When writers try to establish a professional website for their potential clients, they often choose a domain name and pay for hosting. Maybe a friend understands a bit about website coding, so the design looks crisp, clean and SEO friendly. But, after a few years, the cost of maintaining a website that is used for nothing more than contact information and an online portfolio can put a strain on the wallet.

Paid Hosting and Domain Registration

Paying for hosting and yearly domain registration can cost a minimum of $20 to $25 a year. The upper end of the costs could range in the hundreds depending on the hosting costs.

Free Hosting With a Free Domain Name

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the free host with a free domain name. The domain name may not be a main address such as www.yoursite.com, but the cost for upkeep is a whopping year after year.

When choosing between a paid and free host, it is important to take the track record of the website into consideration. Websites that have managed to survive the ups and downs of Internet business are the ones who will surely be standing years from now. This means promotional efforts will not be lost when the website shuts down.