Have you ever considered starting an online business?
How much does it cost to host a website, would be the first question you’d probably asked.
Although it’s true that you can set up a website for free, you will have what you pay for.
If you want some sort of return on your investment—whether it is ad revenue, affiliate sales, or retail customers, always consider investing in a professional website.
What you require is hosting and a domain if you just really want to make the easiest website possible.
Any charge after that is optional.
This implies that if you’re on a tight budget, you can start off small and progressively increase your hosting costs.
That being said, before you begin creating a website, you should be aware of the costs associated with web hosting.
The expenses of hosting your site, like everything else, will affect some of your choices.
What are the various extra costs of launching a website, and how much should you budget for each?
We’ll split down just how much it costs to host a website in this post.
The extra costs, the pretty obvious costs, and the discretionary charges will all be discussed.
How Much Does It Cost to Host a Website?
The cost of hosting a website ranges from $2 to $3,000, which involves not only the hosting as well as the domain, security, web creation, maintenance, and e-commerce payment handling
The kind of hosting you choose has the greatest impact on the cost of a web hosting service.
There exist five basic types of web hosting, whichever one you require is determined by the size of your website, the amount of traffic it will receive, and the nature of the blog it will be.
1. The cost of shared hosting plan
Shared hosting plans vary in price from $1.5 to $15 a month. You can anticipate spending about $5 a month on average.
It is the most fundamental and widely used method of web hosting.
It’s the best option for new websites especially those that aren’t too complex.
A shared hosting plan is great if your website won’t be really big, for instance, if you only need a few main pages as well as a blog.
Since it is cost-effective, this choice is very popular among web hosting companies.
Your webpage is hosted on a server that is shared with some other websites when you use shared hosting.
All of the websites on the server will share the resources available among themselves.
As a result, you can normally save a significant amount of cash on web hosting.
However, this comes at a price.
When a website on the server experiences a surge in traffic or is hacked, your site’s loading times and speed can suffer.
Furthermore, you run the risk of getting the protection of your own website jeopardized.
2. The cost of cloud web hosting plan
In certain instances, cloud web hosting services cost around $5 to $80 per month, but some plans for large enterprises will cost up to $300 per month or more.
One of the newest forms of web hosting is cloud hosting.
Instead of using a single shared or dedicated server, this approach allows your website to connect to multiple remote servers.
It is indeed important to note that because of the way cloud storage pricing works, you’re less inclined to spend the same price every month.
You just pay for what you are using with cloud hosting, this will spare you some money in some months compared to others.
It’s extremely scalable as a result of this.
You’ll be allowed to add and remove resources as required, and you’ll only be charged for what you use.
As a result, cloud hosting is an excellent option for any website which requires versatility.
With the cloud hosting package, you can easily scale up the number of power, traffic, including storage capacity you require if you expect rapid growth.
If you’re launching e-commerce business and understand that some periods of the year will see far more traffic than others, cloud storage will enable you to scale up when you need to and save money the remainder of the year.
3. The cost of a dedicated web hosting plan
A managed dedicated server can cost anywhere from $80 to over $1,000 per month.
This is, without a doubt, the best form of hosting.
You pay for your own server when you use dedicated hosting.
No longer would you be concerned about the speed and availability of your website due to the presence of other websites.
Normally, these services are structured depending on the capacity of the server, and also whether the service is managed by the web host or by the company itself.
When you host your website on dedicated servers, you get exactly the amount of bandwidth and power you need, just as your website and traffic expand.
A dedicated server is obviously not for all because it is more expensive.
However, if a company has grown to the point that it is required, the additional cost is justified.
The most significant disadvantage is the high cost of dedicated hosting.
There’s always a lot of maintenance because you’ll have to keep the server monitored and updated on a regular basis.
4. The cost of VPS web hosting plan
Virtual private server (VPS) web hosting costs between $20 and $100 a month.
VPS hosting, or virtual private server hosting, is the next huge upgrade from shared hosting.
VPS hosting gives the impression that you are operating your own server.
Your website would be hosted on the same server as tens, if not hundreds, of several other websites if you chose a shared plan.
You still share a server with a couple of different websites when you use VPS web hosting, but your portion of it is divided off for you.
However, your website is still one of many websites sharing a common server, but there are fewer websites sharing the resources, so your website should function better.
If any website on the same VPS server experiences an increase in traffic or security problems, your website has a little probability of suffering from it.
However, VPS hosting is more costly.
