Everything you ever wanted to know about Bookswarm hosting (but were afraid to ask)
I doubt anybody who sets up a web design business does so because they want to host websites. But if you create websites, they’ve got to be hosted, so it’s an integral part of our business.
Most of our clients appreciate that it’s easier for us to host their websites than it is for them to arrange it independently, and they realise that if there’s a problem with the site, it’s much simpler all round if they have one contact – Bookswarm – who will then determine whether the problem is with the content, the code or the hosting platform, and get it fixed ASAP.
At the time of writing, Bookswarm hosts over 200 client websites, with more in development all the time. Since completing our first website projects back in 2008, we’ve only changed our hosting prices twice. Now, we’re back for round three!
At Bookswarm, we take supporting our clients seriously – and with an ever-increasing amount of time spent on support issues, it’s vital for all our clients that we have a fair charging structure that allows us to spend the necessary time on support, and all the important behind-the-scenes maintenance too.
So, after much thought, we are introducing a new pricing model which is designed to more accurately reflect the way that websites of different types and sizes and with different features generate different volumes of support and maintenance activity. For some clients, this will mean a price increase on their next annual renewal, for others a reduction.
To find out how it will affect you, please read on…
Simon Appleby
March 2023
The new pricing model
Historically, we have split our hosting invoices into three separate elements:
- Hosting (the server on which the site ‘lives’)
- Maintenance (keeping the site plugins updated and doing other behind-the-scenes tasks)
- Support (answering client questions, resolving issues and making minor changes)
We don’t think the distinction between the different elements means much to clients, so we are dropping this distinction in favour of a single charge that will reflect the nature, size and complexity of the site being supported. We will refer to the different options as Hosting Packages.
As before, a Hosting Package can be invoiced annually, bi-annually or quarterly according to the preferences of each client.
A new formula will be applied to provide discounts to clients who have multiple Hosting Packages, and we will be aligning billing dates for clients who receive this discount, to reduce the amount of admin for all of us.
Read on…
The Big Four
A big part of our thinking is the level of support requests generated by different types of website.
There are four main website features which, in our experience, increase the amount of support and maintenance activity that a website will typically need. We have christened these ‘the Big Four.’
1. E-commerce
There are two reasons why e-commerce websites generate higher levels of support activity:
- They involve payments
- They involve customer support queries
When e-commerce is involved, the stakes are higher, and this is reflected in our pricing.
2. Data import
We have built numerous websites powered by publisher data feeds (usually ONIX feeds). Support queries are a common occurrence – many of which involve comparing the data received with what’s showing on the website. Scheduled imports sometimes fail and this requires our support.
3. Data export
Data export takes many forms, but the most common application is sending details of completed e-commerce orders to a warehouse or fulfilment partner. Each of these exports is different, and usually requires a bespoke file format and an automated schedule. If exports are incorrect or missing, we need to be able to offer urgent attention.
4. Membership
Like e-commerce, many membership sites involve online payments. Sometimes, our support can be needed to ensure that members are able to log in and can access all of the content and features they’re entitled to.
Membership renewals and events can also add to the potential issues we have to help with.
Included as standard
The following applies to all the WordPress Hosting Packages shown on this page.
Servers
- All our websites are hosted on enterprise-level managed hosting provided by Kinsta
- Kinsta provide fast and secure infrastructure, worldwide CDN, edge caching, 35 data centers, and enterprise-level features
- Kinsta use Google’s fastest servers and Premium Tier network
- All websites are backed up nightly, and those backups are retained for 30 days off-site (i.e. not on the same server as the website)
- All websites are secured using automatic SSL
- We set up Google Analytics for all websites we host, and invite clients to have access to them (unless clients wish to do this themselves)
- All websites have our ‘Bookswarm Ninja support’ plugin installed, allowing clients to ask for help from within the site itself. This is provided using the Doorbell platform
- All our websites are cached in multiple ways to speed up the user experience
Software
Bookswarm maintain access to a library of best-in-class tools that can be used for the benefit of all our clients, including:
- Toolset
- GravityForms
- Advanced Custom Fields Pro
- Divi
- Divi Booster
- WP All Import Pro
- WP All Export Pro
- Smash Balloon
- WPMUDev plugins
- WP Pusher
- SeedProd Coming Soon Pro
- Relevanssi Premium
- Adobe Fonts
- Fonts.com
This represents thousands of pounds of annual expenditure for Bookswarm to ensure we make the best websites we can, and that all the tools we use are always up-to-date and secure. Paying for premium plugins also gives us access to the support teams for those plugins.
Hosting Packages: Author Websites
Microsite
Package A1- Any website with three pages or fewer (excluding blog posts or portfolio posts)
- Usually, although not always, built using the Divi theme / Divi Builder plugin
- Can apply to all types of client, including bookshops, publishers and others
- Microsites with e-commerce are not eligible – see Package A3
Author website
Package A2- Applicable to most Bookswarm author websites
- Likely to include book management and retailer links, news / blog / events, mailing list signup and social tools, and additional content
- Author websites with e-commerce are not eligible – see Package A3
Author microsite or website with e-commerce
Package A3- For any author microsite or author website that includes e-commerce
- Covers WooCommerce sites as well as other e-commerce impementations e.g. Snipcart, GravityForms + Stripe, GravityForms + PayPal
Please note: all prices exclude VAT.
