One of the most important decisions you will make in setting up your WordPress site is choosing a good hosting site. There are a lot of factors that determine your experience with your host, including their uptime, their speed, and how well they handle customer support.

It’s the place where we store our data, so it’s crucial to choose a provider that offers the right features at a reasonable price. There are many hosting platforms out there, and choosing the best WordPress hosting sites can be time-consuming.

In this short guide, I’ll walk you through the key features to look for when choosing a WordPress hosting site, and give you my recommendation for the best WordPress hosting site in 2021.

While there are many WordPress hosting sites out there promising you the best service, there are really only a handful of real contenders. Some of the big players in the WordPress hosting world are BlueHost and HostGator. But if you’re just starting out with a new WordPress site, these companies may be a bit too much. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best WordPress hosting sites for beginners.

Ranking Factors to Look For

Do you go for a WordPress hosting site with the most resources, or one that has a reputation for being cheap, or should you be looking for one that offers you a combination of both?

WordPress servers aren’t too expensive anymore and the good ones are powerful enough to get the job done. So, what should you be looking for when you’re deciding on the best WordPress hosting sites? Here’s my checklist.

1. Reliability

Whichever WordPress hosting site you decide on, choose one that is reliable. Reliability equates to uptime and downtime the hosting provider guarantees. Normally you’ll see something like a 99.9% uptime guarantee. In the IT world, that’s called ‘three nines.’ Most enterprises aim for five nines uptime, or 99.999% availability. Most of us don’t need 5-9s. It’s overkill and very expensive to operate at that high of a reliability factor. 99.9% meets most bloggers’ standards.

Here’s Google’s chart to help you understand how many minutes of downtime is associated with each ‘9’:

2. Security

By now, paying attention to security should be assumed whenever you look for any online product. It’s not an area anyone should get complacent with, especially if you’re dealing with e-commerce or visitor data. 

Your hosting site should offer multi-factor authentication (or MFA, 2FA) for your account logins. 

I always recommend heading over to Google and search for recent data breaches with the provider you’re interested in using. Let’s say you want to use Dreamhost. Simply search for “Dreamhost data breach” and check out the results. 

Stay away from WordPress hosting sites that have multiple cybersecurity breaches in the last few years. It’s a huge red flag.

3. Ease of Use

You can either choose a managed hosting site, where everything is taken care of for you including updates and support, or a self-hosted site where you are responsible for everything. In most cases, you can save a lot of money going with the managed option, but it cost more.

Some hosting sites’ dashboards or admin panels look dated and are not intuitive. Others, like SiteGround, have perfected the user interface. Most hosts use CPanel, the oldest and most common web hosting dashboard. It’s cumbersome and varies based on the ‘add-on’ software the hosting provider uses. 

Another thing you should look for is a ‘one-click WordPress install.’ If you’re new to WordPress, you don’t want to install it manually. Most hosts use one-click installs. Others, like my personal favorite, A2 Hosting, automatically build your WordPress server when you set up your domain name. Too easy, right?

4. Customer Support

When you eventually have problems (and yes, I intentionally said “when” instead of “if”), the WordPress hosting site better have good customer service. From personal experience, Dreamhost and SiteGround have great customer service but HostGator’s is terrible. 

I recently switched to A2 and haven’t had any issues or reasons to contact their support, yet. 

When you review the different packages the hosting sites offer, pay attention to what level of support the package you select comes with. Typically the higher tier service tickets get bumped to the top of the list, and the lowest tier is handled with a ‘best effort.”

5. Free Tools and Resources

I mentioned a cool tool before, the one-click WP install but look for a few more. The top item I look for is whether the hosting site offers unlimited free SSL certificates for my domains. Almost all hosts do now.

Look for free custom email addresses, free calendars, WordPress site migration software, site performance optimization apps, and much more.

When you’re new to WordPress, the more free tools and resources a hosting provider uses, the better off you’ll be.

6. Performance

This is where the assessment can get overly technical. To keep things simple, I’m going to assume you have a small website, whether it’s a blog or an e-commerce shop. My point is this: you don’t have tens of thousands of visitors per month. If that’s true for you, then a Shared Hosting package is your best option. It’s cheaper than dedicated hosting and VPS.

