks: Free hosting may not offer the same level of security as paid plans, including SSL certificates and malware protection.