The Introductory Price Trap
Almost every major web host advertises a low introductory rate that requires a 1 to 3 year upfront commitment. The real cost is the renewal rate, which is typically 3 to 5 times the introductory rate.
A plan advertised at $2.99/month may renew at $13.99/month. If you buy 36 months, you pay the low rate for 36 months but then face sticker shock at renewal.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Domain registration: Many hosts include a free domain for year one, then charge $15 to $20/year at renewal.
SSL certificates: SSL is now free (Let's Encrypt) but some hosts still charge $50 to $100/year for it. Avoid hosts that charge for SSL.
Automated backups: Often listed as an add-on at $2 to $5/month extra.
Email hosting: Some plans include email, others charge separately.
CDN and security: Cloudflare is free. Hosts that charge for CDN or basic DDoS protection are upselling you on something you can get free.
Migration fees: If you want to move a site to their host, expect $100 to $300 in migration fees.
Questions to Ask Before Buying
- What is the renewal price after the introductory period?
- Is there a money-back guarantee, and what are the conditions?
- What is the uptime SLA and what compensation exists for downtime?
- Is SSL included free, or is it an add-on?
- What backup options are included, and how do you restore?
- Is the server located in a region that serves your primary audience?
- What is the process and cost to migrate away if needed?