There are no major differences between budget Web hosting and regular Web hosting. You pay more and you get more features, that's what it is, really. As long as you have chosen your new Web host carefully, there's no major reason why a budget hosting should be different from a regular one. It's all in the icing added to the cake.

So, regular Web hosting has got PHP, PERL, pre-installed scripts, MySQL and other things which budget hosting gets. Of course, it gets more of such features:
- more mySQL databases
- more e-mail accounts
- more diskspace
- more data transfer
- FrontPage extensions

Forget about the free search engine submissions. They are not worth anything. Do your own submissions to the main search engines - Google and Yahoo.

A typical lower-end regular hosting plan provides, say 200 MB diskspace, 20 GB monthly data transfer and mySQL databases. And an upper-end regular hosting plan gives, say 6 GB diskspace, 250 GB monthly data transfer and MySQL databases. Prices may range from USD4.95 to USD19.95.
If you want the best, go to an upmarket host, such as Verio.com where you pay USD11.95 for 5 GB monthly data transfer and 200 MB diskspace or USD29.95 for 40 GB monthly data transfer and 1500 MB diskspace. At Verio, you won't have to worry about the lack of support and their equipment is among the best in the business. So, the choice is yours.

Here are some regular Web hosts:
- Interland.com
- HostForWeb.com
- Superb.net
- Hostway.com
- AppolloHosting.com
- ValueWeb.com

Some Web hosts may charge a set-up fee ranging from USD25 to USD50 for a regular plan. Others offer free set-ups. It is better to get hosting from hosts offering free set-ups. It's the norm nowadays for hosts to offer free set-ups. So, why pay for set-ups when hosting is automated. You sign up, pay using your credit card and get your account opened instantly. Unlike dedicated servers, there is no need for anyone to activate your regular account.

Talking about instant set-ups. Be careful when browsing through Web hosts. Some Web hosts mention "Instant Set-up Available". That's not the same as Instant Set-up. Before you sign up, look carefully at the wording. Instant Set-up Available likely means Instant Set-up Available if you pay a fee of say, USD25. Anyway, that was the kind of surprise I got when I signed up some time ago. Luckily, I could get my order cancelled without much hassle.

You don't have to wait even ten minutes for Instant Set-ups. As soon as you have made payment, your account is activated immediately and you can start uploading your Web pages onto the host's server.

Some hosts also allow payment via PayPal and cheques. But, know that if you pay using these methods, your account will not be activated immediately. You may have to wait until the funds have cleared. You should enquire about billing before you sign up. Also, take time to read through all the FAQs on the Web site. If you can't find the section, look in the Support section. If there are hardly any FAQs, suspect the Web host to be new or not experienced enough.