Breaking Down the Bad, the Better and the Best in WordPress Hosting
When it comes to selecting a WordPress host, there is a wide range of options to choose from, ranging from good to bad.
We are going to take a closer look at the various hosting options available and break them down into three main categories: the not so good, the better, and the best. We will be looking at some popular hosts and more reliable options.
By the end of this post, you should better understand what kind of WordPress hosting is right for you.
Why choosing the right WordPress host matters
If you are here, then you probably already know what WordPress hosting is and why you need it.
Choosing the right WordPress host is crucial for the success of your website. While it may not be the most glamorous decision you make in your website development process, it is one that should not be taken lightly.
Your WordPress host is the foundation on which your website is built, and it can significantly impact your site’s performance, security, and overall user experience.
Speed
One of the key reasons why choosing the right WordPress host matters is website speed. In today’s fast-paced digital world, visitors expect websites to load quickly.
A slow-loading website frustrates users and negatively impacts your search engine rankings. Search engines like Google consider website speed when determining search rankings, so a slow website could result in lower visibility and fewer organic visitors.
Security
Another reason to carefully consider your WordPress host is security. With the rise in cyber threats and hacking attempts, having a secure website is more important than ever. A reputable WordPress host will have robust security measures, such as firewalls, malware scanning, and regular backups. They will also provide ongoing updates and support to protect your website from potential vulnerabilities.
User Experience
In addition to speed and security, the right WordPress host can enhance your website’s overall user experience. A reliable host will have minimal downtime, ensuring your website is always accessible to visitors. They will also provide easy-to-use tools and resources, making managing and updating your website simple.
Lastly, choosing the right WordPress host can save you time and frustration in the long run.
A reliable host will offer excellent customer support, helping you resolve any technical issues quickly and efficiently. They will also have advanced features and scalability options, allowing your website to grow and adapt as your business expands.
The Bad Hosts: Bluehost, Hostgator, Siteground, And Godaddy
When selecting a WordPress host, it’s important to know that not all hosting providers are created equal. There are definitely some bad apples out there, and unfortunately, Bluehost, HostGator, SiteGround, and GoDaddy fall into this category.
Bluehost
Let’s start with Bluehost. While it may be a popular choice for many beginners due to its affordability, user-friendly interface, and, let’s not forget, its affiliate program that pays people to tell you how great it is. But it falls short when it comes to performance, customer service, and reliability.
Bluehost has been known to have frequent downtime, which means your website could be inaccessible to visitors for extended periods.
Additionally, their customer support has received numerous complaints for needing to be more responsive and helpful, leaving users frustrated and unsupported.
Host Gator
HostGator is another hosting provider often recommended for its low prices, but you definitely get what you pay for.
Many users have reported experiencing slow loading speeds, affecting user experience and negatively impacting SEO. In addition, HostGator’s customer support has also been a significant point of contention, with users reporting long wait times and unhelpful responses.
They also give a lower rate for signing up for an extended period of time without the ability to cancel and get a refund, which could leave you in a very frustrating situation.
Hostgator is known to try to push for you to sign up for long term contracts for a lower rate. You should not have to be locked into a hosting agreement. That’s a red flag.
Siteground
SiteGround is often praised for its excellent customer support and user-friendly interface, but it has some significant downsides.
This can be extremely frustrating if you have a growing website or experience sudden spikes in traffic.
SiteGround also falls short in speed, with users reporting slower loading times compared to other hosting providers.
GoDaddy
Lastly, GoDaddy is a well-known name in the industry. Still, it has gained a reputation for its upselling tactics and subpar performance.
If I had to tell you the main host to stay away from, GoDaddy is it. GoDaddy is quite possibly the worst WordPress hosting company out there.
Many users have complained about slow loading times, frequent downtime, and flat-out terrible, unhelpful customer support.
There have been several people who lost their whole sites for one reason or another with GoDaddy.
And if you fail to renew your domain, they will purchase it and charge you a ridiculous fee to get it back.
GoDaddy’s hosting plans also lack some essential features that other hosting providers offer as standard, such as free SSL certificates and automatic backups.
While these hosting providers may be appealing due to their affordability or name recognition, it’s essential to consider the potential downsides and drawbacks.
Slow loading speeds, unreliable uptime, and lackluster customer support can significantly impact your website’s success and user experience.
It’s worth investing in a more reliable and reputable hosting provider to ensure your WordPress site’s optimal performance and security.
The Better Hosts: Lyrical Hosting, Wpopt Hosting
When it comes to WordPress hosting, there are certainly some hosts that fall into the “better” category.
Two of these hosts that stand out are Lyrical Hosting and WPOPT Hosting. Let’s look at what makes these hosts a step above the rest.
Lyrical Hosting
Lyrical Hosting is a hosting provider that prides itself on offering exceptional performance and reliable support. With Lyrical Hosting, you can expect lightning-fast loading speeds for your website.
Their servers are optimized specifically for WordPress, ensuring your site runs smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, Lyrical Hosting offers a range of hosting plans to suit different needs and budgets, from shared hosting to dedicated servers.
Their customer support team is also highly responsive and knowledgeable, providing quick and helpful assistance whenever needed.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Lyrical Hosting is a reliable option to keep your website running smoothly.
WPOPT Hosting
WPOPT Hosting is another hosting provider that deserves recognition for its excellent service.
They offer various hosting plans that cater to different website sizes and traffic levels. One of the standout features of WPOPT Hosting is its emphasis on security.
