A web hosting plan is a little like a rental contract. The difference is, instead of renting a building, you’re renting some space in the digital universe. So how much does web hosting cost?
Since a website gives your business a global presence, you might expect to pay a premium price. In fact, the cost of web hosting can be surprisingly low. But it still makes sense to compare the options before committing.
How to Compare Web Hosting Plans
There are big differences between the best plans and the worst, so you should compare the features as well as the cost of web hosting.
Two important features to look at are bandwidth and disk space. Some plans impose strict limits on both. Limited bandwidth restricts the amount of data that can flow to and from your site. In practice, this can cap the number of visitors you’re allowed each month. Limited disk space is a cap on the storage available to you, which will restrict the size of your site.
Comparing the Cost
When it comes to price, making a web hosting comparison is easy. Most plans are charged monthly, but you may be able to get a discount if you sign up to a long-term plan.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Free Web Hosting
Free website hosting might sound appealing, but it comes with some big drawbacks. Most free plans force users to display ads on their site – often for competing businesses. Many free options also suffer from limited design choices, poor customer support and reliability problems.
On top of this, you’ll have limited control over your own site, and little scope to improve the SEO. These issues might not matter if you’re setting up a hobby site, or if you simply can’t afford paid hosting. But if you’re serious about the long-term success of your business, then you probably shouldn’t use free website hosting.
Other Costs of Running a Website
Website hosting costs aren’t the only fees to consider. Running a website also involves registering a domain name (your website’s address). You’ll also need an SSL certificate if you’re planning to run an e-commerce site, accept online payments, or take visitors’ details. Find out more about what an SSL Certificate is here.
Luckily, it’s sometimes possible to get these features free of charge. Our own web hosting plans include a .com/.ae domain name, an SSL certificate and unlimited bandwidth/storage – all at no extra cost.
