Hosting Plan or Scam?

[digitalj]

Hi.
I came across this site http://zerohosting.com/freehostingoffer/
It looks too good to be true. I mean how can they give away one year for free?
Does anyone have any experience with this company or that plan?
Feedback appreciated.
-John

[Administrator]

Perhaps they are working on the princible that most new websites don't use much bandwidth the first year - so why not give it free? Your pay them the following year and now they are making money.

I would look very closely at their terms and conditions before signing up - perhaps they will drop websites that go over a certain amount of data transfer or maybe you are tied into a 5 year contract - with only the first year being free.

There may be catches but without going through the terms and conditions with a fine toothcomb, you will not know.

For example - if they only allow certain files to be uploaded like html and image files under a certain size - then your hardly use any bandwidth, especially if your a new website.
So it will not cost them anything to give you a years free. They probably have lots of free space and lots of bandwidth spare.

It's not a bad idea really, if they get 100 clients to sign up and 50% stay another year after and pay $10 per month - thats an extra $500 per month.

Makes sense

[Mike_FWT]

Originally Posted by Administrator

Perhaps they are working on the princible that most new websites don't use much bandwidth the first year - so why not give it free? Your pay them the following year and now they are making money.

I would look very closely at their terms and conditions before signing up - perhaps they will drop websites that go over a certain amount of data transfer or maybe you are tied into a 5 year contract - with only the first year being free.

There may be catches but without going through the terms and conditions with a fine toothcomb, you will not know.

<snip>
It's not a bad idea really, if they get 100 clients to sign up and 50% stay another year after and pay $10 per month - thats an extra $500 per month.

Makes sense

Speaking from the perspective of being a free hosting provider, you have to be VERY careful about what you're getting into. Many free hosting providers that have come before us (and many that are out there today) are not very reputable or reliable. That's the main reason our sector of the hosting marketplace has such a poor reputation.

Another couple of things to look for with free offerings:
1. Make sure you can figure out how a host makes their money. -- There is really no such thing as totally free... either they get ad impressions from you or forum posts or their offer expires in 30 days... there should always be an obvious way of making money - if not, be suspicious.
2. Check out the quality of their site. If it doesn't seem professional, organized or function properly, be wary.

Best of luck to you with your site!