Very good point.

if it's any comfort, the security number is on the back

Sure it is, if you're uncomfortable with it, you just don't use the service...  I think there are better ways to accomplish the same thing, however.

Damn, use a comma sometime.

It might be a way to stop people using credit card numbers that were stolen online.

So it seems bluehost is pretty good seeing as the majority of you use it. But I would like to see if there is other alternatives. I dont want to get started on a website only to find out that there is a better option.  Thank you for all of the responses so far though.

i use sites.google. I hope to one day make it run on my server at home though

I use blue host as well.  I dot think they asked me for the credit card photo.

I've had no issues little downtime and the times I couldn't figure out what to do they were pretty helpful

dunno if its legal but they havent charged it since the initial payment so i guess they are legit. bluehost are a well known company too. ive heard good things about hostmonster too. dyndns (or contacting your isp and asking for a static ip - a lot of them offer this) is a good option too especially if you have something like a raspberry pi lying around

I've used hostmonster (which I'm pretty sure is the same company as bluehost) and they're fine. Never asked for a picture of my card though....

Or you could host your own with something like DYNdns.

Is that even legal to ask for a credit card like that?

i use bluehost for mine they seem pretty ok except they asked for a photograph of my credit card when i signed up which was f***ked up! back when i used a free website it was 000webhost.com they are pretty ok ive also used google sites a lot but you cant build your own website from scratch & its google

What service do you guys prefer for your websites. I know there are freewebs and angelfire. Someone mentioned sites.google as well but which one gives the most.

- edit, clarified title - lb