Putting money in a VPS will guarantee that your website constantly loads efficiently and perform reliably for your users whether you have a large number of visitors or a large amount of storage space.
5. The cost of WordPress hosting plan
The monthly cost of WordPress hosting varies between $3 and $25.
This is a WordPress-only shared hosting plan.
These plans are for individuals that need dedicated and advanced WordPress-specific services.
It should be remembered, however, that a WordPress site can be hosted on almost any web hosting service.
It’s not about hosting a WordPress site; it’s about having a service that’s optimized to suit the needs of WordPress websites.
This includes essential features such as automatic backups and 24/7 support, as well as other elements that aren’t accessible with normal shared hosting.
WordPress is pre-installed on these types of hosting accounts.
How to Avoid Overspending when building a website
Beginning small is the most effective way to prevent overspending and save money.
You can always try the free WordPress plugin directories and themes to improve your website and save money.
Once you’ve started attracting traffic, you might want to consider investing in a professional theme and plugins.
Watch out for WordPress sales and coupon codes to get great deals on your orders while staying under your budget.
An expanding website will also require a more powerful hosting set up than a website that is just getting started.
It’s likely that you’ll need to update your WordPress server on a constant basis as well.
Try using managed WordPress hosting to run your website on a server that is specifically designed for WordPress’s security configuration.
Other Factors That Increases Web Hosting Cost
Although the type of hosting package you select is among the most crucial component in deciding cost, there are a few other factors that influence how much you’ll pay for web hosting each month.
The most relevant ones are:
1. SSL certificate
An SSL certificate informs visitors to the site that your website is safe and secure to use by encrypting data.
Your browser can show a lock icon in the browser if a website has a secure certificate
It’s important to recognize that SSL certificates come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Basic ones are usually free these days, and most good hosts make it simple to get a free SSL certificate.
If your web host wants to charge you for a certificate when you’re trying to set up a simple website, you can simply say “No.”
You can conveniently set up your own free account or select a different service provider.
If you run something relevant to eCommerce, though, it’ll be a must-have investment because your security protocols are likely to be higher.
If you do require to buy a premium SSL license, they normally cost between $20 and $60 per year, based on the type of validity.
2. Storage space
The quantity of storage space included in a web hosting contract is an important factor that affects the price.
Upgrades are often needed as your website grows.
3. Email hosting
You’ll require to pay for a specific form of hosting dedicated to email if you decide to use a professional email address for any of your domains.
You shouldn’t have to pay for email hosting, in our view.
Many shared hosting companies would provide this as part of your regular package.
If they do, it’ll normally be listed among the plan’s benefits, so watch out for it!
If your web host does not provide email hosting, Zoho Mail provides free email hosting.
A dedicated IP address protects your site from other websites that use your IP address.
4. Dedicated IP
It will assist you in staying off spam lists and avoiding IP blacklisting as a result of the activities of another business, as well as allowing you to run your personal FTP server.
5. Domain privacy
The Whois database makes domain registration information accessible to the general public.
Anyone can check a domain and see who owned it at any time.
In fact, this ensures that your contact information is available to the media.
As a result, most domain registrars will give you add-ons like domain privacy or Whois ‘protection’ to mask this information.
It does not really make meaning to spend an additional dollar or two (which is what it normally costs) to set up Whois security when you can get it for free depending on the registrar.
Please ensure your registrar does not at all try to upsell you on a function when you’re looking for a domain.
The following domain registrars provide free Whois protection:
- NameSilo
- Namecheap
- Google Domains
6. Number of domains
If you want to handle several domains in one web hosting plan, you’ll have to pay a little more for your subscription.
7. Hosting renewal
When it comes to concealing true costs, hosting companies are grandmasters.
In certain situations, the cost of hosting a website with your first contract would be different from the cost of hosting a website when you renew it.
However, most hosting companies can show these details right below their sticker prices if you look carefully.
Those ‘regular’ rates reflect what you’ll have to pay when your initial deal expires.
The goal is to keep you locked into their ecosystem, at which point you might be able to pay more rather than switch web hosts.
If you’re hosting anywhere that uses this billing form, we suggest locking in the discounted rates for at least three years.
8. Amount of traffic
Website hosts bill you for more than just disk space; they also consider your traffic levels.
If your website becomes more widely known, you’ll need more costly hosting plans to ensure that its efficiency does not suffer as a result of increased traffic.
Your site may not always be capable of handling a lot of traffic if you’re on a shared plan.
