Free hosting for privet blog networks?...

by satrap
31 replies
  • SEO
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Does anyone use free hosts for their blog networks, if so what has your experience been like?

I was thinking to maybe host a few domains on free hosts to 1- keep cost down and 2- to mix things up for less footprint. But, I am just not sure if that work. I mean, when I think about it, a site on a blog network that is going to just have a few posts on it and not hundreds of pages, pictures, scripts and so on, wouldn't really require much of a hosting plan, so a free host or even a few really cheap hosting plans may very well work.

I just wanted to get some feedback from those who actually have some experience with blog networks and perhaps use free or cheap hosting for some of their sites.

Thanks in advance.
#blog #free #hosting #networks #privet
  • Profile picture of the author xbluelinks
    You can try that. But they are perhaps unreliable and have no uptime guarantee. You don't want your site to be down when google bots are indexing your site. I personally also think they have a higher chance of getting hacked into.

    For myself, choosing the right cheap hosts for my sites is already difficult enough. I can't imagine what its like to depend on free hosting.

    Regardless, always remember to Backup, Backup, Backup. You should be able to restore your site within 5 minutes from your backups if it gets hacked/ down/ corrupted/ or whatever **** that happens.
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    • Profile picture of the author aliduncan
      I'm glad you asked this as I was contemplating the same thing for a domain that I just acquired. I can't think of any reasons why using a decent free host would be a problem but it would be good to hear an opinion on this from someone that has more experience with setting up private blog networks.


      Originally Posted by xbluelinks View Post

      You can try that. But they are perhaps unreliable and have no uptime guarantee. You don't want your site to be down when google bots are indexing your site. I personally also think they have a higher chance of getting hacked into.

      For myself, choosing the right cheap hosts for my sites is already difficult enough. I can't imagine what its like to depend on free hosting.

      Regardless, always remember to Backup, Backup, Backup. You should be able to restore your site within 5 minutes from your backups if it gets hacked/ down/ corrupted/ or whatever **** that happens.
      In response to this I think any concerns about uptime or hacking aren't as relevant if you are using the site for a blog network. The site wouldn't need to be up 100% of the time for it to count a decent backlink to a money site. You'd have to be using a pretty sh***y host if your site is down everytime a google bot tries to crawl it.

      Also, there are some free hosts which offer hosting packages of a similar standard to paid hosts (with just a few restrictions on disk space or data transfer etc.) so hacking shouldn't really be much of a problem. It's pretty rare anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author supertintin1
    well, If you use free hosting or Google blog spot, You will get caught. Google catch all those private blog networks which are using same hosting provider or which are not using Cloud hosting.
    Try to use some cloud hosting and then you will not get caught. it will be bad for you if you try to make private blog network in same hosting plan or if you do not use cloud hosting.

    Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author aliduncan
      Originally Posted by supertintin1 View Post

      well, If you use free hosting or Google blog spot, You will get caught. Google catch all those private blog networks which are using same hosting provider or which are not using Cloud hosting.
      Try to use some cloud hosting and then you will not get caught. it will be bad for you if you try to make private blog network in same hosting plan or if you do not use cloud hosting.

      Thanks
      I'm not talking about google blogspot or similar . I'm talking about free hosts such as this Free Web Hosting with PHP, MySQL and cPanel, No Ads where you can host your own domain name just like a regular paid host.

      I'm also definitely not suggesting hosting multiple sites for a blog network on the same host. The OP and I were asking whether free hosts such as the example above were ok to host one site on in order to maintain IP diversity but reduce costs.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
        You do know that since decent hosting can be had for under $3 you are pretty much signalling that you don't make any money online. Why would anyone consider putting something as important as their network on free hosting unless they were really strapped for cash?

        Seriously I get PM all the time for people wanting everything to be free. A business without cash isn't a business. You are just kidding yourself.
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        • Profile picture of the author aliduncan
          Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

          You do know that since decent hosting can be had for under $3 you are pretty much signalling that you don't make any money online. Why would anyone consider putting something as important as their network on free hosting unless they were really strapped for cash?

          Seriously I get PM all the time for people wanting everything to be free. A business without cash isn't a business. You are just kidding yourself.
          I do have sites on a number of different cheap hosts. I was thinking that if I put sites on a number of reliable free hosts then I could save on some expenses each month and increase my IP diversity. This may not be loads of money to save but if there was no disadvantage when using free hosts then I thought I may as well.

          However, I do see your point about a possible risk when using free hosts and I do appreciate your input.

          Do you think though that the top free hosts really carry a higher risk than the ones you can get for under $3? I have experienced problems with a couple of the cheap hosts whereas in the past (when I was first starting out in IM) I used some free hosts with no problems.
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          • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
            Originally Posted by aliduncan View Post

            Do you think though that the top free hosts really carry a higher risk than the ones you can get for under $3? I have experienced problems with a couple of the cheap hosts whereas in the past (when I was first starting out in IM) I used some free hosts with no problems.
            Go to webhosting talk and look around. Ton loads of good hosts have very cheap prices. Free hosts have no incentive to keep your site protected, up or backed up and they can be as slow as molasses with you having no reason to complain (slow load time is an SEO factor)

            Originally Posted by SocialDemon View Post

            Mike all of we are not rich like you.
            Seriously rich? because I think it s better to shell out $3 a month for sites that are supposedly helping you to rank and make hundreds?

