Free Hosting business model

Thats how I started out back in 2001. Offered free accounts and cheap accounts. Limited the free accounts to X number per day. After 6 months I had a decent amount of clients and general interest. At that point I dropped the free model and started with full price hosting. It worked well back in 2001/2002 for me... but not sure how it would go now.
 
when 1and1 started operations in USA they offered 3 years free hosting to US clients. I guess this model works that's why big companies like 1and1 offered such plans.
Good luck.
 
I remember that promotion from 1and1. I guess it's coming to an end soon, if it hasnt already for the first clients who signed up. I cannot remember how long ago it was started though.
 
1and1 promoted those plans when they launched there services in USA. I don't think they are offering them anymore.
 
Free hosting has nothing to do with professional hosting.

Free hosting is a business model where the customer does not pay for their hosting, you (the host) either pay for this yourself as a loss leader, good intention or by generating revenue from advertising that is displayed either on the customer's site or by requiring people to join communities on your own site where they are exposed to advertising which generates your revenue. With luck you will generate sufficient revenue from these ads to pay your server bill. If not you just close down and give up leaving your customers with no site and they move on to the next person who thinks they can make it work. Not many hosts do make free hosting work, however there are some that mange to keep running.

If you value your site, then I'd suggest paying a few £'s a month for a reasonable quality host.
 
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