Most webhosts provide some kind of support for containers don’t they? Perhaps I’m completely missing the point here? I’ll readily admit that Im young enough to have used docker to deploy apps nearly everywhere I worked. Is php useful for ultra low cost websites? Is it low maintenance? Is that the appeal? Genuine question.
I don't think I even disagree with you here, but to use arguments for version control as your arguments for docker images and static binaries seems odd.
All three of the issues you raise would be solved by involving a VCS somewhere in your FTP deployment.
Incidentally, claiming that either option is "no more difficult" than FTP upload or even using VCS is either disingenuous or at least a little blinkered. FTP can work as simply as copying files between "folders", I've successfully taught my non-techy parents to use FTP. Setting up docker images or static binaries requires significantly more understanding of what's going on but of course provide speed, consistency and scalability benefits.
Many small businesses just want to get online, how does a container help them? Actually it doesn't.
Containers definitely has its place, but there hundred of thousands problems out there that needs to be solved for a low cost, otherwise it will never be solved, and a container will just increase that cost with little or no gain for the customer.
