Continuing our series on Web Hosting FAQs, in this video I explain what bandwidth is and why you should be wary of web hosting companies who offer “unlimited” bandwidth.
Many web hosting companies these days promise “unlimited bandwidth” with their web hosting services. The fact of the matter is that’s just not true.
If YouTube came to them and said, “Hey we want an account with you for five bucks a month, so we can do unlimited transfer of all of our videos.” They’re obviously not going to be able to do that.
There’s no such thing as unlimited bandwidth
Every web hosting company that promises unlimited bandwidth has a limit, they’re just not willing to tell you what it is. At some point if you use too much bandwidth (or disk space or CPU processing power), they’re either going to slow down your connection or they’re going to cut you off and discontinue your account.
The bottom line is…
Don’t fall for offers of “unlimited bandwidth” with a web hosting account. There’s always a limit. -Paul Steinbrueck
At OurChurch.Com we’re up front with you about how much bandwidth you get with all of our Christian/church web hosting packages, and we don’t offer “unlimited” bandwidth.
Comment and Discuss…
- What do you think about companies that offer web hosting accounts with “unlimited” bandwidth?
- Have you ever gone with one of them only to find out otherwise later on?
6 Comments
I have hosted one of my sites on a server promising unlimited bandwidth. The only problem (that has returned a couple of times) is when they say that my site drained to much CPU power, and therefore they had to shut down the website, and told me to fix the problem. I did lots of things, and somehow I think it worked out in the end (after site was closed down for the third or fourth time)… but I have for sure learned that unlimited bandwidth doesn't exist in the way the providers promise!
Sigbjorn, I'm sorry to hear you had to go through that. I'm always hesitant to publish posts like this because I'm afraid it will be perceived as bashing or scare tactics. I really appreciate you sharing that experience with us here, so other readers know this is a real concern. Unfortunately this tends to happen at the worst possible time – when a site is experiencing a lot of growth – and can really kill momentum.
I am very grateful for an explanation of Unlimited Bandwidth. Because I was helped by this knowledge. Thank you.
Floribertus S
Indonesia
Often Unlimited bandwidth, whether from a host or an ISP will have a disclaimer that mentions 'fair use' though this is rarely defined and generally vague. the term does mean they have very precise limits which will affect you use of the service if they are breached.
Most people are unaware of the significance of it, how many know for example the correlation between duration and file size when watching video on youtube etc
God Bless All peoples of living in this world
Many thanks Paul; I learned a lot through this. May the Lord keeps on enlighting you.