Resources
Web Hosting, Deployment & Domain Tools I Actually Use
These aren't pulled from a "best of" listicle. They're the actual platforms I rely on for client projects and my own sites, some continuously since 2019. If a tool didn't hold up in production, it's not here.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I've personally used on real projects for real clients.
Hosting, deployment & CI/CD
Netlify
Frontend hosting & CI/CD
I've deployed nearly every static and Astro site I've built on Netlify since 2019. Git-based deploys, instant rollbacks, and free SSL make it the easiest way to ship a fast site without managing a server.
Best for
Astro sites, static sites, JAMstack, CI/CD pipelines
I've deployed nearly every static and Astro site I've built on Netlify since 2019. If you're building with Astro, Next.js, Hugo, or any static site generator, Netlify is the easiest way to go from a Git push to a live, production-ready site, without touching a server.
Why I use Netlify
- • Git-based deploys: Connect your repo and every push to main triggers an automatic build and deploy. No FTP, no manual uploads.
- • Instant rollbacks: If a deploy breaks something, you can roll back to any previous build in one click. This alone has saved client projects.
- • Deploy previews: Every pull request gets its own live preview URL. Clients can review changes before they go live: no more "can you send me a staging link?" emails.
- • Free SSL on every site: HTTPS is automatic and renewed without any manual configuration.
- • Serverless functions: Add backend logic without managing a server: form handling, API routes, authentication, all built in.
- • Global CDN: Static assets are served from edge nodes worldwide, keeping load times fast regardless of where your visitors are.
Who Netlify is best for
Netlify is the right choice if you're building static sites, Astro sites, or JAMstack projects and want a deployment pipeline that stays out of your way. It's my default for any site that doesn't require a traditional server: portfolios, marketing sites, landing pages, documentation, and blogs.
For WordPress sites or anything that needs server-side PHP, you'll want a managed host like SiteGround instead.
Why the Pro plan is worth it for client work
Netlify has a starting tier to get up and running, but for serious client work the Pro plan at $19/month is where it becomes a proper production platform. You get password-protected deploy previews (essential when sharing work-in-progress with clients), significantly higher build limits, background functions, and priority support. For agencies and freelancers billing client projects, $19/month is negligible compared to the time it saves.
The starting tier is fine for personal projects and experimentation, but if you're deploying client sites and need reliable builds, collaboration features, and the ability to share previews securely, Pro is the right starting point.
SiteGround
Managed WordPress hosting
For WordPress client projects, SiteGround's managed hosting handles updates, caching, and security so clients don't have to think about it. Their staging tool makes testing changes before launch painless.
Best for
WordPress sites, WooCommerce stores, managed hosting, client handoffs
For WordPress client projects, SiteGround is the host I recommend and use. It's managed hosting, meaning SiteGround handles server updates, caching, security patches, and daily backups so your clients don't have to think about infrastructure.
Why I use SiteGround
- • Managed WordPress updates: Core, plugin, and theme updates are handled automatically, with rollback support if something breaks.
- • One-click staging environment: Test changes, plugin updates, or redesigns on a staging copy before pushing live. This is non-negotiable for client work.
- • Built-in caching (SuperCacher): SiteGround's caching layer significantly improves page speed without needing a third-party plugin like WP Rocket.
- • Daily backups with one-click restore: Every site is backed up daily, and restoring a previous version takes seconds from the dashboard.
- • Free CDN and SSL: Integrated Cloudflare CDN and automatic SSL on every plan.
- • Security monitoring: Proactive malware scanning and a custom web application firewall (WAF) built into every plan.
Why SiteGround for client WordPress sites specifically
When I hand off a completed WordPress site to a client, I need to trust that the hosting won't require constant maintenance from me or the client. SiteGround's managed environment removes most of that burden. The client-facing dashboard (Site Tools) is also significantly more intuitive than cPanel, which means fewer support requests after handoff.
For agencies and freelancers managing multiple client WordPress sites, SiteGround's staging tools and per-site dashboards make it easier to keep projects organized without mixing environments.
SiteGround vs unmanaged hosting
Unmanaged hosting (cheap shared plans, VPS without management) looks cheaper on paper but the hidden cost is your time: server configuration, security patching, update management, and troubleshooting all land on you. For client projects where the client will be running the site long-term, that's a liability. SiteGround's GrowBig and GoGeek plans are the ones I recommend for most client sites: the price difference over cheap shared hosting is recovered the first time you don't have to spend an afternoon fixing a hacked WordPress install.
