Internet hosting or web hosting is a lucrative business. The hosting firms charge according to the quantity and quality of features, support and more. But some hosting firms are absolutely free.

There are many ways to make money even on a free website. The most common way is to place banner ads in the client's site. Other hosting firms bombard you with the client's e-mail ID at the time of registration, using ads and spam mails. Still others offer free hosting in the hope of convincing the client to upgrade to an advanced hosting service by paying a hefty fee. And there are those who charge an exorbitant registration fee.

Free hosting is not a viable option for business websites as there is no guarantee of either service or security. Also, many free hosting firms shut down within a year of starting the operation. Some close down even within a day or two. Under these circumstances, free hosting can be useful for those who wish to post personal information such as family photos or personal profiles, or for those who want to learn the basics of web hosting. Free hosting can also be useful for those who want to try their programming scripts in different environments.

It's a good idea to check websites already hosted by the company for insight into the type of ads the firm will display and to discover the bandwidth speed the provide. Some free hosting directories will publish user reviews of the hosting firms, which may be a valuable source for the prospective client.

Remember, every free hosting firm will try to make money from your website. Look for a hosting firm, which is less intrusive and more reliable.