Make sure your hosting site uses SSD hard drives (at a minimum) on their servers. They’re faster than HDD and more energy-efficient. 

I left Dreamhost after a few months because when I switched from SiteGround to them, my sites slowed to a crawl. My pages took forever to load and it tanked my SEO. 

I left SiteGround for another WordPress hosting site for the last, but not least ranking factor.

7. Cost

As you begin to research your WordPress hosting options, you will likely find that there is a lot of conflicting information out there. Some articles and blogs will tell you that going with a low-cost WordPress hosting option is a sure way to experience slow loading times and frequent website crashes. Other articles and blogs will tell you that expensive WordPress hosting options are the only way to go and that you get what you pay for. So which is it?

Well, I want my cake and I want to eat it too. With SiteGround, my sites were fast and the control panel was super easy to use. But after my initial service contract, the price skyrocketed well beyond a price I was willing to pay.

So I switched to the cheapest platform – Dreamhost. Like I said above, it was a huge mistake. Fortunately, I found A2 hosting and I now get the best performance at a crazy cheap cost per month.

The trickiest thing most hosting sites do is offer a significantly reduced price when you first sign up. Most offer that price for 1 year. Others let you lock it in for 3 years. After that term is over, you probably think they’d offer a renewal discount, right? Nope.

Not one single hosting provider I’ve used offers renewal discounts. HostGator? Nope. SiteGround? Nope. DreamHost? Nope. BlueHost? Nope.

Unless you want to switch hosts every 1-3 years, pay attention to the monthly cost after your discount is over and make sure it doesn’t jump from $12/mo. to $44/mo (I’m looking at you, SiteGround). 

Top 6 WordPress Hosting Sites

Now, without further ado, here are my opinions on what I consider the top 5 WordPress hosting sites. I’ve shared some graphics from third-party sites to justify my opinions, too. Ultimately, you should do the research and choose the best one for your site.

#1: A2 Hosting

Overview: A2 Hosting has carved out a reputation for being one of the fastest web hosting providers on the market. Launched in 2003, it offers a variety of hosting solutions, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, with a strong focus on performance optimization. A2 Hosting is particularly well-known for its Turbo Servers, which promise significantly faster page loads compared to traditional hosting options. In addition to speed, A2 Hosting is committed to providing top-notch customer service and an extensive range of features aimed at both beginners and advanced users. Their anytime money-back guarantee also sets them apart, providing users with a risk-free way to try their services.

Unique Features:

• Turbo Servers: A2 Hosting’s Turbo Servers promise up to 20 times faster page loads compared to standard servers, utilizing advanced caching and reduced server density.
• Anytime Money-Back Guarantee: Provides a risk-free trial period, allowing customers to get a refund if they are not satisfied at any point.
• Free Site Migration: A2 Hosting offers free migration services, making it easy for users to switch from another host.

Pros:

• Exceptional speed with Turbo Servers
• Anytime money-back guarantee
• Free site migration and SSL certificate
• 24/7 customer support

Cons:

• Higher renewal rates
• Basic plans lack some advanced features

Why Choose A2 Hosting? A2 Hosting is ideal for users who prioritize speed and reliability, especially those with performance-intensive websites or e-commerce platforms.

#2: SiteGround

Overview: Founded in 2004, SiteGround has quickly become a favorite among WordPress users due to its excellent customer support, strong security features, and reliable performance. SiteGround is officially recommended by WordPress.org, which speaks volumes about its credibility and reliability. The company offers a variety of hosting plans tailored to different needs, including shared, cloud, and dedicated hosting. SiteGround is known for its proactive approach to security, including daily backups, free SSL certificates, and a web application firewall. Their innovative use of technology, such as the custom-built Site Tools and the SG Optimizer plugin, ensures that websites hosted on SiteGround are fast and secure.

Unique Features:

• Superior Customer Support: Available 24/7 via phone, chat, and tickets, with a reputation for quick and effective responses.
• Advanced Security: Includes daily backups, free SSL certificates, and a web application firewall to protect against threats.
• Site Tools: User-friendly control panel with powerful tools for easy site management.

