The real truth about freehosts.
 

I've noticed a lot of misconceptions about freehosting floating around, so I thought I'd spend a few minutes to clear some of it up. It's true that some freehosts suck, and it can be more profitable to run your own server or buy virtual if you know what you're doing, but freehosts provide a valuable service, and not all freehost owners are dishonest.

1. Earlier today, Dawgy suggested that some freehosts make their money by frivilously cancelling accounts that are sending search engine hits.

Well, this might be true in some cases, but a reputable freehost owner knows that two things are important to making money in the long run: a) don't piss off your users by doing shit like that, and b) the pages that brought search engine traffic will stop bringing search engine traffic if you delete them. It's not worth pissing off the whole webmaster community for 30 days of marginally increased conversions.

2. Freehosts without headers and footers can't make a profit, and will, therefore, go out of business.

I'm sort of up in the air on this one. Freehost owners often own payed hosting companies, and what better way to upsell, then get a mailing list of webmaster email addresses. I periodically email my webmaster base -- about once every two months, and I use it to encourage system growth, and suggest programs for webmasters to promite.. while spamming my refferer codes all the while. Webmasters who are mismanaging traffic are probably sending it to my ads anyways, and webmasters who are managing traffic well bring in enough conversions to increase my profit. It is important to remain solvent, but I think it's a short-sighted view to think that the only way to profit from a freehost is banners. I, however, do run a footer on my pages.

3. All freehosts redirect legitimate page requests to 404s.

Simply not true. I don't know what else to say. I can name at least 5 freehosts that I bet my left nut, don't do any illegitimate page redirecting.

4. Freehosts are slow.

Simply not true. Some are slow. Right now, I've got at least 10 webmasters who tell me on a regular basis that my host is the fastest, yet, I'm still performing a major server upgrade this month.. Some freehost owners really do care about their clients/webmasters.


I can't honestly sit here and say that all freehosts, or even most freehosts are honest, reliable, fast, and helpfull.

Freehosts, however, are a valuable tool, and if used correctly, can be invaluable in any internet campaign.

This is how spamming freehosts make me feel

http://www.rustedpuffin.com/pabst.jpg

I'm talking about freehosts in general. But your post made me feel kinda randy.

Very cool AdultWire...! Good luck for continued growth on your freehost :)

Brad

P.S. - If you want to do any cross-marketing... let me know!

Is that a can of pop ??

Labret... your beer is gonna get warm if you keep using that body part as a can cozy! :winkwink:

AdultWire, I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume you own theadultwire freehost.

I signed up for your service and all I can say is WOW. Fast, clean and a pleasure to look at. It is very rare to find a freehost of your quality, trust me...I've looked.

So, my hat's off to you for providing such a good service, and I wish you much success in the future.

Edit: yeah, ok...so I only notice your sig afterwards.

Well, Labret finally posts his pic. Too bad he blurred out his face. Oh well

Adultwire is right, freehosts do provide a invaluable service to newbies & tgp posters alike.

Btw....good job on your one time announcement.

yep good free hosts are great for gallery's

i think its a redbull :1orglaugh

Yeah Amateur Pages gets a lot of clicks from Smut Server Im sure

:1orglaugh

I have 2 domains hosted on theadultwire.com.

All I can say is that it rocks and the support is EXCELLENT! Not many people can say about paid hosting.

Keep up the good work Rich :thumbsup

AdultWire is down?
How long? :Graucho

Having used many freehosts over the years, it is my opinion that "reputable freehost" is an oxymoron.

Even though one should not say never, I will never use a freehost again.

So did another one bite the dust ???



Tim
:Graucho