Mike Clarkson
Web Services & Freelance Platforms Editor
About Mike
Mike Clarkson is the Web Services & Freelance Platforms Editor at ToolRankers, covering web hosting providers, website platforms, freelance marketplaces, online business services, and tools used by creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to build and operate online.
His work focuses on helping readers understand the real cost and practical value of digital services. Mike evaluates platforms based on pricing, fees, usability, features, service quality, limitations, customer fit, and the differences that can make one platform a better choice than another.
His coverage aims to give readers a clearer picture of what they are paying for, where hidden limitations may exist, and which services offer the strongest value for different types of users and businesses.
Latest articles by Mike Clarkson
Reviews, comparisons and practical guides.
Cloudways Pricing Explained (2026): Plans, Costs and Which One to Choose
Cloudways starts around $11/month, but backups, resources and autoscaling change the bill. Compare Flexible, Autonomous and the right plan for your site.
How Much Does Web Hosting Cost in 2026? Real Costs Explained
A $3 hosting plan may renew at six times the rate. See realistic 2026 hosting budgets, renewal examples, add-ons and the costs websites overlook.
How to Migrate a WordPress Site to a New Host in 2026
Move WordPress safely in 2026 with this practical migration checklist: full backups, migration methods, DNS, email, HTTPS, SEO checks and rollback planning.
The Best Upwork Alternatives in 2026
Looking beyond Upwork? Compare Contra, Fiverr, Toptal, Freelancer.com and more by fees, hiring model, protections and the users each suits best.
Fiverr vs Freelancer.com 2026
Compare Fiverr and Freelancer.com in 2026 on fees, Gigs vs bidding, milestones, contests, seller costs, buyer pricing, vetting and the best platform for your work.
Fiverr vs Toptal 2026
Compare Fiverr and Toptal in 2026 on pricing, vetting, speed, fees, quality control, project types, refunds and the best platform for your budget.
Upwork vs Toptal 2026
Compare Upwork and Toptal in 2026 on fees, vetting, hiring speed, payment protection, trial periods, freelancer costs and the best fit for your project.
Fiverr Fees Explained in 2026
How much does Fiverr take in 2026? We explain the 20% seller share, 5.5% buyer fee, $3.50 small-order fee, tips, Extras, hourly fees, withdrawals and real examples.
Upwork Fees Explained 2026
Understand Upwork fees in 2026, including freelancer service fees, client charges, Connects, withdrawals, Direct Contracts, taxes and real cost examples.
Upwork Review 2026: Is the Marketplace Worth It for Freelancers and Clients?
Is Upwork worth using in 2026? We unpack freelancer and client fees, Connects, payment protection, hiring tools, competition and the alternatives that may fit better.
Best Cheap Web Hosting (2026)
The cheapest web host is not always the best deal. We compare 7 affordable hosts on intro price, renewal cost, backups, limits and support to find the best value in 2026.
Best Web Hosting for Small Businesses 2026
Compare the best small-business web hosts for pricing, renewals, backups, support, WordPress, migration and growth. Seven practical picks for 2026.
Best Web Hosting Services 2026
Compare the best web hosting services for value, WordPress, small business, managed cloud and premium hosting. Current pricing, renewals, backups and trade-offs included.
Best WordPress Hosting 2026
Compare the best WordPress hosting for beginners, small businesses, agencies and high-traffic sites. Current pricing, backups, staging, support and trade-offs included.
Hostinger vs Bluehost (2026)
Hostinger vs Bluehost in 2026: compare real intro and renewal prices, backups, WordPress tools, support, storage and long-term cost before you choose.
Hostinger vs SiteGround 2026
Hostinger vs SiteGround in 2026: compare intro and renewal pricing, backups, staging, WordPress tools, support, storage and long-term value before you choose.
Bluehost Review 2026
Bluehost is beginner-friendly WordPress hosting with staging, CDN, managed updates and a 99.99% SLA. See 2026 pricing, renewals, backups, support and trade-offs.
Cloudways Review 2026: Is It the Right Managed Cloud Host for You?
Cloudways gives developers, agencies and growing sites managed cloud infrastructure without a traditional VPS learning curve. See 2026 pricing, strengths, limits and who should choose it.
Hostinger Review 2026
Hostinger combines low introductory prices with hPanel, managed WordPress, free migration and cloud upgrades. See 2026 renewal prices, backups, limits and trade-offs.
SiteGround Review 2026
SiteGround combines daily backups, staging, WordPress tools and strong support, but renewals are expensive. See 2026 pricing, plans, limits and alternatives.
Best Fiverr Alternatives in 2026: 10 Better Options for Different Types of Work
Compare ten Fiverr alternatives for hiring or freelance work, including Upwork, Contra and Toptal. See fees, vetting and the best fit for each project.
How to Choose Web Hosting in 2026: A Practical Buyer's Guide
Learn how to choose web hosting in 2026. Compare shared, managed WordPress, VPS and cloud hosting by speed, backups, security, support and renewal cost.
How to Hire a Freelancer Online in 2026: A Practical Guide to Finding, Vetting and Managing Great Talent
Learn how to hire a freelancer online in 2026. Find, vet, interview, contract and manage freelance talent while controlling cost, quality, IP and project risk.
Best Freelance Websites in 2026: 7 Platforms for Hiring Talent or Finding Work
Compare leading freelance websites in 2026 by project type, hiring process, fees and fit for different businesses.
Best Places to Hire a Website Designer in 2026
Compare the best places to hire a website designer in 2026, with guidance on budgets, hiring models and choosing the right specialist.
Fiverr vs Upwork (2026): Which Freelance Marketplace Is Better?
Fiverr vs Upwork in 2026: compare freelancer quality, pricing, fees, hiring workflows and the best fit for your project.
Fiverr Review 2026: Fees, Quality and Buyer Protection
Our Fiverr review examines services, fees, buyer protections, freelancer quality and where the marketplace works best.