Several hosting companies, both local and global, offer a wide range of hosting plans that make it challenging to select the most suitable one.
To help you keep your website running efficiently and smoothly, logohub has prepared a comprehensive list of the best website hosting providers. Read on to know what will work for you.
Best Hosting Providers
- Hostinger: Best Web Hosting Overall
- Bluehost: Best Web Hosting For WordPress
- Turnkey Hosting: Best Web Hosting for Budget-friendly Dedicated Hosting
- N6 Cloud: Best Web Hosting for Cloud-based Solutions
- HostGator: Best Web Hosting Plans With Added-value
- GreenGeeks: Best Eco-friendly Web Hosting
- DreamHost: Best Web Hosting With Affordable Plans
- GoDaddy: Best Web Hosting for VPS
- Scala Hosting: Best for Managed VPS Cloud Hosting Solutions
- BigRock: Best Web Hosting With Cheap Plans
Types of Web Hosting
There are several different types of web hosting available. While there may be a tendency to favor the cheapest option, depending on your needs, this can lead to problems. For this reason, it’s essential to look not just at cost but also at customer service, security, speed, and customization options.
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is most popular with small businesses and websites that don’t need much customization or expect a lot of traffic. It provides space for several websites—dozens, hundreds, or thousands—on one server.
Because the costs are relatively low, it is an economical option. Still, service disruptions or slower connection speeds could occur because several clients/websites are all accessing the same server’s resources, including disk space, RAM, and central processing unit (CPU) power.
Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting
A step up from shared hosting is VPS hosting. Like shared hosting, various websites are all housed on the same server, but each website’s files and content are housed in its own dedicated space. You will pay a little more than with shared hosting, but you also have your section of the server isolated from other clients on the server. For this reason, VPS hosting is more secure. Additionally, VPS hosting is scalable to your needs, and you can modify the server and install any software you need.
VPS hosting can be managed or unmanaged. If you choose managed VPS hosting, the host will provide all maintenance and services necessary to keep the website and server running. You’ll pay a little more for managed VPS hosting but won’t be responsible for maintenance.
Conversely, using unmanaged VPS hosting means you are responsible for configuring and maintaining the server, monitoring security threats, installing software upgrades, and backing up your data. Unmanaged VPS hosting is a good option for website developers, businesses with a dedicated IT department, and individuals with a technology background.
WordPress Managed Hosting
Many web hosting providers offer WordPress-specific hosting because WordPress is such a popular content management system. In addition to web hosting, they provide technical support and software updates specific to WordPress. This type of hosting offers advantages like scalability, speed, and security, but it costs about INR 166.63 ($2) to INR 2,499.50 ($30) per month. Additionally, there are fewer customization options since it is limited to WordPress features.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting houses your website on multiple servers for maximum performance and connection speeds. It is more expensive than shared hosting but will minimize connection or speed issues because it can easily handle traffic surges. Cloud hosting also offers scalability, backups, and disaster recovery. However, these additional services come with a price, and the pricing models of cloud hosting providers can be confusing, depending on the plan’s customization.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated web hosting is when a website solely uses the entire server. Because you have your dedicated server, you minimize security and connection issues. But it comes at a price.
However, the costs may be justified in a few situations. For instance, if you expect your website traffic to increase significantly, service disruptions and slow connection speeds could harm your business. In this case, the cost of a dedicated server would be worth it because it will provide uninterrupted service and quick connection speeds. A dedicated server will also provide additional security, which will be helpful if you deal with personal information like credit card information.
Web Hosting Cost
Web hosting can range from a few dollars to hundreds a month, so finding a plan that fits your budget is essential. Consider the renewal cost of the hosting plan as well since some providers offer a lower rate for the first term and then significantly increase the price when it’s time to renew.
Additionally, remember that there may be some hosting features you don’t need or can live without, so look for a plan that offers the best value.
For example, a cheaper plan usually doesn’t include a domain name and often includes just one website. A more expensive plan may include multiple domains, more storage and bandwidth, and other features.
