Hosting is like your website’s home; without it, your site has no address.
In more technical terms, web hosting allows us to store our website files on a server, making them accessible from anywhere.
Without hosting, our website essentially doesn’t exist on the internet.
But how should you choose a web hosting service?
There are four main factors you should consider:
- Secure server and fast loading times
- Size of the website you want to host
- Reliable customer service
- Price
Secure server and fast loading times
To ensure your chosen hosting meets these criteria, focus on these key terms:
TTFB (Time to First Byte) measures server response time. A TTFB under 800 milliseconds is excellent, while over 1800 milliseconds is poor. You can easily check this using free tools like speedvitals or bytecheck with the URL of a site hosted by your potential provider.
Note that external factors may affect results, so check multiple sites for accuracy.
Note for those of you located outside of the US
While server location used to significantly impact loading times, today’s improved global internet speeds have made this less crucial.
However, hosting costs can vary by country due to server locations.
For standard websites, it’s generally unnecessary to prioritize a hosting service with servers in your specific country. The potential cost increase often outweighs the minimal performance gains.
However, if you have a large website with numerous files, investing in local hosting might be worth considering for optimal performance.
To verify security, check if the hosting includes:
- SSL certificate
- Backups
- WAF (Web Application Firewall)
- Regular security audits
Reliable customer service
You’ll likely stay with the same hosting service for years, as transferring websites can be complicated. When issues arise, you need responsive support. Read reviews and talk to current customers to ensure good service.
The price of web hosting
In the United States, web hosting costs typically range from $2 to $50 per month, depending on your website’s needs.
For most small to medium-sized websites, you can expect to pay between $5 and $20 monthly for shared hosting. If you’re running a more complex site, prices can go up to $50-$100 for more advanced hosting options like VPS or managed WordPress hosting.
For budget-conscious website owners, many providers offer initial promotional rates as low as $2-$3 per month, with renewal prices usually increasing to around $10-$30 per month.
Dedicated hosting for larger businesses can cost anywhere from $80 to $500 monthly, but most individual users and small businesses won’t need this level of service.
Our recommendation: Hostinger
They meet all the criteria mentioned and more:
✅ Excellent 24/7 customer service included
✅ Fast loading times and professional security
✅ Free domain for the first year
✅ Starting price under 10 NIS per month, even cheaper with our link!
I hope this blog answered all your relevant questions. If you want to dive deeper into the topic, don’t hesitate to contact us 🙂
