Best WordPress-Specific Hosting Providers for 2018
As the name suggests, this article will help you find the best WordPress-specific hosting providers among the popular hosting companies. The topic is pretty vast and it will include a wide range of services, so let’s get started.
Overview
There are numerous hosting companies out there, but only a few of them specialize in providing WordPress-specific services. This category includes both shared hosting platforms as well as VPS and managed WordPress hosting plans. Along with the various options for storage and bandwidth, these providers offer various levels of security and features. This being said, not all WordPress-specific hosting providers are created equal, and it is essential that you familiarize yourself with the differences before making a decision.
Features
Although your choice of web host should not be based on functional features, it is essential to keep in mind that not all WordPress-specific hosting providers are created equal. Some providers are extremely feature-rich, while others might be lacking in certain areas. Keep this in mind as you make your selection and make sure to read the reviews before committing.
When choosing a provider, you will want to look for a business that is committed to offering an excellent customer experience and boasts a solid reputation. In this vein, ensure that the service meets your needs and does not disappoint you. The following are some of the functional features you might want to look out for:
- Free backups
- Free domain registration (this is especially important if you run a business website or blog)
- Free site analytics
- Free dedicated IP address
- Free security scanner (as part of a yearly plan)
- Free content delivery network (CDN)
- Free domain privacy
- Free load balance (for dedicated hosting)
- Free shell (for dedicated hosting)
- etc.
Dedicated IP
A dedicated IP is a unique IP address that is reserved for your use on the server and cannot be shared with other customers. This is extremely important if you are using the service for business purposes as it provides you with additional anonymity when conducting business over the internet. You should however be aware that using a dedicated IP could incur additional charges depending on your plan.
Secure Shell
A secure shell (SSH) allows for secure communications over the internet. Using the service is very easy and requires you to enter a public key to authenticate yourself. This is a critical safety measure that many businesses rely on and it makes logging into sensitive accounts a breeze. Most reputable providers offer some type of secure shell service, which you can use to control your server.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is essentially the “wiring” or “cabling” that connects your computer or server to the internet/intranet. The more bandwidth you have, the more traffic you can handle, which will lead to faster website speeds. If you are looking for a cheap yet reliable way to get started, shared hosting usually comes with a decent amount of bandwidth. However, if you are looking for a dedicated IP, the best bandwidth option is a VPS with at least 500GB of hard drive space. Having a larger HDD will give you room to store large files and enable you to run more intensive applications.
Storage
Storage is the total amount of disk space available on the server that you are renting. This includes both the local hard drive as well as any attached devices such as USB drives, memory sticks, or hard disks. The size of your storage will determine how much you are charged each month and the cost will vary depending on the plan, but it will never be free.
Backups
It is well known that data loss is one of the main reasons businesses shut down. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you implement a data backup strategy for your organization. Many reputable providers offer free backups for their customers, which can be restored at any time for free. While this might not seem like a major selling point, it could be the difference between saving your business and losing everything.
Response Time
Response time is the amount of time it takes for a server to return a request sent to it. The faster it is, the faster your website can load. Unfortunately, the majority of hosting providers are located in Europe and East Asia, which are regions with higher latency networks, so it will take a little bit longer for your website to load. This should not be a major issue though and you can always choose a provider with a fast response time.
To help you find the best WordPress-specific hosting provider, we have compiled a detailed list of the most popular hosting companies and the services they offer. Keep reading for more information on each provider:
1/2/3/4)
These are the four major hosting companies that specialize in hosting individual websites or blogs on a shared or VPS basis:
- 1/2/3/4 (GoDaddy)
- 1/2/3/4 (Bluehost)
- 1/2/3/4 (Hostgator)
- 1/2/3/4 (A Small Orange)
Features
Each of the above-listed companies offer a variety of features and services, so it is important to do your research before making a decision. Keep in mind that not all features are created equal. Some are extremely valuable and can make a noticeable difference in your productivity as a business owner or webmaster. In this section, we will discuss some of the most useful features and how you can benefit from them. Along with the various hosting packages, these companies also offer a variety of add-ons and extensions that can be downloaded and added to your site, including free ones.
- GoDaddy Web Hosting (Value Plus)
- Bluehost (Value Plus)
- Hostgator (Choice Plus)
- A Small Orange (Choice Plus)
Dedicated IP
Many website owners and bloggers prefer to keep their sites private and only accessible to those who need to know about them. Using a dedicated IP is the best way to go about doing this as it provides you with an additional layer of security and anonymity when conducting business online. If you are looking for a dedicated IP, make sure to examine the various plans that each company offers.
Secure Shell
A secure shell (SSH) allows for secure communications over the internet. Using the service is very easy and requires you to enter a public key to authenticate yourself. This is a critical safety measure that many businesses rely on and it makes logging into sensitive accounts a breeze. Most reputable providers offer some type of secure shell service, which you can use to control your server.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is essentially the “wiring” or “cabling” that connects your computer or server to the internet/intranet. The more bandwidth you have, the more traffic you can handle, which will lead to faster website speeds. If you are looking for a cheap yet reliable way to get started, shared hosting usually comes with a decent amount of bandwidth. However, if you are looking for a dedicated IP, the best bandwidth option is a VPS with at least 500GB of hard drive space. Having a larger HDD will give you room to store large files and enable you to run more intensive applications.
Storage
Storage is the total amount of disk space available on the server that you are renting. This includes both the local hard drive as well as any attached devices such as USB drives, memory sticks, or hard disks. The size of your storage will determine how much you are charged each month and the cost will vary depending on the plan, but it will never be free.