Excellent suggestions, which i will follow up early in the new year.
the dilemma i have is that my prime objectives are not to make money (although i wouldn't turn it away!).
So far i have not made any direct outlay on cost except for a £4 window display in a local shop! if my aim is for a self financing project, then i would have to get a return on any regular costs that a real hosting provider would demand.

the other big question for me is that because my "competition" i believe over prices the basic service (which anyone with a turntable and PC could achieve), i am unlikely to have much favour with reciprocal links. (because of the inferred criticism i am making, although i might be tempted to use the more specialised service if i had the need/desire). therefore how do we get the right "traffic" to view the site? is it just about getting the correct keywords etc.?

perhaps i need to be more mercenary in my business approach(?) but i still think there is a place for good service/value, honesty and humour.
am i mad?

http://uk.geocities.com/soundrediscovery/