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Web hosting for beginners: what you actually need

Hosting is where your website lives. Most beginners overpay for features they won't use for years, or underpay and end up with a slow site. Here's how to match the type of hosting to the site you're actually building.

The three common options

• Static hosting works for simple sites that don't need logins or a database. Some providers offer it free.
• Shared WordPress hosting is cheap and beginner-friendly. Introductory prices often require a multi-year prepay and renew higher, so read the renewal price. Plans and promotions change often, so check current pricing on the provider's own site before you sign up.
• Managed WordPress hosting, such as WP Engine or Kinsta, costs more but handles speed, security and backups for you. It's a good fit once your site makes money or traffic grows. Plans and promotions change often, so check current pricing on the provider's own site before you sign up.

Questions to ask before you buy

• What's the renewal price, not just the first-term price?
• Are backups and SSL included?
• Can you migrate later without downtime?
• Is support available when you need it?

Our take

Start with the simplest hosting that runs your site well, and move to managed hosting when the time it saves you is worth more than the price difference.