If you've ever taken out web hosting because it cost “only €2.99 a month,” you've probably experienced it: a year later suddenly triples your bill.
Welcome to one of the oldest tricks in the hosting world - renewal price increases.
It's a revenue model that seems cheap on the front end, but costs you much more in the long run. And it slowly erodes trust in the entire industry.
1. The illusion of cheap hosting
The problem starts with marketing. Most hosting providers advertise a low “introductory price” but hide the real renewal price deep in the fine print.
For example:
“Only €2.99 per month” - (renewal: €9.99 or even €14.99).
The result? Customers think they have found an affordable host, but later feel misled.
That is not transparency. That's deception.
2. Why this hurts customers AND the industry
Renewal price increases not only create frustration but also distrust of the entire hosting industry.
- Confidence disappears: once customers discover the real cost, they drop out.
- Confusion: many users do not know what they will actually pay after the first year.
- Constant switching: people hop from provider to provider for the next “promotional price,” rather than building a stable partnership.
A cycle that only plays into the hands of the large, corporate hosts - not the users who rely on them.
3. Why big companies keep doing this
Simple: they are driven by short-term profits.
Price increases at renewal create nice quarterly numbers, but destroy long-term customer relationships.
When profit becomes more important than people, transparency disappears first.
4. Hostbee's approach: fair and sustainable prices
At Hostbee, we believe hosting can be boring - in the best way: clear, predictable and honest.
Therefore, we use one simple model:
- No price increases at renewal - ever
- All features included from day one
- Subscriptions from as little as €1 per month
- The price you pay the first time, you always pay it
No upsells. No “temporary deals.” No surprises.
What you pay today, you pay next year.
5. Honesty builds loyalty
Customers don't switch because of one euro difference - they switch because they feel cheated.
By being open, honest and human, Hostbee makes hosting what it should be again:
a collaboration between people who want to build something online, not a contract full of fine print.
6. The future of hosting is fair
More and more users are piercing through misleading prices. Transparency is no longer a marketing ploy - it is a competitive advantage.
Hostbee is part of a new generation of hosting companies that is showing that you don't need to trick customers to grow.
Renewal price increases seem profitable today, but cost trust tomorrow. And without trust, even the biggest brands lose what really counts - loyal customers.
Are you ready for hosting that is simple, transparent and human?