Noob Here Needing Hosting

Hey everyone,

I’m just getting started and could use some advice. I’ve built a few websites over the past 20 years, some entirely by hand using just HTML. Now, I’m looking for a reasonably priced hosting service with good promotional pricing for the first year. My budget is ideally $20 per month or less, though I can be a bit flexible for quality service and features.

My current project is targeting a rural audience in western Arkansas. I don’t expect a lot of visitors initially, maybe 20-30 unique (legitimate) visitors per month, but I hope that will grow over time. For now, I plan to use WordPress.

The recommended hosts in the sidebar don’t seem to meet my current needs, though Nixihost might be acceptable.

Customer service is really important to me as I’m still learning. I signed up with Hostinger but have been disappointed with their service and some of their policies. For example, I tried to use the free domain registration, but my request was canceled because the word “service” was in the domain name. I already own the .us domain from Cloudflare, so I figured I’d grab the .com for free, but that didn’t work out. I’ve also had a few other issues with them, including being billed incorrectly at full price for something I had already paid for at the promotional rate. I take some responsibility because I misunderstood a few things and even canceled and refunded my first plan. Now I’m on my second plan with them, and I’m dealing with a support request that’s still unresolved.

If they can’t resolve my current issue, I’ll need to find a new host.

Which hosting service do you think would be the best fit for me? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Did you try webhosting plan from hetzner or netcup?

Almost any shared hosting provider should meet your needs. However, it would be helpful to know more about the specific policies or parts of Hostinger’s service that you’re disappointed with. Understanding your concerns could help us recommend better alternatives for you, as you might be on a path that’s limiting your options or causing unnecessary issues.

Also, it’s important not to choose a host based solely on promotional pricing. Promotional rates can be misleading and often backfire when renewal time comes around, with prices skyrocketing to 2-3 times what you initially paid. Instead, focus on finding a host whose regular pricing fits comfortably within your budget. This way, you’ll avoid unpleasant surprises and have a clearer idea of what you’ll be paying long-term.

I always advise clients to go for a host with a reasonable standard monthly rate. This approach offers more flexibility—if you’re unhappy with your host or need to scale down to save money, you can do so without being locked into a fixed-term contract. With a fixed-term plan, you won’t get your money back if you decide to downgrade or switch hosts, meaning you’re essentially stuck with your decision until the term ends.

Since you already own the .us version of your domain, it might be simpler to purchase the .com version directly from Cloudflare. People generally expect websites to have a .com address and may automatically type that in without thinking. Additionally, if you’re not already aware, .us domains don’t have privacy protections, so your personal information could be visible to anyone who looks it up.

Consider choosing a reliable web host that offers cPanel. Make sure to check how many ways you can reach their support team, how quickly they respond, and the quality of their responses. - AXEO

The best fit for you likely depends on more factors than what you’ve mentioned here. As a web developer, I’d be happy to discuss your needs in more detail if that would be helpful—feel free to send me a DM.

I’ve used NameHero in the past, and their customer support has always been excellent, so they’re typically my go-to recommendation.