For anyone thinking about launching a website, the first question is often the most confusing: how much does it actually cost to host a website? If you’ve searched online, you already know the answers are all over the place, $2, $20, $200 per month?
Most guides don’t help. They throw out pricing tables and server specs without explaining what you’re really paying for, or what a beginner actually needs.
This guide solves that. We’ll walk through the real costs of hosting a website in 2025, what affects those prices, and how you can get everything you need without overpaying.
We’ll also highlight the best options for beginners, including one that bundles hosting, design, and security in one monthly plan.
Quick Answer: You can host a website for as little as $4–$10/month, but expect to pay $15–$30/month for a fully-featured, beginner-friendly setup with no hidden costs. We recommend WordPress.com as the best all-in-one option for most people.
Table of Contents:
- What Website Hosting Really Includes
- Website Hosting Costs by Type (2025)
- And because WordPress.com includes essential extras- like backups, SSL, templates, and marketing tools, the actual value is often better than even the cheapest “bare bones” plans.
- Why WordPress.com Is the Best Hosting Value in 2025
- What About Pressable?
- Hidden Costs of Hosting to Watch Out For
- FAQs About Website Hosting Costs
- Final Thoughts
What Website Hosting Really Includes
It’s easy to assume hosting is just storage space, like renting a folder online. But it’s more like renting a storefront: you need the building (server), security (SSL), address (domain), and daily upkeep (support and updates). Hosting should keep your site safe, fast, and online 24/7. That’s a tall order if you’re piecing everything together yourself. Beginners often underestimate how much time is spent configuring and maintaining traditional hosting setups.
With platforms like WordPress.com, everything is taken care of for you. Instead of juggling five different services, you control everything from a single, intuitive dashboard. It’s this integration that makes WordPress.com not just easier, but smarter, for anyone starting out. You’ll never be surprised by unexpected downtime, plugin errors, or domain renewal lapses because it’s all included in your plan.
Website Hosting Costs by Type (2025)
Here’s what the research says about the leading hosting options:
For example:
- WordPress.com Review – WPBeginner praises its ease of use, performance, and value for beginners.
- Pressable Review – HostAdvice highlights its excellent support and enterprise-grade WordPress performance.
- Bluehost Review – WPBeginner lists it as beginner-friendly but notes price spikes after the first year.
- Squarespace Review – WebsiteBuilderExpert credits its interface as the easiest among major builders.
- Hostinger Review – CyberNews emphasizes affordability and strong performance ratings.
- GoDaddy Review – WebsitePlanet reveals reliability concerns and inconsistent speeds.
- SiteGround Review – CyberNews rates it highly for uptime, but warns of high renewal costs.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Popular Hosting Options
| Provider | Monthly Price Range | SSL Included | Domain Included | Builder Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress.com | $4 – $45 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Beginners, bloggers, small biz |
| Pressable | $25 – $90+ | Yes | No | No (WordPress only) | Growing businesses, devs |
| Bluehost | $3 – $20 (renews higher) | Sometimes | Sometimes | No | Beginners willing to DIY |
| Squarespace | $16 – $52 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Creatives and portfolios |
| Hostinger | $2 – $10 (renews higher) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Budget-conscious users |
| GoDaddy | $6 – $25 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Basic websites, quick launch |
| SiteGround | $15 – $100+ | Yes | No | No | Agencies, power users |
This table helps you compare not just price, but what’s actually included. Below are some expert reviews you can use for deeper research:
- WordPress.com Review – WPBeginner
- Pressable Review – HostAdvice
- Bluehost Review – WPBeginner
- Squarespace Review – WebsiteBuilderExpert
- Hostinger Review – CyberNews
- GoDaddy Review – WebsitePlanet
- SiteGround Review – CyberNews Many users start with cheap plans and later realize they’re missing key features like support or security. That’s why platforms like WordPress.com are often the best value overall.
Shared hosting can be a trap for beginners, cheap on the surface, but often lacking critical support. VPS and dedicated hosting give more power, but they also require serious technical skills. You’ll be responsible for configurations, software updates, and sometimes even security patches.
Website builder plans like those from Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress.com take a different approach. You’re paying a bit more up front, but you get peace of mind. Everything works together from day one, and customer support is trained to help beginners succeed. If you plan to grow your site or business, the slight premium is often worth it for time saved and fewer headaches.
And because WordPress.com includes essential extras- like backups, SSL, templates, and marketing tools, the actual value is often better than even the cheapest “bare bones” plans.
Why WordPress.com Is the Best Hosting Value in 2025
WordPress.com isn’t just a host, it’s a complete platform. While most web hosts advertise low prices for server space alone, WordPress.com includes everything you actually need to launch and run your site professionally from day one.
