Cheap Web Hosting – Is It Worth It?
Even the most sophisticated website owners can’t always afford the luxury of a pricey web host. After all, not every business can afford Paypal or a Prime account. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and compiled this article. It will tell you everything you need to know about web hosting, including the best hosting deals available. Let’s get started.
Is It Worth It?
This is a question many businesses ask themselves when considering to self-host or to hire a web host to manage their site. The short answer is “it depends.” First off, you need to ask yourself what you really need. Do you just need a basic site or do you need a fully featured website with all the bells and whistles?
There are pros and cons to both options. If you have a simple blog featuring mostly news and blog posts, you may not need the extra features provided by a premium host. The trade-off is that if you want to update your site with news stories and blogs, you’ll have to pay for the plan. This plan may also include additional features you don’t need, such as a gallery or a store.
The best option for most websites is to choose the standard option and host on a shared hosting platform. In terms of pricing, you can get a shared hosting plan for around $2.95 per month. This plan allows you to install WordPress to create a basic site and you’ll have access to all the tools you need (including a web builder) to update it with content.
Another great option is to choose the VPS option. A virtual private server delivers the perfect balance of price and feature set. You’ll need to sign up for a free account with a host such as Bluehost to try the VPS option. Once you do, you can install WordPress to create a basic site. From there, you can utilize their integrated web builder to update it with content.
A dedicated server offers the most flexibility and security along with the great price of $5.45 per month. With a dedicated server, you can install any software you want (including PHP, Python, and Node.js) to create the exact type of website you want. You also get access to all the tools you need (including a content management system) to update it with content.
Why Should You Host On The Cheap?
Hosting on the cheap is a great option for anyone who wants to try blogging or building a website before they commit to investing in expensive hardware and software. For bloggers looking for additional income sources, the option to host on the cheap is perfect. You can use a free blogging platform like WordPress to test out ideas without risking too much financial investment. When you find a topic you’re passionate about, you can convert that blog post into a full-fledged e-book and make a few bucks from an eBook sale every month.
For small businesses who don’t necessarily need a sophisticated website, hosting on the cheap is also an option. You can use a service like Bluehost to set up a basic domain for just $2.95 per month. You get a free basic plan with that option, so there’s no risk of overdrawing on your bank account. You can use the free domain to create a simple website and use one of the many free template packages to create a completely professional-looking site.
The Downsides Of Hosting On The Cheap
Of course, there are drawbacks to hosting on the cheap. First off, you’re limited to what you can install on your server in terms of software and hardware. If you want to add an image gallery or a blog to your site, you’ll need to look elsewhere. You can’t change the domain of your site once you’ve launched it, so if you want to make any updates, you’ll have to pay for the upgrade (most shared hosting plans include a free domain, however).
The upside is that you have full access to all the tools you need to build a functional website and can try out different features on your own dime. If you experience any glitches, the company you’re hosted on will definitely help you out (most hosting companies are very committed to ensuring that their customers are satisfied).
Choosing a cheap hosting plan is always a good idea until you realize that most companies offer similar packages for advanced use. If you want to install a content management system, you’ll need to pay for at least a part of the hosting plans. The cheapest option is to use a free blogging platform like WordPress.com or Medium. If you do choose this option, just be sure you’re aware of all the terms and conditions.
Cheap Web Hosting – The Basics
As we mentioned above, sharing web hosting is the cheapest option available. This type of hosting is ideal for people who want to try blogging or website building before committing to upgrading to a VPS or dedicated server. A shared hosting plan allows you to install WordPress to create a basic site and gives you access to a variety of tools to build upon.
The trade-off is that you’re sharing resources with other users. This means your server will be more crowded and you may experience sluggish website loading speeds.
A VPS is similar to a shared hosting plan except that you’re renting a dedicated piece of hardware. This type of hosting delivers the perfect balance of price and feature set. You’ll need to sign up for a VPS hosting plan with a company like Bluehost to try this option. Bluehost’s shared hosting plans start at just $2.95 per month, and their VPS plans start at $5.45 per month.
A dedicated server is the culmination of everything we discussed above. You’re getting a dedicated piece of hardware which means you’re not sharing it with anyone, and you’re paying for all the resources you need (including RAM). In terms of pricing, dedicated servers start at $5.45 per month, and the price goes up from there.
Summary
In summary, we need to ask ourselves, what is our main goal? Do we just want to put up a basic site or do we want to launch a fully fledged e-commerce store?
There are quite a few hosting packages to choose from, so take the time to research and compare different hosting plans offered by reputable companies. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and do your due diligence before committing to anything.