Hosting Packages: Publisher Websites
Publisher catalogue
Package P1- A publisher catalogue website usually includes book listings, author listings and may have a blog / news / events sections, as well as other content
- Site doesn’t include e-commerce
- Site doesn’t include data importer
- Site doesn’t include data exporter
Publisher catalogue with importer
Package P2- A publisher catalogue website usually includes book listings, author listings and may have a blog / news / events sections, as well as other content
- Title / author information is imported automatically via WP All Import Pro, usually from a feed provided by the publisher’s title management system
- Site doesn’t include e-commerce
- Site doesn’t exclude data exporter
Please note: all prices exclude VAT.
Hosting Packages: Advanced Publisher Websites
Publisher catalogue with e-commerce
Package AP1- A publisher catalogue website usually includes book listings, author listings and may have a blog / news / events sections, as well as other content
- For any publisher website that includes WooCommerce to sell products
- Also applies to bookshop and journal websites with e-commerce
- Site doesn’t include data importer
- Site doesn’t include data exporter
Publisher catalogue with e-commerce, importer & exporter
Package AP2- A publisher catalogue website usually includes book listings, author listings and may have a blog / news / events sections, as well as other content
- For any publisher website that includes WooCommerce to sell products
- Title / author information is imported automatically via WP All Import Pro, usually from a feed provided by the publisher’s title management system
- Stock levels may also be imported from a feed
- Order or customer data is exported to an agreed spec, either to the client or a third party, using WP All Export Pro
Publisher catalogue with e-commerce & importer
Package AP3- A publisher catalogue website usually includes book listings, author listings and may have a blog / news / events sections, as well as other content
- For any publisher website that includes WooCommerce to sell products
- Title / author information is imported automatically via WP All Import Pro, usually from a feed provided by the publisher’s title management system
- Stock levels may also be imported from a feed
- Site doesn’t exclude data exporter
Publisher catalogue with e-commerce & exporter
Package AP4- A publisher catalogue website usually includes book listings, author listings and may have a blog / news / events sections, as well as other content
- For any publisher website that includes WooCommerce to sell products
- Order or customer data is exported to an agreed spec, either to the client or a third party, using WP All Export Pro
- Site doesn’t exclude data importer
Please note: all prices exclude VAT.
Hosting Packages: Other Websites
Literary agency website
Package M1- A website for a literary agency or rights agency. This usually includes a client database, and may have a blog / news / events sections, as well as other content and functionality
- Site doesn’t include e-commerce
- Site doesn’t include data importer
- Site doesn’t include data exporter
Other WordPress website
Package M2- For any WordPress website that falls outside the other pricing categories, including ‘brochureware’ websites
- Clients may include publishing service providers, charities and others
- Site doesn’t include e-commerce
- Site doesn’t exclude data exporter
- Site doesn’t include data importer
Membership website
Package M3- A website for a membership organisation, typically built using the S2Member Pro or PaidMembershipPro plugins.
- Members can join, pay and manage their membership through the website
- Can also include e-commerce
Static HTML website
Package M4- A static website that’s been built without any kind of Content Management System. We don’t build websites like this, but occasionally we are asked to host them by our clients
- Includes providing client with SFTP access to manage the site’s files
- Does not include any updates or support – this is a hosting-only price
Please note: all prices exclude VAT.
Multi-site discounts
Clients with multiple Hosting Packages will receive a discount.
The discount will be applied to the total bill, and will be shown on the annual hosting invoice.
For users of WordPress Multisite: Where multiple websites are hosted within a single instance of WordPress (a WordPress Network) each active site within the WordPress Network will be counted as single site and assigned an appropriate hosting plan. Customers will receive an additional 5% discount to reflect the reduced maintenance requirements of WordPress Multisite.
2 websites: 5%
3 websites: 10%
4 websites: 15%
5+ websites: 20%
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know which package is appropriate for my website?
– For existing customers: you do not have to choose. There should only be one applicable package based on the nature of your business and the features of your website. Your annual hosting renewal invoice will include the hosting package code (A1, P1, etc.) and be for the appropriate amount
– For new customers: the proposal or quote on which your project was based will include details of the appropriate hosting costs, based on the agreed specification for the website. For some projects, this may include the first year of hosting at a discounted cost or for free – but if that’s the case, we will still explain the costs that will apply when invoicing starts
Can I choose may payment schedule?
Yes. You can pay for the relevant package annually, bi-annually or quarterly. We will default to annual invoicing but if you wish to change this just let us know.
If the specification of my website changes, will my hosting bill change?
Yes. If you add features to the site after launch, this may require moving on to a higher cost hosting plan. If this happens, we will pro-rate the increased amount and invoice you accordingly.
If you downgrade the specification of your website (for example, you decide you no longer want to have a data importer), then this could move you down to a lower cost hosting plan. If this happens, we will credit you the appropriate rebate, pro rata, and apply it to your future invoices.
This is too expensive. Can I host my website myself?
Of course. Some of our clients do host their own websites, and there is no obligation to host your websites with us. We will happily suggest some providers you may wish to consider.
We would still build the website on our own servers and deploy it to your chosen hosting platform when it was complete.
A discussion about what ongoing support and maintenance you require (if any) will determine the appropriate level of cost for that activity.
Do I get a discount for hosting multiple websites?
Yes. Please see above for the discounts that will apply.
What happens if I don't want to pay for support?
We no longer provide the option for the user to ‘opt out’ of support. Even if we don’t receive many support requests from a client, we think that our prices are a fair reflection of the hosting and maintenance service we provide, and that it’s simpler if all customers have access to our support in the event that it’s needed.
My question isn't answered here. Can I contact you?
Of course! Email hosting@bookswarm.co.uk, contact us via the website or message Simon in the usual way. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have or explain anything that’s unclear.