You could be charged ‘overage’ fees based on who your host is.
Some providers will charge you more money, while others will limit your options.
Your web host will most likely alert you if your website is receiving “too much” traffic.
If this occurs often, it’s normally in your best interest to move to a more powerful plan so you can get better results.
9. E-commerce functionality
A website that sells products directly from the site would need a specific collection of functionality.
Before selecting a web hosting plan, look for one that is compatible with the e-commerce applications you want to use and has the security features that e-commerce needs.
The term “e-commerce functionality” refers to a collection of tasks that include:
- Adding a payment processing gateway
- Systems for shipping
- Testing shopping carts
- Options for safe payment
- Putting up product pages
Ecommerce functionality means not only that consumers can buy your items, but also that your team can handle those orders.
That is extremely valuable to your e-commerce business.
i. Why does e-commerce functionality matter?
It’s important for an ecommerce company to have ecommerce features if it wants to thrive online.
Your business cannot receive or handle online orders without a shopping cart, payment gateway, or shipping system.
An e-commerce system is needed for your website.
Since e-commerce functionality is so important to your company, your team should factor it into your web design budget.
It’s also important for your business to spend in an e-commerce system that gives customers the best possible experience.
ii. What is the Cost of e-commerce functionality?
Ecommerce functionality costs somewhere between $2000 and $25,000.
The price your business will pay is calculated by a variety of factors, including:
- Size of the company
- The product line’s size
- Daily, monthly, and annual order volume averages
For example, a small business would pay less for ecommerce functionality than a large retailer.
What is the reason for this? A large retailer, in most cases, provides a broader variety of goods and handles many more orders than a small company, necessitating the use of a comprehensive ecommerce system.
10. SiteLock
This usually costs about $24 a year.
Although not all web hosts have SiteLock as a component of their services. Those that do, charge approximately $2 per month.
DDoS attack security, regular malware scans, and web application firewalls are among the features provided by SiteLock.
The question of whether SiteLock is worth the money is hotly debated on the internet.
SiteLock is a free service provided by certain web hosts as part of their packages.
11. Automated Site Backup and Restore Services
Website backups are usually free with web hosts, but they can cost up to $2 a month or more.
Just like your home computer, it’s a good idea to back up your website files to a place other than your web host server in case something goes wrong.
Certain policies offer free backups, while others will not charge you to save the backup but will charge you a recovery fee if your data is lost.
It’s worth noting that you might backup the site yourself, but this normally necessitates some technical knowledge.
You’ll still need to keep track of your backups to ensure they’re up to date and running properly.
12. Website Content
Since a website requires content, several freelance designers and web design firms charge by the number of pages.
Your page count can be influenced by a number of factors, including your goods, services, and industry.
For example, an e-commerce store with a large product line would likely need more pages than a local restaurant.
Your company can buy extra pages to help your content marketing or SEO strategy if you’re interested in web marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a domain name and hosting cost?
A domain name usually costs $10 to $15 per year, while a shared web host costs $36 to $120 per year.
In general, a domain name and hosting could cost between $46 and $135 per year.
It’s worth mentioning that some hosting companies provide a free domain with their bundles.
By registering with any of these hosts, customers can end up saving money.
Is Wix actually free?
Wix has a free plan, but it is very limited.
You will, however, be required to display Wix advertisements on your website if you intend using Wix for free.
Can I create my own website or hire someone to do it for me?
It is up to you to determine whether you want to put time or money first.
If you’re short on cash, create your own website.
Paying a specialist, on the other hand, would save you a lot of time finding out the fundamentals of web creation.
What is the importance of an SSL certificate?
Users exchange a vast amount of confidential data online in today’s digital world.
When buying a product, they must enter their credit card details, and when signing up for a newsletter, they must include their name and email address.
You expect users to take similar acts on your website as a business.
Consumers will not engage with your website if it seems untrustworthy, which may not help your business increase sales, grow its email subscriber list, or boost its lead generation efforts.
When visitors visit a site that does not have a valid certificate, browsers like Chrome alert them.
Through an SSL certificate, you can prove your website’s trustworthiness and security.
What is the price of an SSL certificate?
The cost of an SSL certificate will range from $0 to $300 per year.
While the majority of vendors charge for SSL certificates, some organizations sell them for free.
Experts advise investing in a premium SSL certificate for maximum security.
A premium SSL certificate also includes extra security features such as a longer warranty and higher encryption levels.
