How much does it cost to host a website?
How much does it cost to host a website?
$3 – $10 monthly cost for shared hosting
$10 – $70 monthly cost for VPS hosting
$80 – $300+ monthly cost for dedicated server hosting
Web hosting cost
Web hosting costs $3 to $10 per month for shared hosting and $10 to $70 per month on average for a virtual private server. Website hosting fees for a dedicated server range from $80 to $300+ per month.
| Hosting plan | Average cost per month |
|---|---|
| Shared hosting | $3 – $10 |
| Virtual private servers (VPS) | $10 – $70 |
| Dedicated server | $80 – $300+ |
| Cloud hosting | $10 – $500 |
| Managed hosting | $50 – $500+ |
| WordPress hosting CMS | $5 – $40 |
Shared hosting
Shared hosting plans typically start at around $3 to $10 per month. This type of hosting is the most affordable and beginner-friendly option, where your website shares server resources with other websites. Shared hosting suitable for small to medium-sized websites with moderate traffic and resource requirements.
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Virtual private server (VPS) hosting
Virtual private server (VPS) hosting costs $10 to $70 per month and provides a more dedicated and scalable solution, where your website is hosted on a virtual server with a guaranteed number of resources. VPS hosting offers more flexibility and control than shared hosting, making it a good choice for websites with growing traffic and resource needs.
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Dedicated hosting
Dedicated servers provide the highest level of resources and control, as your website is hosted on a physical server dedicated solely to your use. Dedicated server hosting plans can range from $80 to $300 per month or more, with lower costs for unmanaged and higher costs for managed dedicated servers.
Dedicated hosting is the best option for large, high-traffic websites, e-commerce stores, or applications that require extensive resources and customization.
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Cloud hosting
Cloud hosting plans can cost anywhere from $10 to $500 per month, depending on the resources used. This type of hosting is a flexible solution that distributes your website's resources across multiple servers in a cloud-based infrastructure.
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Pay-as-you-go is a common billing model for cloud hosting services, where customers only pay for the resources they use, typically on an hourly or per-minute basis.
This flexibility helps businesses with variable or unpredictable resource needs and avoids the need for long-term commitments or upfront payments.
Some cloud providers also offer discounted "committed use" rates for customers who agree to use a certain number of resources over a set period, which can lead to lower overall costs.
Managed hosting
Managed hosting plans range from $50 to $500 per month or more. With managed hosting service, the web hosting provider takes care of the technical aspects of managing your website, such as software updates, security, and server maintenance.
This option is often more expensive than unmanaged hosting, but it can be a good choice for businesses that don't have the in-house technical expertise to manage their own hosting.
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WordPress hosting
WordPress hosting costs $5 to $40 per month for basic business plans. This hosting service is designed specifically for websites built with WordPress, the most popular website creation platform.
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Though it is not mandatory to use WordPress hosting for a WordPress site, it offers advantages in terms of performance, security, and ease of use.
Website hosting fees by plan
Web hosting costs can range from as little as $3 per month for basic shared hosting plans to more than $300 per month for enterprise-level dedicated hosting solutions. There is a wide range of options and pricing models to consider, depending on the size and needs of your business.
| Host | Shared hosting cost per month |
VPS hosting cost per month |
Dedicated hosting cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoDaddy | From $5.99 | From $8.99 | From 159.99 |
| Bluehost | $2.45 – $12.95 | $31.99 – $71.99 | $91.98 – $141.99 |
| HostGator | $2.75 – $27.99 | $19.95 – $149.99 | $91.98 – $319.99 |
| A2 Hosting | $2.99 – $14.99 | $2.99 – $54.99 | $79.99 – $179.99 |
| IONOS | $4 – $10 | $5 – $30 | $70 – $405 |
Many website hosts offer a 50% to 60% discount on a 36-month plan versus a 12-month plan. Be sure to ask about long-term discounts.
Website hosting cost factors
The cost of website hosting varies significantly depending on your specific requirements. Several key factors contribute to the overall cost of web hosting:
Hosting type: Shared hosting is the most affordable but least powerful option, VPS hosting provides a balance of cost and resources, while dedicated hosting offers the highest performance and customization but at a premium price.
Contract length: The longer your contract length, the more money you will save on web hosting over time. Most providers offer very low introductory prices valid for the first year or two of service but increase rates significantly upon renewal.
Operating system: Linux-based hosting is generally more affordable than Windows-based, as Linux is open-source software.
Resources: More resources like bandwidth, storage, and RAM increase the hosting cost. Unlimited or unmetered plans are the most expensive.
