If you’re thinking about starting a blog online and need to figure out which web hosting to use, I am happy to help you.
Seven years ago I was a new blogger just like you are right now and would have loved for someone to be able to just tell me straight up what web hosting to use.
These days I also create websites for small businesses. Here’s what I recommend to them and new bloggers.
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
I’ve been using them for a couple of years now, and honestly, they’ve been fantastic. It’s like they’re invested in my success, and that’s a really good feeling.
Here’s the thing: SiteGround uses state of the art technology that makes my website load super fast. That’s important because nobody wants to wait around for a slow website, right? Plus, they have excellent security measures in place, so I can relax knowing my site is safe.
But the best part? Their customer support is amazing. Seriously, it’s the best I’ve ever experienced. They’re very knowledgeable, always helpful, and genuinely care about solving my problems. It’s like having a tech expert on call 24/7.
Another thing I love about SiteGround is that they keep things simple. Their website is easy to use, and they don’t try to push a bunch of extra stuff I don’t need. It’s refreshing to find a company that focuses on providing a great service without all the sales pressure.
And if you’re into sustainability, you’ll love that they’re committed to using renewable energy. That’s a big plus in my book!
I’ve tried a bunch of different hosting companies, and SiteGround is the only one I recommend without hesitation. They’ve earned my trust, and I know they’ll take good care of you too. So yeah, definitely check them out!
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 definitely a popular choice for new bloggers because of their low prices, and that can be really tempting. But, I’ve gotta give you a heads-up based on my own experience. Sometimes, those rock-bottom prices come with a few trade-offs.
One thing that bugged me about Hostinger was how often they redesigned their website. It felt like every time I logged in, things had moved around! That might not seem like a big deal, but when you’re trying to quickly update your blog or manage settings, it can get really frustrating.
Honestly, it made me wonder if they were really focused on making things easy for their users. In the end, I decided to switch to a different host that offered a more consistent and user-friendly experience.
So, while Hostinger might seem like a good deal at first, just make sure you weigh the low cost against the potential for some headaches down the road. Sometimes, spending a little extra for a host that values your time and provides a smoother experience is totally worth it.
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
Bluehost is actually where I started out with my first blog. It’s user-friendly and easy on the wallet, which is perfect for beginners.
However, if I’m being totally honest, I wouldn’t put it at the top of my list anymore. I’ve personally had some not-so-great experiences with their customer support. It felt like pulling teeth to get help when I needed it, and switching providers was a bit of a headache.
Look, everyone deserves to feel valued as a customer, no matter how big or small their website is. And to be honest, I didn’t always get that vibe from Bluehost. Plus, I’ve heard from others about unexpected charges and billing issues, which is never fun.
Don’t get me wrong, Bluehost is a decent starting point, especially if you’re new to this whole website thing. But, there are other hosting providers out there that offer a smoother experience overall.
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
You might know Namecheap as a popular place to buy domain names, but they also offer web hosting, and honestly, it’s pretty impressive for the price. I’ve used them myself, and my site ran smoothly without any issues.
Now, they use cPanel, which is a standard tool in the hosting world, but it can be a bit tricky to navigate at first.
As someone who is new to blogging it might seem a little overwhelming compared to other web hosting with simpler dashboards.
It will take you a while to learn cPanel but it’s super powerful once you get the hang of it. There are tons of resources and tutorials available online. And if you’re willing to put in a little time to learn, Namecheap could be a good option.
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
When it comes to blogging HostGator is another name that comes up a lot, and for good reason. They’re pretty similar to Bluehost (they’re actually owned by the same company), so you’ll see a lot of overlap in their plans and pricing.
In my experience, HostGator is a solid choice if you’re just starting out and have basic needs. They’ll get your blog up and running. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
First, their customer support could be better. While they’re generally helpful, they don’t always go the extra mile to solve your problems. I’ve had better experiences with other hosting companies that truly prioritize customer satisfaction.
Second, HostGator isn’t always upfront about their resource limits. It can be tricky to figure out how much traffic or bandwidth you’re allowed before your blog starts to slow down. This lack of transparency can be a bit of a concern, especially if you’re hoping to grow your blog quickly.
Overall, HostGator is a decent option for new bloggers on a budget, but it might not be the best fit if you’re looking for excellent customer support and clear resource limits. There are other hosting providers out there that might be a better fit for your needs.
Which Web Hosting Would I Use as a New Blogger?
While HostGator and Bluehost are decent options, if you’re asking me what I’d use as a new blogger, I’d point you straight to SiteGround.
Here’s why: SiteGround’s customer service is one of the best. They’re incredibly helpful and genuinely invested in your success.
They’ve got this “above and beyond” attitude with their support team and that’s super valuable when you’re just starting out and might need a little extra guidance. Plus, their hosting is optimized for WordPress, which is the most popular platform for blogging.
Think of it like this: your web host is your website’s landlord. You want one that’s responsive, supportive, and keeps things running smoothly so you can focus on what you do best – writing awesome content and running your business!