Average Cost By Hosting Type
Pricing varies significantly between various types of web hosting services. Even within each type, there can be price differences between service providers depending on the level of customer service and the length of service plan chosen. In general, prices range as follows:
- Shared web hosting: up to INR 1,249.75 ($15) per month
- VPS web hosting: INR 1,499.70 ($18) to INR 7,081.92 ($85) per month
- WordPress managed hosting: INR 166.63 ($2) to INR 2,499.50 ($30) monthly.
- Cloud hosting: INR 416.58 ($5) to INR 4,165.83 ($50) per month
- Dedicated server hosting: INR 6,665.33 ($80) to several hundred dollars per month
Website Hosting Cost Factors
Several factors go into the cost of website hosting. These include:
- Storage: The amount of data storage your hosting plan allows.
- Bandwidth: How much traffic you can have on your website without interruption or slow speeds.
- Number of websites: Depending on the plan, you can host multiple websites with one account.
- IP addresses: If you need a static IP address with your hosting plan, you may have to pay an additional cost.
- SSL certificate: An SSL certificate keeps your website secure and safe from hackers. Some hosting plans offer a free SSL certificate, but others may require you to purchase one in addition to the hosting plan.
- Customer service: Some hosting companies offer 24/7 customer service, while others may only provide limited support. Others will charge a premium but will walk you through fixing things that break on your site.
- Customization options: Hosting plans that allow customization and add-ons, such as databases or web servers, usually cost more.
Fees & Add-Ons
Your web hosting provider may also charge additional fees, such as setup fees (often waived when signing a contract and paying up-front), domain registration fees, or monthly support fees. Additionally, there may be add-on services you can purchase to enhance your website, such as SEO optimization or extra security features. Before signing up, read the fine print of your contract and thoroughly understand what is included in your hosting plan.
Detailed Article: Website Hosting Cost Guide 2024
Do I Need A Web Host?
A website for your business or personal use is essential in today’s digital world. You can build and host your site or opt for an all-in-one website builder that includes hosting. However, a separate web hosting service might be better if you want more control over your site and access to additional features.
| Website Builders | Offers Hosting As Part Of Their Plans |
|---|---|
| Shopify | Yes, plans start at INR 2,416.18 ($29) per month |
| Wix | Yes, plans start at INR 1,333.07 ($16) per month |
| Squarespace | Yes, plans start at INR 1,333.07 ($16) per month |
| Weebly | Yes, it offers a free plan |
| GoDaddy | Yes, plans start at INR 832.33 ($9.99) per month |
Beyond Hosting: Other Website Setup Considerations
Consider a few other items besides hosting when setting up your website. These include website builders, domain registration, email hosting, and e-commerce functionality.
Website Builder
Website builders are tools or programs that allow you to create a website without coding. They provide a variety of drag-and-drop templates and often include hosting, so you don’t need to purchase a separate plan.
Domain Registration
Your domain name is the URL or web address users type to access your website. You can purchase and register a domain name when signing up for hosting, though many web hosting companies have an additional fee for domain registration. A domain name is essential for businesses as it helps to create a professional online presence.
Email Hosting
Having a dedicated email address is essential if you want to build customer trust. You can purchase email hosting from your web host or use a separate service such as Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). Other web hosts include free email hosting in their hosting plans.
Ecommerce Functionality
You must look for a hosting plan offering e-commerce functionality to sell products or services online. Hosts usually provide ecommerce hosting tools such as payment gateways, shopping carts, and secure checkout pages to help you get started.
Methodology: How We Evaluate Best Web Hosting In India
Forbes Advisor researched the industry and analyzed dozens of web hosting providers and plans. We then scored each of these providers across five categories of features, looking at 23 different metrics that were weighted to favor features that small business owners find valuable in a web host.
