If you're using WordPress, you might be missing out on better deals on hosting plans. Many specialized WordPress hosting services offer more features and lower prices. In this post, we'll review the best WordPress hosting sites for bloggers. We'll also look at key features, discuss pricing plans to help you find the best (and fastest) hosting for your blog.
How to Choose Web Hosting for WordPress Sites
Choosing a WordPress hosting service depends on your blog's needs and technical expertise:
- Shared hosting is cheapest, offers least control and performance. Good for beginners.
- VPS offers more control and performance than shared hosting, but is slightly more expensive. Ideal for bloggers who need more control.
- Cloud hosting is scalable and reliable, but more expensive than shared hosting or VPS. Ideal for bloggers expecting growth.
- Managed hosting is the most expensive option but includes full server management and is good if you want to focus on content.
Additionally, your WordPress hosting service should meet these requirements:
- High uptime (ideally 99.9%)
- Latest PHP and MySQL versions
- HTTPS support
- Sufficient storage and bandwidth
The Best Website Hosting for WordPress
Now that you know all about hosting your blog through WordPress hosting companies, let's explore some of the best options available to you. We will start with a pretty popular selection for web hosting: Bluehost.
1. Bluehost
Trusted by millions of bloggers, Bluehost is one of the best-loved and fastest WordPress hosting sites beyond WordPress itself. They offer tailored WordPress-managed hosting, which is perfect if you've already built your site through WordPress.org. However, they also offer shared servers if you want slightly more affordable WordPress hosting.
Bluehost Pros:
- Relatively cheap
Bluehost Cons:
- Higher renewal prices
- Limited basic plan
Bluehost Pricing:
Bluehost's Basic plan starts at $2.95 per month for the first year, the Plus plan at $5.45 per month, and the Pro plan at $13.95 per month.
If you want to scale your blog quickly, opt for the Plus or Pro plans. But bear in mind that if you renew, you'll pay $21.99 or $28.99 a month, respectively.
Verdict
For such an established WordPress hosting site, BlueHost doesn't charge exorbitant amounts for its hosting services. With the Bluehost basic plan, you can make your blog findable through search engines for less than $3 a month.
Often, companies reward returning customers with lower prices. Unfortunately, this is not the case when using Bluehost for WordPress hosting services.
Bluehost's prices increase with each renewal, with the basic plan jumping from $2.95 to $11.99 a month after the first term.
As mentioned, Bluehost's basic plan offers a dependable host. However, it limits you in terms of the sub-domains you can add to your site, the number of backups you can make, and the volume of email marketing you can do.
Find out more about what Bluehost's WordPress hosting services can offer you here.
2. DreamHost
DreamHost has been hosting websites since 1997. They've certainly learned a thing or two about what makes WordPress the best hosting platform at that time. Offering WordPress-specific features, if your blog is built and ready to go, DreamHost will have you hosted in no time.
DreamHost Pros:
- Ease of use
- Essential features
DreamHost Cons:
- US-based servers
- Limited support
DreamHost Pricing:
Shared WordPress hosting through DreamHost starts at $2.95 per month, making it one of the cheapest WordPress hosting options. However, managed WordPress hosting plans from DreamHost show a significant monthly price increase of $16.95.
Take some time to consider your goals for your blog before committing to one of these plans. If you want the best of both worlds, it's worth exploring their VPS hosting options, which start from $10 a month.
Verdict
DreamHost offers a user-friendly control panel that makes it easy to manage your website. You can access and control all aspects of your hosting, including files, databases, plugins, email accounts, and backups, all from a single dashboard. While it's different from the standard cPanel, you can customize it to suit your preferences.
DreamHost's starter plan comes with several attractive features. You get unlimited traffic, a free SSL certificate for security, and the ability to easily transfer your existing WordPress website to their servers.
However, DreamHost's servers are primarily located in the United States. This can lead to slower loading times for readers outside of North America.
While many users report positive experiences with DreamHost's reliability and performance, customer support options are somewhat limited. They don't offer phone support, and live chat availability may not be ideal for users in different time zones.
Find out more about DreamHost's good WordPress hosting here.
3. Hostinger
Finally, Hostinger offers managed WordPress hosting plans from as little as $2.99 a month. Their plans are some of the most comprehensive and affordable WordPress hosting options available for bloggers, and they've got excellent reviews to prove it.
Hostinger Pros:
- Uptime guarantee
- Global data centers
Hostinger Cons:
- Paid CDN
- Long-term plans
Hostinger Pricing:
Hostinger's Premium plan starts at $2.99 a month. Their Business plan, priced at $3.99 a month, includes a free CDN and basic WooCommerce functionality. With just a dollar difference between the two, it might be worth strapping in for the four-year Business plan upfront.
Verdict
CDNs make websites load faster by storing copies of content. Hostinger's basic plan doesn't include a free CDN, but they have lots of data centers to speed things up.
Hostinger has the lowest prices, but you have to sign up for four years. This isn't great if you're not sure about them.
To learn more about Hostinger's affordable WordPress hosting plans, click here.
3. IONOS
IONOS is a global provider of web hosting services with a strong reputation for reliability and performance. Their WordPress hosting plans offer a good balance of features and affordability.
IONOS Pros:
- Free domain for the first year: A valuable incentive for new bloggers.
- Free SSL certificates: Essential for security and SEO.
- Data centers worldwide: Improves website speed for global audiences.
- User-friendly control panel: Easy to manage your website and hosting.
IONOS Cons:
- Limited free email accounts: May require a separate email service.
- Slightly higher renewal prices: Like many providers, prices increase after the initial term.
IONOS Pricing:
IONOS offers several WordPress hosting plans, starting from very affordable options. Their entry-level plan usually includes features like:
- Free domain for the first year
- Free SSL certificate
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth
- Automatic WordPress installation
Verdict:
IONOS provides a solid foundation for your WordPress blog with competitive pricing and a good range of features. The free domain and SSL certificate are significant advantages, especially for beginners.
Find out more about IONOS WordPress hosting here.
In Conclusion…
Finding the right WordPress hosting doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. IONOS often stands out with its competitive pricing and generous features. Bluehost and Hostinger are also solid choices.
Ultimately, the best host for you depends on your specific needs and budget. With these options, you can find reliable and affordable hosting that supports your blog's growth.
Enjoyed this post? Share it with others! For more blogging and affiliate marketing tips, subscribe to our newsletter and never miss an update.