5 WordPress Hosting Solutions – What Works Best for You?
If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable way to get your WordPress site up and running, then check out these 5 hosting solutions.
1. HostGator
If you value your time over money, then HostGator is the perfect choice for you. They offer shared hosting, which means you have access to the same basic functionality as a premium WordPress hosting plan (such as the one I use for this site, Hootsuite).
What’s great about HostGator is that they offer a free domain with your account. That way, you can use your own domain name and don’t have to worry about paying for one (which could cost you a lot).
You get a free domain if you register with them, but if you already have a domain name and you want to switch to using HostGator, then you can save 30% with the code CYBERMUSEUM.
2. Bluehost
Bluehost is the industry standard when it comes to shared hosting and WordPress hosting. Just knowing that you’re using a well-established hosting service that has thousands of happy customers around the world makes you feel more confident about your choice.
What makes Bluehost so special is that they offer premium WordPress hosting, free backups, free domain name privacy, and a free community forum. That’s pretty much everything you need in one place. (Full disclosure: Bluehost is a company that I recommend and use themselves.)
The best part of using Bluehost is that they provide you with everything you need to get started and don’t charge you a single penny for their services. So, as long as you’re in good standing with them (which you can determine by looking at your payment history), then you can enjoy all the benefits of their unlimited premium hosting services for life.
3. Hosting.com
Like the other hosting providers on this list, Hosting.com provides you with a free domain and lets you use either WordPress or Java servers to launch your website. (You can’t use both.)
However, what sets Hosting.com apart from the rest is that they also provide you with a free SSL certificate, free backups, and free domain privacy. (They don’t provide you with a free community forum, but you can get one of those features for free from Bluehost as well.)
With all these free perks, it’s easy to see why so many people use Hosting.com. (I use them myself and have recommended them to my clients.)
4. Easy-to-use WordPress Hosting
If you’re looking for a simple solution that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg, then check out Easy-to-use WordPress Hosting. (I discussed this provider in-depth in my blog post How to Choose a Good Hosting Plan For Your WordPress Website.)
Like the other hosting providers on this list, Easy-to-use WordPress Hosting provides you with a free domain and lets you run both Windows and Unix-based servers in order to host your website.
The great thing about Easy-to-use WordPress Hosting is that they make it really easy to get started. All you need to do is log in and click on the create a free account button. From there, you can choose a hosting plan that suits you.
The best part of Easy-to-use WordPress Hosting is that they don’t charge you a penny for their services. So, as long as you’re in good standing with them (which you can determine by looking at your payment history), then you can enjoy their excellent shared hosting services for life.
5. Godaddy.com
Last but not least, we have Godaddy.com. Just like the other hosting providers on this list, Godaddy.com provides you with a free domain and lets you use either Windows or Unix-based servers to host your website. (You can’t use both.)
However, what makes Godaddy.com special is that they also provide you with a free premium SSL certificate, free backups, and free private forums. (They don’t provide you with a free community forum, but you can get one of those features for free from Bluehost as well.)
With all these free perks, it’s no wonder that Godaddy.com is the go-to place for so many businesses around the world. (I use them myself and have recommended them to my clients.)
How to choose a good hosting plan for your WordPress website
Choosing a good hosting plan for your WordPress website can be a lot like buying a car. You want to buy a model that suits your needs, has enough features, and is of a good quality.
To help you figure out what type of hosting plan is right for your WordPress website, I’ve compiled a list of the most important factors to consider before making a purchase.
These are the things you need to check before buying a hosting plan from any company. (Not all of these factors will apply to all hosting plans, but you should consider them all before making a decision.)
1. Security
Security is one of the biggest factors to consider when buying a hosting plan. A good hosting provider will have a proven track record of keeping websites safe from hackers and other malicious software. (See also: Top 4 Ways to Protect Your WordPress Website From Hackers.)
When shopping for hosting, you should look for a company that has a security team that monitors and scans websites on a regular basis. Having a skilled hacker disrupt your website and access your personal information could be a disaster just like a car accident.
2. Features
A lot of people think that all hosting plans are created equal. While this may be true in some ways, it is extremely important to look at the features that each plan offers before making a decision. (See also: The Least You Need to Know About Hosting.)
You should aim to find a hosting plan with all the features you need. If you’re looking for a free community forum, then search for a plan that offers both; a free private forum and a free community forum. (Godaddy.com offers both.)
Many hosting plans offer an unlimited number of databases. If you’re launching a business website or blog that needs a lot of storage, then look for a plan that offers a lot of storage. (A typical shared hosting plan from a reputable company such as Bluehost offers 25GB of storage.)
Try to avoid free trial offers from hosting companies. These are usually a scam. (The hosting companies usually want you to cancel your account after the trial period, and you’ll end up spending much more money in the long run.)
3. Cost
The cost of the hosting plan is one of the most important considerations. You want to find a company that offers a great value for the money.
Shared hosting plans from reputable companies usually start around $2.95 per month. This is a great deal compared to getting a premium dedicated server from another company, which can cost you thousands per month.
Dedicated hosting plans from reputable companies start around $5.45 per month, which is still a great deal compared to getting a premium dedicated server from another company. (See also: What is Dedicated Hosting and Why Should You Care?)
4. Reputation
The reputation of the company is also important to consider. You want to buy a hosting plan from a reputable company that has a good track record. Doing business with a reputable company means you can be sure that your information will be kept private and that your site will be safe from malicious software. (See also: The Top 3 Factors That Determine a Company’s Reputation.)
In Conclusion
Choosing a good hosting plan for your WordPress website is difficult. There are a lot of different factors to consider, but once you do, you’ll have a plan that suits you perfectly.
You can find a lot of good information on the Internet about choosing a hosting solution, so don’t worry about it being difficult. Just take your time and do some research. (Then, you can come back here and ask me any questions you might have about choosing a hosting solution.)