SSL certificates are available from reputable vendors such as Norton, Comodo, and GoDaddy.
What is the most cost-effective form of hosting a website?
Utilizing a free web host or site builder is the most cost-effective way to host a website.
They often include the use of a free subdomain name such as yoursitename.wordpress.com, yoursitename.blogspot.com, and yoursitename.wix.com, bringing the total cost to zero.
That being said, for a variety of reasons, these are not commonly recommended
Most noticeably, free solutions are often incredibly restrictive and, more often than not, will allow you to bear the host’s branding on your site.
If you can afford to pay $2 – $10 a month, there are plenty of budget hosting options – Bluehost, HostGator, and Siteground are providers we recommend.
How difficult is it to create a website?
Using SaaS software like Wix, Constant Contact, or Squarespace to create a website is quite easy.
Understanding WordPress takes a little more time, but you get a lot more customization in exchange.
In any case, a basic website can be built over the weekend.
What does it cost to develop a WordPress website?
If you know how to code, you can build a blog using WordPress, an open-source web development platform.
According to the most recent WordPress figures, WordPress powers over 39% of all websites on the internet.
How come WordPress became so popular?
The following are some of the reasons:
- It’s convenient to use and understand
- The website is either free (WordPress.org) or freemium (WordPress.com)
- Group of developers who are actively working
- There are numerous free and premium plugins and WordPress themes available.
Let’s take a peek at how much it costs to create a WordPress blog.
Breakdown of costs:
First and foremost:
- Domain: The cost of a domain name is $10 per year.
- CMS: If you’re using WordPress.org, the website software costs nothing.
- Web Hosting: $3 per month or $36 per year for hosting
- Site Design: One-time design fee of $0-$60. This is dependent on whether you select a free or premium theme.
- Add-ons: a one-time fee of $0-$100. Please keep in mind that some premium plugins may require paid upgrades or subscriptions.
- Total cost: $46-$206 (or more).
Ongoing maintenance of the website:
- Domain Name: The cost of a domain name is $10 per year.
- Hosting: Hosting costs $50 a year.
- Extra Features: $0-$100 in extra features
- Total annual cost: $60-$160 (or more).
The price is largely determined by the level of customization you desire.
Creating and maintaining a corporate blog can easily cost thousands of dollars.
However, for a basic, personal blog, $100-$200 per year is a fair range, with marginally greater upfront costs.
What is a CMS?
A content management system (CMS) helps you and your team to make changes to your website’s content without having to deal with the site’s code or files.
Without the support of a programmer, you can make small improvements to your website using a CMS.
CMS platforms include the following:
- Drupal
- Magento
- WordPress
- Joomla
Don’t just freak out, when it comes to picking the right platform to use, your web design firm will inform you on the best to go with.
Why does a CMS matter?
A CMS has several advantages for your team.
For example, updating your website with blog articles is quick and straightforward for your team.
If you have a physical address, a CMS also makes it simple for your company to update important contact information, such as your mobile number or store hours
How much does a Content Management System cost?
The cost of incorporating a standard or custom CMS into your web design package ranges from $2000 to $25,000.
Even if you choose a free CMS like Magento, your freelance designer or web Design Company will charge you a fee to integrate it.
If you’re not sure what kind of CMS your business requires, a web design firm can help.
Is free hosting good?
Free hosting is sometimes restricted not only in terms of resources such as bandwidth and storage capacity but also in terms of risks and limitations.
For instance, some free hosting plans don’t enable you to display advertisements, whereas some in the case of WordPress, can prevent you from using some plugins or applications.
Can my website be hosted on my computer?
In a nutshell, you can use your device as a server and run your own site.
Building a stable and fast server, on the other hand, necessitates a substantial investment
The higher the price, the better and more dependable your own hosting will be.
If you wouldn’t want to deal with all the inconveniences involved in hosting a website on your own, Bluehost, Siteground, and DreamHost are three of our recommended web hosts.
Final Thoughts
That’s what there is to it!
It is possible to host a website for a low price.
Irrespective of the nature of the website you would like to create, you now know how much it costs to build one.
Nevertheless, you should always review the condition of the contract of the web hosting company you wish to use before having to sign up.
Some would try to hold you in for as long as they can and charge you for as many extras as possible.
You can easily remain under budget if you understand the costs associated with hosting and know when to stop.
So, what do you have to lose? Create your blog and get started today with the most reputable WordPress web host.
And don’t forget, if you like this article, then please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.