I’m trying to set up a portfolio site and want to keep costs as low as possible. Squarespace and Format look nice, but paying $15 a month feels steep.
How much would it cost to host my own page? I’ve already got a domain name. What other steps do I need to take to get this set up? Is hiring a web designer to put together a portfolio an option if I don’t plan to update it frequently? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
If all you need is static hosting, try GitHub Pages or Cloudflare Pages (I think that’s the name). Both are free and should cover basic needs.
Hayden said:
If all you need is static hosting, try GitHub Pages or Cloudflare Pages (I think that’s the name). Both are free and should cover basic needs.
Try setting up a free GitHub Pages site—perfect for simple pages!
@Corbin
Thanks, I’ll check it out!
If you’re not running the server yourself at home, you’ll need a hosting service. Check out some affordable ones—there should be suggestions in the sidebar.
Just a heads-up: you’ll probably still have to pay something monthly for most services.
I’m in a similar situation. I’ve looked at WordPress, but it feels overwhelming. I’m using Adobe Portfolio right now (free with Creative Cloud), but I want more features. Let me know what you decide on!
@Sophie
I’m considering a one-time payment for a cool Tumblr template and connecting my domain. You can hide the Tumblr branding with a bit of HTML, so it’ll look like a regular website.
What additional features are you looking for on Adobe Portfolio?
You get what you pay for. Some companies charge as little as $3.99 a month, but the quality might not be great.
Krystal is affordable and often recommended here. Their first plan is $4.99/month, and you can use WordPress or code your own site.
If you have time, you could build a nice site with MaterializeCSS or Bootstrap, then upload your files to a host like Krystal.
Useful resources: MaterializeCSS, Bootstrap examples, and this coding tutorial site.
Hiring a developer might cost around $100. One option is Cloudey if you’re interested.
@Keira
$50 a year still feels pricey…
MegWhitgal said:
@Keira
$50 a year still feels pricey…
It’s one of the most affordable reliable hosts. Some services seem cheap but cost over $100/year after the intro period.
Also, just a heads-up: “self-hosting” technically means hosting on your own server at home.
@Keira
Any thoughts on HostKoala? Is it any good even with the low price?
You could go with HostKoala. I’m paying $10 a year for it.
Leslie said:
You could go with HostKoala. I’m paying $10 a year for it.
Why the downvotes on this one?
Leslie said:
You could go with HostKoala. I’m paying $10 a year for it.
I’ve used it regularly—works fine for me.
If you’re looking to avoid monthly fees, you’d need your own server setup with a CMS. Cheapest option would be to use a Raspberry Pi as a web server.
I can suggest some affordable hosting options too if that doesn’t sound right for you.
Stay away from Hostinger. They’re known for misleading promotions and poor service.
Corbin said:
Stay away from Hostinger. They’re known for misleading promotions and poor service.
Agreed. I’ve had terrible experiences with Hostinger’s support and reliability.