Picking the right web hosting can be a bit tricky, but no worries, I’m here to help you out. I create websites for small businesses and when my clients and friends ask me about cheap web hosting services, these are what I recommend to them.
The reason why I recommend these is because they’re the ones I have found to still have great customer service and value while being at the lowest cost.
And it’s not always easy to find great options at affordable prices like these;
Here’s A Quick List of My Top Three Picks:
Best Overall For Businesses
- Free domain, SSL, and email
- Excellent customer support
- Free daily backups
- 100% Customer focused
- Plans starting at $2.99/month
Good Budget Friendly
- Free domain, SSL, and email
- Good customer support
- Free weekly backups
- Too many changes & upsells
- Plans starting at $2.99/month
Fair Third Option
- Free domain and SSL only
- Fair customer support
- No free backups available
- Chat support only at $2.95
- Plans starting at $2.95/month
SiteGround
Best For Small Businesses
Pros and Cons
- Excellent Support
- Free Domain
- Free Email
- Free SSL
- Daily Website Backups
- 30-Days Money-Back
- High Renewal Costs
- Database Size Limit
Why I Picked It
I chose SiteGround because they’re a very reliable web hosting company and their customer support is amazing. I use them to host this website. They’re a bit pricier than some other options, but totally worth it for the peace of mind!
Who It's For
SiteGround is great for small businesses or someone looking to create a website but do not have a lot of experience and need a dedicated customer support team ready to help them.
Features & Specs
- 10 GB SSD Storage
- Free Email Migrator
- Unlimited MySQL Databases
- Free CDN
- Enhanced Security
- Power & Hardware Redundancy
- Out-of-The-Box Caching
- Unlimited Subdomains
- Friendly Site Tools
- 100% Renewable Energy Match
- Transfer Websites to Clients
- The Ability To Add Collaborators To Help You
My SiteGround Experience
I think this should be the number one choice for any small business looking for a cheap web hosting service. It’s what I use on this website.
I’ve been using SiteGround for a couple of years, and honestly, they’ve been a game-changer for my website.
They’re very reliable and has the technology that helps my website loads quickly when you visit. Plus, they have really strong security measures in place, so you it’s much harder for your website to get hacked.
But the thing I love most about them is that their customer support is incredible. Seriously, it’s the best I’ve experienced.
Their team is knowledgeable and always goes above and beyond to help me out. It feels like they’re genuinely invested in my success, which is a really great feeling.
Another thing I appreciate is that SiteGround keeps things simple. Their website is easy to navigate, and they don’t try to constantly upsell you on things you don’t need. It’s refreshing to find a company that focuses on providing a great service without all the sales pressure.
Look, I’ve tried a bunch of different hosting companies over the years, and SiteGround is the only one I wholeheartedly recommend. They’re a great choice for small businesses, and I know you’ll be in good hands with them.
Hostinger
Best For Cheap Price
Pros and Cons
- Good Support
- Free Domain
- Free Email
- Free SSL
- Weekly Backups
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Higher Renewal Costs
- No Priority Support
- Too Many Website Changes
Why I Picked It
I like Hostinger because their prices are really hard to beat, especially if you’re just starting out. It’s a good way to get a website up without spending a fortune, even if it means you would have to deal with their frequent website changes.
Who It's For
Hostinger is a good option for beginners who want to create a website for themselves and if you’re on a tight budget, but keep in mind they change their website layout frequently, which can be frustrating.
If you value consistency, excellent customer support and a smooth user experience, you might want to consider spending a bit more for a different hosting provider. In my experience, I do not recommend Hostinger for small businesses.
Features & Specs
- 100 Websites
- 100 GB SSD Storage
- Free WHOIS Provacy
- Free CDN on More Expensive Plans
- Free DDOS Protection
- LiteSpeed Caching
My Hostinger Experience
Hostinger is definitely a name that pops up a lot when you’re talking about budget-friendly web hosting options.
Now, I’ve got to be upfront with you – Hostinger and I have a bit of a history. Their prices are very attractive, and like anyone, I appreciate a good deal.
But here’s the thing: I found their platform to be a bit like a moving target. They seemed to be constantly redesigning their website, which got frustrating because just when I’d get used to where things were, they’d move them around!
For a small business owner juggling a million things, that kind of inconsistency can be a real time-waster.
It felt like they weren’t putting the user experience first, you know? And honestly, the savings just didn’t make up for the hassle I was having.
Look, if you’re on a tight budget, Hostinger might be worth a look. But my advice? Proceed with caution.
Weigh the low cost against the potential for frustration. Sometimes, spending a little extra on a host that values your time and offers a consistent experience is a smarter investment in the long run.
