Hosting Options

Why Focus on Low-Cost Hosting?

Public libraries often face tight budgets. By selecting hosting solutions that are free or low cost, libraries can allocate more funds to community services, collections, and outreach, while still maintaining a professional, accessible web presence.

  • Supports budget-friendly web infrastructure.
  • Allows custom domain and professional branding.
  • Maintains scalability and reliability within resource constraints.

Recommended Hosting Options

  • JerseyConnect Free Hosting (New Jersey): Provides free web hosting (5 GB storage, free SSL) for libraries in New Jersey.
  • OPLIN Webkits (Ohio): Low-cost hosting/website kits for Ohio public libraries; includes CMS and hosting.
  • LibraryHost: Low-cost hosting and support of open-source library software for institutions of various sizes.
  • Neocities Free Plan: 1 GB storage, static-site hosting for free—suitable for simple informational sites.
  • General recommendation: Use free or very low-cost shared hosting if your site is small and mostly informational; upgrade as needed for higher traffic or complex services.

When selecting a plan, check for: custom domain support, free SSL, backup/restore options, and billing transparency (watch for renewal price increases).

Key Factors for Library Website Hosting

  • Supports a custom domain (e.g., yourlibrary.org).
  • Includes HTTPS (SSL certificate) by default.
  • Offers sufficient storage and bandwidth for your content (events, PDFs, images).
  • Allows you to maintain accessibility-compliant code (clean HTML/CSS, fast loading, good uptime).
  • Provides reliable backups and restore options.
  • Has transparent pricing and reasonable renewal terms.
  • Allows for growth (e.g., you can upgrade if traffic or content increases).

Implementation Checklist

  • Choose a hosting provider from the list or one you’ve vetted.
  • Set up your custom domain and configure DNS correctly.
  • Install and enforce HTTPS for all pages.
  • Ensure your site meets accessibility standards (see your accessibility checklist page!).
  • Ensure the hosting plan supports backups and restore operations.
  • Test site load speed and performance (especially for mobile users).
  • Review that renewal cost is clear, and budget accordingly.

Pro tip: Start with a free or very low-cost host for your informational site and scale up to a paid plan when you add more dynamic services (catalog integration, user accounts, digital collection viewers).