Posted 07 October 2009 - 03:09 PM
Yes you can set up a home web server really cheap. Matter of fact the PC you are reading this on will work just fine. Its a few settings on the PC, some more on your router and maybe a reboot of both, that's it. But the PC will have to always be on and if you have a ton of people coming to surf your ISP might not like it.
Options? Well if you just need to host some simple content, most ISPs offer free web space. They normally have "tools" to help you set it all up. But if you want to host some big fancy site with lots of bells and whistles and be able to have your own URL like www . your_awesome_name_here . com then hosting is the way to go. There are dirt cheap ones out there but with all things you get what you pay for. I like Go Daddy. They have EXCELLENT support, aren't that expensive and very reliable.
Hope this helps 
Associate in Applied Science - Network Systems Management - Trident Technical College