Low to No Cost Website Hosting Options (And Why You Should Care)
- October 15, 2024
- 7 mins read
Web Design
Tags: front-end;custom;hosting;open-source;infrastructure
Summary
You don’t have to spend hundreds a year on website hosting—especially if you’re just starting out or looking for flexibility. This blog breaks down traditional site builders like WordPress and Wix, compares them to free or low-cost hosting options like Vercel and Netlify, and explores the benefits of open-source tools. If you want maximum control with minimal spend, this one’s for you.
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Traditional Builders Add Up
Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com start small but grow expensive fast. Once you want custom domains or plugins, expect to pay $200–$500+ annually.
Low-Cost Alternatives
- Vercel: Built for developers using modern frameworks like Next.js. Free hosting, custom domain support, and fast global delivery.
- Netlify: Great for static sites, offers free tier, forms, functions, and continuous deployment.
- GitHub Pages: Free hosting for simple static sites. Great for portfolios or documentation.
- Render: Supports static and backend services. Free tier with broader support.
- Cloudflare Pages: Free, secure hosting with automatic SSL and Git integration.
Open Source = Ultimate Control
Use tools like WordPress.org, Ghost, or Next.js for full customization. Pair with Vercel or Render and avoid vendor lock-in.
More Free Tools
- Databases: PlanetScale, MongoDB Atlas, Supabase
- CMS: Sanity, Strapi, Contentful
- Design: Figma, Unsplash, Pexels, Google Fonts
- Forms/Email: Getform, Brevo, FormSubmit
Why Small Businesses Should Care
These options offer cost-efficiency, control, portability, and better security management. At FiveFold Designs, we build simple, functional websites that run on scalable infrastructure without bloated pricing.
Let’s Keep It Simple
No pressure, no fluff. Just a quick way to find out if FiveFold Designs is the right fit for your business. Book a call or reach out today.