11 WordPress Hosting Sites for Free or Cheap
Hosting sites are crucial for every WordPress blog or website. They host your content and provide the space for your users to interact. While you can certainly host your site yourself, the convenience of using a hosting service cannot be underestimated. In fact, some WordPress hosting providers go so far as to offer free tools to make setting up your blog or website simpler. Let’s take a look at 11 of the most popular WordPress hosting sites, divided by price to give you an idea of what you’re paying and what you’re getting for your money. (The list is in alphabetical order.)
Bluehost
One of the most popular and highly recommended WordPress hosts is Bluehost. As the name suggests, the service offers you a beautiful blue dashboard that you can use to create your website or blog. What’s more is that Bluehost is owned by an established company, which means that it is likely to be around for the long term. Most importantly, Bluehost is extremely affordable, especially for a WordPress host. You can get started for as little as 2.95 per month. All you need is a.com domain.
Although there are a number of benefits to using Bluehost, there are a few shortcomings that users have pointed out. One of the most prominent issues is that the company does not offer 24/7 support. You can email them but, in case of an emergency, you might want to consider looking for another host. (Here’s a comparison between Bluehost and the next host on our list.)
GoDaddy
Another extremely popular web host with a.com domain is GoDaddy. Like Bluehost, GoDaddy offers you a choice of hosting plans that you can use to host your website or blog. What’s more is that it is one of the few hosts that allow you to install WordPress on their servers. As a result, you don’t need to run off to a different website to set up your WordPress blog. You can easily integrate the two platforms and begin writing right away. What’s more is that the price for this service is also very affordable. You can get started for just 2.95 per month with a.com domain.
One of the major benefits of using GoDaddy is that they provide you with a free domain privacy fprortmately. This means that no one will be able to find your email address or any details about your website. You can keep your existing website address or you can use the provided domain to set up a brand new blog or website. If you go with the second option, you’ll need to purchase a premium domain through GoDaddy.
Hostgator
Still another option for those looking for a free or cheap WordPress hosting site is Hostgator. Like GoDaddy, Hostgator offers you a choice of hosting plans, with different levels of service to suit your needs. What’s more is that they also provide you with free installs if you signup through their affiliate program. What this means is that you don’t need to run off and purchase a WordPress template or install WordPress yourself. The service will do it for you. (Here’s a comparison between Hostgator and the next host on our list.)
One of the main reasons why Hostgator is so popular is that they provide a one-click installer for WordPress. This means that setting up your blog or website will be as easy as pie. (Here’s a one-click installer for WordPress hosted on Hostgator.)
Jetbrains
Those who use and appreciate WordPress know that it’s a bit difficult to find a reliable and cheap WordPress hosting site. That’s why we’re glad that Jetbrains provides us with a reliable and cheap WordPress hosting option. What makes Jetbrains stand out from the crowd is that they are very open to suggestions and improvements. This is evident in the many new features that they add to their service almost every month.
One of the highlights of Jetbrains is their commitment to security. One of the ways in which they try to protect their users is by regularly updating their code and plugins. This ensures that hacker attacks are kept at bay and, as a result, makes their service more secure than ever. (Here’s the latest version of WordPress they’ve got running on their servers.)
Level-3
If you’re looking for a free or cheap web host for your WordPress website or blog, you might also want to consider Level-3. Like the other hosts on this list, Level-3 offers you a choice of hosting plans. What’s more is that they’re very affordable, even for a free host. You can get started with a.net domain for just 2.95 per month.
One of the unique selling points of Level-3 is their focus on performance and reliability. Unlike most hosts, they strive to provide an excellent website or blog that loads quickly and doesn’t crash frequently. To ensure that their users have a good experience, they also provide free backups, free domain privacy, and free website health checks.
Another excellent feature of Level-3 is the free WordPress install they provide. This means that you don’t need to run off and purchase a particular template to get started. You can simply use the provided WordPress to create a professional-looking site in no time.
Linode
Yet another option for those seeking a free or cheap WordPress hosting site is Linode. Like the other hosts on this list, Linode offers you a choice of hosting plans, with different levels of service to suit your needs. What’s more is that they’re extremely affordable. You can get started with a.com domain for just 2.95 per month.
One of the distinguishing factors of Linode is their customer support. Similar to the other hosts on this list, they strive to provide top-notch support, regardless of whether you’re a new or existing customer. This is why you’ll usually find a live chat support representative waiting to help you with any questions you might have about setting up your blog or website.
Nucleus
What if we told you there was a WordPress hosting site that provided free domain privacy, free backups, and free website load optimization? You might be tempted to try it out and, if you were, you could do so at Nucleus. This is because they provide all of these features and more for free. What’s more is that they also provide you with a free WordPress install. (Here’s a detailed guide on how to set up a WordPress blog on Nucleus.)
With all of these features and benefits, it’s no wonder that Nucleus is one of the most popular and recommended blog hosting sites. What’s more is that they provide a clean and professional-looking blog that is easy to update.
Squarespace
Finally, let’s not forget about Squarespace. This web host has been around for a while now but has maintained its spot as one of the best free or cheap WordPress hosting sites, mostly due to their customer support. (Here’s a link to their pricing plans so you can get an idea of what you’re paying for.)
The best part of Squarespace is that they provide an excellent mobile-friendly experience. This means that your blog posts will look good on any device, including mobile phones. (Here’s a link to their performance reports, if you’re interested in learning more about how they are.)
Squarespace is also very easy to use. Unlike most other WordPress hosts, they don’t force you to use a particular theme or require you to custom build your website. All you need is a standard WordPress installation and you can start writing blog posts or setting up a new website.
One of the major downsides to Squarespace is that they don’t provide as much in terms of features as the other hosts on this list. For instance, you won’t find a free domain privacy option or free backups. However, if you’re looking for a simple and reliable blogging platform, Squarespace is a great choice.
Summing Up
Here’s a quick summary of all of the major benefits and downsides of the different WordPress hosting sites we listed above: