Hey folks! I'm currently building a website to showcase my dad's artwork as a new portfolio piece, and I'm diving into some new tech—specifically, I'm using Node.js with Express for the backend and React for the frontend, paired with PostgreSQL for the database and potentially Cloudinary for image hosting. The site will feature a small blog and three galleries, with tag filtering for gallery items and a backend where my dad can upload his artwork and create blog posts.
I'm feeling a bit lost when it comes to hosting since I initially thought of using my SiteGround server, but it seems that's not going to work with a Node backend. I've come across various hosting options, like combining frontend and backend in one service or splitting them up to save costs, but I'm unsure what's best given my lack of deep server experience. I want to learn as much as possible without getting overwhelmed, keep costs down (free tiers are preferred, but I'm okay with spending a little if it's worthwhile), and ensure the setup looks good for my portfolio. So, with that in mind, what hosting solutions would you recommend? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
It really depends on how deep you want to get into server management. If you’re up for a challenge, look for VPS providers like Digital Ocean or AWS—they’re typically around $5/month, but setting everything up will require more effort, like configuring firewalls and CI/CD pipelines.
Alternatively, consider PaaS (Platform as a Service) solutions like Render, which simplify deployment and come with free tiers, though they can be pricier if you need more capacity. You might try a free frontend service with Cloudflare and set up a no-cost database like Supabase for backend needs. However, be cautious as these solutions can feel a bit like using a CMS. If you want a hands-on experience with your stack, setting up a Node backend could be a good route, creating your CMS interface for your dad to use.
Thanks for your input! I like the PaaS idea and was thinking about using one first before diving into full server setup. Do you have any specific PaaS services you’d recommend?