Pricing
We did a deep dive into each provider’s pricing options. Focusing on shared hosting, we looked at the starting price of each one’s lowest-priced plan to see what it cost per month, how long of a contract (if any) was required, and what features come with that plan. Then, we looked at each provider’s high-tiered plans with the same scrutiny, as well as how much the price increased for each plan upon renewal.
We also looked at how many sites each provider covered for hosting under each plan and its money-back guarantee. Pricing accounted for 10% of our weighted scoring.
Features
We had high expectations for features offered by web hosts―not only essential features that we thought each platform should offer but additional features that helped a provider stand out from the rest of the pack. We graded many of these features on whether they came as part of the original plan or were available as a paid add-on. Some essential features we looked for included unlimited storage and bandwidth, a free SSL certificate and domain name, one-click WordPress installation, an uptime guarantee, and 24/7 support in some formats.
Some unique features we weighed included offering a CDN, a free business email address, a website builder, automatic backups, and free domain name privacy protection. Combined, these features accounted for 50% of our total score.
Third-party reviews
Many real users of these web hosting platforms posted reviews on Trustpilot, so we reviewed that site to gauge what these users thought of each one. We first looked at the number of reviews left for each provider, giving a higher rating to those that received positive reviews of 3.5 or higher of at least 300 or more. These accounted for 10% of the total score.
Expert analysis
Turning to customer reviews again, our panel of experts looked at specific criteria necessary for web hosting platform users. These categories included ease of use, value for the money, stand-out features, and popularity. Our experts’ analysis accounted for 30% of the total score.
Featured Partners
1
Bluehost
Price per month
INR 169 onwards
Features
Affordable hosting plan, free domain name, free CDN, free SSL
Storage and bandwidth
Unmetered bandwidth, SSD storage starts at 10GB
On Bluehost’s secure website
2
Hostinger
Price
INR 69/month
Features
Unlimited free SSL, free domain and email
Money Back Guarantee
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
On Hostinger India’s secure website
3
Hostgator
Price starts from
INR 219/month ($2.64/month) onwards
Uptime guarantee
99%
Benefits
Free SSL and domain for 1st year
On HostGator’s secure website
4
DreamHost
Starting at
INR 216/month ($2.59) with WordPress pre-installed & Free SSL certificate available
Uptime guarantee
100%
Customer service
24/7 support
On DreamHost’s secure website
2024 Web Hosting Trends
The web hosting industry has adapted to increased demands and greater expectations as the internet continues to grow and develop astoundingly. These adaptations are apparent in the 2024 web hosting trends we see as we move into the new year.
Fewer On-site Data Centers
Like everywhere else, the cloud is becoming the number one choice for consumers in the web hosting industry. Companies are moving away from dedicated on-site servers and instead base operations on third-party, cloud-hosted servers.
Servers operating in the cloud provide tremendous benefits, including increased scaling potential, flexibility, lower costs, the ability to create backups, improved security, regular maintenance, and better software capability. Cloud computing is here to stay, and we expect more entities to move operations onto the cloud in 2024.
Multi-cloud Hosting
Multicloud hosting refers to delegating a site’s computing tasks to two or more different cloud computing platforms. Essentially, one vendor performs some site functions and another another.
Multicloud hosting has become increasingly popular in recent years. This model allows a company to be independent of a single vendor for all its needs and take advantage of each host’s unique benefits and strengths. We expect multi-cloud hosting to become even more popular in 2024 as companies try to stay competitive in the virtual world.
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Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
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What is the best hosting provider?
If you’re searching for a web host that can support and grow your business website, IONOS is the perfect solution. With all of their plans, you’ll receive one year of complimentary domain name registration, an SSL certificate free of charge, and 24/7 customer service should any unforeseen issues arise.
HostGator has earned a place in our list of the best web hosting services due to its impressive value for money, dependable performance, and abundant features explicitly tailored to small—and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It provides limitless disk space and bandwidth and boasts a 99% uptime guarantee.
Bluehost is one of the most popular web hosting solutions, and there’s a reason why. It provides users with impressive features at budget-friendly prices—perfect for novices needing reliable web hosting.