cheapest web hosting services explained for first-time site owners

What counts as cheap?

For most small sites, “cheap” means starter shared plans under three dollars a month, billed annually. The sticker price is often an intro deal; the renewal can double, so the true cost is the average over two to three years. If you only need a portfolio or a community project page, that math usually still works out.

What you actually get

Budget plans typically include a free domain for a year, basic SSL, and one-click apps. The trade-offs are limited resources, fewer support channels, and stricter fair-use policies. Aim for providers that are transparent about limits and let you upgrade smoothly.

• Uptime and speed: Look for published uptime records and LiteSpeed or NGINX stacks.
• Backups: Daily or weekly automated backups save time.
• Email: Some hosts charge extra; factor it in.
• Renewals: Note the rate after month 12.

Real-world picks and tips

Students, hobbyists, and local clubs often start on a cheap shared plan, then move to a lightweight VPS once traffic grows. Test with a month-to-month cycle first, keep copies of your site off-host, and use a CDN to stretch limited bandwidth.