With regular malware scanning, automatic backups, and advanced firewalls, WPOPT Hosting takes the security of your website seriously.
Their hosting plans also include unlimited bandwidth and storage, so you can rest assured that your website can handle high traffic levels without any issues.
WPOPT Hosting also offers top-notch customer support, ensuring you have a team of experts to turn to whenever you encounter any technical difficulties.
With WPOPT Hosting, you can have peace of mind knowing that your website is in safe and capable hands.
Both Lyrical Hosting and WPOPT Hosting offer reliable and efficient WordPress hosting with a range of features that can enhance the performance and security of your website. These hosts prioritize speed, security, and customer support, making them excellent choices for anyone looking for a reliable and high-performing WordPress host.
Whether running a personal blog or a business website, Lyrical Hosting and WPOPT Hosting can provide the tools and support you need to succeed.
The Best Hosts: Wp Engine, Big Scoots
When it comes to the best WordPress hosts, two providers that consistently stand out from the competition are WP Engine and Big Scoots.
These hosts offer exceptional performance, reliable support, and a range of features to take your website to the next level.
WP Engine
Let’s start with WP Engine. As the name suggests, this hosting provider is specifically tailored for WordPress websites.
WP Engine is known for its lightning-fast loading speeds and reliable uptime, ensuring your website is always accessible to visitors.
They have a highly optimized infrastructure and utilize caching techniques to deliver content quickly. With WP Engine, you can expect top-notch security measures, including firewalls, malware scanning, and automatic backups.
Their expert support team is available 24/7 to assist with any technical issues or questions, ensuring that your website is always running smoothly.
WP Engine also offers advanced features such as a staging environment, allowing you to test changes before going live, and integration with popular tools like WooCommerce for e-commerce sites.
With WP Engine, you can have peace of mind knowing that your WordPress site is in the hands of experts.
Big Scoots
Another top contender in the WordPress hosting arena is Big Scoots.
Known for its high-performance servers and personalized support, Big Scoots offers a hosting experience that goes above and beyond.
With Big Scoots, you can expect lightning-fast loading speeds and minimal downtime, ensuring your website is always accessible to visitors.
They prioritize performance optimization, using advanced caching techniques and CDN integration to deliver your content quickly to users around the world.
In terms of security, Big Scoots has you covered with regular malware scanning, firewalls, and secure backups. Their support team is highly responsive and knowledgeable, providing personalized assistance whenever you need it.
Big Scoots also offers a range of hosting plans to suit different needs and budgets, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers.
Whether you’re running a personal blog or a high-traffic business website, Big Scoots has the scalability and performance to handle your needs.
When it comes to WordPress hosting, WP Engine and Big Scoots are undoubtedly some of the best hosts available.
They offer superior performance, reliable support, and a range of features that enhance your website’s speed, security, and overall user experience.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, WP Engine and Big Scoots can provide the tools and support you need to succeed.
Key Factors To Consider When Choosing A WordPress Host
Choosing the right WordPress host is a critical decision that can significantly impact the success and performance of your website. Several key factors must be considered to ensure you make the best choice when evaluating different hosting providers.
Speed
First and foremost, website speed is a crucial factor to consider.
As mentioned earlier, visitors expect websites to load quickly, and slow loading times can lead to high bounce rates and poor user experience. When choosing a WordPress host, look for providers that offer fast loading speeds and have servers optimized specifically for WordPress.
CDNs
Additionally, consider hosts that offer content delivery networks (CDNs) to ensure that your website’s content is delivered quickly to users all around the world.
Security
Another important factor to consider is security. With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats, choosing a hosting provider that prioritizes website security is essential.
Look for hosts that offer robust security measures such as firewalls, malware scanning, and regular backups. Additionally, consider hosts that provide SSL certificates, which encrypt data and enhance the security of your website.
A secure website not only protects your data and your visitors’ information but also helps to maintain a good reputation and trustworthiness.
Reliability
Reliability is another critical factor to consider. A reliable hosting provider will ensure your website is always accessible to visitors with minimal downtime. Look for hosts that guarantee a high uptime percentage, typically 99% or higher.
Backups
Additionally, consider hosts with systems and backup servers to ensure your website stays online even during a hardware failure or maintenance.
Support
Customer support is an often overlooked but critical factor in choosing a WordPress host.
Technical issues can arise anytime, and reliable and responsive customer support is essential to quickly resolve these issues. Look for hosting providers that offer 24/7 customer support via multiple channels such as live chat, email, and phone.
Additionally, read reviews and testimonials to gauge the quality of their support and the average response times.
Scalability
Finally, consider the scalability and flexibility of the hosting provider. As your website grows and attracts more visitors, you may need to upgrade your hosting plan or add additional resources.
Look for hosts that offer scalable plans or the ability to easily upgrade as your needs evolve. Additionally, consider hosts that provide easy-to-use tools and interfaces for managing and updating your website.
By considering these key factors when choosing a WordPress host, you can ensure that you select a provider that offers the performance, security, reliability, support, and scalability that your website needs to succeed.
Take the time to research and compare different hosting options, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from other website owners to make an informed decision that will set your website up for success.
TaKenya
A life and business coach at TaKenya Hampton Coaching, owner of Studio117 Creative, and the girl behind the stove or drill at the Kenya Rae Blog. A total WordPress geek and lover of systems that help businesses run smoothly. My goal is to make things look good, work well, and help business owners reach their full potential—whether they’re working solo as a solopreneur or with a team.
