Choosing a web hosting service as a beginner can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry, I’m here to guide you through it.
I’ve been in your shoes. Years ago, when I first started building websites, I was a total newbie. It would have been amazing to have someone point me in the right direction for easy web hosting services that I could’ve used.
Now, I build WordPress sites for small businesses and I’m happy to share my experience with you. These are what I recommend to my clients and friends who are just starting out.
Here’s A Quick List of My Top Three Picks:
Best Overall For Businesses
- Free domain, SSL, and email
- Excellent customer support
- Free daily backups
- 100% Customer focused
- Plans starting at $2.99/month
Good Budget Friendly
- Free domain, SSL, and email
- Good customer support
- Free weekly backups
- Too many changes & upsells
- Plans starting at $2.99/month
Fair Third Option
- Free domain and SSL only
- Fair customer support
- No free backups available
- Chat support only at $2.95
- Plans starting at $2.95/month
SiteGround
Best For Small Businesses
Pros and Cons
- Excellent Support
- Free Domain
- Free Email
- Free SSL
- Daily Website Backups
- 30-Days Money-Back
- High Renewal Costs
- Database Size Limit
Why I Picked It
I chose SiteGround because they’re a very reliable web hosting company and their customer support is amazing. I use them to host this website. They’re a bit pricier than some other options, but totally worth it for the peace of mind!
Who It's For
SiteGround is great for small businesses or someone looking to create a website but do not have a lot of experience and need a dedicated customer support team ready to help them.
Features & Specs
- 10 GB SSD Storage
- Free Email Migrator
- Unlimited MySQL Databases
- Free CDN
- Enhanced Security
- Power & Hardware Redundancy
- Out-of-The-Box Caching
- Unlimited Subdomains
- Friendly Site Tools
- 100% Renewable Energy Match
- Transfer Websites to Clients
- The Ability To Add Collaborators To Help You
My SiteGround Experience
SiteGround is a great option for beginners and is what I use on this website.
Here’s why I like them:
- Fast Websites: SiteGround has super-fast servers, so your website will load quickly. Nobody likes a slow website, right?
- Safety First: They have great security technology, like a security guard for your website, keeping it safe from hackers and bad guys.
- Helpers on Hand: Their customer support is amazing. If you have any questions or problems, they’re there to help you out, anytime.
- Easy to Use: SiteGround is really user-friendly. Even if you’re new to websites, you’ll find it easy to navigate and understand.
- Good for the Planet: They care about the environment and use renewable energy.
I’ve tried a bunch of different web hosts, and SiteGround is the one I always recommend. They’re reliable, easy to use, and they really care about their customers. It’s like having a partner who’s invested in your online success.
If you’re just starting out, SiteGround is a great choice. You can focus on building your website and growing your business, and they’ll take care of the rest.
Hostinger
Best For Cheap Price
Pros and Cons
- Good Support
- Free Domain
- Free Email
- Free SSL
- Weekly Backups
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Higher Renewal Costs
- No Priority Support
- Too Many Website Changes
Why I Picked It
I like Hostinger because their prices are really hard to beat, especially if you’re just starting out. It’s a good way to get a website up without spending a fortune, even if it means you would have to deal with their frequent website changes.
Who It's For
Hostinger is a good option for beginners who want to create a website for themselves and if you’re on a tight budget, but keep in mind they change their website layout frequently, which can be frustrating.
If you value consistency, excellent customer support and a smooth user experience, you might want to consider spending a bit more for a different hosting provider. In my experience, I do not recommend Hostinger for small businesses.
Features & Specs
- 100 Websites
- 100 GB SSD Storage
- Free WHOIS Provacy
- Free CDN on More Expensive Plans
- Free DDOS Protection
- LiteSpeed Caching
My Hostinger Experience
Hostinger is a bit like that store that always has a “going out of business” sale – their prices are super low, which can be really tempting. But here’s the thing: sometimes those super-low prices mean you end up with some headaches.
I have used them for four years and I just had to leave. Here’s why
Imagine you finally figured out where they keep the bread in the grocery store, and then they go and move it to a whole different aisle!
That’s what Hostinger kept doing with their website. They were always changing things around on their website, making it hard to find what I needed. It’s like they didn’t really care about making things easy for their customers.
And honestly, as a small business owner, your time is precious. You don’t want to waste it trying to figure out a confusing website. There are other website hosts out there that cost a little more, but they’re much easier to use and don’t change things up all the time.
Bluehost
Best For Your First Blog
Pros and Cons
- Free Domain
- Free SSL
- Cheap Renewal Costs
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Free Email - 1st Year ONLY
- Basic Customer Support
- No Free Website Backup
Why I Picked It
I like Bluehost because they’re beginner-friendly and easy on the wallet, which was perfect when I was just starting out. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of their customer service, so I eventually switched to a different host.
