Back before social network existed and easy-to-use web building tools became common GeoCities was one of the largest communities on the web. In 1999 Yahoo bought the free web hosting company for $2.9 billion. Last week Yahoo announced it is shutting it down. They have already stopped accepting new customers.
I found this interesting because free web hosting services are definitely dying out. Most companies that once offered free ad-supported web hosting have ditched it entirely in favor of offering paid-only services.
OurChurch.Com continues to offer free web hosting and has no plans to discontinue that service. While we lose money on the deal, one of our values is making websites available to all people regardless of their location, technical ability, or financial situation. We are happy to be able to provide free websites to churches and ministries who are unable to pay for them, particularly those in the developing world.
What are your thoughts? Have you ever used GeoCities? Will you be sad to see them go? Do you think free hosting services have a future?