Website help. Can I pay for web hosting for a year and then stop.

[purpledalmation]

I can buy a domain name but I don't want to pay monthly hosting when it goes up in price after a year.

I don't really understand the whole thing if I'm honest.

I have a free Wix site which is on the internet and google finds it quite easily. I don't pay for any hosting and the domain name is a free Wix name. It's doing well as an information only site.

I want to create another one on a different subject (also info only) and I thought I'd just use Wordpress but it so difficult. It seems I can't do anything without paying. It's a niche subject.

I've installed Wordpress.Org on my Pc using 'Local'. I've added Astra and Elementor, but I'm struggling so much. I just want to print a website, pay the domain name and construct and launch it for free.

Do I just give in and go back to Wix?

Is Wordpress.com worth using?

anyone?

It's always easier for a lay person to use a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor built on Wordpress.

There are many cheap suppliers out in the marketplace.

34sp.com
Ionos
Squarespace
Site123

The contract for the renting of the domain name is often bundled by these suppliers. It is better to purchase the rental of DN separately from someone like 123.com. That said you can transfer the domain name into any of the host services.

You can also receive a challenge from a business who has a legitimate interest in a domain name you have in your name. This is especially relevant if you aren't using it. It could be considered domain name parking.

Does that make sense?

Sort of! I'm in that place where its foggy but I can see certain things, but not everything! I've registered a domain name for £10 recurring annually. Ok with that.

I have wordpress installed locally via a plugin called 'local', have a plugin called Astra and Elemental. Elemental looks so good with drag and drop.

Wordpress.org is saying it has a free site? also one that costs £36+vat.

What will i get for the free site?

I wont be selling of making any income from the site, so I want it as cheap as possible.
Thanks

There are two versions of Wordpress - Wordpress.org and Wordpress.com. If you use .com it’s like any normal site builder - yes there is a free version BUT you are unable to use plugins, your own domain and lots of other restrictions. You can only access these features with a paid version and none of their packages are very cheap.

What I did was buy cheap hosting (I used Hostinger) and got 3 years for about £60. I then installed Wordpress.org via the hosting site which allows plugins and custom domains etc. I got free SSL certificates included in my hosting package too.

It works well and Hostinger have a great support help system and get back to you very quickly. They can also migrate a site from Wordpress.com so you don’t have to rebuild it if you have an existing one. Also, you are able to host multiple sites with even a fairly basic package so it’s handy if you want to expand.

Let me know if you need any more help.

Personally I recommend Weebly to users in your position. I see the hype around Elementor but find it is largely used by experienced amateurs if you like.

Why not use SM platforms to reach your audience? Websites are useful to some as an element of the marketing mix but generally don't lead to conversion in isolation.

Have you researched where your target market hangs out? Not wishing to sound patronising but without knowing your rationale or intention it's hard to advise. A website isn't always the way to go especially if you have a younger target audience.

Hope this helps x

Just to add. When I did my ebusiness MSc I had to build a website as part of the coursework. Is this what you need it for?

In answer to your main question, yes - there are many hosting companies where you can pay monthly or yearly, and cancel at any time.
I've only ever chosen hosts that allow monthly payments, cancellable at any time.

Then with a paid for hosting account, within your account you can easily install Wordpress on any of your own domains for free in one click. And in many cases, the hosting company will even do this for you if you ask their support. Then you'll have full control over your own website(s), without any adverts from Wix etc.

SM isn't really appropriate for the information I want to share. I have been playing around with Elementor and its pretty OK, but thanks. Its just so confusing to start with.

Hostinger does look very good value for money. I have wordpress.org installed on my PC ('Local'), astra and elementor, which I find good to use. I've also just bought a domain name for £10 so fine with that.

Does it sound feasible to build the website within wordpress.org using elementor etc, add my domain name then migrate the whole site to hostinger once the site is built? Or is that really difficult.

Dont want to go with hostinger immediately as wordpress is already on my PC and I'm confused enough without having to locate it and delete then reinstall.

I think i've gone about it backwards, but its slowly getting clearer. I will build the website (or try) and see where it goes from there.

Hostinger or ionos look good.

Thanks for all the help so far people 😊

You can build your site first then migrate it to a host at a later date. The main thing to note is you will have to either transfer your domain to the hosting site (recommended and costs about £10) or adjust the DNS server on your domain host so the new host can direct the site correctly.

I wouldn’t worry about that in the early stages though - get the site ready to go then whoever you choose for hosting should be able to guide you through the steps to get up and running.

Might be worth noting that Elementor can be a bit temperamental when migrating. You may need to go back in and adjust some settings especially if you have used custom css.

@AmazeAmazeAmaze Many thanks xx

With WordPress.org, while you can use it for free, you'll need hosting and a domain, which usually have costs associated with them. The annual hosting fee can vary, but it's essential to research and choose a reliable hosting provider.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, you might want to explore WindowsVPS.host. They offer hosting solutions that could fit your needs. While pricing can vary depending on your requirements, they often strive to provide competitive rates.
As for WordPress.com, it's another option to consider, especially if you want a more straightforward and user-friendly experience. WordPress.com offers hosting, and you can start with a free plan.