Domain registration
Namecheap
Domain registrar
Every domain I've registered for clients or my own projects since 2019 has gone through Namecheap. Straightforward DNS management and free WHOIS privacy on every domain, with no surprise renewal hikes.
Best for
Domain registration, DNS management, privacy protection, bulk domains
Every domain I've registered for a client or my own projects since 2019 has gone through Namecheap. The name is a little misleading: it's not just about being cheap, it's about being reliable, transparent, and easy to manage at scale.
Why I use Namecheap
- • WHOIS privacy included: Most registrars charge extra to hide your personal contact info from public domain lookups. Namecheap includes it on every domain, no upsell required.
- • Transparent renewal pricing: No bait-and-switch first-year pricing followed by surprise renewal hikes. What you see is close to what you pay at renewal.
- • Clean DNS management panel: DNS records are easy to add and update. Pointing a domain to Netlify, SiteGround, or Cloudflare is straightforward.
- • Domain transfer support: Moving existing client domains to Namecheap is painless, and their support team is responsive when issues come up.
- • .ca domain support: As a Canadian-based agency, I need reliable .ca registration. Namecheap handles Canadian domains without any friction.
- • Premium DNS for high-traffic sites: For clients who need faster DNS resolution and 100% uptime SLAs, Namecheap's Premium DNS is worth the small additional cost, especially for e-commerce or high-traffic sites where DNS downtime has a direct revenue impact.
Namecheap vs GoDaddy
I switched away from GoDaddy years ago. GoDaddy's upsell-heavy checkout, confusing dashboard, and renewal price hikes made managing client domains more frustrating than it needed to be. Namecheap's interface is straightforward, there are no dark patterns at checkout, and the pricing is consistent year over year.
Who manages the domains, you or your client?
For most client projects, I register the domain under the client's own Namecheap account so they maintain full ownership. For clients who prefer I handle it, Namecheap makes it easy to manage multiple domains across different projects from a single login.
E-commerce platform
Shopify
E-commerce platform
When a client needs a full online store instead of a marketing site, Shopify is my go-to. It handles payments, inventory, and checkout out of the box, so I can focus on the storefront design and customer experience.
Best for
E-commerce websites, online stores, product catalogues, checkout, inventory management
When a client needs a full online store, not just a marketing site with a contact form, Shopify is my platform of choice. It handles payments, checkout, inventory, shipping, and tax calculations out of the box, so I can focus on the storefront design and customer experience rather than building commerce infrastructure from scratch.
Why I use Shopify for client e-commerce
- • Payments built in: Shopify Payments handles credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more without needing a separate payment gateway setup. Stripe is also supported if clients prefer.
- • Inventory and order management: Clients can manage products, variants, stock levels, and orders from a single dashboard without any technical knowledge.
- • Checkout that converts: Shopify's checkout is heavily optimized for conversion rate. Clients get a battle-tested checkout flow without having to build or maintain it.
- • App ecosystem: Thousands of apps for reviews, loyalty programs, email marketing, subscriptions, and more, most integrate in minutes.
- • Headless Shopify: For clients who want a fully custom storefront (Astro, Next.js, or other frameworks) with Shopify powering the backend, the Storefront API makes headless e-commerce practical.
- • Shopify Markets: Built-in multi-currency, multi-language, and international shipping support for clients selling across borders.
Shopify vs WooCommerce
Both are solid platforms, but they serve different needs. WooCommerce gives you more control over the server environment and lower transaction fees on high-volume stores, but requires more maintenance: plugin updates, server management, and security monitoring all land on you or your client. Shopify trades some of that flexibility for a fully managed, always-updated platform. For most small to medium-sized client stores, Shopify's reduced maintenance burden makes it the better long-term choice, and a client who isn't filing support requests about their store is a client who stays happy.
What I build on Shopify
Custom Shopify themes, headless Shopify storefronts with Astro or Next.js, Shopify migrations from WooCommerce or BigCommerce, and ongoing store optimization. If a client needs a full e-commerce build, the conversation usually starts with Shopify.
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