HostGator with WordPress Cloud Hosting: Everything You Need to Know
HostGator is the No. 1 web host for WordPress. Millions of bloggers, content creators, and business owners rely on HostGator to power their sites. And it’s not hard to see why – the U.S.-based web host offers reliable performance, a fantastic 24/7 support team, and a cash-back guarantee. We rated HostGator as the No. 1 web host for WordPress due to its ease of use, fast page load speeds, and extensive feature set. If you’re looking for a web host that’s simple to set up and use with WordPress, then HostGator is the perfect solution.
Features
An ideal world would include all the features you could want from a web host and as many as possible. However, that’s not the case with most web hosts, especially the free ones. HostGator offers an extensive feature set that’s rich in functionality. You get a free domain, 1 free year of hosting (with additional fees for certain features), free backups (on the standard plan), free malware scanning (on the premier plan), free site privacy protection, and more. The key features that set HostGator apart from the competition are its one-click installer for WordPress, free backups, free malware scanning, and free weekly updates.
Reliability & Uptime Guarantee
You might think that with so many features, HostGator would be a bit unreliable. And you’d be right – but not in the way you’d expect. While it’s a great solution for those seeking a cheap and reliable web host, HostGator is anything but vulnerable. It boasts a 99.9% uptime guarantee, a Gold level support team, and an outstanding reputation in the web hosting industry. (We’re not surprised, as HostGator has been a WordPress-certified web host since 2013.) Many businesses, including Udemy, Shopify, and Canva rely on HostGator to provide reliable web hosting services. This is why we rank HostGator as the No. 1 web host for WordPress.
Documentation & Support
Help and support are two things you’ll definitely need if you’re new to web hosting or seeking to switch providers. Fortunately, HostGator offers outstanding documentation and an easy to understand support team. When you sign up for HostGator, you’ll receive a Welcome email from support with detailed instructions on how to use its services. Additionally, the company provides an excellent Knowledgebase that’s filled with helpful articles and FAQs. And if you encounter any trouble, the 24/7/365 support team is available to help you via phone or email.
Why Go With WordPress?
With its open source software, WordPress offers limitless possibilities for those seeking to build a website. Additionally, WordPress is constantly updated and improved upon by a devoted community. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use CMS (Content Management System) that can be customized to your liking, then choose WordPress. The platform allows for smooth integration with other web apps and services, such as Google Docs, Stripe, and MailChimp, for eCommerce, marketing, and email campaigns. We recommend WordPress if you need a content management system that can be easily managed by one person or a small team. Also, since WordPress is constantly updated, security patches and revisions are taken care of for you automatically by the platform.
Choosing A Website Host For Your Needs
As you’ll soon discover, not all web hosts are created equal. Some hosts offer greater performance than others, and some prioritize customer support over everything else. To avoid disappointment, be sure to choose a host that meets your needs. When you’re selecting a web host for your needs, keep in mind the following:
Performance & Speed
The most important factor to consider when choosing a web host is performance – how fast can your website load and how much data can you transfer? Before you make a decision, benchmark your site’s load time using a tool like GTMetrix. We’d suggest going for the highest available plan with HostGator, as it provides remarkable performance, as well as security and support. Additionally, make sure to check out HostGator’s speed tests to see how well it performs in comparison to other web hosts. We tested HostGator against 1and1, Bluehost, and Flywheel and found that it loads websites faster than all three. (You can access the test here.)
However, even though HostGator provides excellent performance, it doesn’t matter how fast a host is if your website doesn’t load properly. For example, if you’re using WordPress, make sure to check out all of its official tools, including the Google Chrome extension, the WordPress.org Stats, and the Visual Composer, to ensure your site is configured properly and won’t suffer from any glitches. Checking and fixing these little things can sometimes be a royal pain – especially since there’s usually no one to help you but yourself. So, if you’re looking for an all-in-one hosting solution, then HostGator is the perfect choice. It doesn’t get any simpler than this.
Features
Another important thing to consider when choosing a host is features. Does the host have a one-click installer for WordPress? How about free backups, free malware scanning, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee? These are just some of the features offered by HostGator, and they make it a valuable choice for anyone looking for a simple and secure web host. Free backups are a great way to ensure your site won’t go down forever, especially if you have a sizable amount of content on there. It’s also worth noting that you can get a dedicated IP for your site with HostGator. (You’ll need to upgrade to the premium plan to get this feature.)
An important thing to consider when choosing a host is features. Does the host have a one-click installer for WordPress? How about free backups, free malware scanning, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee? These are just some of the features offered by HostGator, and they make it a valuable choice for anyone looking for a simple and secure web host. Free backups are a great way to ensure your site won’t go down forever, especially if you have a sizable amount of content on there. It’s also worth noting that you can get a dedicated IP for your site with HostGator. (You’ll need to upgrade to the premium plan to get this feature.)
Another important thing to consider when choosing a host is features. Does the host have a one-click installer for WordPress? How about free backups, free malware scanning, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee? These are just some of the features offered by HostGator, and they make it a valuable choice for anyone looking for a simple and secure web host. Free backups are a great way to ensure your site won’t go down forever, especially if you have a sizable amount of content on there. It’s also worth noting that you can get a dedicated IP for your site with HostGator. (You’ll need to upgrade to the premium plan to get this feature.)
Security
Another important factor to consider when choosing a host is security. Just how safe is the host from hackers and other malware? One way HostGator shows its commitment to security is by offering some of the best security protocols in the industry. The platform uses Let’s Encrypt (a free and open SSL certificate) for all its customers by default. Additionally, it utilizes a two-factor authentication process that requires you to enter a code sent to your phone whenever you log in from a new device. (The process is managed through Google Authenticator, another security-focused app.) Moreover, when you sign up for the service, you get a free domain privacy policy, along with 1 free year of hosting. What’s more is that all of its servers are maintained in a military-grade data center in Utah, to ensure the highest levels of security. (You can read more about it on the company’s security page.)
An important factor to consider when choosing a host is security. Just how safe is the host from hackers and other malware? One way HostGator shows its commitment to security is by offering some of the best security protocols in the industry. The platform uses Let’s Encrypt (a free and open SSL certificate) for all its customers by default. Additionally, it utilizes a two-factor authentication process that requires you to enter a code sent to your phone whenever you log in from a new device. (The process is managed through Google Authenticator, another security-focused app.) Moreover, when you sign up for the service, you get a free domain privacy policy, along with 1 free year of hosting. What’s more is that all of its servers are maintained in a military-grade data center in Utah, to ensure the highest levels of security. (You can read more about it on the company’s security page.)