How much does web hosting cost?
Plans run from $50 a year for a one-page HTML site to $350 a year for high-traffic sites. Most WordPress sites use the $150 plan (Standard) or the $250 plan (Advanced), depending on how many email accounts they need. Standard includes 10, Advanced has no limit. Paying yearly gives you two months free, and the price stays the same every year.
Which hosting plan do I need?
It comes down to the kind of site, how many email addresses you need and how busy the site is. One-page HTML sites fit Economy, small HTML sites fit Starter, and WordPress sites need Standard or above. Use the plan picker on this page, or ask me and I’ll tell you.
Can I talk to a real person?
Yes. You call, text or email me, and I answer as fast as I can. You talk to the person who knows your site, not a ticket queue or a chatbot.
Should my web designer host my website?
It works well when three things are true: the domain is in your name, you have your own logins, and you can leave any time. That’s how hosting works here. The benefit is that the person who knows your site is the one who answers when something goes wrong.
Is moving my website free?
For most sites, yes. I need access to your current hosting and site to look it over, and a complex site gets a look before we agree on the move.
Will my website go down while you move it?
The move is planned so your visitors keep reaching your site. Your site is copied and tested on the new account first, your domain is switched at a planned time, and your old host stays on until everything works.
Will I lose my email when I switch?
Your email addresses are set up on the new account before the switch. Moving your old messages is often possible too, but it can take more work, so I look at it first.
Who owns my domain?
You do. Your domain stays in your name, on your own account. If you need one, I can help you set up an account and buy it with your card as part of your project, then hand you the login.
Can I use Google Workspace with my hosting?
Yes. If your business uses Google Workspace, or would like to, your email, Google Drive, Calendar and Meet stay with Google and your website stays on your hosting. I connect your domain to both so everything works together. Google bills Workspace separately.
Is SSL included?
Yes. Every account gets a free SSL certificate, so your site loads securely with https.
Can I back up my own website?
Yes. In cPanel you can back up your own files and databases any time, and I recommend it. I can show you how. With full-service care, I make a backup before any work and a fresh one after.
What’s the difference between self-service and full-service hosting?
With self-service, you keep your site updated and handle your own uploads, upkeep and email addresses in cPanel, and I’m there when you have a question. You can add a Website Tune-Up any time for $150, recommended at least once every 3 months. With full-service care, from $35 a month on top of any plan, I keep the site updated and backed up for you, and if malware or a hack damages it, I fix it free.
Why does my website need updates?
WordPress runs more websites than any other system, so people are always looking for ways to break into it. WordPress, themes and plugins release updates all the time, and many of them close security holes; others fix bugs and keep your site working with newer browsers and server software. A site that falls behind is one of the easiest targets for malware and hacking. HTML sites have far less to update; on sites I built, I update the code when something needs it.
What happens if my website gets hacked?
With self-service, cleanup is your responsibility, and I can help at my hourly rate. If you book a Website Tune-Up ($150) at least once every 3 months, or have full-service care, I fix malware or hack damage free.
How do I pay, and can I get a refund?
Most clients pay yearly, which gives you two months free. Monthly plans are paid automatically through PayPal. Both come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Can you host a site someone else built?
Yes, HTML sites and WordPress sites alike. WordPress needs the Standard plan or above. On WordPress sites I build, the Elementor Pro license is $50 a year.
What if I run out of space?
Add storage at $4 a month or $40 a year per GB, or move up to a bigger plan. Either way, your site stays where it is.