Want to make a website but don’t have a lot of money to spare?

If so, you’re not alone. College and university students are some of the biggest website builders out there, whether they’re creating portfolios, personal blogs, or kicking off their first entrepreneurial venture.

The challenge? You need to find affordable web hosting you can actually rely on that won’t make a dent in your already-tight budget.

Here’s the good news…

It’s totally possible to get cheap hosting that works! The average shared hosting plan, which is all most students need, starts at just $2 to $5 per month.

But there’s a lot to consider before you sign up for the first bargain plan you find. To make your decision easier, we’ve created a free and detailed web hosting guide to help you learn:

• Why students need web hosting
• The actual cost of student-friendly hosting
• The most important features to look for on a budget
• The best ways to cut hosting costs
• Which free vs paid hosting options are worth it

Ready to get started? Let’s dive in.

Why Students Need Web Hosting

I bet there’s something on the internet you didn’t know about student web hosting…

Did you know that a massive 54% of college students took at least one online class in fall 2022?

With online learning being so popular, having an attractive online presence isn’t just “nice to have” anymore – it’s critical.

But student web hosting isn’t just for school work or online courses, either.

Create Your Professional Portfolio

Showcasing your skills, projects, and accomplishments is crucial for landing your dream job. Your website is the perfect platform to highlight your best work and make you stand out from the competition.

After all, most employers are impressed when you have something to show them besides a bland resume and an identical LinkedIn profile.

Experiment and Grow Skills

Launching a side hustle while you’re in school? Use your website to test ideas, develop your brand, and grow your audience.

You also get valuable real-world skills by managing your own hosting account. Students can learn:

• Basic web development skills
• How the internet works behind the scenes
• Technical problem-solving abilities
• Website optimization and digital marketing basics

Pretty cool, huh?

The Actual Cost of Student-Friendly Hosting

The big question remains…

How much should students realistically budget for web hosting services?

Great news! You can get professional hosting for far less money than you might expect.

Here’s why:

Shared Hosting: Start With This First

Shared hosting is designed for websites with low to moderate traffic – just like most student sites. Shared hosting servers multiple websites on the same hardware, keeping costs low.

The average price for quality shared hosting falls between $2 to $10 per month.

But even better for students…

Many hosting providers offer special discounts to those who can prove they’re in education. Student hosting plans are often 50% off the normal price.

Boom. You just brought that $10/month hosting down to $5/month.

That might still sound expensive to you. Hear me out.

Here’s another perspective: that’s less than most students pay for coffee each day.

But What About Free Hosting?

Let’s be honest, free web hosting does sound pretty alluring when you’re on a shoestring budget.

Here’s why it’s not recommended:

Free hosting often comes with significant limitations that make it more hassle than it’s worth.

Such as:

• Slow site speeds (drive your audience away)
• Small storage capacities (hurt you as your site grows)
• No custom domain name (you can’t choose a cool URL)
• Ads displayed on your website (annoy your visitors)
• Weak or limited customer support (leave you hanging)

Remember, when you get something for free, you are the product being sold.

Beware Hidden Hosting Costs

For the most part, most hosting companies are pretty upfront about what you can expect to pay. But a couple of things to watch for:

• Domain name registration fees (typically $10-15/year)
• SSL certificates for security (but most hosts include free SSL)
• Email hosting (if you want a custom email address)
• Website backups (highly recommended for safety)

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for special hosting bundles that include these add-ons. They’ll often be cheaper than if you purchased them separately.

Top Budget Web Hosting Features Students Actually Need

All these features and add-ons can be overwhelming.

Take a breath. Let’s break it down into the features that really matter for students on a budget.

• High Uptime Percentage: Aim for hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. If your site is down when potential employers visit, you lose opportunities.
• Adequate Resources: Sites on shared hosting need 10-50 GB storage and 100-500 GB monthly bandwidth, more than enough for students. Avoid paying for “unlimited” resources you don’t need.
• Easy Website Builders: Unless you’re into coding, you’ll want one-click WordPress installers, drag-and-drop website builders, and mobile-responsive templates.
• Student Discounts: Look for special student pricing, flexible payment plans, dedicated customer service, and learning resources.

Clever Tricks to Save Money on Web Hosting

Look, when it comes to web hosting, there’s always a way to save some cash.

The trick is to use some of these tried-and-true money-saving tricks.

• Search for Student Discounts: Special 50% off discounts are out there. Providers like Cldy offer them through programs like Student Beans. Look for student pricing.
• Pay Yearly: Saving 20-30% by paying one bill at the beginning rather than monthly. A plan that’s $5/month paid monthly at $60/year might only cost $45 if paid for one year.
• Begin With Basic Hosting: Choose entry-level packages, then upgrade as your site grows. Most services make this easy to do.
• Seek Money-Back Guarantees: Be sure your hosting comes with a 30-60 day money back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

Free vs Paid Hosting: When Is Each Worth It?

Free hosting is OK if you are just testing out a new site, don’t care about having your own domain name, and don’t mind having ads or other limitations on your site.

Paid hosting is worth it if you want a professional website, better performance, your own domain name, or plan to use your website for work or career building.

Remember, you only get one first impression for most people, and your website is often it.

What 77% of students Already Know

Recent research shows that affordability is the top factor students consider when making educational decisions. The same principle applies to web hosting — you want the best value for your money, not necessarily the cheapest option.

Wrapping Up

Affordable web hosting doesn’t have to be a headache or a mystery for students.

With quality shared hosting available for just $2 to $5 a month, it’s one of the smartest investments you can make in your future.

Seek out a balance between features, cost, reliability, and support that works for you and your goals.

The hosting market is competitive, so you should be able to find a great deal on hosting when you’re ready.

Get started with a reputable hosting provider that offers discounts for students, choose a plan that fits your current needs, and focus on what you’re building.

Your future self will thank you for investing smartly in your career.