Best Free Hosting Options?

Looking for Hosting
1

I got my first .com domain name last year, though I didn’t get around to using it. It just renewed, so I’m considering finally setting up my first website.

From what I understand, I need a hosting service to store my site content, then just point my .com domain there.

I’m hoping there’s a hosting service out there that:

• Is free

• Doesn’t add ads to my pages

• Lets me use my own .com domain

• Allows linking to ‘digital goods’ shops like Payhip

• Has an easy setup, like drag-and-drop or a simple blog interface

• Loads fast and is reliable

Maybe this is a long shot, but if anyone knows of something that checks all these boxes, I’d be super grateful!

2

Honestly, that might be asking a bit much for a free host, especially if you plan to sell digital goods. If your goal is to make money from the site, even a small investment in hosting would be worthwhile.

If you’re not too tech-savvy, platforms like Wix or Squarespace might be good options, even if they’re not totally free. They cover hosting and are straightforward to use. Alternatively, WordPress is popular for self-hosted sites, but it’ll require some learning.

3

@aria
Couldn’t agree more.

4

@aria
Wix and Squarespace might look pricier at first, but they’re designed to be easy and include hosting, which saves you time in setup and maintenance. It’s like paying more for peace of mind.

5

@aria
Thanks!

What are your thoughts on infinityfree.net? It seems to offer what I’m looking for, but I wonder if there’s a catch.

I’m a musician, so eventually, I’d like to sell digital downloads. For now, I mainly just want a basic site to post music videos and maybe some updates.

If my audience grows, I’ll probably upgrade, but for now, I’m curious about options for linking Payhip, as some free hosts might block that unless you pay for a higher tier.

6

@MaryJane
Big no for infinityfree.net. I tried it once, and they put an ad banner on every link I shared on social media. The account setup was confusing, and canceling was a huge hassle.

If you’re looking for a simple start, try GitHub or Blogger.

7

@Morgan
Yikes. Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll check out GitHub or Blogger instead.

8

MaryJane said:
@Morgan
Yikes. Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll check out GitHub or Blogger instead.

GitHub is limited in features, but if you don’t mind simple setups, it can work. Wix also has a lot of tools and might be better than Blogger, especially for creative work. Try different ones and see what fits.

9

@June
Wix does have a free plan, but it includes ads unless you pay. It’s still worth a try if you want something more than Blogger.

10

@Morgan
They use ifastnet, which has some mixed reviews.

11

@MaryJane
If you’re a musician on a tight budget, maybe start with social media. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok can help you grow your audience first. Then, when you’re ready to sell, add a payment link to your video descriptions.

12

GitHub Pages could work. You can use a builder like GrapeDrop to design the site and upload it to GitHub. It’s great for simple sites.

13

Isiah said:
GitHub Pages could work. You can use a builder like GrapeDrop to design the site and upload it to GitHub. It’s great for simple sites.

Thanks!

14

MaryJane said:

Isiah said:
GitHub Pages could work. You can use a builder like GrapeDrop to design the site and upload it to GitHub. It’s great for simple sites.

Thanks!

Check out GrapeDrop. You can use their demo to drag and drop your design, then export to GitHub. For e-commerce, consider using something more secure.

15

@Isiah
Awesome suggestion, appreciate it!

16

Isiah said:
GitHub Pages could work. You can use a builder like GrapeDrop to design the site and upload it to GitHub. It’s great for simple sites.

This works, but it’s mostly for simple sites without heavy e-commerce.

17

@CathyGenesis
I tried GitHub Pages but thought it only allowed one page. Is that true?

18

DomainDefenseDepot3 said:
@CathyGenesis
I tried GitHub Pages but thought it only allowed one page. Is that true?

You can have multiple pages! You just need to structure your files properly in the GitHub repo.

19

If you’re serious about this, it’s probably better to go with paid hosting, even if it’s just a few dollars a month.

20

Neocities might be worth checking out. You can embed Shopify for selling digital items, though for custom domains, you’d need to upgrade.