Free Server

There are many different websites that offer free web pages or sites for individuals.  They generally offer a page or two with an ability to post photographs.  Some are free or close to free.  They are also very user friendly.  You do not have to be a computer genius to use one of these servers.

Think about a website like MySpace.  You can get a website there that is totally free.  You can add photographs, blogs, messages, videos and even music.  The stipulation is that this is for social purposes only, or is supposed to be.  This is a good example of  a free website.

In the meantime, MySpace uses your webpage to post their own ads.  You are limited to space and what type of content you can post.  The website does not belong to your, but MySpace.

Now suppose you want to sell products online.  You can use a cheap shared server that offers you an opportunity to set up your website for free.  They may even provide templates.  You will have to get a domain name, such as myfavoritecurtains.com  You will register the domain name and then be able to upload your website on the shared server.

In the case of a free shared server, you will be sharing your website with other websites.  You will be limited to space as well as bandwidth.  You cannot have thousands of people visit your site in an hour as it will take up too much bandwidth.  This can be ideal for small business that sells very little products online.  In the meantime, your website will probably have a number of ads that are placed on there by the provider to earn the revenue needed to maintain your site.

Shared Server

A shared server is just like a free server only you have to pay a little bit each month to maintain your website.  You have a bit more freedom when it comes to ads and can even generate revenue by signing  up for Google Ads to be put on your site.  You will still have to come up with a domain name.

Dedicated Server

A dedicated server hosts only your website and no others.  You have all the space you need to make your website as large as you want.  You have enough bandwidth to accommodate all the traffic you can get.  You have total control over the ads that you place on your website.  You can even have several little affiliate websites to make up for the difference in price.

A dedicated server is the ultimate in web hosting.  You are actually hosting your own website.  You have space, bandwidth and freedom to what you want.   A dedicated server, while costing more money to use, may actually end up saving you money,  or adding to your revenue, if used correctly.

You may be tempted to opt for one of the budget dedicated servers.  Budget dedicated servers are all over the internet and offer low, if any, start up costs as well as low monthly fees.  Some budget dedicated servers cost a fraction of what larger dedicated servers cost in fees each month.

It is a normal rule of thumb that you get what you pay for.  Chances are, if you are paying a lot less for a dedicated server, you are getting less space as well as bandwidth.  You may also be sacrificing customer service.  This can be okay, if your business is big enough to require a dedicated server, but not that big.

When choosing among budget dedicated servers, you need to make sure about the space allowed for your websites, the bandwidth as well as the type of customer service offered by the provider.  You do not want to sign with a company, no matter how inexpensive, that will not give you decent customer service.  Imagine your server going down at a peak time and not being able to get in touch with your provider.  This can cause a huge loss in revenue.

Not all budget dedicated servers offer poor customer service,  space and bandwidth.  There are some bargains out there if you look hard enough.  Many of the budget dedicated servers that are started by those just beginning a web hosting business can be quite a bargain.  The service provider may be offering attractive rates in order to procure customers.

Make sure you understand what type of bandwidth you are seeking as well as space.  Then check out the different online directories that offer budget dedicated servers.  Phone several of them and speak to someone about what type of service they provide.  Explain to them what you are looking for and the type of service that you need.

You can tell a lot about a company from calling them over the phone.  While it is a good idea to get the best selection of budget dedicated servers from the various online directories, you need to actually speak with people on the phone to really get a feel for their customer service skills.  Once you find a provider that is helpful, knowledgeable an offers the services that you need at the right price, you can sign up.

Many businesses are moving to budget dedicated servers as a smart alternative to a shared server that hosts many different websites.  By having your own server, you allow your website much more space, easier traffic flow and an opportunity for growth.  Some budget dedicated servers cost a little bit more than some popular shared servers.  This can be well worth the extra money if you want to expand your website and increase your traffic flow.