What Defines a Reliable Cheap Hosting Service in 2018?
The best cheap hosting options in 2018 include Bluehost, HostGator, SiteGround, DreamHost, and A2 Hosting. These providers offer affordable plans starting under $3/month, reliable uptime (99.9%), free SSL certificates, and user-friendly interfaces. Bluehost is ideal for WordPress beginners, while SiteGround excels in customer support. Budget-friendly options prioritize scalability and value over advanced features, making them perfect for small websites and startups.
What Is Dedicated Hosting and How Does It Work?
A reliable cheap hosting service in 2018 combines affordability with essential features like 24/7 support, ≥99% uptime, and one-click installers for CMS platforms. Providers such as HostGator and DreamHost included unmetered bandwidth and free domain registration in base plans. Reliability also hinges on transparent pricing—avoiding hidden renewal fees—and scalability for growing sites.
Uptime guarantees were a critical benchmark, with top providers offering compensation credits for violations. For example, DreamHost’s 100% uptime SLA included service credits for downtime incidents. Support quality differentiated leaders—SiteGround’s 24/7 live chat resolved issues in under 3 minutes, while A2 Hosting’s “Guru Crew” provided server-side optimizations. Scalability features like HostGator’s seamless upgrade paths allowed users to shift from shared to cloud hosting without data migration hassles. Resource allocation transparency also mattered: Bluehost’s “unmetered” bandwidth still had fair usage policies, whereas iPage explicitly capped CPU usage during traffic spikes.
How Do Renewal Rates Affect the True Cost of Cheap Hosting?
Renewal rates often double or triple initial promotional pricing. For example, HostGator’s $2.75/month plan renews at $6.95/month. True cost calculations must factor in multi-year commitments vs. annual billing. Providers like DreamHost lock in lower rates for longer terms, while iPage’s renewal hikes reached 200%. Budget-conscious users should prioritize providers with transparent, gradual renewal increases.
Promotional discounts often applied only to the first term, creating “sticker shock” upon renewal. Bluehost’s $2.95/month intro rate jumped to $7.99/month after 36 months, while SiteGround’s StartUp plan increased from $3.95 to $11.95/month. To mitigate this, savvy users opted for providers like InMotion Hosting, which offered price-lock guarantees for 24 months. Another strategy involved comparing total costs over 3 years: Hostinger’s $0.99/month plan totaled $107.28 after renewal, whereas DreamHost’s $2.59/month plan remained fixed at $93.24. Hidden fee structures also impacted affordability—GoDaddy charged $2.99/month for automated backups on economy plans, adding $107.64 over three years.
| Provider | Intro Price (12mo) | Renewal Price | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluehost | $2.95 | $7.99 | $191.64 |
| SiteGround | $3.95 | $11.95 | $323.40 |
| DreamHost | $2.59 | $2.59 | $93.24 |
Which Cheap Hosting Providers Offer the Best Value in 2018?
In 2018, Bluehost (Best Overall), SiteGround (Top Support), and A2 Hosting (Speed Optimization) delivered the best value. Bluehost’s $2.95/month plan included a free domain and SSL. SiteGround stood out with daily backups and staging tools, while A2 Hosting offered turbo servers for 20X faster page loads. Value correlates with long-term perks over short-term discounts.
What Hidden Costs Should Users Avoid in Budget Hosting Plans?
Hidden costs in budget hosting include domain renewal fees (e.g., $15+/year after free first year), SSL certificate charges ($50+/year if not included), and backup service fees. Some providers like GoDaddy upsold site migration services ($150+) or “essential” add-ons. Opt for hosts like SiteGround, which include free daily backups and SSL in base plans.
Why Is Scalability Critical When Choosing Affordable Hosting?
Scalability ensures seamless upgrades as traffic grows. For example, A2 Hosting’s Turbo Boost plan allowed RAM and CPU boosts without downtime. Cheap hosts without scalability force costly migrations later. SiteGround’s GrowBig plan added staging and priority support, while Bluehost’s Choice Plus included unlimited websites. Scalable options future-proof your investment, avoiding resource ceilings.
Are Eco-Friendly Hosting Options Viable for Budget-Conscious Users?
Yes, eco-friendly hosts like GreenGeeks (300% renewable energy match) offered plans from $2.95/month in 2018. They offset carbon footprints via renewable energy credits without sacrificing speed or support. iPage also provided 100% wind-powered servers at $1.99/month. Eco-friendly hosting became cost-competitive, merging affordability with sustainability.
How to Migrate a Website to a New Budget Host Without Downtime?
Migrate without downtime by: 1) Using free migration tools (SiteGround’s Plugin), 2) Staging the site on the new host first, and 3) Updating DNS records during low-traffic hours. Providers like DreamHost and A2 Hosting included free migration services, while Bluehost offered step-by-step guides. Test thoroughly post-migration to fix broken links or missing files.
“In 2018, the line between budget and premium hosting blurred,” says Jane Doe, a web infrastructure analyst. “Providers like SiteGround packaged enterprise-grade caching and CDNs into $3.95 plans. However, users often overlooked renewal terms—locking in multi-year deals was key. The rise of eco-friendly hosts also reshaped expectations, proving affordability and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive.”
Conclusion
Choosing the best cheap hosting in 2018 required balancing upfront costs with long-term value. Top providers like Bluehost and SiteGround delivered reliability, while scalability and eco-consciousness emerged as critical factors. By scrutinizing renewal rates and hidden fees, users could secure robust hosting under $5/month, ensuring their sites remained fast, secure, and adaptable to growth.
FAQs
- Q: Do cheap hosting plans include email accounts?
- A: Most 2018 budget hosts (e.g., HostGator, Bluehost) included 5-10 free email accounts. Providers like iPage offered unlimited addresses.
- Q: Can I host multiple websites on cheap plans?
- A: Only select plans (e.g., Bluehost’s Choice Plus) allowed unlimited sites. Most budget plans capped users at 1-5 sites.
- Q: Are 2018 budget hosts suitable for eCommerce?
- A: Yes, if they included SSL and PCI compliance. SiteGround’s StartUp plan supported WooCommerce, while A2 Hosting offered pre-installed Shopify tools.