If you’re thinking about starting a WordPress blog and need to figure out which web hosting to use, I am happy to help you.
Seven years ago when I first started using WordPress 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 WordPress websites for small businesses. Here are some of the best web hosting services that I recommend to them and others looking to start a blog.
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 SiteGround for a couple of years now, and honestly, I’ve been very happy with them. They’re more than just a hosting company, they feel like partners who actually care about my website’s success. Here’s the thing:
- Speed and Security: SiteGround uses technology that makes my website load very fast. That’s important because nobody wants to wait around for a slow website, right? Plus, they have really strong security measures in place, so I can relax knowing my site is safe.
- Amazing Support: Their customer support is seriously the best I’ve ever encountered. They’re knowledgeable, helpful, and always go above and beyond to solve any issues I have. It’s like having a tech expert on call 24/7.
- No Upselling Pressure: I love that SiteGround keeps things simple and straightforward. They don’t try to constantly bombard you with offers for things you don’t need.
- Eco-Friendly: And get this – they’re committed to sustainability and use renewable energy. That’s a big deal for me, and it might be for you too!
I’ve tried a bunch of different hosting companies over the years, and SiteGround is the one I always recommend. They’re reliable, trustworthy, and they make running my website a breeze. If you’re looking for a hassle-free hosting experience, 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
I’ve actually got some experience with Hostinger, and well, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag. Here’s the thing: Hostinger can be super tempting because their prices are seriously low.
But honestly, I’ve found that sometimes, you really do get what you pay for. One of the biggest headaches I’ve had with them is that they seem to constantly redesign their website. Like, every few months, they’d move everything around!
Just when I’d finally figure out where a feature was, bam – they’d change it up again. And let’s be real, who has time for that? It felt like they weren’t really thinking about how their changes impacted users like us.
For me, that lack of consistency was a dealbreaker. There are other web hosts out there that offer a more stable, user-friendly experience without costing a fortune. So, while Hostinger might be a good option for someone on a tight budget, I’d say proceed with caution.
Weigh the low cost against the potential for a lot of frustration. Sometimes, spending a little extra on a host that values your time and provides a consistent experience is totally worth your sanity in the long run.
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
I started with Bluehost myself, and they’re definitely beginner-friendly and easy on the wallet.
However, if I’m being totally honest, they wouldn’t be my top recommendation these days. I’ve found that their customer support and account management could be better. Everyone deserves to feel valued, right? But with Bluehost, I sometimes felt like just another money grab.
For example, I remember having a tough time getting help from their customer service, and switching providers wasn’t exactly a walk in the park either.
It felt like jumping through hoops! Since then, I’ve found hosts who make managing your account and services way easier and less stressful.
Also, I’ve heard from others about unexpected charges and billing issues with Bluehost. Things like that can be frustrating, and I believe in clear communication and transparency when it comes to these things.
So, while Bluehost is a decent starting point, especially if you’re new to this, there are other hosts out there that offer a better overall experience in my opinion.
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 darn good, especially for the price. If you’re just starting out and don’t want to spend a lot of money, they’re definitely worth considering.
I’ve actually hosted a site with them before, and I was pleasantly surprised by the performance. No complaints there!
The one thing that takes a bit of getting used to is their control panel. They use cPanel, which is kind of the industry standard, but it can be a little clunky and very confusing if you’re new to web hosting.
Some hosts have these really sleek, modern dashboards that are super easy to navigate, so cPanel feels a bit old-school in comparison.
But don’t let that scare you away! If you’re already familiar with cPanel or you’re willing to spend a little time learning how it works, Namecheap is a good choice.
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 definitely a name that comes up a lot with WordPress and blogging. They’re a pretty big player in the web hosting world and have been around for a while.
Here’s the thing about HostGator: they’re kind of like that reliable friend who’s always there for you… but maybe doesn’t always go the extra mile.
They’ll get the job done for basic hosting needs, but they might not be the best fit if you’re looking for an amazing customer support or if you expect your blog to grow really quickly.
One thing to watch out for is that HostGator isn’t always upfront about how much traffic their plans can handle. That can be a bit of a bummer if you’re hoping to attract a lot of readers to your blog.
Overall, HostGator can be a decent option, especially if you’re just starting out and your blog is still pretty small. But if you’re looking for a hosting provider that’s truly exceptional, you might want to explore some other options too.
Which Web Hosting Would I Use For A WordPress Blog?
As a web designer who creates website for small businesses , I would recommend SiteGround for hosting a WordPress blog.
I’ve found their customer service to be excellent and they prioritize helping their customers succeed. They offer lots of plans to for different needs and budgets, and their platform is optimized for WordPress.
