Let's say you have an idea for a website, or a blog or portfolio that doesn't require a lot of server resources, and you don't want to spend a lot of money on it. The common solution is to use a shared web hosting plan, which is where the server's resources (i.e. bandwidth, CPU, memory, storage space) are shared among other user accounts' sites. This reduces the cost to you. Most of the major hosting companies in the U.S. sell shared web hosting that breaks down to only a few dollars per month. However, the cheapest plan by GreenGeeks is the best deal; it includes pretty much all you need to get a new website going.
Best Deal Overall: GreenGeeks
Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
GreenGeeks sells three shared hosting plans: Lite, Pro and Premium. They come with unlimited bandwidth and storage on solid-state drive (SSD) and several other things: backup of your website, domain registration, email with an unlimited number of accounts, SSL certificate, unlimited MySQL databases, and a website builder that uses a drag-and-drop interface.
The Lite plan can only be used to host one website and domain. Pro and Premium allow for an unlimited number. Premium also comes with a dedicated IP address.
Prices when you pay for three years upfront: Lite is $2.95 per month. Pro is $5.95 per month. Premium is $11.95 per month. Plans come with a money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Best with Unlimited Bandwidth: Namecheap
Namecheap has three shared hosting plans: Stellar, Stellar Plus, and Stellar Business. They include unlimited bandwidth, a backup of your website, access to a database (MySQL), email, and an SSL certificate. You also get a one-click interface that lets you easily install website apps, such as WordPress.
Stellar comes with 20GB of web space. Stellar Business comes with 50GB, and Stellar Plus has unlimited space. Your files are stored on SSDs under all three plans. The Stellar plan is able to host three of your domains. The other two allow for an unlimited number of domains.
Prices when you pay for one year upfront: Stellar is $1.44 per month. Stellar Plus is $2.44 per month. Stellar Business is $3.88 per month. Plans come with a money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Best with Domain Registration & SSL: DreamHost
DreamHost has two shared hosting plans for cheap: Starter and Unlimited. Both come with unlimited bandwidth and storage on SSD. You'll also get backup of your site, domain registration, an unlimited MySQL database space, SSL certificate, and a one-click tool for installing apps (such as WordPress).
On the Starter plan, you can put up only one website with one domain. The Unlimited plan, as the name suggests, allows for an unlimited number of websites and domains. Email is provided with the Unlimited plan, which allows you to activate an unlimited number of email accounts, but email costs extra under the Starter plan for $1.67 per month.
Prices when you pay for three years upfront: Starter is $2.59 per month, and Unlimited is $5.95 per month. Plans come with a money-back guarantee within 97 days.
Best with Unlimited Email: HostGator
HostGator has three bargain-priced shared hosting plans named Hatchling, Baby, and Business. They all have unlimited bandwidth and storage, and also include: backup of your website, email hosting with unlimited number of accounts, am SSL certificate, unlimited MySQL database space, and a one-click interface for installing apps that include WordPress.
On the Hatchling plan, you can put up one website with one domain. The Baby and Business plans allow for an unlimited number. What separates the Business plan from the rest is that it comes with extra tools like a dedicated IP and a free upgrade to a positive SSL.
Prices when you pay for three years upfront: Hatchling is $2.75 per month. Baby is $3.95 per month. Business is $5.95 per month. Plans come with a money-back guarantee within 45 days.
Best with Multiple Domains: iPage
iPage sells just one shared hosting plan that it pitches as "one size fits all." Your site gets unlimited bandwidth and storage, and an unlimited number of email accounts and MySQL databases. There is also no limit on the number of domains of yours that can be hosted.
This cheap shared hosting plan includes domain registration, SSL certificate, tools for installing apps such as WordPress, and a website builder that has a drag-and-drop interface and comes with hundreds of templates and themes. An analytics tool helps you to monitor and track your website's performance.
iPage sells this shared hosting plan for just $2 per month when you prepay for three years. It comes with a money-back guarantee if you are not happy with it within 30 days.
Best Value: Hostinger
Hostinger sells three shared hosting plans that are all affordable: Single, Premium and Business. All three come with backup of your website, a tool to install from over 100 apps to help with setup, and a website builder.
The Single plan has the most limitations. Your site gets 100GB of bandwidth and it can only have one database (MySQL), one email address account, and host only one domain and website. Under Premium and Business, there are no limits on bandwidth. Both plans include domain registration, and they can host an unlimited number of databases, email accounts, and domains and websites. Web storage is on SSD with 10GB for the Single plan, 20GB for Premium, and 30GB for Business. Only Business comes with an SSL certificate.
Prices when you pay for four years upfront: Single is $0.99 per month. Premium is $2.59 per month. Business is $4.49 per month. Plans come with a money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Bottom line
You don't have to spend a lot of money putting up a website, especially if you want to put up a blog, portfolio, or experimental website that won't require a lot of resources from the server and hosting company's network. Shared web hosting is the answer, which many companies sell at really low prices.
GreenGeeks stands out with all the things it includes with its shared hosting plans: unlimited bandwidth and storage on SSD, domain registration, and SSL certificate. You also can use it to host an unlimited number of databases and email accounts. Plus, there's a website builder and website backup. GreenGeeks' plan has everything you need to get your new website going.
