You’ve probably heard of website hosting, where you rent a server (i.e., computer) that’s connected to the internet so that you can put your website online for people to read and/or interact with. The term “hostgator” usually refers to a website hosting company, but in fact, it is a registrar (i.e., a company that sets up websites for people) that also provides web hosting services. Basically, hostgator is a web host and registrar rolled into one, which is why you’ll often see them listed under one roof. The following is a comparison of the prices of some of the most popular website hosting companies, ordered from cheapest to most expensive.
1)Web Hosting
As the name would suggest, web hosting involves providing space on a server for people to put their websites online. In some cases, this space is additionally provided along with domain registration, so that people don’t have to worry about contacting a web host to set up their domain. With the rise of platforms like WordPress and Google Sites, which provide free blogging tools, it is easy for anyone to set up a blog and begin publishing their thoughts and opinions online without having to worry about the technical aspect of getting online and maintaining a website.
Now, not all web hosts are created equal, and while they all provide the same basic service, the prices vary widely, with some offering very affordable rates and others being a bit more expensive. Still, it is generally accepted that shared hosting is the most affordable option, followed by VPS hosting, and then finally, dedicated hosting.
2)Domain Registration
Just as with the website hosting, the cost of registering a domain varies widely, depending on what type of domain you want to register and for how long. For example,.com domains are the most popular and are relatively affordable, while the prices for some of the more obscure domain extensions (i.e., second-level domains) can be quite high. In some cases, you’ll have to pay a flat fee for the entire domain, while in others, you’ll have to pay by the year. In addition to the domain registration, you’ll have to pay a setup fee for the domain name server (DNS) as well as monthly fees to maintain the DNS.
As with the site hosting, the prices for domain registration vary widely and can be sorted according to how much you’re willing to spend. You’ll have to decide if you’re willing to spend hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars a year on domains and hosting, or if you want to go the extra mile and pay less for a.com domain. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to compare domain registration prices before making a purchase.
3)Email Services
Spam has become such a significant issue that the cost of email services has risen significantly. That’s because web hosts have to provide tools for customers to prevent spam, as well as give them a way to unsubscribe from suspicious emails. In some cases, you’ll have to pay for each individual email account you create, while others may offer free email accounts with limited features. It’s always good to compare email service providers before making a purchase decision, as you don’t want to get locked into paying for a service you don’t need.
4)Bandwidth
If you have a lot of traffic (i.e., people visiting your site frequently), you’ll need to purchase a lot of bandwidth. In most cases, the cost per month is quite high, and you’ll need to make a significant purchase upfront. In other cases, you may need to consider paying by the gigabyte, so make sure you order enough to cover your anticipated traffic.
5)Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
“Secure socket layer” is a security technology that’s often used in conjunction with website hosting. What this means is that the owner of the website you visit will have a digital certificate installed on their server, which will cause the website’s security icon (i.e., the green lock) to lock in the location’s identity. In most cases, the cost of securing your site with SSL is covered by the service you’re purchasing, but it’s always a good idea to look into the cost of having this extra security layer before making a decision.
6)Dedicated IP Address
Dedicated IP addresses are very valuable, as they allow you to have a single IP address that is permanently associated with your website. In some cases, customers will have to pay extra for a dedicated IP address, while in others, it will be included in the cost of the hosting package. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to purchase a dedicated IP address, whether you need it or not, as you never know when you might need a free IP to prevent downtime or freeze your site due to a hiccough.
The price for a dedicated IP address will depend on several factors, including how long you need it for and whether you need a static or dynamic IP address. A static IP address will not change, while a dynamic IP address can be assigned to you whenever you want it to be (i.e., it will automatically update whenever your router is assigned a new IP address).
Hostgator Vs GoDaddy Vs Bluehost Vs WordPress)
As mentioned earlier, web hosting and domain registration aren’t one-stop-shops, and in many cases, you’ll need to look for additional services that the provider offers, like email marketing, web design, or content writing. In order to save you time and money, we’ve compiled a list of the services that hostgator provides along with the prices associated with each one. This will help you decide if hostgator is the right fit for your needs.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is the largest web host and domain registrar in the world, and it definitely shows. What this means is that they’ll be able to offer you a wide variety of services, along with a ton of useful tools and resources, to make setting up and maintaining your site as easy and seamless as possible. In addition to providing domain registration and web hosting, GoDaddy also offers email marketing, marketing automation, and a whole lot more.
GoDaddy offers a free domain with each new account, as well as a free SSL certificate, which is great if you’re just starting out and don’t have a lot of money to spend on extra security measures. That said, you’ll need to pay for each individual service that you use, and the prices are pretty high, with the largest plan, Godaddy Platinum, costing $2,000 a year. The good news is that they have a generous refund policy, so you might just find that their prices are actually quite good if you view them as an investment in your business.
Bluehost
Bluehost is another web host that provides a comprehensive set of features along with a reliable service at a good price. What this means is that you can get a domain name for free, along with a free installation of WordPress, and you won’t have to worry about spending a fortune on software, design templates, or other required items. In addition to the basic web hosting service, Bluehost offers several plugins and tools that can enhance your site’s functionality and attract more visitors.
To keep costs in check, Bluehost offers several plans, starting at just $2.95 a month, with several pricing options available, including the popular $5.45 plan that offers unlimited traffic and features. In terms of security, Bluehost encourages visitors to use their one-click installer to install WordPress, along with a SSL certificate (which is already included in the price of the plan), so you don’t have to purchase and install this yourself.
Hostgator Vs Bluehost Vs WordPress)
As mentioned earlier, GoDaddy, Bluehost, and WordPress are all popular choices when it comes to web hosts and blogging platforms. In many cases, people will opt for GoDaddy’s $2,000-a-year plus plan or Bluehost’s $5.45 plan to get started, as they’re both very affordable. If you’re just getting started and don’t have a lot of money to spend, GoDaddy is the way to go, especially if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for domain registration and hosting.
As with most things in life, there is more than one option when it comes to setting up a website. For example, if you’re looking for a free blogging platform or prefer to use a different platform, like Shopify, you’ll need to look into what those options cost. In some cases, you might find getting a website up and running can cost you less than $100, while in others, it could be thousands of dollars, depending on what features you need and how much you’re willing to spend.