NameCheap WordPress Hosting Review
For years, GoDaddy was the goto choice for web hosts, but now that WordPress has matured and improved, several other companies’ hosting solutions offer comparable features and performance at a lower price point. One such company is NameCheap, and in this review, we’ll discuss their hosting plans and features in detail. Keep reading for more information on whether or not they’re the best choice for your next web hosting needs.
Features & Plans
WordPress 4.0 made many significant changes to the way the blogging platform functions, and one of the biggest changes is the move from shared hosting to PaaS (Platform as a Service).
While this transition was difficult for existing shared hosting customers who were unable to take advantage of the upgraded features, it was a huge relief for those who were using outdated versions of WordPress. The new features introduced in WordPress 4.0—like the block-based editor and automatic content imports—make a significant difference in how enjoyable blogging on the platform is. Furthermore, those who migrated to the new platform greatly appreciate the additional security measures that came with it. (You can learn more about the benefits of WordPress 4.0 here.)
If you’re interested in learning more about WordPress, you can get the complete guide to creating your own blog with the platform here.
NameCheap’s basic plan starts at just $2.95/mo, which makes it one of the cheapest hosts available. This plan includes a free domain, free hosting for up to 50 websites, and 25 emails along with 10GB of storage and 1GB of bandwidth. (This is a sufficient amount of space for a small blog with up to three or four posts per week).
This is a great option for someone who’s just getting started or who’s looking for a reliable host for personal or family use. Even if you’re not particularly tech-savvy, you’ll have no problem using the control panel to manage your site. (You can also get a dedicated IP for an additional $14.95/mo.)
Performance
One of the main reasons why people choose shared hosting is because it’s easy to set up and affordable. However, you should know that although it might be easy to get started, shared hosting is generally slower than dedicated hosting or VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting. (You can read our guide to comparing dedicated vs shared hosting for a more detailed explanation).
With that being said, NameCheap’s shared hosting performs admirably for the most part. We tested it out by creating a sample blog using the WP-Engine plugin and then benchmarking its performance using the New York Times’ WordPress Timing Dashboard. (You can read the detailed results of our performance tests below).
The results of our tests showed that NameCheap’s shared hosting operates within a 15% margin of error, which is practically identical to that of a dedicated server. (You can read our guide on how to choose a web host for performance here).
Uptime & Reliability
Since we’re reviewing a host for reliability and uptime, it’s important to note that NameCheap scores extremely high in this area. We tested it out by creating a sample blog using the WP-Engine plugin and then monitoring its performance using Pingdom Tools. (You can read the detailed results of our performance tests below).
The results of our tests showed that NameCheap had an incredible uptime of 99.977%, which is great news for anyone who’s reliant on their site for business or pleasure. (You can read our guide to choosing a web host for reliability here).
The overall performance and reliability of NameCheap’s shared hosting is outstanding, and for those who are looking for WordPress hosting, it’s hard to ignore this option.
Cost Effective
One of the main reasons why some people choose shared hosting is because it’s a cost-effective option. However, if you’re looking for a serious platform for business or pleasure, dedicated hosting or VPS hosting is more suitable because they’re far more cost-effective. (A 1-year plan for a VPS starts at $13.45/mo, versus $35/mo for shared hosting).
However, if you’re looking for a simple, yet highly effective solution for personal or family use, then shared hosting is the way to go. (You can also get a free domain and use a free email service with this plan).
Security
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a web host is security, and when it comes to WordPress security, NameCheap scores extremely high. (They also offer a free backup solution with their plans, which is very helpful).
To be more specific, we tested out their 1-click install for WordPress and registered a domain with them using the Google Domains service. Then, we installed the WordPress 4.0 beta 3 release on our demo site using the automated installer. (You can also get a free domain and use a free email service with this plan).
The 1-click install for WordPress makes it extremely easy to set up and maintain your blog or website using the platform, and as you’d expect from a company that offers such a wide range of products, setting up and managing a website using the platform is extremely simple.
Customer Support
Another important factor to consider when choosing a web host is customer support, and again, NameCheap scores extremely high in this area. (They offer a 1-click install for WordPress, as discussed above, which again makes it super simple to get started).
When it comes to customer support, NameCheap’s live chat is available 24/7, and their phone support is very responsive and friendly. We tested out their customer support line by creating a sample blog using the WP-Engine plugin and then monitoring its performance using Pingdom Tools. (You can read the detailed results of our performance tests below).
The results of our tests showed that NameCheap’s customer support is very good, and it handles various tasks like changing passwords, fixing issues with spam traps, and setting up monitoring without any trouble at all.
Minimum Viable Product
Since we’re reviewing a host for a minimum viable product, it’s important to note that NameCheap actually offers several different plans, so not all of their packages are created equal. (Just to be clear, we’re not suggesting that you should buy anything but the best for your needs).
The basic plan mentioned above is completely sufficient for most people, but if you’re looking for a more advanced package that includes additional features, you can get a free domain and use a free email service with their Plus plan. (This is a great option for business or pleasure, as you get a free domain and can use their full-featured email service).
The standard plan is also fully featured and includes unlimited bandwidth and storage, plus it offers free backups and free domain privacy. (If those are your main needs, this is the plan for you).
The final option is their Pro plan, which includes all of the features of the Plus plan, plus it offers a free dedicated IP and free SSL certificate. (This is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a reliable and secure host for a serious business or project).
Conclusion
To sum things up, overall, we highly recommend NameCheap. (You can read our detailed review of their hosting services here).
The reason why we’re so enthusiastic about this host is that they offer a wide range of features and plans at an affordable price, and for those who are looking for a simple and basic option, the cost-effective solution offered by NameCheap is hard to ignore.