It also depends on how he wants to host his sites. He might need a server that requires admin access to run specific code or require admin access to install beta software. He might want to consider leasing/renting a server or starting out with a VPS (Virtual private server). Server Intellect offers Managed VPS which would be good for your starting admin looking to host a larger site(Excellent support). Also he was talking about file serving, most of those 10$ hosting accounts in the fine print specifically say you can not use there servers for data storage or file sharing. So he would need some form of vps or server.