Here’s what makes it the standout choice:
- Hosting with global speed and reliability
- Built-in website builder (drag-and-drop blocks, no code needed)
- Free SSL certificate and automatic security updates
- Custom domain registration included with most plans
- Email marketing, analytics, and store tools ready to go
- Autosave and revision history to prevent lost work
Where others charge extra or require manual setup, WordPress.com gives you one clean dashboard with everything in place. No need to worry about cPanel, FTP uploads, or plugin conflicts. And unlike other builders, it’s built on real WordPress, the same CMS used by millions of the world’s top websites.
Best of all, it scales. You can start with a Personal or Business plan, then upgrade as needed to add payments, courses, or advanced design tools, without migrating to a new platform.
👉 Tap here to explore WordPress.com plans
What About Pressable?
If you’re building a fast-growing business or need more power and flexibility, Pressable is a premium managed WordPress host backed by the same parent company as WordPress.com.
Pressable offers:
- Dedicated support and server optimization
- Staging sites for testing
- Built-in CDN for global speed
- Multiple site installs (great for agencies)
It’s more powerful than shared hosting, but much easier than managing a VPS or cloud server. If you’re planning to scale or want developer-level control without the stress, it’s a strong step up.
When is Pressable the best option? If you’re a freelance developer, digital agency, or online business expecting rapid growth, Pressable gives you the reliability and customization needed without babysitting a server. It’s particularly useful if you manage multiple WordPress sites or need isolated staging environments. You’ll also benefit from performance tuning and scalability features that go far beyond traditional hosting setups.
Unlike platforms that force you into a generic backend, Pressable is fine-tuned specifically for WordPress. That means faster speeds, better uptime, and expert support that speaks your language.
Pressable offers:
- Dedicated support and server optimization
- Staging sites for testing
- Built-in CDN for global speed
- Multiple site installs (great for agencies)
It’s more powerful than shared hosting, but much easier than managing a VPS or cloud server. If you’re planning to scale or want developer-level control without the stress, it’s a strong step up.
👉 Tap here to see Pressable pricing
Hidden Costs of Hosting to Watch Out For
When you see hosting advertised for $2 or $3 per month, be cautious. Those prices often:
- Only apply to 3-year contracts paid upfront
- Renew at 2-3x the initial price
- Don’t include essential tools like email, backups, or security
- Upsell you heavily with plugins, themes, or support
Additional costs can include:
- Domain name: Usually $10–$20/year
- SSL certificate: Often $30–$70/year (unless included)
- Backups and security tools: Can cost $50–$200/year
- Premium themes or design help: $50–$300 one-time
- Marketing tools: Email, SEO, social media add-ons
These aren’t optional. They’re what make a website functional and safe. When you add them to a “cheap” hosting plan, you often end up spending more- both in money and time.
This is why WordPress.com is often the smarter long-term value.
FAQs About Website Hosting Costs
What’s the cheapest way to host a website?
Free hosting exists, but it’s extremely limited. You’ll often be stuck with ads, a subdomain, and no customization. For a real website, expect to pay at least $5–$15/month.
Is WordPress.com cheaper than traditional hosting?
Yes, especially when you include all the extra tools most hosts leave out. It also saves you hours of setup time.
What if I want to upgrade later?
WordPress.com scales with you. You can start simple and upgrade when you’re ready for ecommerce, payments, or memberships.
Can I get hosting and a website builder in one?
Yes , that’s exactly what WordPress.com provides. One platform, one login, everything included.
Is managed WordPress hosting worth it?
If you expect growth, need performance, or want expert help, yes. Pressable is a top-tier option.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to get lured in by ultra-low monthly costs from traditional hosts. But for most people, especially those launching a business, brand, or creative project, the real question isn’t “what’s the cheapest option?” It’s “what’s the smartest way to build something that lasts?”
The smarter path is one that minimizes friction and maximizes reliability. That’s where WordPress.com shines. It’s a hosting solution built for real people, not just developers. You don’t need to worry about setting up SSL, installing software, or wondering if your backups are working. It’s all handled behind the scenes, so you can stay focused on your content and your goals.
And when you’re ready to grow, whether that means launching a store, building a membership site, or scaling traffic, WordPress.com scales with you. You’re not locked into a system that forces painful upgrades or migrations later.
This article was written to simplify your research. Now take action. The best way to understand what works is to get started.
👉 Tap here to start hosting your website with WordPress.com today
Need help? Contact AH Web Works.
Internal References:
AH Web Works 
What do you think?