What Is Website Hosting And How To Pick The Right One For Your Blog
Starting your very first blog can be challenging. Especially when it comes to picking the right hosting platform.
Just to be clear, with picking WordPress hosting, I’m assuming you want to start a self-hosted WordPress blog, and not the free WordPress.com version, since we’re here to make some good money from our blog.
I explain all of the differences between the self-hosted WordPress version and the WordPress.com version here.
Do you want a cheap hosting plan to get started or would you rather have a more expensive one, which you can pay on a month-to-month basis?
I’ve been with multiple hosting platforms over the years, from cheap one to the more expensive ones, and in this article, I will show you what website hosting actually is, what to look for when picking the right one, and some of the things that you actually need to ignore.
What Is Website Hosting:
Think of website hosting as the foundation of your online presence. It’s the service that allows your blog to be accessible to readers worldwide, 24/7. Just like building a house, you want to ensure that your blog is built on a good foundation. The right web hosting provider will not only keep your blog up and running smoothly but also provide essential features like security, speed, backups, and customer support.
In this guide, I will show you all of the different features of website hosting and help you make an informed decision when selecting a web hosting provider for your blog. We’ll explore the different types of hosting plans available, such as shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, and cloud hosting, and explain the key factors to consider when going through your options. From uptime and security to hosting features and hosting costs, we’ll cover it all!
So, whether you’re a beginner blogger just starting out or an experienced content creator looking to upgrade your hosting game, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to choose the perfect hosting solution for your blog.
This article may contain Affiliate Links, meaning if you click on a link and purchase my recommended product, I may receive a small commission. Read my full disclaimer here
Understanding the Basics of Website Hosting
When you’re ready to launch your blog, choosing a website hosting provider is one of the first steps. It’s what makes your blog available to the world. It gives your website the server space and infrastructure it needs to be online.
Without a good hosting service, your blog won’t be seen by anyone, even if your content is great. If your website takes 30 seconds to load, nobody will read it.
Types of web hosting: shared, VPS, dedicated, and cloud
There are many web hosting types, each with its own pros and cons:
- Shared Hosting: This is a budget-friendly choice where your blog shares server resources with others. It’s perfect for beginners.
Known companies that offer this are Bluehost, SiteGround, Hostinger, and others. - Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting: Your blog gets a part of a server all to itself with VPS hosting. It gives you more control and resources than shared hosting.
- Dedicated Hosting: This top-tier option gives you an entire server just for your blog. It’s perfect for blogs with lots of visitors and special server needs. This is also called Managed hosting.
- Cloud Hosting: Your blog is on a network of servers, offering great scalability and reliability. It’s a flexible choice for blogs that are growing.
I’ve been with Cloudways for 1,5 years and am super happy with their service.
| Hosting Type | Pricing (per month) |
|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | $1.99 – $7.99 |
| VPS Hosting | $29.99+ |
| Dedicated Hosting | $79.99+ |
| Cloud Hosting | $10 – $30+ |
Knowing the basics of website hosting and the options available helps you pick a provider that fits your blog’s needs. This way, you can reach your audience effectively, without burning your wallet.
Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Web Host
Choosing the right web host for your blog is crucial. You want your website to be reliable, secure and well-supported as it grows. Keep these key factors in mind to make sure of it.
Uptime and reliability
Uptime and reliability are key for any web hosting service. If your website is often down, visitors will get frustrated and your rankings will drop. Look for a host that guarantees at least 99.9% uptime. This ensures your blog is always available to your audience.
Besides companies offering guarantees, you want to monitor this yourself. You can sign up for a free account at UptimeRobot.com, add your website to it and they will send you an email the moment your site is down as well as it’s back up again.
Security features
Website security is a top priority today. When checking out web hosts, focus on their security features. Look for SSL certificates, firewalls, DDoS protection, and regular backups. A host that values security will protect your blog from cyber threats and keep your visitors’ info safe.
SSL certificates are free these days. It’s the little lock icon that shows up next to your domain in your browser and your site will start with HTTPS:// instead of HTTP://
Customer support and technical assistance
Even the best hosting providers can have issues. That’s why great customer support and technical help are vital. Choose a host that offers 24/7 support through live chat, phone, and email. A responsive team can quickly fix problems, keeping your blog running smoothly for visitors.
