Website hosting plans range from $10 a month to $1000 a month or more. We’ve been asked plenty of times how there can be such a vast range and what this range mean? To start, we’ll address the real issue. The issue is that the word “hosting” is used as a blanket term to cover any sort of web-related services.
Having a site “hosted” is technically only the most minimal thing that must be done. It’s like putting gas in your car.
If you don’t have the site hosted, then it will not show up on the web. This doesn’t mean the site will run properly or be secure or be fast or not break or anything else. However, the phrase “website hosting” is often used to cover the full gamut of website-related tasks. This is why there is such a HUGE price range. To use the car analogy again:
Let’s say that Andy only pays for gas for his car while John pays for gas + oil changes + a weekly car wash + part upgrades every 3 months. They each have a single, monthly expense, but John gets WAY more and, in turn, pays more. However, due to the very poor use of the phrase “put gas in my car,” John believes that Andy has a WAY better deal, but actually, John has the best value.
Andy: “I only pay $20 a month for my car to have gas. What a deal!”
John: “What the heck!? I pay $100 a month for gas!”
For some reason, the web hosting industry has done a poor job of using “Website Hosting” to mean just about any combination of services. Below is a list of a few services that are used in the hosting process. Some sites need all of these things, and some sites need only a small sub-set. The list below is by no means comprehensive. I just put down some of the most common items we use to help our clients keep their sites up-to-date, looking good, and secure.
So, in order to answer how much you should pay for hosting, we need to know what your website does. The answer to this question will determine what services you need.
These sites are like online business cards.
QuickFix charges $109/month for the services below.
These sites sell things online.
QuickFix charges $159/month for the services below.
Notice how both sites need almost the exact same services because they have virtually the same risk items. Of course, the e-commerce site has a much more considerable risk overall due to the credit card aspect. That one risk item is significant enough to require the government to create the whole PCI Compliance initiative. However, as far as the number of risk items, they are pretty close to the same.
Make sure you think about how your site breaking (or getting hacked) could hurt your business and talk to your MSP (Managed Service Provider) about your concerns. If you don’t have an MSP, that’s what we are! We would love to help you have an easy, safe website management experience.
As a managed services provider, our primary job is to be proactive. We monitor, backup, update, and protect.
We love taking care of our clients, and can help you take care of yours, too! QuickFix offers a robust reseller program!
76% of all malware attacks happen through Email. Not only is our email safe, but it’ll also be your work-horse.
We keep workstations running quickly and safely so that you and your team can focus on working instead of fixing.
Having a reliable, fast, secure network is like having a safe, fast, and secure ambulance. There should never be another way.
Our in-house web team provides white glove web maintenance, construction, and design.