Image Hosting

More about Image Hosting

Image hosting has been around almost as long as Internet itself, but has of course evolved enormously. What used to be simple uploading and storage services providing maybe 100 kB of space, has now in many cases become fully Web 2.0-integrated community sites with elaborate social functions and search features.

Some photo image hosting providers choose to provide their services for free, relying on ads, while other hosts may charge a certain amount per month for their premium functions. Most image hosts share some common features, however. The images can be uploaded from any computer, you can share them with your friends and others, and they can be sorted into albums, galleries or slideshows.

However, there are some extra parameters to look out for when choosing the right image hosting plan. How many pictures can you upload? Any restriction of image sizes? Will your images be erased if don't log on ever so often? Does the provider seem stable? Many services have started, only to close down a year later.

You should also be on the lookout for some extra features, that you might find handy. Can you resize and edit your pictures online? Can you easily share some pictures freely, while you make other private, only for your friends to see? Order some prints of your favorite shots, just with a few clicks?

Can you tag your public pictures, to make them available for searches? Post images directly from your mobile phone, and then transfer them to your blog?

With these questions answered, you have come a long way choosing your perfect image web hosting.