I used to be with a hosting company in the Netherlands, where I live. But they had a 9-5 mentality and when I had issues with my site during the weekend, it took them until Tuesday to reply to my support ticket.
I’ve been with Bluehost for a long time, which has 24/7 chat support with an actual human being. And although Bluehost isn’t perfect and their customer support is a 7 out of 10 in my opinion, I never had an issue they didn’t resolve.
I know a lot of people promote hosting companies because of the affiliate commissions, and to be transparent with you, I do too, but personally, I never had major issues with Bluehost. Not with any known hosting company now that I think of it.
Scalability options
As your blog gets more popular, you might need a bigger hosting plan. Pick a host that lets you easily upgrade without changing providers. This flexibility means your blog can grow without hitting performance limits or running into problems.
I’ve been with Cloudways now for about 1,5 years and the reason I went with them is that they offer good pricing, but also a way to upgrade my server for a slightly higher price. That way my Cloud Server can grow with me, as my site gets bigger, if that makes sense.
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Uptime and reliability | Ensures your blog remains accessible to visitors |
| Security features | Protects your website and visitors’ sensitive information, as well as against cyber attacks |
| Customer support | Provides assistance when issues arise, minimizing downtime |
| Scalability options | Allows your blog to grow and expand without limitations |
Think about these key factors when picking a web host. Doing so will help your blog have a strong foundation. It will be reliable, secure, and well-supported for your content to succeed.
The Importance of Server Location and Speed
Server location and website speed are key to your blog’s success. Picking a hosting provider with servers near your audience boosts your blog’s speed and user experience. This is because servers close to visitors deliver content faster.
Research shows that 53% of mobile users leave a site if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. This shows how crucial fast websites are for keeping users. Also, if a site takes longer to load, more users leave, showing the link between speed and engagement.
Fast site speed helps with search engine rankings too. Google uses page load time as a factor in search results. So, choosing quick servers can make your blog more visible.
To make your blog faster, think about using a content delivery network (CDN). A CDN stores your site’s content in many places, making it faster for users worldwide. Your website will be served from a server closest to your visitor. This is great if your blog reaches people all over the world.
When picking a hosting plan, think about what your blog needs. Here’s a guide for RAM and Disk I/O speeds for different website sizes:
| Website Size | RAM Requirements | Disk I/O Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Small (starting blogs, portfolios) | 512MB to 1GB | 50-100 MB/s |
| Mid-sized (small e-commerce stores, business sites) | 2GB to 4GB | 100-200 MB/s |
| Large (major news outlets, large e-commerce platforms) | 6GB and above | 200 MB/s and above |
By focusing on server location and speed, you can make sure your blog works well, keeps good search rankings, and succeeds.
Comparing Pricing and Value for Money
Choosing a web hosting provider for your blog means looking at pricing and value. Different providers have various pricing and features. It’s key to know what you’re paying for and what you get back.
Understanding pricing structures
Hosting providers offer different pricing plans, each with unique features and resources.
- Shared hosting is the cheapest, costing from $2.99 to $4.62 a month.
- VPS hosting is pricier, averaging $20 to $100 a month.
- Dedicated hosting starts at about $100 a month.
- Cloud hosting has a pay-as-you-go model.
Most companies start at $2.99 a month, but prices go up once your first contract expires.
You can choose plans from one to three years. Remember, domain names are about $15 a year, and SSL certificates should be offered for free with your domain these days.
Personally, I always keep my hosting package and domain name with separate companies. Even if the hosting company offers a free domain with their hosting package.
This, I do because if I decide to switch hosting companies, it’s super easy to point my domain to the new hosting company once I move over my blog. And this prevents any “hostage” situations if you ever get into a tough spot where your hosting company refuses to want to let you go.
Evaluating features and benefits
When looking at hosting prices, check the features and benefits. Key things to look for include:
- WordPress hosting
- Dedicated hosting
- Free SSL certificates
- Free business email
- Uptime guarantees (usually 99.9%)
- Storage space (from 5 GB to unlimited)
- Customer support (phone, chat, email, or tickets)
Here’s a comparison table of popular hosting providers and these are my recommendations for beginner, intermediate, to high level blogger:
| Provider | Entry-level Price | Value for Money Rating | Disk Space Rating | Help and Support Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluehost | $1.99/month | 4.0/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Cloudways | $13.00/month | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| WPEngine | $24.00/month | 4.7/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
I currently have my hosting at Cloudways and my domain name and email addresses with Namecheap.
