This page is only devoted to “selecting a platform”.
If you already have a website created at The Donat Shop, the first 5 steps are not lost.
The platform determines how website works and where you lives.
OPTION 1
maintenance + hosting plan
Simply keep your website at The Donat Shop and enjoy our new full maintenance hosting plan.
(wordpress)
Most customizable / robust / expandable / costly
This is the best and most secure option for wordpress sites. Obviously there are even more secure options but they are for high traffic ecommerce websites and cost a lot more. Nothing is fully secure. Google and banks get hacked.
Our maintenance hosting plan is about $10/month less than others. Our hosting server is faster and allows more bandwidth than standard hosting plans provide.
What’s involved?
Nothing. You simply need to select the maintenance / hosting plan that is right for you. Click to see plans and costs.
PROS
- Most secure wordpress option. Functionality and uptime monitored. Your site works and is as safe.
- Keep your website as is
- Peace of mind
- Fast hosting
CONS
- Higher cost
COSTS (estimated)
- Website migrating – $0
- Hosting security – choose a plans below
Scroll down to see the maintenance / hosting plans
If you like option 1, please select a plan below from the green columns.
OPTION 2
3rd party hosting
Skip our Maintenance hosting plan and host independently with another company.
(wordpress)
Most customizable / robust / expandable / costly
This is basically and option to leave everything in your hands. You choose how secure you want to be.
What’s involved?
We would have to move your website to a different hosting plan of your choosing. The reason is; if your site gets hacked all other sites on that server become vulnerable via that hack. That makes it unsafe to host unprotected and maintained websites. An unresolved hack can cause your website to be shut down for days or even weeks at a time.
Advice
We advise to also get a separate security plan and a maintenance plan. This will of course increase your monthly cost beyond just hosting, but you can avoid getting hacked and the costs of eradicating all malware files and restoring all functionality.
Our maintenance / hosting plan is about $10/month less than others. Our hosting server is faster and allows more bandwidth than standard hosting plans provide.
PROS
- Possibly cheaper (but possibly not)
- Keep your website as is. (though migrate it to a new server)
CONS
- Leaves your site very vulnerable.
- Website migrating cost – $100 (moving your site to your new server)
- When your website is hacked you are responsible for removing all malware after you get hacked. This is $200 or more
- We suggest getting a security plan to avoid the work left after a hack. (though this will bring costs up again)
COSTS (estimated)
- Website migrating – $100
- Hosting – up to you – $5-15 per month
- Security – up to you – $10-100 per month
Note:
This option allows you to run your website without maintenance or security if you so choose. This would make the hosting your only monthly cost. This would leave vulnerable to hacks and breaks to your website. A Hack can cause you website to be shut down. If the hacker places malware that spams everyone. This will cause the server to over load and an as anti spam measure they block that server. It’s happened. The cost of the recovery of your website and removal of all malware is on you too. This can be a $200 and more undertaking. Your website can also not be functioning without you knowing it. For these reasons I do suggest some form or security and maintenance. But that entirely up to you.
We offer 2 managing plans that provide security. scroll down to the the columns in blue. This however brings up the monthly cost over or close to the option 1 plans.
My suggestion is to either go with an option 1 plan or option 3. But you can choose option 2. This option is only to give you the freedom to choose your own option.
Option 2 – A
If you would like to host elsewhere, but would prefer we take care of your website maintenance, please select a plan below from the blue columns.
option 2 – B
If you would like to host elsewhere and don’t require our maintenance and security, just let us know and we will make the migration happen.
OPTION 3
move to a website builder plan
We recreate your website on a Squarespace or Weebly website system. Security included.
(not wordpress)
Least customizable / robust / expandable / costly
As cheaper alternative to wordpress we now offer Squarespace and Weebly website creation. In the recent past these website builders have grown to be viable alternatives to WordPress.
The main short coming to this options is that it’s less expandable, less features and less customizable. Layouts would be templates. Color, fonts and photos can be unique to you beyond that it’s templates that others also have. This can be fine for your needs.
If you feel your website has minimal requirements and you prefer a lower monthly cost this option might be right for you. Monthly costs vary per system and your requirements. We can discuss which is better for your needs (Squarespace or Weebly). They have nice designs. Customization is limited but perhaps not needed to meet your needs.
PROS
- Cheaper
- Hacks are less likely
- A bit more simple to use
CONS
- limited expansion
- limited customization
- website set up ($500-1000)
- not always responsive (cross platform compatible – phone vs computer viewing). We would only create responsive websites so that could just mean there are less templates to choose from.
- e-commerce – limited expandability
- e-commerce – typically a hire rate per transaction
COSTS (estimated)
- recreating of website – set up ($500-1000)
- Hosting – $12-50 per month
If you would like more information on the difference between Wordpress and the Website builder option, click the button below .