Beware Before You Foursquare:
What You Need to Know Before Switching Hosting Providers
We had a client request recently to cancel her hosting service with us because she felt we were too expensive. She wanted to move her website hosting and email across to Foursquare. It became apparent during the process (and her numerous email enquiries to us) that she had not fully understood all the implications (and stress) of what this most would mean. So we decided to write an article about it.
Note: Our standard website hosting is not expensive – click here to view details of what we provide for the fee we charge.
One of the first things to note is that Foursquare has its own proprietary website builder. If your website was built on WordPress by our team, moving it over to Foursquare will typically mean that it needs to be recreated from scratch on their platform. This is not just a simple migration; it’s a full rebuild. The design, functionality, and custom features you’ve enjoyed will have to be replicated, often with limited flexibility compared to WordPress. This can lead to unexpected costs, time delays, and potential compromises in your website’s performance and appearance.
With our service, you benefit from a personal touch. You have a single point of contact who knows your website, your history, and your specific needs.
So, when issues arise or changes are needed, you can expect a quick, personalised response.
With Foursquare, however, you are likely to become just another number in a large system. While this might not seem like an issue when everything is running smoothly, it can become a significant frustration when you need support. Long wait times, impersonal interactions, and the need to explain your situation repeatedly to different support agents can be time-consuming and exasperating.
Foursquare is not based in the UK, which can bring additional frustrations.
Time zone differences can mean that getting timely support becomes more challenging, especially in emergency situations. Additionally, dealing with a provider that doesn’t understand the specific needs and regulations of UK businesses can lead to miscommunications and compliance issues. For example, data protection and privacy laws differ, and a non-UK provider might not be as attuned to GDPR requirements as a UK-based host. Moreover, if something goes wrong, resolving disputes can be more difficult and prolonged due to jurisdictional differences.
One of the major concerns with Foursquare is their pricing structure.
Unlike our transparent pricing, Foursquare’s costs are not readily available on their website. They seem to charge for every little thing, which makes it difficult for the average person to determine what the actual cost will be. What might seem like a cheaper option at first could quickly become more expensive as you encounter additional charges for essential features and services. This lack of clarity can lead to unexpected bills and budget overruns, leaving you feeling frustrated and misled.
When evaluating hosting providers, it’s essential to compare apples to apples. However, in this case, it’s almost impossible to do so. Our service includes bespoke website management, personalized support, and a commitment to your success that a large, impersonal platform like Foursquare simply cannot match. While the initial price tag might seem attractive, the hidden costs, the need to rebuild your site, and the potential for frustrating customer service experiences all add up. In the end, you may find that the savings aren’t worth the sacrifices.
Switching hosting providers is a significant decision, and it’s vital to fully understand what you’re getting into before making the leap. While Foursquare might appear to be an attractive option on the surface, there are numerous factors to consider that might make it a less suitable choice than it first seems. Before you make any decisions, ensure that you’re comparing like with like and fully understand the potential challenges you could face. Our commitment to providing high-quality, personalized service at a transparent price is what sets us apart – something that’s difficult to quantify but essential to your business’s success.
Whatever type of website you need we can help!
With over 25 years experience in building a LOT of website you’re in safe hands.
Contact us today and let’s have a chat about what you’re wanting to achieve and how we can help you reach those goals.
3 Page Wordpress Website
- 3 page professionally designed website
- Mobile Friendly/Responsive Design
- FREE Domain registration
- 2GIG Hosting space
- Managed Website Hosting
- 1 Free Business Email Address*
- Unlimited Traffic
- SSL Certificate
- Software & Plugin Maintenance
- Regular Backups
- Uptime Monitoring
- Website SOS Insurance
- Initial Deposit: £299
5 Page Wordpress Website
- 5 page professionally designed website
- Mobile Friendly/Responsive Design
- FREE Domain registration
- 2GIG Hosting space
- Managed Website Hosting
- 1 Free Business Email Address*
- Unlimited Traffic
- SSL Certificate
- Software & Plugin Maintenance
- Regular Backups
- Uptime Monitoring
- Website SOS Insurance
- Initial Deposit: £399
8 Page Wordpress Website
- 8 page professionally designed website
- Mobile Friendly/Responsive Design
- FREE Domain registration
- 2GIG Hosting space
- Managed Website Hosting
- 2 Free Business Email Addresses*
- Unlimited Traffic
- SSL Certificate
- Software & Plugin Maintenance
- Regular Backups
- Uptime Monitoring
- Website SOS Insurance
- Initial Deposit: £450
10 Page Wordpress Website
- 10 page professionally designed website
- Mobile Friendly/Responsive Design
- FREE Domain registration
- 2GIG Hosting space
- Managed Website Hosting
- 2 Free Business Email Addresses*
- Unlimited Traffic
- SSL Certificate
- Software & Plugin Maintenance
- Regular Backups
- Uptime Monitoring
- Website SOS Insurance
- Initial Deposit: £595
How does our pricing work?
The prices above include a part amortisation of your website cost over a 12 month period. PLUS we provide you with our hosting bundle at a heavily discounted price for the first 12 months. So, you'll pay the setup fee to get going, and then the fee indicated above for the next 12 months. After that, you'll have paid off your website's design cost and the amount will drop to just our hosting bundle fee (£32pm). All priced quoted exclude VAT.