An entrepreneur opens IONOS for "a professional website". The configurator offers domain, email, MyWebsite, premium SSL, automatic backup, ranking coach, and Office 365. The cart total is four times the mental price. They pay anyway — from fatigue, not conviction. This scenario is structural, not accidental: the IONOS catalogue is designed to stack recurring line items.
IONOS (formerly 1&1) has one of Europe's broadest catalogues. Navigating it means refusing by default then adding only what your scenario requires. Without a written brief, the configurator sells technical fear — not real need.
Anatomy of the IONOS catalogue
IONOS covers domains (often loss leaders), shared and WordPress hosting, MyWebsite (proprietary builder), email and Office, VPS and cloud, plus options: paid SSL, backup, SiteLock, SEO. Presence in Germany, France, Spain, and UK — European datacenters depending on chosen plan.
| Real need | IONOS product | Options to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 5-page brochure | Web Hosting Essential | SEO coach, advertising |
| Agency WordPress | WP Hosting or Web Pro | Duplicate MyWebsite |
| Shop | Web Pro + performance | Paid SSL if Let's Encrypt included |
| Custom application | VPS Cloud | "Unlimited" shared |
Every pre-checked box is recurring revenue — not neutral advice.
Anti cross-sell method
Start by writing the scenario: brochure, WordPress, shop, email only? Choose one core product — not MyWebsite + Hosting + WordPress simultaneously. For SSL, free Let's Encrypt suffices unless documented extended certificate need. For backups, check inclusions, test a restore, otherwise plugin plus external storage. For email, included account or Microsoft 365 as needed. Finally, compare renewal year 2 on the IONOS profile and site terms.
IONOS vs European generalists
Strengths: entry price, local presence in Germany and France, complete catalogue. Weaknesses: complex cart, uneven support, sometimes vague options. Compare o2switch (French simplicity) or OVHcloud (clearer cloud) via the comparator on the same workload — not first-month price alone.
The climax: the configurator sells fear, not need
Decide and move forward without blind spots
Write a one-page brief before opening IONOS. Go through the configurator with all default options unchecked, then add one by one only those you can justify in writing. Check the datacenter of the chosen plan and keep proof of renewal price. See our guides if the project goes beyond classic shared hosting.
Frequently asked questions
Which IONOS plan for a standard WordPress site?
Choose Web Hosting or managed WordPress depending on technical skills. Avoid MyWebsite if you install WordPress yourself, and refuse "Site + Marketing + SEO" bundles you did not request — each added line weighs on renewal.
Are IONOS SSL and backup options mandatory?
Let's Encrypt often suffices for SSL. For backups, check what is already included in your plan; a paid option only makes sense if you have tested a restore. Otherwise, a plugin plus external storage may suffice.
How to avoid renewal surprise?
Read the full cart before payment, disable auto-renewal if you are testing, and note year-2 price in a spreadsheet. Then compare with the IONOS profile and terms before confirming.
Is IONOS cloud worth shared hosting for an SME?
IONOS cloud suits VPS and server control needs. Shared hosting suffices for a simple brochure site. Do not pay for cloud if nobody on the team administers the server daily.
At IONOS, the right order starts with what you refuse — not what the configurator suggests.