Web hosting, WordPress hosting, reseller hosting, VPS or a dedicated server? A plain-English guide to choosing, and to not paying for more than you need.
Hosting companies love jargon, and it is easy to end up on a plan that is too small, too big or simply the wrong kind. Here is how we would choose if we were in your position.
Start with what you are building
| If you are building… | Start with |
|---|---|
| A business website, portfolio or blog | Web Hosting |
| A website on WordPress, including WooCommerce shops | WordPress Hosting |
| A website, but you would rather not touch code or a control panel | Website Builder |
| Websites for your own clients | Reseller Hosting |
| An application, a busy shop, or software that needs root access | Cloud VPS |
| Heavy workloads that need a whole machine to themselves | Dedicated Server |
Then check the numbers that matter
Number of websites
Count the websites you have now and the ones you are planning this year. A separate domain usually means a separate website.
Storage
Most small business websites use far less disk space than people expect. Email is often the bigger user: if your team keeps years of email with attachments, allow for it.
Email accounts and databases
Every person who needs their own address needs a mailbox. Most WordPress websites use one database; a few tools and shops use more.
CPU and memory
These decide how many visitors your website can serve at the same moment. A brochure website rarely needs much. An online shop running promotions, or a busy membership website, needs more.
Do not overbuy
It is tempting to buy the biggest plan “just in case”. You do not need to. With Twerple you can upgrade at any time, your website stays exactly as it is, and you only pay the difference for the rest of your billing period. Start with the plan that fits today, and move up when your traffic tells you to.
Things to compare between hosts
- Renewal prices. Many hosts advertise a low first-year price and double it at renewal. Our renewal prices are shown before you buy.
- Backups. How often are they made, how long are they kept, and can you restore them yourself?
- SSL. A free certificate should be included as standard.
- Support. Can you reach a real person when it matters?
- Refunds. Is there a trial period if it turns out not to fit?
Still not sure? Ask Milo in the chat, or tell us about your project and we will recommend a plan honestly, even if it is a smaller one.