Real numbers on renewal shocks, TTFB revenue loss, and why the cheapest host costs the most. No opinion pieces — just math.
Both providers advertise low intro prices. The 3-year reality: Bluehost = $323.16, Cloudways = $504.
ComparisonCloudways costs $36 more over three years in hosting. SiteGround measured 263ms TTFB vs Cloudways, which we haven't measured. Real TCO comparison for WooCommerce stores.
WooCommerce Hosting8 hosts compared on TTFB, renewal cost, and revenue impact. No sponsored picks. Cloudways #1, SiteGround #2.
TTFB BenchmarksTTFB measured across 5 WooCommerce hosts, from an open benchmark dataset. InterServer answers in 162ms; GoDaddy in 719ms.
WooCommerce PerformanceFive real store scenarios in euros and dollars — the conservative floor says a slow shop gives back 1–3% of revenue every month, silently, forever.
WooCommerce PerformanceA slow WooCommerce site loses real money: ~0.4% of conversions per 100ms of TTFB above baseline. Here's the published research and the exact math for your store.
Renewal ShockNamecheap advertises hosting from $2.18/mo. At renewal it rises to $6.98/mo — a 220% increase. Here is the exact 3-year math and what to do about it.
Renewal ShockHostinger advertises hosting from $2.99/mo. At renewal it rises to $8.99/mo — a 201% increase. Here is the exact 3-year math and what to do about it.
Renewal ShockHostGator advertises hosting from $2.75/mo. At renewal it rises to $11.95/mo — a 335% increase. Here is the exact 3-year math and what to do about it.
Renewal ShockThe intro price is $1/mo. The renewal is $14/mo — a 1,300% increase. The verified rates for all four plans, and what three years costs.
Renewal ShockA2 Hosting was acquired and rebranded as hosting.com. Legacy plans were retired, and hosting.com does not publish renewal rates, so we will not invent a table.
Renewal ShockThe intro price is $2.99/mo. The renewal is $17.99/mo - a 501% increase. Over 3 years you pay $467.64. Here is the full breakdown.
Renewal ShockThe intro price is $2.99/mo. The renewal is $10.99/mo. That's a 267% increase — and it's buried in the fine print. Here's the exact math.
Price AnalysisBluehost advertises from $2.95/mo. After your first term, that number triples. We break down the full 3-year cost comparison so you know before you commit.
CompareA full 3-year TCO breakdown: InMotion = $317.64, Cloudways = $504. By the numbers, not the ad. Includes renewal rates and what you really pay.
Price LockMost hosts advertise "low prices" but quietly spike at renewal. Price-lock hosting freezes your rate forever. Here's who offers it, what the catch is, and whether it's worth it.
Revenue ImpactEvery 100ms of TTFB delay above the 200ms baseline costs e-commerce stores an estimated 0.4% in conversions. We built a free calculator so you can see your exact revenue exposure.