How Much Should A Web Host Cost?

Web hosts differ greatly in costs, services, setup fees, and guarantees. Some site hosting is free, while other hosts charge per 50 megabytes (MB). Setup fees, registration fees, annual rates, and varying guarantees can all depend on which host you choose. Finding out about the financial details of different Web hosts, and especially the one you decide to use, is necessary to avoid unpleasant surprises later on.

Price ranges. Some hosts charge $50 (U.S.) a month for 50 MB of storage and limited bandwidth; others offer 300 MB of storage or more and "unlimited" bandwidth for $19.95. A starter site, that is, a small Web site, should cost approximately $12 a month to host. Some sites can be free, if you don't mind someone else's advertisements on your site. A more extensive site, with greater storage and bandwidth requirements, might run from $25 to $75 per month. Any special contract services, such as custom Web design or special programming, will be extra.

Setup fees. Be sure to include setup fees when budgeting for a Web site. Many hosts require a setup fee of $25 or more, and some special services may require additional setup fees.

Domain registration. Each domain registration will cost $70 for the first two years of registration and $35 for each additional year, even if you are just "parking" the domain. Also, if you use domain pointing (multiple domains that send a visitor to the same site), most Web hosts charge annual fees of around $50 per pointed domain.

Money-back guarantees. Check to see if the Web host offers a money-back guarantee. Some offer a refund if your Web site is ever down for a certain length of time. Check with the Web host to see how easy it is to get a refund from them, if that proves necessary.

Annual rates. Because Web hosting is a new industry, with new players popping up and disappearing all the time, an annual rate or annual contract may not be your best option. If you receive inadequate service and decide that it's necessary to move to another Web host, getting a refund may prove difficult. Or, as technologies advance, you may find a better deal at a competing Web host within a few months.

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