Most hosting decisions come down to five things: the type of hosting, the renewal price, what is included, how you can get help, and how easy it is to leave. The renewal price is the one most people miss. An intro price of a few dollars a month can roughly double or triple at renewal.
1. Pick the right type of hosting
Shared hosting suits small brochure sites and blogs. A VPS suits sites that need reserved resources. Managed WordPress suits sites that need updates, backups and performance handled for you. See the current rankings for providers grouped by category.
2. Read the renewal price first
Look up the plan price after the first term. Compare that number, not the headline price. If a provider does not show a renewal price on its pricing page, treat that as a reason to ask before you buy.
3. Check what is included
- SSL certificate (needed for HTTPS)
- Backups, and whether they are included or extra
- Free domain, and for how long
- Migration help if you are moving an existing site
4. Check the money-back guarantee
A 30-day guarantee is common. Check whether domain registration is excluded, since many hosts keep that fee.
5. Check support and exit options
Test support before you buy by asking a question on the live chat. Check how you export your files and database if you leave.