You can use free services, such as Yahoo or your ISP for a personal site but frankly, for business web sites it's not. It does not look professional, you cannot use your own domain name and you usually have to have other peoples advertisements on your site. If you plan on using Content-Management software or otherwise require scripts to be installed, then make sure the hosting provider has the required support.

Compare the service packages; take note of storage space, bandwidth, installed scripting support and databases. If you can, try to preview the administrator panels to make sure you can make all the changes to set your site up the way you want.

• Database support: How easy is it to maintain your databases?

• Server-side Scripts: Are there restrictions on use? Are the necessary languages installed?

• E-Mail: How will you retrieve your email? Is it web-based or do you need special software? How many mailboxes (addresses) are you allowed?

• Autoresponder: Can you set up automatic responses to emails? Will you need newsletter mailing services?

• FTP access: Do they provide FTP access for transferring large number of files? If you have a large number of pages in your site you don't want to have to upload them one-at-a-time throught he control-panel.

• Frontpage Extensions: Do you use Frontpage for site maintenance? If so, the hosting service will have to support it.

Here are some good places for professional Web Hosting:

• Host4Profit - 300 Megs of space, 10 gigs/mo. transfer, UNLIMITED E-Mail, Sub-Domains, Mysql DB's, FTP Accounts, Ad Trackers, 24/7 Customer support, shopping cart and much more. .

• Site Build It! - Complete site building package with hosting, site building tools, keyword assistant, and search engine submission tools! Check out some reviews of SBI! websites and see for yourself how it can WORK FOR YOU. Or take a tour and see for yourself what SBI! is and how it can improve your Web presence.

• iPowerWeb - iPowerWeb POWER Hosting. 200 Megs of space, 150 POP e-mails, 20 GIGS transfer, No Banner ads or popups, 24/7 Customer support, Easy to use Website builder and much more. FREE Setup, Domain name and Marketing package! Rated #1 for affordable, high quality web hosting.

• LunarPages - 800MB of storage and 40GB of transfer for only $7.95. Because our focus is foremost on providing you with high quality service and accountability, you can depend on us to always be there for you.