Website Hosting Cost

• It's possible to get basic web hosting for as little as $4/month. This plans may limit you to 50mb of disk space and less than 3GB of traffic each month. Two popular low-end web hosts are Verve Hosting^[1] , which offers plans as low as $5/a month, and Pair Networks^[2] , which offers plans as low as $6 a month. Both companies focus on relatively low-traffic, low-complexity sites. Domain registrar Go Daddy^[3] offers a $4/month economy plan with a high data transfer limit, popular with users with major file-sharing needs.
• Some Internet companies, notably Google and Yahoo, offer free websites for small businesses. Examples include Google Sites^[4] , and Microsoft Office 365^[5] .
• Basic merchant plans usually cost around $25-$40 a month. These plans offer the functionality needed to set up a relatively basic and low-traffic retail site. More details are available under the Website - E-Commerce topic.
• The pricier options (closer to $20) include a reseller account, which enables you to conveniently host multiple sites with separate login information and control panels. You can also use it to provide web space to others. Verve Hosting^[6] offers a reseller plan.
• Basic dedicated services start at $125-$300 a month, and can run well over $1,000 a month. In these cases, the web host would manage a low-end server dedicated to your use. High-end web hosts include Level3 Communications^[7] , Layer 42 and Verio^[8] .

• Each of the plans listed above should let you host your own domain name (i.e., mycompany.com), receive e-mail, forward e-mails, and, if needed, add cgi programs to add functionality to your website. Many web hosts also enable you to easily set up a blogging site.
• Most plans include basic e-mail based support and web-based faq support.
• Many plans waive setup fees.
• Be wary of web hosting firms that permit unlimited traffic, as that mean the resources are over-taxed and your website may become slow or unresponsive.

• Additional traffic allowances and additional disk space usually cost more or require an upgrade to a higher level plan.
• e-Commerce integration, including SSL support, shopping cart functionality, and payment gateways can require you to upgrade to a higher plan.
• Most companies charge extra if your site receives more traffic than is allowed by your basic plan.

• Compare different hosting plans' features based on your individual needs. Some plans offer more diskspace or bandwidth than others, and some are set up to allow scripting and databases that others do not.
• Keep in mind the type of server offered and the software the various plans run (Linux and Windows are the most common options), as some software will only run on one type of system of another.
• If you have little technical ability and want a simple Internet presence, consider using Google Sites^[9] , and Microsoft Office 365^[10] .
• If you have little technical ability and want more flexibility, consider a service that will create your website for you. Examples include Yahoo Small Business and Homestead^[11] .
• If you have the technical skill to design your own website, low-cost web hosting firms include Verve Hosting^[12] , Pair Networks^[13] , and Go Daddy^[14] .
• Examples of collocated or dedicated server, high-bandwidth, high realiability web hosts include Level3 Communications^[15] , Layer 42 and Verio^[16] .

1.  /vervehosting.com/
2.  www.pair.com/services/web_hosting/
3.  www.godaddy.com/hosting/web-hosting.aspx?se=%2b&ci=260
4.  sites.google.com/?
5.  office.microsoft.com/en-us/business/
6.  vervehosting.com/reseller.htm
7.  www.level3.com/en/products-and-services/cloud-and-it/data-center-services/managed-it-ho...
8.  www.verio.com/web-hosting/plans/plans/
9.  sites.google.com
10.  office.microsoft.com/
11.  www.homestead.com/
12.  /vervehosting.com/
13.  www.pair.com/services/web_hosting/
14.  www.godaddy.com/hosting/web-hosting.aspx?se=%2b&ci=260
15.  www.level3.com/en/products-and-services/cloud-and-it/data-center-services/managed-it-ho...
16.  www.verio.com/web-hosting/plans/

Today's Featured Cost Articles

It's October already. Do you know where your snow tires are? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. When was your last mammogram? It's a Sunday afternoon in the fall. Ready to tailgate? Pruning trees before the storm season can help ensure dead branches won't imperil your home. Rain and winter are coming. Make sure your roadside assistance plan is up to date

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Locksmith Paid: 95.00 I left my keys inside... [more] -Pepi44 Locksmith Cost Commercial and residential power washing and window cleaning Paid: 350.00 This company is truly amazing, I've never felt so satisfied after seeing the transformation of my home. I had green grime and algae growing rampid in the front my home. Within a few hours my home along with my deck was spotless... [more] -Emanuel 1 Window Cleaning Cost ER visit. Paid: 9040.00 Thought I was having a heart attack, went to ER... [more] -Omie EKG Cost Tune up Paid: 384.00 Feel ripped off.Nearly $400 for a tune up. All that was done was a spark plug replacement and fuel induction service... [more] -Sam Wise Tune-up Cost dented our friendhip Paid: 300.00 I was asked to be MOH and other bridesmaid was out of town. She agreed to be financial co-host. Offered bride shower for 12-15 people. She said she would invite 40. My small house could barely accommodate... [more] -70s gal Bridal Shower Cost Pet sat 2 dogs small poodle and medium Maltese Paid: 140.00 Friday night to Monday AM, fed both dogs a total of 6 times, administered allergy eye drops to 1 of dogs, total of 6 times and spent the night with them 2 nights... [more] -Pet Content While You're Away Pet Sitting Cost