            You are on this business for such a long time. We are just crawling and earning from hands to mouth. Share some valuable tips that would help us scratch hard. lol :p
            Tips? Sure. Heres one - If you don't have $3 to spare then go get a part time job and CERTAINLY stop selling things in your sig that don't work because if they did you would be able to afford $3.
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            • Profile picture of the author aliduncan
              Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

              Go to webhosting talk and look around. Ton loads of good hosts have very cheap prices. Free hosts have no incentive to keep your site protected, up or backed up and they can be as slow as molasses with you having no reason to complain (slow load time is an SEO factor)
              Originally Posted by Kingfish85 View Post

              My .02

              Free hosting = free problems

              Unlimited bandwidth/disk space = unlimited problems since there's no such thing.

              Go over to Web Hosting Talk - The largest, most influential web hosting community on the Internet and browse the forums. There's tons of hosts over there who could probably fit in under a dollar. Although, I'm not sure what kind of quality of service you'd expect for that price.

              Keep this in mind -

              Knowledgeable technicians cost money
              Quality servers cost money
              Backups cost money
              Securing those servers costs money

              If your business hinges on hosting, I'd suggest you start looking into a premium service and stay away from free hosting.

              As mentioned above, there's no incentive for a free web host to keep your data online or safe.
              I can't really argue with these points. Looks like I'll be sticking to paid hosting.

              Thanks for helping me make up my mind,
              Ali
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        • Profile picture of the author SocialDemon
          Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

          You do know that since decent hosting can be had for under $3 you are pretty much signalling that you don't make any money online. Why would anyone consider putting something as important as their network on free hosting unless they were really strapped for cash?

          Seriously I get PM all the time for people wanting everything to be free. A business without cash isn't a business. You are just kidding yourself.

          Mike all of we are not rich like you. You are on this business for such a long time. We are just crawling and earning from hands to mouth. Share some valuable tips that would help us scratch hard. lol :p
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        • Profile picture of the author satrap
          Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

          You do know that since decent hosting can be had for under $3 you are pretty much signalling that you don't make any money online. Why would anyone consider putting something as important as their network on free hosting unless they were really strapped for cash?

          Seriously I get PM all the time for people wanting everything to be free. A business without cash isn't a business. You are just kidding yourself.
          Hey Mike,
          Well, the reason I asked is because I thought maybe having a few of your sites on a free hosting would add even more diversity to your network, you see what I mean.
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  • Profile picture of the author SocialDemon
    OP I myself tried a lot. I tried free hosts all you can imagine! Well I have found just 4 hosts out of them are good and all of these hosting services are actually free for first year. Then They would ask you for regular recurring charges. However I would like to hear from experts in this field if there are good alternatives. Good question.
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  • Profile picture of the author SocialDemon
    Hey Mike I am really afraid of you! Not going to start war against you. Just saying if you share some tips then it could be helpful for some poor guys like me. lol.

    You know everybody here in WF know how dangerous you are when you start replying answers!!
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    • Profile picture of the author nik0
      Banned
      Originally Posted by SocialDemon View Post

      Hey Mike I am really afraid of you! Not going to start war against you. Just saying if you share some tips then it could be helpful for some poor guys like me. lol.

      You know everybody here in WF know how dangerous you are when you start replying answers!!
      Hahahhaha, Mike is not dangerous at all, he is righteous!
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      • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
        Originally Posted by nik0 View Post

        Hahahhaha, Mike is not dangerous at all, he is righteous!

        Righteous? Nope thats not something I could ever claim for myself. I might go all white hat soon and then I will put on my holier than thou shirt and tie. They have been in the closet hanging up for a long time now but I have a plan to take it out and put it on soon.
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        • Profile picture of the author xbluelinks
          Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

          Righteous? Nope thats not something I could ever claim for myself. I might go all white hat soon and then I will put on my holier than thou shirt and tie. They have been in the closet hanging up for a long time now but I have a plan to take it out and put it on soon.
          Usually its those who have benefited enough from "black hat" tactics who try to legitimize their "assets" by converting to using white hat tactics.

          Similar story as Putin: Oligarchs Should Pay to Legitimize Assets - WSJ.com
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
      Originally Posted by SocialDemon View Post

      Hey Mike I am really afraid of you! Not going to start war against you. Just saying if you share some tips then it could be helpful for some poor guys like me. lol.
      Dude I just did. You didn't like my get a second job advice to raise $3 ? Okay then my man how about a way to come up with $3 using your own social services.? I mean if you can't make $3 off your own social resources what good would it be to anyone else?
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  • Profile picture of the author Kingfish85
    My .02

    Free hosting = free problems

    Unlimited bandwidth/disk space = unlimited problems since there's no such thing.

    Go over to Web Hosting Talk - The largest, most influential web hosting community on the Internet and browse the forums. There's tons of hosts over there who could probably fit in under a dollar. Although, I'm not sure what kind of quality of service you'd expect for that price.

