How I Ditched Expensive Website Hosting: A Simple Strategy

The Obvious Choice: Web Hosting Services

Like many freelancers, solopreneurs, or small business owners, I initially chose a popular web hosting service for my website needs. Although I was comfortable with SQL, wrangling data, and crafting reports, web development was uncharted territory.

My goal was speed, so I chose a website solution that would allow me to launch quickly. This strategy made perfect sense — it was affordable and allowed me to concentrate on the core aspects of my business growth.

Rising Subscription Prices Demanded a Re-Evaluation

Up, up, and away.

The once-stable subscription cost began to fluctuate more frequently. Increasing costs and the need for additional functionality made it clear that I needed a new solution.

Switching providers wouldn't solve the problem (underlying or future ones), so I decided to build a custom website for a more sustainable solution.

Just How Challenging is it to Build a Custom Website?

Is it feasible to create a user-friendly custom website while maintaining or enhancing existing functionality at a reduced cost? The answer is yes, but the difficulty ranges from fairly straightforward to daunting depending on the following factors:

• Comfort Level with Technology: Expect a steep learning curve if you're not tech-savvy.
• Type of Website: A static website is easier to build than a dynamic website.
• Time and Patience: It can be a journey. Building takes time.