Pros:

• Top-notch customer support
• Strong security features
• Reliable performance with 99.99% uptime
• Free daily backups and SSL

Cons:

• Higher starting prices compared to some competitors
• Limited storage on basic plans

Why Choose SiteGround? SiteGround is perfect for users who need robust security and excellent customer support, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users.

#3: Namecheap*

Overview: NameCheap, established in 2000, is primarily known for its affordable domain registration services. However, it has also gained a strong reputation in the hosting space, particularly for its WordPress hosting plans. NameCheap offers a range of hosting solutions, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, with a focus on affordability and ease of use. Their hosting plans come with features like free domain registration, SSL certificates, and easy WordPress integration, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious users. NameCheap’s user-friendly interface and reliable customer support further enhance its appeal, especially for beginners and small business owners looking to establish their online presence without breaking the bank.

* My current WordPress hosting provider

Unique Features:

• Affordable Pricing: Hosting plans start at very low prices, making it accessible for budget-conscious users.
• Free Domain and Migration: Offers a free domain with hosting plans and free site migration services.
• Easy WordPress Integration: Simplifies the setup process with one-click WordPress installation.

Pros:

• Highly affordable plans
• Free domain and SSL certificate
• User-friendly interface
• Good customer support

Cons:

• Performance can lag behind more premium hosts
• Limited features on basic plans

Why Choose NameCheap? NameCheap is a great option for those looking for an affordable and reliable hosting solution with the added benefit of easy domain management.

#4: DreamHost

Overview: DreamHost is one of the few hosting providers officially endorsed by WordPress.org. Established in 1997, DreamHost has a long history of providing reliable and feature-rich hosting solutions. It offers a variety of hosting plans, including shared, VPS, managed WordPress, and dedicated hosting. DreamHost is known for its unmetered bandwidth, ensuring that websites can handle high traffic volumes without any issues. Their one-click WordPress installation and user-friendly control panel make it easy for users to set up and manage their websites. DreamHost’s 24/7 US-based support team is always available to assist with any issues, making it a dependable choice for WordPress users.

Unique Features:

• Unmetered Traffic: Allows unlimited bandwidth, ensuring your site can handle high traffic volumes.
• One-Click WordPress Install: Simplifies the installation process, making it easy to set up your WordPress site.
• 24/7 Support: US-based support team available round the clock.

Pros:

• Officially recommended by WordPress.org
• Unmetered bandwidth
• Easy-to-use control panel
• 97-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• Live chat support hours are limited
• Slightly higher renewal rates

Why Choose DreamHost? DreamHost is ideal for users looking for a WordPress-endorsed hosting provider with robust features and reliable performance at an affordable price.

#5: Hostinger

Overview: Hostinger, founded in 2004, has made a name for itself as one of the most affordable hosting providers in the industry. Despite its low prices, Hostinger does not compromise on performance, offering fast loading times and reliable service thanks to its use of LiteSpeed technology. Hostinger provides a range of hosting solutions, including shared, cloud, and VPS hosting, with a focus on WordPress hosting. Their plans come with comprehensive features such as automatic backups, free SSL certificates, and a custom dashboard. Hostinger’s 24/7 customer support and easy-to-use interface make it a popular choice for beginners and small businesses looking for budget-friendly hosting without sacrificing quality.

Unique Features:

• LiteSpeed Technology: Enhances site performance and loading speeds.
• Comprehensive Features: Includes automatic backups, free SSL, and a custom dashboard.
• Affordable Plans: Starting at $2.99 per month, making it one of the most affordable options available.

Pros:

• Highly affordable plans
• Fast loading times with LiteSpeed servers
• Comprehensive set of features
• 24/7 customer support

Cons:

• Limited resources on basic plans
• Higher renewal rates

Why Choose Hostinger? Hostinger is perfect for budget-conscious users who still want reliable and fast hosting services, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized websites.

Conclusion

Selecting the right WordPress hosting provider depends on your specific needs and budget. Each of these providers offers unique features and benefits, catering to different user requirements. Whether you prioritize speed, support, affordability, or a combination of these factors, the hosting providers listed above offer excellent options to ensure your WordPress site runs smoothly, securely, and efficiently throughout 2024 and beyond.

By considering these top hosting providers, you can ensure your WordPress site meets its full potential, providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for your visitors.