How to choose web hosting

Choosing a web host is mostly about avoiding three mistakes: buying the wrong type of hosting, comparing teaser prices instead of real costs, and committing for years before you know whether you like the host. This checklist takes about ten minutes.

1. Pick the right type of hosting

• Shared hosting for blogs, portfolios and small-business sites.
• Managed WordPress for WordPress sites that earn money and need speed and support.
• Cloud or VPS for high traffic, custom apps or many sites.

Not sure? Read shared vs VPS vs managed WordPress, or let the Host Finder decide.

2. Compare 3-year costs, not monthly prices

The headline price usually needs a 3-4-year prepay and renews much higher. Compare the 3-year totals instead.

3. Check what's included

Look for free SSL (standard now), daily backups you can restore yourself, email on your domain if you need it, staging for WordPress, and free migration if you're moving an existing site. Several entry plans only back up weekly or charge for email after a trial.

4. Pick a data center near your visitors

Every 1,000 km between your server and your visitors adds latency. Hosts with data centers in Europe, Asia and Australia (SiteGround, ChemiCloud, Hostinger, the cloud providers) help if your audience isn't in the US. A CDN closes much of the gap either way.

5. Test support before you need it

Open a chat with a real question before buying. Is the answer quick, specific and correct?

6. Use the money-back window

Most hosts give 30 days; InMotion gives 90. Move a real site in week one, run our speed check, and cancel if you're not happy. Refunds usually exclude domain fees.

7. Keep the exit open

Register your domain somewhere separate if you can, keep your own backups, and note the renewal date. Hosting is easy to change if you plan for it: see how to switch web hosts.