When on a budget finding a cheap hosting service can be an overwhelming task. There are numerous companies out there claiming to be the best or cheapest, so how do you know who to believe? Obviously you need to determine what features are important to you, but also take into account reviews of cheap hosting services.

Sometimes it seems all bets are off when advertising on the internet. All companies feature rave reviews and testimonials on their website, but it is important to look at a site that offers independent reviews. Take hotels for example: The hotel may advertise breakfast and pool, but reviews on an independent site, such as Expedia, may paint a different picture. Breakfast may be no more than coffee and toast and the some hotel pools are so poorly maintained that you wouldn't even want to get in.

The same can be true of web hosting. They all seem to offer similar services, but they are not the same. A cheap web hosting provider can tell you anything it wants and it may or may not actually be true. You'll come across the same claims on most websites – top range of servers, more space than you'll ever need, along with promises of excellent support and security. Some cheap hosting services can be a nightmare, so cheap hosting reviews are important to check out.

One of the most common complaints with web hosting is customer service. Some companies may have great prices and appear to be a great deal, but offer horrible customer service. Be sure to find out what current customers have to say about this. If you have a problem or question – customer service is very important. Some companies may only be reached by email during business hours while others offer 24/7 phone support.

Another big thing to be wary of is server space and bandwidth allowance. You may find a great deal for what your needs are when you are first starting, but down the road costs skyrocket if you want to add more at a later date. Several providers offer generous packages when you sign up, but make sure you will need to buy more server space and bandwidth at a price you won't be thrilled with.

Many cheap hosting providers put too many sites onto individual servers. This can be detrimental as no one will even be able to access your site. Try to find website addresses of current customers and visit those sites at peak times over the course of a few days. If you can't get access or the site takes too long to load, this provider is not for you.

Just about all providers claim to have an uptime percentage in the high 90s. Of course all companies can claim this, but the good ones will offer a guarantee. If possible see if you can sign up for a free trial period before committing to a long term contract.

If you keep these pitfalls in mind and read cheap hosting reviews, you can find a reliable cheap hosting provider. If you find a great provider or experience problems, be sure to let others know be submitting your own review.