Your web host is the foundation your site runs on. Pick wrong and you'll deal with slow speeds, downtime, and frustration. Here's how to choose wisely.
Types of Hosting
Shared Hosting ($3-15/month): Your site shares server resources with hundreds of others. Fine for small sites with low traffic. Not great for anything business-critical.
VPS Hosting ($20-80/month): Virtual Private Server gives you dedicated resources on a shared physical server. Good balance of performance and cost.
Managed WordPress ($25-100/month): Optimized specifically for WordPress with automatic updates, caching, and security. Worth it if WordPress is your platform.
Dedicated Server ($100+/month): The whole server is yours. Only necessary for high-traffic sites or specific compliance requirements.
What Actually Matters
- Uptime: Look for 99.9%+ uptime guarantees with actual SLAs
- Support: 24/7 support that actually helps, not just reads scripts
- Backups: Daily automated backups with easy restoration
- Security: SSL, malware scanning, and DDoS protection included
- Speed: SSD storage, adequate RAM, and server locations near your audience
Red Flags
- "Unlimited" everything (nothing is unlimited)
- Prices that triple after the first year
- No phone support
- Complicated migration policies
Recommendations
For most small businesses: SiteGround, Cloudways, or WP Engine (for WordPress). Avoid the bottom-barrel budget hosts—the headaches aren't worth the $5/month savings.