Website Hosting We Recommend
Choosing hosting is a business decision, not just a technical one. This guide covers which plan fits which site, what to check before you buy, and one caution for healthcare websites.
Disclosure: this page includes a referral link. We may earn a commission if you sign up through it, at no extra cost to you.
Which hosting fits which site
The right plan depends on how much traffic the site gets, how many sites you run and who will look after the server. Here is how we think about it.
| Plan type | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Web hosting | A new small business site with one domain and modest traffic | The simplest and lowest cost option. Resources are shared, so a busy site or heavy plugins can slow it down. |
| VPS hosting | A growing site, several sites, or a site that needs a custom setup | More control and dedicated resources. Someone has to manage updates, security and backups, whether that is you, your developer or a managed plan. |
| Domain and email basics | Every site | Register the domain in your own account and use a business email on your own domain instead of a free mailbox. |
For a brochure or lead generation site, web hosting is usually enough to start. Move to a VPS when traffic or the number of sites justifies the extra care it needs.
Five things to do before you buy
- Own the domain account. Register the domain under your own login and business email, not your agency or developer, so you always control it.
- Choose a data center near your visitors. Pick a location close to where most of your visitors are, since distance affects how fast pages load.
- Confirm automatic backups. Know how often they run, how long they are kept and how to restore one before you need it.
- Turn on SSL. The site should load over https with a valid certificate from the first day.
- Set up analytics and Search Console before launch. Install analytics and verify the site in Google Search Console so you collect data from day one and see indexing problems early.
A caution for healthcare websites
If your site stores or transmits patient health information, such as appointment forms with medical details, patient portals or uploaded records, the host must be willing to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Many standard plans do not include one, so ask for it in writing before you build.
A marketing site that collects no patient data, such as service pages, articles and a contact form for business inquiries, does not need a BAA. Do not assume any host is HIPAA compliant from its marketing page. Compliance depends on the contract, the configuration and how your team handles data. This is general guidance, not legal advice, so confirm the details with your compliance counsel.
Where to start looking
Our own website runs on a Hostinger VPS, so it is the host we know best. Whichever host you compare, check its current plans, data center locations and terms against the checklist above before you decide.
Disclosure: The button above is a referral link. If you sign up through it, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Any discount offer is set by Hostinger and can change, so check the current terms on their site.
Want the site set up for search from day one?
Talk to us about setting up your website for search, speed and tracking, whichever host you choose.