    Keep this in mind -

    Knowledgeable technicians cost money
    Quality servers cost money
    Backups cost money
    Securing those servers costs money

    If your business hinges on hosting, I'd suggest you start looking into a premium service and stay away from free hosting.

    As mentioned above, there's no incentive for a free web host to keep your data online or safe.
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  • Profile picture of the author nik0
    Banned
    Come on man, free hosting, I buy tons of shared hosting plans for $20-50/year. Do we really have to save this $1.80-2.50/month? You can't even rent a single link for that and even if you only host 1 site you can link out to 10-15 of your sites, that comes down to $0.15/month per link. Don't waste your time being a cheapo.
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  • Profile picture of the author greatestmj
    You want to place an important thing like a good blog network on free hosting? geez
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  • Profile picture of the author cardine
    If you are worried about costs, do SEO hosting. That way you don't have all sites on the same IP address and you don't have to buy a ton of different hosting packages.

    Free hosting is just a bad idea all the way around. You will have little uptime, lots of ads, and be in a lot of "bad neighborhoods".
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  • Profile picture of the author satrap
    Wow, I see lots of people not like this "free" option thing. Again, its not about saving a few dollars here (well, actually for some people, especially beginner it may very well be about that too and nothing wrong with that), for me its more about having a mixed bag in your network. That is the reason I asked.
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    • Profile picture of the author nik0
      Banned
      Originally Posted by satrap View Post

      Wow, I see lots of people not like this "free" option thing. Again, its not about saving a few dollars here (well, actually for some people, especially beginner it may very well be about that too and nothing wrong with that), for me its more about having a mixed bag in your network. That is the reason I asked.
      Agreed, I guess we were all missing your point. Shouldn't be bad to vary up your IP diversity indeed. I notice myself with cheap hostings that you often end up with reseller companies and just get the same C-class IP diversity. Perhaps adding some free hostings can make a change to that.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kingfish85
        Originally Posted by satrap View Post

        Hey Mike,
        Well, the reason I asked is because I thought maybe having a few of your sites on a free hosting would add even more diversity to your network, you see what I mean.
        In theory it may sound good, but you're most likely to end up with poor performance, downtime and security issues.

        Originally Posted by satrap View Post

        Wow, I see lots of people not like this "free" option thing. Again, its not about saving a few dollars here (well, actually for some people, especially beginner it may very well be about that too and nothing wrong with that), for me its more about having a mixed bag in your network. That is the reason I asked.
        Quality hosting environments cost money, and lots of it. You have to factor in licensing, hardware, software, features, security etc. Then add costs for technicians that actually know what they're doing and not just "script readers".

        Originally Posted by nik0 View Post

        Agreed, I guess we were all missing your point. Shouldn't be bad to vary up your IP diversity indeed. I notice myself with cheap hostings that you often end up with reseller companies and just get the same C-class IP diversity. Perhaps adding some free hostings can make a change to that.
        I don't agree with the SEO IP crap, I despise it since it's a useless waste of IP addresses. I do agree with you on the resellers though. Most of the time when you find people selling hosting with unlimited this and that lots of promises etc, they're a reseller riding another companies coat tail.

        AND most of those "too good to be true" extremely cheap hosting offers you see inside the WSO section, are resellers.

        If they're leasing servers & maintaining them, then great. Not all resellers are bad though.
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        • Profile picture of the author nik0
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Kingfish85 View Post

          I don't agree with the SEO IP crap, I despise it since it's a useless waste of IP addresses. I do agree with you on the resellers though. Most of the time when you find people selling hosting with unlimited this and that lots of promises etc, they're a reseller riding another companies coat tail.
          Obvious you dont have to agree but it's one of the main reasons (if not the only reason) why BMR, ALN and HPRS went down.
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  • Profile picture of the author hilarious89
    Using free host for blog or forum is really not an option. Cause in this situation your blog or forum doesn't get any page rank or value and anytime it can crash.
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  • Profile picture of the author onlinemarketer23
    if you are a serious marketer aiming to get great results on the internet .. just make sure u come around paid hostins services.. today they are adffordable and really cheap.. just go to hostgator.com or bluehost.com.. they both are most awarded hosting companies!! cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author bdsur
    Try hostmela.com free 100 MB space and 5gb bandwidth 100% free no ads.
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    • Profile picture of the author hilarious89
      Originally Posted by bdsur View Post

      Try hostmela.com free 100 MB space and 5gb bandwidth 100% free no ads.
      How much reliable are they? I have heard that free hosts are not reliable.
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  • Profile picture of the author andrej
    I would advise you to use blogspot.com and tumblr.com to run free blogs.
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  • Best free network blogs are blogspot.com, wordpress, tumblr etc..
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  • Profile picture of the author 1over0
    I found out a great free host some time ago and have it in conjunction with a .tk domain and XML feeds autoblogging for basic link building. Firstly, spam some comments to get indexed, then get a pr3-pr4 link and wait for a pr. After that, link to your main site. Done. Let the autoblogging show it's magic. Opening another free hosting account may help if a network is needed.
    I also use the same host.org as a PHP sandbox for testing my code.
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