A winning website is undoubtedly one of the greatest assets at any business owner\u2019s disposal. But before you start thinking about the design elements or effective content, it\u2019s important to consider the website hosting cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are almost 2 billion websites<\/a> currently live, and they each need a host. Plenty of options exist on the market, which can be overwhelming for many entrepreneurs. This web hosting comparison guide will provide everything you need to know about the importance of choosing the right host, along with the cost breakdowns that will help you make a calculated decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When looking to create a website, you need to claim your little space on the internet so that people can find your business. Web hosting is the perfect way to achieve it. Experts at One.com define web hosting<\/a> as \u201can online service that allows you to publish your website files onto the internet,\u201d which essentially means you will rent the necessary data services and infrastructure to build, manage, and maintain your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With thousands of providers to choose from, hosting costs can vary greatly from one company to the next. While it can be tempting to select the cheapest possible solution, web hosting fees can only deliver value for money if the company provides a reliable service. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Low-cost website hosting remains a popular choice, particularly for new local startups. However, the fact that a strong website can generate online sales and indirectly boost offline sales (81% of people<\/a> now do their online research before visiting a local store) in the process means that even high website hosting fees are a worthwhile investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It should also be noted that migrating to another host can cost around $400 while also creating extra hassle. Ideally, you\u2019ll want to make the right choice at the outset. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are over 330,000 web host providers<\/a> worldwide, and the majority will offer a range of services and packages. The different tiers of service may include variables such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When choosing a web host, you will also want to consider other features like whether you want a simple WordPress website installer or a different type of website builder<\/a>. Likewise, many web hosts will offer SSL certificates, eCommerce tools, and added items. Sometimes these will be included as standard, while others have them as add-ons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally speaking, though, when you look to compare web hosting packages, they fall into five categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When running a price comparison for different hosting services, shared hosting is seen as the gateway option. As it\u2019s the cheapest paid plan, the domain and hosting cost for the first year can be under $100. The low costs make it a popular solution for startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the name suggests, shared hosting is based on the concept of several websites sharing the resources of a web server. In turn, this can make the website a little less robust and reliable. Given the importance of load times, many businesses will subsequently connect a CDN<\/a> like Google hosting to their site as it\u2019s an affordable way to obtain faster loading speed. The fact that CDNs can be managed according to GB usage also creates added versatility as the website\u2019s requirements grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to providing a cost-effective option, shared hosting can be used in conjunction with various website builders, while mailboxes and SSL certificates can be added as well. The website hosting cost will be quite affordable. Some of the most popular providers are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hosting fee for shared hosting is the main incentive for choosing this type of plan, but it also offers a streamlined approach that allows you to use a simple website builder to get your site online and accessible to your customers in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VPS hosting, or virtual private server hosting, is essentially the same as shared hosting in that your website will share resources with several other websites. However, there are fewer sites connected to the server, while you have a private virtual server that makes it seem as though you have a dedicated server for your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The average VPS hosting plan will cost more than shared hosting and deliver a better service. Most notably, your site is not likely to be hit by temporary 404 messages and downtime while loading speeds are quicker too. Considering the fact that 88% of consumers<\/a> won\u2019t return to a website after a subpar experience, the benefits of VPS hosting often justify the slightly higher web host rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n VPS hosting can be seen as a midway point between shared and dedicated hosting plans, offering some of the benefits of both. We\u2019ve produced a guide to the best VPS hosting solutions<\/a>, also presenting some of the best ones below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The use of VPS has gained popularity in recent years with the market showing a CAGR of around 17%.<\/a> For microbusinesses and SMEs, in particular, it is an attractive prospect indeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dedicated hosting is also referred to as dedicated server hosting, and that\u2019s exactly what you get. A dedicated server ensures that your site is blessed with fast loading speeds and almost zero uptime disruptions, especially when a reliable web host is selected. The cost of web hosting will be higher in the long run, but it can be worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, the average online order value in the US is between $100 and $200<\/a>, depending on the device the shopper uses when making a purchase. Losing sales due to inadequate web functioning as a result of an inferior host or busy shared server is the last thing any business owner wants. Dedicated servers provide full control over resources while you will not be affected by the traffic spikes enjoyed by other websites. You can also ensure that the resources you purchase match the company’s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the best options are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dedicated hosting is an excellent solution as the web hosting cost per year will still only reach four figures for most SMEs. When weighed up against potential revenue benefits, it\u2019s still great value for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An increasing number of business owners are now looking at VPS hosting vs. cloud hosting price plans. More than simply a place to store files as you do from your smartphone, cloud servers are a group of servers working simultaneously to ensure that your website is up and running at full speed at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s the fastest-growing<\/a> sector of web hosting services, which is to be expected, taking into account that cloud computing has become increasingly accessible. The website hosting cost will reflect the fact that there are multiple servers working together as a safety net to ensure that your site is live and performing optimally. Therefore, if you can\u2019t afford downtime or need to feel that you have complete control over your website, this is a fantastic solution that is still cheaper than dedicated hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of the best web hosting providers now offer cloud-based services, while there are also great deals for new customers as cloud servers are still relatively new. The top cloud hosting options<\/a> on the market include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though cloud hosting is in its infancy, it has already helped thousands of small business owners by providing adaptable services. Cloud hosting costs aren\u2019t the lowest on the market, but they are well worth the investment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress is the world\u2019s most popular content management system by far and is used to power over 40%<\/a> of all websites. For an easy, user-friendly website builder, WP hosting is the answer. However, you still need a host to provide a space for your site to reside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The great news is that the average WordPress website hosting cost is quite cheap. Moreover, most of the big host providers deliver easy one-click installations. This means you can start building your business website in a matter of minutes. WordPress hosting is optimized for the platform and can also use shared or dedicated servers depending on the needs of an individual or a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the major web hosts offer WordPress hosting a range of monthly and annual plans. Given the popularity of WP, it\u2019s no wonder that some of the best hosts in this area are the biggest companies overall. Favorites include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of the WordPress hosting plans allow you to build a website using the popular CMS tools and let business owners choose their theme, layout, and plug-ins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whichever type of hosting plan you opt for (shared hosting, VPS hosting, or other), it\u2019s imperative that you have 100% confidence in the web host – not least because the value of an efficient website keeps increasing every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Website Hosting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Navigating the Minefield of Business Website Hosting Costs <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Shared Hosting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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VPS Hosting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Dedicated Hosting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cloud Hosting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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WordPress Hosting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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So, What Makes a Great Web Host?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n