Data center location: Hosting in major cities or central locations tends to cost more than in less populated areas.
Managed vs. unmanaged: Managed hosting, where the provider handles server maintenance, is more expensive than unmanaged self-service hosting.
Add-ons: These common add-ons increase the total hosting cost:
Domain name: A domain name costs $5 to $20 per year, depending on the registrar you purchase from and the name you choose.
SSL certificates: The average annual cost of a basic SSL certificate is $10 to $20, but many web hosting providers include a free basic SSL certificate with their hosting plans.
Business email addresses: Email hosting costs $0 to $15 per month, depending on the number of user accounts and the storage space needed.
How to save on web hosting costs
Web hosting is just one of many costs to build a website. Use these strategies to help reduce your ongoing web hosting costs:
Choose a shared hosting plan if your website has moderate traffic and limited requirements as shared hosting is generally the most cost-effective option, especially for new or small websites.
Opt for a longer contract term (2 to 3+ years) to lock in a lower introductory rate.
Carefully review the features and resources included in each plan to ensure you're not paying for unnecessary extras.
Consider a web hosting provider that offers free domain registration or SSL certificates.
Look for hosting providers that offer discounts or promotions, especially for new customers.
Evaluate the total cost of ownership, not just the base hosting price, by considering factors like reliability, support, and potential downtime costs.
Periodically review and optimize your website to avoid having to upgrade to a more expensive hosting plan as your needs grow.
Web hosting FAQs
What is website hosting?
Website hosting refers to the servers and infrastructure that store the files and content of a website and make them accessible to visitors on the internet. When someone visits a website, the hosting provider delivers the website's files to the user's device, allowing them to view and interact with the site.
Can you get free web hosting?
Yes, several providers offer free web hosting options, including Hostinger, GoogieHost, and InfinityFree. However, paid plans typically offer more resources, better reliability, security, and support, making them a worthwhile investment.
What is the cheapest web hosting option?
The cheapest web hosting option is typically shared hosting, with plans starting as low as $3 per month. However, it's important to consider the long-term value and features of the hosting plan, not just the initial cost.
How do you know who hosts a website?
The best way to see who hosts a website is to use a website lookup tool that allows you to enter a website’s domain name to see information about the hosting provider. Alternatively, you can right-click on the page and select “View Page Source” to look for references to the hosting provider in the code.
If all else fails, you can contact the website owner.
Does GoDaddy host websites?
Yes, GoDaddy offers a wide range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers.
Tips for choosing a website host
Consider these factors to make an informed decision and choose a website hosting provider that best meets the needs of your business or personal website:
Define your hosting requirements: Start by assessing your website's needs in terms of storage, bandwidth, number of sites, technical requirements, and expected traffic. This will help you identify the right hosting plan.
Look for reliable hosting with high uptime: Choose a hosting provider that offers excellent uptime and server performance to ensure your website is consistently accessible to visitors.
Evaluate server speed and performance: Consider the hosting provider's server locations, hardware specifications, and customer reviews to ensure fast page load times for your website.
Prioritize scalability and flexibility: Pick a host that can accommodate your website's future growth and resource needs, with options to easily upgrade your plan as required.
Ensure security and data protection: Look for a host that implements strong security measures to protect your website and user data from threats like hacking, malware, and data breaches.
Verify customer support: Opt for a hosting provider that offers reliable and responsive technical support through multiple channels, such as live chat, email, and phone.
Consider domain registration and email services: Check if the hosting provider offers domain registration and custom email hosting to simplify the website setup process.
Read customer reviews and ratings: Research reviews from existing customers to gauge the hosting provider's reliability, performance, and quality of customer service.
Confirm pricing and billing structures: Review the hosting plans, pricing, and any hidden fees or long-term commitments to ensure you get the best value for your money.
Prioritize backup and recovery options: Ensure the hosting provider offers regular website backups and reliable data recovery mechanisms to protect your website's content and prevent potential data loss.
Questions to ask a web host provider
Ask these important questions to evaluate the hosting provider's capabilities, support, security, and overall fit for your website's needs:
What support services do you offer? Do you offer 24/7 phone, chat, and email support?
Can I do e-commerce on this plan?
Do you help with website migration?
What versions of WordPress are you running?
Do you use Linux or Windows-based hosting?
What security measures do you implement to protect my site?
How consistent is your uptime?
What technology and web creation tools do you offer?
Can I scale up or down as my needs change?
Are there any hidden fees?
What is your backup policy? What is the process for restoring my data in case of an issue?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.