Our advice, pass the host up. Access to your own cgi-bin. Most hosts allow you to install scripts to your account in a directory called cgi-bin. These scripts are the backbone of all the functionality of the web. Everytime you fill out a form, use a BBS, or engage in a chat room conversation, you are running a script of one type or another.
Most hosts provide pre-installed scripts.
The ability to take data from an html form and repackage that data as an email sent to the site owner is mandatory in our book. A lot of people like page counters. And many hosts as a result include them. If the host also provides a log analyzer then the page counter becomes a status symbol and really isn't necessary. But its a nice little bonus if they include one.