What is the Best Host for a WordPress Webcomic?
I am the editor of a digital magazine (called DigiMyth) and am always looking for new ways to grow the publication. One idea that has worked well for me is to experiment with webcomics—which I define as “strips of digital art that update once a week on a web page.”
If you have a WordPress blog, you can use it to create a webcomic. The best host for a WordPress webcomic is one that gives you the ability to update content quickly and easily. Having a responsive design is also important so that when viewed on different devices and browser sizes, the comic renders perfectly.
In this article, I’ll tell you about some of the best hosting providers for WordPress comics so that you can make the right decision for your needs.
1. Bluehost
I won’t lie—when I first heard about Bluehost, I was intimidated. I’m not used to dealing with hosting providers, particularly not on a paid basis. But if you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective option, Bluehost is the best choice for you. It also just so happens that Bluehost is owned by the company I work for (called Host Gator), so I already had experience with them. Their support is also top notch, and they’re always available to help via chat or phone.
But back to Bluehost—one of its fantastic features is its shared hosting plan. If you’re looking for a cheap, no-frills host but also want to keep your site’s traffic private, then this is the plan for you. As the name implies, with this plan you get access to a shared server, and all the sites you create with WordPress will behave as one. There’s no dedicated hosting or VPS (virtual private server) option.
Shared hosting is the perfect compromise between affordability and utility. If you don’t need to grow your site hugely, but simply want to create a small blog to help with self-expression or to just experiment with WordPress, then this is the perfect option for you. Just bear in mind that all the sites on the shared server will behave in the same way, so if you’re looking for a commercial site, this is not the right option for you. You also need to consider how much space you need—if you only have a limited amount of storage, you’ll want to look for a plan that offers more storage.
2. Hosting.com
I’ve tried Host Gator and Bluehost, and I have to say that Hosting.com is one of the best web hosts for WordPress comics out there. The pricing is quite competitive, and the quality of their service is outstanding. Once you have signed up for Hosting.com, you’ll notice that creating a WordPress blog with a comic is quite an easy process. There’s no complicated setup required. Just log in to your account, and you’ll see the WordPress dashboard.
Hosting.com is designed for bloggers and content creators, so it keeps all the basic blogging tools easily accessible—such as the WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor and the familiar WordPress control panel. Plus, their customer service is excellent. If you have any questions, their support team is always available to help via live chat or email.
One of the best things about Hosting.com is the WordPress Starter Package. For just $2.95 per month, you’ll get a vanilla WordPress install with features ranging from the very basic (such as the ability to create and edit posts) to the advanced (such as the dashboard, which gives you access to all the backend features). If you’re just getting started with WordPress or want a simple solution, this is the perfect choice for you.
3. Dreamhost
As the name suggests, Dreamhost is another excellent web host that offers unlimited space and bandwidth, along with an attractive pricing plan. But what sets them apart from the rest is their specialized support for WordPress sites. Just like Hosting.com, Dreamhost has gotten rid of all the extra frills usually found on a standard hosting plan and instead offers a bare-bones, no-nonsense approach. Plus, as a WordPress fan, it’s only natural that I want to support a company that gives me access to this valuable CMS (content management system).
In the spirit of keeping things simple, Dreamhost also offers a WordPress Starter Package. This is quite an economical option if you’re just getting started with blogging or want to do some simple webcomicing. The only downside is that the service is somewhat limited—you won’t get access to all the advanced features that a paid plan would offer. But for just $2.95 per month, it’s quite the value.
4. iPage
iPage is a Canadian company whose servers are located in the U.S., which is why many of their services are available there, but you can access their services from anywhere. Their hosting plans are quite affordable, and they offer a free option that allows you to create a basic blog. But what sets them apart from the other hosts is their commitment to security. Not only do they ensure that your site stays secure by default (which is essential if you’re a conservative businessperson or woman), but they also give you the tools to keep your site secure on your own. Some of their features include the ability to create and manage user accounts, as well as the ability to create and edit blogs and web pages from within their control panels.
But the best part about iPage is their 24/7/365 support team. Just like the other hosts mentioned so far, this company also offers a WordPress Starter Package. While it’s a bit more expensive than the other options, when you need help, their support team is there to help. Their support is also quite good, so if you have any questions or need help, their team is available to help via live chat or email.
5. Hostgator
Last but not least, we have Hostgator, one of the biggest and most popular web hosts out there. If you have a large audience or want to build a community around your web blog, then Hostgator is the perfect solution. Just like the other hosts mentioned so far, Hostgator also offers a WordPress Starter Package, which is quite an economical option if you’re simply getting started with blogging. Its shared hosting plans also come with a free domain name, and you don’t need to worry about the traffic your site generates—they have you covered with the Basic Plus Package. All the features are quite similar to those of the other hosts mentioned so far—you get access to the WordPress dashboard and the ability to create and edit posts and pages. For $2.95 per month, this is one of the cheapest options available.
What is the Best Host for a WordPress Webcomic?
Now that you have a clearer picture of the types of hosts available to you, it’s time to figure out which one is the best for your needs. As a content creator myself, I want to point out that the type of host you choose can greatly affect the final product. For example, if you need a host that gives you the ability to update content quickly and easily, then Bluehost is the perfect choice—you can create and edit content without needing any prior knowledge, and their responsive design makes the content look good on any device. If, however, you want to create a professional-looking site with a high degree of interactivity, then you should go for a paid plan from Hosting.com or Dreamhost.
In general, if you want to create a small, personal blog, then the free options from Hosting.com or Bluehost are the way to go. If, however, you want to create a more polished, professional-looking site, then you should look for a plan from Hosting.com, Dreamhost, or iPage.
How Much Does It Cost To Run a WordPress Blog?
Of course, the cost to run a blog or a website is something that you need to consider. Just because you have a blog or website doesn’t mean that you have to pay for the hosting—you can self-host and save a lot of money. There are plenty of free blogs and websites out there that you can use.
But if you want to create a professional-looking site, then you should consider paying for the service. Even a small, personal blog can end up costing you money if you want to look for the best possible experience. If you’re just getting started or aren’t making money from the site, then it’s probably best to go with one of the free options mentioned above—you’ll have enough functionality without having to spend a fortune on hosting fees.