The Ultimate Guide to Affordable WordPress Hosting Options
Looking to start a WordPress website without emptying out your wallet?
I have great news for you. WordPress is used to power 43.5% of all websites on the internet today. This has created a highly competitive and affordable niche of hosting plans for bloggers, small business owners and entrepreneurs.
But, there's a problem…
The WordPress hosting market has hundreds of different providers. With each one screaming and shouting to be the "best" and the "cheapest". So, how do you know which ones to trust and which one is actually a money-making scheme?
In this Ultimate Guide, I'll teach you:
- Why WordPress Hosting Plans Actually Matter
- The Different Types of Hosting (And Which One You Need)
- How To Find The Right Plan For Your Budget
- Hidden Costs And Charges You Need To Know
Why WordPress Hosting Plans Actually Matter
You might not know this, but…
All hosting plans are not created equal. Your hosting provider will impact how fast your site loads, how secure it is and whether it will stay online when all hell breaks loose.
WordPress is also a big player in the CMS market with a 62% share. Hosting companies have developed WordPress hosting plans that are specifically optimized for WordPress websites.
They also come at different price points and offer a wide range of features. The difference between cheap and expensive usually lies in the provider knowing what you need (vs) what they want you to believe you need.
For instance, CLDY WordPress hosting plans with options for different kinds of sites - beginners to fully-fledged entrepreneurs who need more oomph. The best WordPress hosting plans will suit your site's current needs without upselling you for unrequired features.
The truth is…
Site owners on their first WordPress website overpay for hosting because of the confusion.
Different Types of WordPress Hosting
Here's the deal…
There are four main types of WordPress hosting. They are each slightly different from each other when it comes to affordability and performance.
Shared Hosting
This is the most affordable form of WordPress hosting. This is because you are sharing server resources with dozens (sometimes even hundreds) of other websites.
- Pros – Super cheap. Ranges from $3-10 a month.
- Cons – Slower load speed when your neighbor's sites get busy.
Managed WordPress Hosting
Managed hosting is where all the technical stuff is done by the WordPress hosting provider. They will update WordPress, take care of security and ensure everything is running smoothly for you.
This is more expensive than shared hosting (typically $20-100+) but it has its perks. This is when you hand over the full responsibility of managing your WordPress website to the experts.
VPS Hosting
VPS stands for Virtual Private Server. Think of it as having your own dedicated slice of a server. It's more powerful than Shared hosting but cheaper than having a physical server.
Prices will run anywhere from $20-80 a month for VPS Hosting.
Dedicated Hosting
The most expensive of all hosting. This is when you get an entire physical server dedicated to your site. If you don't have a site with humongous traffic, then this is not for you. Prices start from at least $100 a month.
Finding The Right WordPress Hosting That Won't Empty Out Your Wallet
Affordable does not always mean cheap. In most cases, affordable means getting the best bang for your buck.
If you're just starting, shared hosting is usually the best option. You can get a professional site for the cost of a few cups of coffee per month.
Make sure the shared hosting plan has these key features:
- One-click WordPress installation – Easier setup
- Free SSL certificate – Must-have for security and SEO
- Daily backups – Protects your site in case of disaster
- 24/7 support – You're going to need this if an emergency happens
A Note On The Hidden Costs Hosting Providers Won't Tell You About
You would not believe how many people start WordPress sites only to realize they got ripped off by their hosting provider.
Here's a little secret they don't want you to know.
The lowest advertised rate is almost always a promotional rate. The price usually doubles or even triples after the first billing cycle. This is usually 1-3 years.
Things to look out for:
- Renewal pricing that is 2-3x the initial offer
- Additional charges for free features like SSL Certificates
- Upsells for basic things like backups and security
Always check the fine print before signing a contract.
Managed vs Unmanaged Hosting: Which is Better For You?
Managed and Unmanaged WordPress hosting differ in the amount of control and responsibility you have for your website.
Unmanaged Hosting gives you more control over your website but requires technical skills. You have to handle updates, security, and website optimization.
Managed Hosting is when a WordPress hosting provider will take care of all the above-mentioned stuff. It does cost more but think of it as outsourcing your website management. This can be worth the extra $10-30 a month if you're strapped for time.
How To Pick The Right Plan For Your Budget
Here's a few questions to ask yourself first:
- How much traffic will you get in the first year?
- Do you have the technical skills to manage hosting by yourself?
- How much are you willing to spend monthly on hosting?
- Do you need email hosting?
For the average Joe, here's my recommendation…
Begin with a reliable Shared Hosting plan from a well-known provider. Check out plans within the $5-15 per month range that include the necessary features listed above.
You can then upgrade to managed WordPress hosting or VPS hosting as your site grows and you begin to get more traffic.
The Sneaky Strategy For Budgeting On Hosting
If you're looking for a smart way to budget for hosting, then here it is.
Opt to sign up for a longer billing cycle (2-3 years) to lock in the promotional rate. Yes, it's a large sum of money upfront but you can save hundreds of dollars over time.
As long as the WordPress hosting provider has a good money-back guarantee (30-60 days), you won't lose out too much if you need to switch providers.
Performance vs Price: What Should You Compromise On?
You may be thinking…
"Isn't it better if I pick the cheapest option available to me?"
Short answer? No.
The lowest cost providers usually sacrifice performance, reliability and support. Your site will load at the speed of a snail, experience downtimes and it will be hard to get help when you need it.
A better way to look at it is the best value for your money. This usually means looking at mid-tier shared hosting or entry-level managed WordPress hosting by a well-known company.
WordPress hosting is the foundation of your entire online business. Don't settle for a few dollars every month with a hosting provider that will end up holding your online business hostage.
Picking the Right WordPress Hosting Company
Choosing the right WordPress hosting provider depends on your unique needs. But here are the most important factors to consider:
- Reliability – Seek 99.9% uptime guarantees
- Speed – Fast loading times are non-negotiable
- Support – You will need 24/7 customer support
- Scalability – Easy upgrades as your site grows
- Price – Transparent pricing with no hidden charges
The best WordPress hosting plan is the one that best meets your needs, at the time you need it. Don't fall into the trap of overpaying or underpaying for hosting.
The best way to start is to know what your needs are and not be swayed by upsells and down-sells by hosting providers.
In Conclusion
WordPress hosting doesn't have to break the bank.
The highly competitive WordPress hosting market is projected to be worth $10.9 billion globally by 2026. This means you'll be spoilt for choice when shopping around for the best options.
Beginners should start with an affordable shared hosting plan. As your website grows, you can look for more powerful plans like managed WordPress hosting or VPS.
The best way to start is to first know your needs and secondly, to not fall for the usual vendor upsells and downsells.
The best hosting plan is one that can power your fast, secure website without your site going down – and without breaking the bank.