Who It's For
Bluehost is a good starting point for beginners creating their first blogs and looking for an affordable and easy way to do it.
However, they might not be the best option long-term because their customer support and billing practices aren’t the greatest.
Features & Specs
- 10 GB SSD Storage
- cPanel Access
- Free CDN
- DDos Security Protection
- Free WordPress Staging Site
- Free Malware Scanner
My Bluehost Experience
You might have heard of Bluehost. They’re a popular choice, especially for beginners, and I get why. They make it pretty easy to get started, and their prices are usually quite competitive. I even used them when I first started out!
But if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t put them at the top of my list anymore. Here’s the thing: I think every business, big or small, deserves to feel like they’re important to their hosting company.
You want folks who are there to support you and make things easy, right? Well, I didn’t always get that feeling from Bluehost.
Sometimes, getting help from their customer service felt like a real chore. And when I decided to switch to a different provider, it wasn’t as smooth as I would’ve liked. It just felt like there was more hassle than necessary.
On top of that, I’ve heard from others about surprise charges and billing issues. That’s not cool. You want a company that’s upfront and clear about their costs.
So, while Bluehost might seem appealing at first, I think there are better options out there. You deserve a hosting company that truly values your business and provides excellent support. It’s why I use SiteGround.
Namecheap
Best For Low-Cost Shared Hosting
Pros and Cons
- Free Domain
- Free Email
- Free SSL
- Cheap Renewal Costs
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Free Domain is Not a.com Domain
- Good Customer Support
Why I Picked It
I like Namecheap website hosting because they’re affordable and I already buy my domain names from them. Their cPanel is a little tricky to figure out at first, but overall they’re a good host to create a website with, if you’re on a really tight budget.
Who It's For
Namecheap is a great option for people who are new to creating websites and are looking for affordable web hosting, especially to keep costs down.
Just a heads up, they use cPanel, which can be a bit tricky to navigate at first, but if you don’t mind that you’re all good. If you’re looking for web hosting for small businesses I recommend SiteGround instead of Namecheap.
Features & Specs
- 20 GB SSD Storage
- cPanel Access
- Free CDN
- Apache/Litespeed Server
- MySQL Databases
- PHP MyAdmin
- Free WHOIS Domain Privacy
My Namecheap Experience
Namecheap is popular for getting buying domain names but they also offer web hosting.
What’s cool about Namecheap is that it’s pretty affordable, especially if you’re just starting and don’t have a lot to spend on web hosting. When I tried them out, my website ran smoothly, no problems at all.
Now, here’s the thing: they use something called “cPanel” to manage your website. It’s been around for ages, but it can be a bit confusing at first, kind of like trying to figure out all the buttons on a fancy new TV remote.
It will take you some time to figure out how to use Namecheap web hosting.
Some other web hosts have simpler controls, but if you’re willing to spend a little time learning cPanel, or maybe you already know a bit about it, then Namecheap is a really good choice.
They give you a lot for your money, and that’s always a good thing!
HostGator
Best For Beginners and Bloggers
Pros and Cons
- Free Domain
- Free SSL
- Cheap Renewal Costs
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Free Email Trial - 1 Month ONLY
- Basic Customer Support
- No Free Website Backup
- No Free CDN
- No Free Website Transfer
Why I Picked It
I like HostGator because their plans are pretty straightforward, even though they’re not the absolute best and definitely not my first choice (SiteGround). I figured it’s a good starting point for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on web hosting.
Who It's For
HostGator is a good option for someone who is just starting out and need a simple website up and running. They’re owned by the same company as Bluehost, so their pricing and plans are pretty similar.
Features & Specs
- 10 GB SSD Storage
- cPanel Access
- MySQL databases
- phpMyAdmin access
- Free Malware Scanner
My HostGator Experience
HostGator is like one of those popular shopping centers. It’s a decent option, and lots of businesses set up shop there. They offer different plans with different amounts of space and features, kind of like choosing between a small kiosk or a larger storefront.
Now, here’s the thing about HostGator. They’re owned by the same company as Bluehost, so they have a lot of similarities. That means you’ll see similar pricing and features.
In my experience, HostGator can get the job done, especially if you’re just starting and don’t expect a ton of traffic to your website. But there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
First, their customer support is okay, but not fantastic. Sometimes, you want someone to go the extra mile to help you out, especially when you’re new to creating websites.
I’ve had better experiences with other companies that really focus on making their customers happy.
They aren’t always super clear about how much traffic their plans can handle. That can be a bit of a worry, especially if your business starts growing quickly.
Which Web Hosting Company Would I Use as a Beginner?
If I were you, just beginning this journey, I’d definitely take a good look at SiteGround.
They have great customer service, which is so important when you’re new to this and might need a little extra help. Plus, they’ve got a solid reputation for reliability and performance, meaning your website will be in good hands.
