Website hosting services comparison: alternatives to Bluehost
I have used and recommended Bluehost website hosting for years, but lately it’s been apparent that it’s time to look for an alternative. Their support used to be excellent, but I noticed it suddenly went downhill last year, and several Bluehost users have also experienced issues with site speed and downtime. One of my clients on Bluehost had a malware issue last year, and getting it resolved was a nightmare. Plus, their recently redesigned customer dashboard is buggy and makes it hard to find things. Below is an overview of several popular website hosting services, listed from least to most expensive. As with anything, you get what you pay for with website hosting. If having a reliable website is essential to your business, this is not the place to skimp on costs. I have personally not used these services except where mentioned and I am not an affiliate for any of these companies. Note: Most hosting providers will offer a low monthly fee for the first year, and then the rate increases. Be sure to read the fine print so you know what you can expect to pay after that initial promotional period. Also note: I didn't include GoDaddy here. I used them prior to Bluehost and moved away from them for various reasons, including poor support. Some of my clients do use GoDaddy and have had no major issues, but they would not be my first choice. TMD Hosting I recently helped someone who had an issue with a site hosted by TMD Hosting. I ended up needing to submit a support ticket and I was impressed by how quickly their support responded and resolved the issue. The client said they have been wonderful and always quick to respond, and the company has a 4.3 average rating on Google. A starter plan, which includes one website, is $9.99 / month with a promotional rate of $2.99 / month for the first year. This includes a free SSL certificate and one-click staging. Pros: Great rates and free SSL certificates on all plans Possible cons: Some reviews say they were unable to cancel their auto-renewal and still got charged after trying to cancel their plan, but this sort of thing could be attributed to user error. Given the overall positive reviews, great rates, and my personal (but brief) experience with their support, I would personally feel comfortable giving them a try. Cloudways Cloudways has generally good reviews, with plans starting at...
SEO copywriting guidelines
I often work with clients who are in the process of rebranding and building a new website. Often, these clients have been in business for a while and are refining their business services and offerings after having worked with a business coach. This is the perfect time to start thinking about search engine optimization! While it’s always possible to incorporate SEO into your content later, after your site has already launched, it’s much easier and often more effective to start it at the same time you do your copywriting and web design / redesign....
10 common mistakes authors make on Instagram
If you’ve been using Instagram for a while and you’re not seeing the results you want, make sure you’re not committing these 10 common mistakes I see authors making on Instagram....
What is bookstagram, and how can you use it as an author?
If you’re an author or aspiring author trying to navigate the often-confusing world of social media, you’ve likely heard of bookstagram. And if you’re like most people, you probably have questions. What exactly is bookstagram? How do you get involved? And how can you use it to reach readers and promote your book?...
The complete guide to building an author website
Are you an author looking to build your own website? The process can be a little overwhelming, especially if you’ve never build a website before. While a small author website can be completed in a relatively short period of time, you’ll want to make sure you complete all the necessary steps in order for your site to provide a good user experience, function properly on different devices, and help you meet your goals as an author....
7 questions to ask before building a website
You know your small business needs a website, but you have no idea where to begin. Should you take a webinar and try to figure it all out yourself? Should you pay someone else to do it for you? How much will it cost? And what does your website need on it, anyway?...
7 ways to create content that your audience actually wants
The key to success in content marketing is relevance. Your content needs to have a purpose and provide real value in order to earn your audience’s trust and keep them coming back for more. And creating content with a purpose means understanding what your customers really want — what’s important to them, what challenges they face, and what they expect from your product or service....
Mapping your content to the buyer’s journey
In order for your website content to drive action on your site and capture leads, it needs to speak to each user according to where they are in their decision-making process — a process that’s also known as the buyer’s journey....
What should you blog about, anyway?
Companies that have prioritized blogging are 13 times more likely to see a positive ROI on their marketing spend....
5 common website mistakes that hurt your conversion rates
The way that people search for information and make decisions has changed. Assuming your website is properly optimized for search engines so that users can find you, visitors may arrive at your site knowing nothing about you or your business. Sites that make these mistakes likely aren’t providing a good user experience or getting the conversion rates the company needs to generate qualified leads....