Does cheap web hosting really exist? The answer is YES. There are numerous low-cost hosting services for 10 DH per month, or for about 100 DH per year.
However, the question to ask would be: is it relevant to buy cheap web hosting?
To answer this question, we first want to make sure that you, dear readers of our blog, know what we're talking about? What exactly is web hosting?
To do this, and because we don't have time here and now, we invite you to consult the following entry on Wikipedia.
Now that you know what web hosting is, we can continue our article and explain the various reasons not to consider cheap web hosting.
Cheap web hosting as a starter option
We all know that, for budget reasons, many web entrepreneurs feel the need to go for cheap hosting packages.
On the surface, this practice seems logical. But, let us tell you, this semblance of a solution is likely to have the opposite effect, and therefore be detrimental to your business.
There are times when it's reasonable to save money.
- For example, it could be a cheap last-minute flight ticket for a quick weekend getaway.
- It could also be an inexpensive Chinese smartphone with performance comparable to an overly expensive flagship.
- Or a well-functioning watch that isn't a name brand!
But when it comes to web hosting, this principle simply doesn't work.
In clearer terms: if you want slow and unreliable performance, consider cheap web hosting. You'll pay less than 10 DH per month, indeed. But all you'll get in return is a website struggling to grow!
If you aspire to have a successful website that will elevate your business, it's essential not to skimp on expenses: invest in better hosting.
Why avoid opting for cheap hosting?
Below are seven (07) top reasons why you should avoid cheap web hosting (at all costs!).
You'll also learn why we think it's worth investing a little more in a quality solution, including wordpress hosting:
Uptime
This is practically the biggest challenge a web hosting provider can face. All cheap web hosting is subject to periods of downtime, and this is technically normal.
That's why no web host will dare to display an Uptime of 100%!
However, the standard guaranteed by good web hosts, supported by statistical evidence from technical tests, is 99.99%. We are pleased to announce that NindoHost proudly displays this number.
It's clear that the average user of your website may not notice these little moments of unavailability, because they don't spend all their time on the pages of your website.
But what if this latency occurs just as a given search engine is visiting your website?
Speed
Today, web experts agree that the ideal loading speed for a website's HTML pages should be between 1.5 and 3 seconds.
If your website is hosted on a fast server, it will certainly not face this issue. However, if it's on cheap hosting, it will likely load slowly.
Let's put it more graphically: buying cheap web hosting (which inevitably means shared hosting) is like renting the same space with more than one roommate. As you can imagine, you won't have unlimited access to the shared premises!
Fancy a quick shower? You'll have to be patient, as the premises have already been taken over by someone else!
Also, check out our article: Improve the loading speed of a website in 7 tips
Bandwidth
Have you ever encountered a blank webpage with the message: bandwidth limit reached?
We're sure you wouldn't want visitors to your website to see the same message on their screens! Goodbye user experience and SEO... Google will notice and undoubtedly penalize your content.
Cheap web hosting providers are forced to limit bandwidth for each user of their servers. This is understandable, and justifies the low price.
At NindoHost, we offer unlimited bandwidth on all our shared hosting plans.
This allows us to guarantee that your visitors won't see the message above, but let us remind you that you'll still be part of a shared offer to several other websites.
Bad neighbors
Speaking of other websites hosted on the same servers as yours, you might be in for some unpleasant surprises if the chosen web service provider is not vigilant.
Long story short, you should know that several sites on the same shared hosting plan share the same IP address.
It only takes one of these sites to demonstrate dubious activity (illegal content, spamming, etc.) for your own website to fall into the blacklist trap!
That's why at NindoHost we're very vigilant in this respect, and we don't accept customers who intend to use our accommodations for similar purposes.
As soon as we detect abnormal activity on a given website, we deal with the problem with due diligence.
Limited or no support
Remember: You get what you pay for!
Being you're on a cheap web hosting plan means that many of you are using the same infrastructure.
Technical problems can happen quickly, and you're probably not the only one on the waiting list for an online chat or switchboard.
This goes without saying, by the way, and is understandable when you think in terms of quality (of service and price). It's general practice among web hosts to give priority to requests from premium customers.
At NindoHost, we consider all customer support requests to be of equal value, which is why we've decided to leave no one behind.
To achieve this, we have established multiple ways to reach us:
- Submit a ticket from your client area;
- Send a personalized email;
- By phone;
- Via Live Chat.
- You can even consult our online knowledge base, where most customer queries have been addressed and detailed explanations are provided.
However, we still ask for a minimum level of patience from our clients, as they will ultimately receive a response as quickly as possible.
Security
One thing is certain: no one is immune to cyberattacks on the web!
Want tangible proof? If you have a WordPress site, install the WordFence plugin and take a look at its activity log after a few days. You will be amazed at the number of attacks complete strangers attempt on your website.
One of the most common attacks is the DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack.
The goal of a denial-of-service attack is to flood one or more servers to make them unavailable. Fortunately, most hosting providers include DDoS protection on their servers.
But remember the case of bad neighbors mentioned earlier. If the IP address of one of your neighbors (even innocent ones!) is targeted by such an attack, you're sure to fall into the trap!
No one is entirely safe, but having more personalized security within less expensive offers guarantees fewer worries.
Hidden or unexpected fees
This is where we'll discuss the marketing promise of your future (or current) cheap web hosting.
Often, we are enticed and almost blinded by the very low price displayed for cheap web hosting. We even forget to read between the lines and consult the microscopic text (if the provider respects itself, it eventually displays such hard-to-decipher clauses!).
Often, too, it's only when you finalize your purchase that you realize that certain services are not included in the advertised offer.
Take data backup, for example, which is often not included in the promised plan.
Backups
Let's talk about backups. Backing up your website is crucial, because you never know when the servers will crash or when your website will go offline.
However, cheap web hosting almost never includes backups.
And if ever there was a backup operation, your host might only do it once a month, although website backups need to be carried out either every day, or at least every time an update is made.
This will protect and secure your content even when the site is offline.
And if there is a backup operation, your host might only do it once a month, although website backups should be done either daily or at least with each update. This will protect and secure your content even when the site is offline.
Conclusion
We can't say it enough: You get what you pay for!
Web hosting is not a physical commodity on which you can compromise and find a workaround. Web hosting is a vital service for your online business.
As a self-respecting manager or entrepreneur who wants to do things the right way, you'll need to think carefully before considering cheap web hosting.
It's not really a sign of intelligence when you condemn your brand image and visibility to suffer the fallout of a "cheap" decision!
