Looking for a new host, but unsure which type is right…?

Seeking Advice
1

Hey everyone, I could use some advice here. I’ve been using a shared hosting service since the early 2000s, recommended by a friend, mainly to host a small portfolio website and occasionally share files (photos, game saves, etc.). It’s a tiny site, under half a gig, but the big issue now is they don’t offer free SSL certificates.

That wasn’t a problem years ago, but it’s a dealbreaker today. I’d prefer not to pay more just for SSL, and every time I look into switching hosts, I get overwhelmed by conflicting advice. So, I’m hoping you all can help clear things up!

Most shared hosting seems strict on using their service to host files, which my current host doesn’t mind. Is there any affordable hosting that allows for a static portfolio site and some image hosting, or am I going in circles here? My budget’s around $10 monthly. Or do I just give up and use image hosts that might train AI on my artwork?

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

2

Someone already mentioned it, but +1 for Host Koala. I use them for hosting images and CSS/HTML files.

3

When hosts ban file hosting, they usually mean big files that eat up bandwidth and need a CDN. Your 411MB of content isn’t likely to cause issues as long as you pick a reputable host.

It’s always a good idea to ask them directly though. I’ve heard of a host that auto-deletes archive files, so better to be safe.

4

@Eleanor
That’s good to know. It’s hard to tell what hosts consider ‘unreasonable,’ so having a comparison to a typical WordPress site helps a lot.

I’ll definitely check with hosts before making a move. Thanks for the tip!

5

There are some smaller hosts that do ‘static web hosting’ for as low as $1-2 per month.

A cheap direct admin plan from Host Koala might work for you. And free SSL with Let’s Encrypt should be standard.

6

@Mohamed
Thanks for the advice! I’m surprised my current host doesn’t include Let’s Encrypt. With shared hosting, I can’t install a certificate myself, so it’s a bit limiting.

7

It’s surprising your host doesn’t offer free SSL. Many use Let’s Encrypt for that.

The thing about image hosting restrictions usually means they don’t want you running an Imgur-type site. If you’re within your plan’s limits, you should be fine.

8

@Sebastian
You might want to reach out to NixiHost and ask. Their basic plan should cover your needs without any issues.

9

Sebastian said:
@Sebastian
You might want to reach out to NixiHost and ask. Their basic plan should cover your needs without any issues.

I do plan to upload images and link to them, so I’ll have to ask directly. A lot of hosts have similar warnings, so it’s good to clarify. Thanks for the heads-up!

10

@Sebastian
Yeah, I went back and forth with their tech support, but they seem to only offer a paid SSL. My domain provider does hosting too, but their terms are strict on what you can store.

It seems like ‘image hosting scripts’ means something specific, but I haven’t found a clear answer on what’s allowed. Do most hosts really limit storage this way?

11

I recently set up free SSL with Let’s Encrypt and Cloudflare. Not too hard, even if you’re not a coder!

12

Thanks again to everyone who helped! I contacted each host about my specific needs, and they replied quickly. Some restrictions on image sharing were about allowing 3rd parties to upload, which I don’t need, so I think I’m good with a few of the options mentioned here.

13

Affordable, free SSL, secure, and excellent support.

14

Here’s an idea:

  1. Get a VPS from Hetzner or Oracle’s free tier.
  2. Set up CloudPanel.
  3. Use CloudPanel for your static site.
  4. For files, set up a simple file manager app.

You get full control and it’s budget-friendly!

15

@Murphy
That actually sounds pretty simple. Thanks for the breakdown!

16

Sloane said:
@Murphy
That actually sounds pretty simple. Thanks for the breakdown!

Feel free to reach out if you need help with tutorials :sweat_smile:

17

If you’re a bit tech-savvy, check out Oracle’s Free Tier. I use an Oracle Linux VM with Hestia Control Panel, which includes Let’s Encrypt.

The free tier gives 4 CPU cores, 24GB RAM, and 200GB storage, so plenty of space if you need it!

18

@Pace
I’m somewhat tech-savvy, but not super advanced. Just got Linux dual-booted on my machine after a few tries. I’ll look into Oracle. Thanks for the info!

19

An easy, cheap option is BroccoliHost—$11 per year for 2GB, with CDN caching for fast loading.

20

Digital Ocean + a control panel like Server Pilot or SpinupWP works well.