Paid forum hosting or free?

[greenman]

Hi all you may know me for running a couple of forum hosting sites in the past i have been out of the game for a while but am looking into jumping back in.

Before i do though i would like your opinion.

Most free forum hosts run there forums with adds to sustain there business which i have also done in the past what i am wondering though is if people would prefer to pay a small amount each month £5-£7 for there forum and have no ads of any sort.

Many users get annoyed with ads etc so i figure at least this way they have an add free forum and get everything they need.

This time round i will be going the minimalist way, i know many host including my old sites have been modded like mad with this, that and the other feature. The problem is, is that all these modifications cause problems down the line when upgrading the system comes or one mod messes with another etc etc.

My point being do you want a service that has everything but as a result is unstable or certain things don't work or are down for sometime until a fix is implemented. Quality not quantity is what i will be going for this is not to say there will be no mods at all but very minimal.

So users will get a solid stable forum running fast with no problems or conflicting mods and ad free.


Please all give your suggestions, ideas and feedback. :yes:

Ad supported or no ads and monthly payment etc

 

[x86cam]

I have an idea. Do free.
Unlmited Everything for free! No ads:
http://www.freehostingcloud.com/

 

[greenman]

First off that site does not even load, hence my bad service statement above also how do you suppose we pay for server costs customer support etc etc. the thing with all these hosts that offer free everything with no ads all eventually end up going under because they can not sustain them self's

Edit:

I see they also offer premium hosting which will help bring in a bit of cash flow also on the free option when you have a busy forum 2000 visits is nothing so most would not really get much free as they would have to get premium hosting fairly early on.

 

[The Visitors]

I would always advise NOT to use a free host.

Why?

1) The database often belongs to them... ie ... You will not be able to move to another host in the future

2) Ads , spam, and often general security is lacking

3) If your community gets to busy; it can be shut down without notice or warning

4) If the free host goes out of business, you community will be closed also. And often without notice or warning.

5) Often for the same price you could pay to remove ads from a free host... You could use to get a paid host to begin with.

I would recommend a paid host. You do not have to spend very much these days to find any paid host, but keep in mind that you do often pay for what you get.

 

[dballerp]

how bout a free host that offers premium upgrades to paid The Visitors?

 

[katy perry is hot]

^Not sure what you mean but I disagree. Paid host is the way to go. It's not like we're talking hundreds of dollars here.

 

[The Visitors]

how bout a free host that offers premium upgrades to paid The Visitors?

These premium upgrades are normally just removing ads , allow for more members, and better support. They typically still own your database (can not be moved to another host) and this does not correct the many other issues these free host typically have.

Typically I would avoid free host.

Deep down, everyone wants something for nothing. But sadly thats not how things work.

Even Google gets something for offering their free services.

You're always better to get a paid host. I personally use Hawk Host. But there are millions of other web hosting providers out there.

 

[greenman]

Ok so what about a service that still ran similar to free forum hosting re databases but users could download database backups when ever they wanted to save for peace of mind or to transfer if they wished. That would he included in the cost. Basically I can not decide between setting up a free host again ad supported with upgrades i.e ad removal etc.

Or

Have it so users pay a small fee each month and get a forum with no limits no ads and backup when they want.

 

[dballerp]

awardspace.com

Their premium host is exactly like any ol paid host.

Thing is, they offer free web hosting too. I'm not sure if I should upgrade to premium when I have the chance

 

[The Visitors]

Ok so what about a service that still ran similar to free forum hosting re databases but users could download database backups when ever they wanted to save for peace of mind or to transfer if they wished. That would he included in the cost. Basically I can not decide between setting up a free host again ad supported with upgrades i.e ad removal etc.

Or

Have it so users pay a small fee each month and get a forum with no limits no ads and backup when they want.

You'd still be limited to the themes & mods already setup & approved by the free host. Also there is the high risk of conflict of restoring the database from a free host (to a paid host), as you would need all the basic setups the free host had on their default setup.

Another possible issue is that sometimes these free host which offer upgrade options, setup their system so that any backup made will only work with their system.

But if you're willing to take the risk and truly can not look past the idea of "free" .... Best of luck to you.

 

[spork985]

What is paid forum hosting? Like actually buying your own host?

 

[x86cam]

I would like free. Because freehostingcloud.com has the unlimited. Besides, it's free. I would only want paid because of the fast, fast speeds.

 

[adj1993]

I prefer paid hosting 🙂

 

[The Visitors]

What is paid forum hosting? Like actually buying your own host?

I have an example of "paid hosting" in my sig (Hawk Host).

The big difference other then paying of course; is that you have full control over your site. You can add, subtract, upgrade, backup, convert, and and even change host if you want to. You're The Administrator and you have full control over your site.

The support is also much better.

A free host typically gives you "copy & pasted" replies and even then you have a long list of others who maybe seeking help. Often these free host only have 1 or 2 guys running things.

A paid host has a team of techs who can help you and quickly answer your questions via forum, ticket, e-mail, and even phone support.