Bluehost
Best For Your First Blog
Pros and Cons
- Free Domain
- Free SSL
- Cheap Renewal Costs
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Free Email - 1st Year ONLY
- Basic Customer Support
- No Free Website Backup
Why I Picked It
I like Bluehost because they’re beginner-friendly and easy on the wallet, which was perfect when I was just starting out. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of their customer service, so I eventually switched to a different host.
Who It's For
Bluehost is a good starting point for beginners creating their first blogs and looking for an affordable and easy way to do it.
However, they might not be the best option long-term because their customer support and billing practices aren’t the greatest.
Features & Specs
- 10 GB SSD Storage
- cPanel Access
- Free CDN
- DDos Security Protection
- Free WordPress Staging Site
- Free Malware Scanner
My Bluehost Experience
While looking for cheap web hosting Bluehost is a name you’ll hear a lot, and they’re definitely popular for a reason because they’re super easy to use and great for people just starting out.
But if I’m being completely honest, based on my own experience, I wouldn’t put them at the top of my list anymore.
Here’s the thing: while they’re great for getting started, their customer support and account management could be way better. You know how important it is to feel valued as a customer, and I didn’t always get that vibe from them.
For example, I remember having headaches trying to get help from their customer service, and switching providers felt like pulling teeth! It shouldn’t be that complicated.
Plus, I’ve heard from others about surprise charges and billing issues. That’s a big no-no in my book. Transparency is key, and I think Bluehost could definitely step it up in that area. I like SiteGround much better.
Namecheap
Best For Low-Cost Shared Hosting
Pros and Cons
- Free Domain
- Free Email
- Free SSL
- Cheap Renewal Costs
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Free Domain is Not a.com Domain
- Good Customer Support
Why I Picked It
I like Namecheap website hosting because they’re affordable and I already buy my domain names from them. Their cPanel is a little tricky to figure out at first, but overall they’re a good host to create a website with, if you’re on a really tight budget.
Who It's For
Namecheap is a great option for people who are new to creating websites and are looking for affordable web hosting, especially to keep costs down.
Just a heads up, they use cPanel, which can be a bit tricky to navigate at first, but if you don’t mind that you’re all good. If you’re looking for web hosting for small businesses I recommend SiteGround instead of Namecheap.
Features & Specs
- 20 GB SSD Storage
- cPanel Access
- Free CDN
- Apache/Litespeed Server
- MySQL Databases
- PHP MyAdmin
- Free WHOIS Domain Privacy
My Namecheap Experience
Most people know Namecheap as the place to go to buy domain names but they also offer web hosting.
I’ve actually tried them out myself, and I was pretty impressed. My website ran smoothly, and I never had any major issues.
Now, they use something called cPanel, which is a pretty standard tool in the web hosting world. But if you’re new to all this, it might seem a bit complicated at first. Think of it like learning to use a new phone – it takes a little time to get the hang of it.
Honestly, if you’re willing to spend a little time learning the ropes or maybe you’re already familiar with cPanel, Namecheap is worth a try.
They give you a lot of bang for your buck, which is important when you’re a small business owner. The only downside is the time it takes to use their web hosting user interface.
HostGator
Best For Beginners and Bloggers
Pros and Cons
- Free Domain
- Free SSL
- Cheap Renewal Costs
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Free Email Trial - 1 Month ONLY
- Basic Customer Support
- No Free Website Backup
- No Free CDN
- No Free Website Transfer
Why I Picked It
I like HostGator because their plans are pretty straightforward, even though they’re not the absolute best and definitely not my first choice (SiteGround). I figured it’s a good starting point for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on web hosting.
Who It's For
HostGator is a good option for someone who is just starting out and need a simple website up and running. They’re owned by the same company as Bluehost, so their pricing and plans are pretty similar.
Features & Specs
- 10 GB SSD Storage
- cPanel Access
- MySQL databases
- phpMyAdmin access
- Free Malware Scanner
My HostGator Experience
Here’s the thing about HostGator. They’ll get the job done, host your website, and keep things running smoothly, especially if you’re just starting out with a simple site.
But, and this is important for a savvy business owner like you, there are a couple of things to consider.
First off, their customer support is decent, but not amazing. Sometimes you need that extra bit of hand-holding, especially when you’re dealing with tech stuff, and they might not always go the extra mile.
Secondly, HostGator can be a bit vague about how much traffic their plans can handle.
As your business grows and you start getting more visitors, you don’t want your website to slow down or crash, right? So that’s something to keep in mind.
Which Cheap Web Hosting Would I Use as a Small Business?
As a small business owner myself, I understand the importance of finding a reliable and affordable web hosting solution. While there are many options available, the one I consistently recommend to small businesses is SiteGround.
My experience with SiteGround has been overwhelmingly positive. Their customer service is truly exceptional – they go above and beyond to help their customers succeed. They’re always available to answer questions, troubleshoot issues, and offer guidance.
Beyond that, SiteGround’s hosting plans are packed with features that are important for small business websites.
