Short answer: buy the longest term you're confident you'll keep the site for. Long terms lock in the intro price and avoid renewal jumps, but you pay everything up front, and refunds usually end after 30 days. If you're not sure the site will last, start with one year.
Why the term matters so much
Budget hosts discount the first term only. When it ends, you pay the regular rate, a median of 2.9 times the intro price across the hosts in our Renewal Price Index. A longer first term simply delays that jump.
DreamHost: the clearest example
DreamHost's Launch plan has two intro offers:
| Term | Intro price | Due at checkout | Renews at |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $2.89/mo | $34.68 | $10.99/mo |
| 4 years | $1.99/mo | $95.52 | $7.99/mo |
Here's what each route costs as time goes on:
| You keep the site for… | 1-year term, then renew | 4-year term |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | $35 | $96 |
| 18 months | $101 | $96 |
| 24 months | $167 | $96 |
| 36 months | $298 | $96 |
| 48 months | $430 | $96 |
The 4-year term pays off from about month 18. Over four years, it saves about $335, and it also renews at the lower $7.99 rate.
DreamHost7.7/10
Bloggers and small sites that want low prices and flexible terms without heavy upsells
Renewal terms matter too
The term you choose at renewal changes the price as well. Using each host's published regular rates:
| Host | Monthly | 1-year term | Longer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| SiteGround StartUp | $24.99/mo | $17.99/mo | $14.99/mo (2 years) |
| Bluehost Starter | $15.99/mo | $11.99/mo | $9.99/mo (3 years) |
| Namecheap Stellar | $5.88/mo | $4.66/mo | $4.29/mo (2 years) |
- SiteGround: renewing for 2 years instead of 1 saves $72 over those two years.
- Bluehost: renewing for 3 years instead of paying monthly saves $72 a year.
- Namecheap: the 2-year renewal ($102.88) saves only about $9 over buying two 1-year terms, so flexibility costs little here.
- 1
Namecheap7.3/10
Hobby sites and side projects, especially if your domain is already at Namecheap
- 2
DreamHost7.7/10
Bloggers and small sites that want low prices and flexible terms without heavy upsells
- 3
SiteGround8.4/10
Bloggers and small businesses who want WordPress looked after and great support
Long terms that need care
Some headline prices are only available on long terms. Hostinger's $2.49 a month needs a 48-month prepay ($119.52), and Bluehost's $3.99 needs 36 months ($143.64). These are good deals if you'll use all of them, and money spent if you leave early.
How to choose your term in 30 seconds
- Is this a test, a side project or a new idea? Buy 1 year.
- Is it an established site you'll run for years? Buy the longest intro term offered.
- Is your intro term ending? Renew on a 2- or 3-year term if you're staying, or lower your bill first.
- Whatever you choose, note the money-back deadline and test the host within it. See money-back guarantees compared.
Compare every host's first-year and three-year cost on the hosting prices page.