Hidden costs to watch out for
Be aware of hidden costs that can increase over time. These include:
- Setup fees
- Domain and hosting renewal prices
- Overage charges for exceeding resource limits
- Premium themes or templates ($20 to $200+)
- Premium plugins ($5 to $50 or more)
Although I’ve been with Bluehost for a long time. I even have a package with them currently, just for demonstration purposes for this blog, I do not like their upsells.
When you sign up for a package, they do try to sell you all kinds of different services, which you don’t need. And keep in mind that their low price is only for your first contract term. Once you have to renew your services with them, you will have to pay the regular price.
You can check Bluehost’s current prices here
Evaluating Customer Reviews and Experiences
Choosing a web hosting provider for your blog means looking at what others think. Customer reviews offer insights into a hosting service’s quality and reliability. By checking out user experiences, you can pick a host that meets your needs and expectations.
No hosting provider is perfect, and some negative reviews are normal. But, if there are a lot of the same complaints, it could be a warning sign. Look for reviews that give specific details about the user’s experience.
By carefully looking at customer reviews and experiences, you can learn a lot about different hosting providers. This info, along with things like price, features, and compatibility, will help you choose the best host for your blog.
As I mentioned before, Bluehost has been around for many years and I personally liked them, but there are also negative reviews out there. But this goes for every hosting company..
No hosting company is perfect.
As mentioned before, when reading hosting reviews, keep in mind that almost always, there will be affiliate links in the article, which means that the blogger receives a commission when you sign up through their link.
As do I. I just wanted to be completely honest with you about this, but I can also comfortably say that I’ve been with all of the companies I mentioned here. So I can stand behind my choice.
Personally, I’ve been first with Siteground, then Bluehost, WPX, and now I’m with Cloudways.
The Benefits of Managed Hosting for Bloggers
As a blogger, you want to focus on making content that connects with your readers. But, managing your website’s technical side can be hard and time-consuming. Managed hosting can help. It offers many benefits that make blogging easier and keep your site running well.
Automatic Updates and Backups
Managed hosting is great because it does automatic updates and backups for you. Your hosting service will keep your CMS and plugins updated, keeping your blog safe and current. They also back up your website regularly, so you don’t have to worry about losing your content.
Enhanced Security Measures
Security is crucial for any website, especially blogs. Managed hosting providers use strong security steps to protect your blog. These steps include:
- Firewalls and intrusion detection systems
- SSL certificates for secure data transmission
- Regular malware scanning and removal
- DDoS protection to reduce the effect of attacks
By using managed hosting, you can focus on making content without worrying about security.
But this does come with a cost. WP Engine is one of the more popular ones for managed hosting and their monthly price is pretty high. So not for you, if you’re just starting out.
Optimized Performance for Blogs
Managed hosting knows what blogs need and sets up servers to meet those needs. They use caching, CDNs, and server optimizations to make your blog fast and work well. With managed hosting, you get:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Optimized server stack | Faster page load times and better user experience |
| Caching mechanisms | Less server load and faster content delivery |
| CDN integration | Quicker content delivery to visitors everywhere |
| Scalability options | Handling traffic spikes without performance problems |
Choosing Between Free and Paid Hosting
Starting your blog means deciding between free and paid hosting. Free hosting looks good for beginners, but know the limits before choosing.
And if you ask me, if you are serious about starting a blog and make money from it, there’s no such thing as free webhosting.
Free hosting suits hobbyists and those without commercial goals. It lets you start a website without spending money. Sites like WordPress.com, Wix.com, Weebly.com, Blogger.com, and 000WebHost.com offer easy-to-use tools and basic features.
But, free hosting has limits. These include:
- Subdomains instead of custom domain names
- Limited storage and bandwidth
- Advertisements on your site
- Restricted server resources and performance
- Limited customization options
- Lack of advanced features and plugins
Limitations of free hosting
Free hosting means less control and ownership. You might see ads on your blog that don’t match your brand. Also, free hosting often has lower-quality servers, leading to slow loading and downtime.
Free hosting also means less support. If you have tech issues, you might only get help from forums or generic guides.
When to consider upgrading to paid hosting
If you are serious about starting your blog, I would recommend starting a blog with paid hosting from the very beginning. As I mentioned, starting out with Bluehost will cost you less than $60 for your first year and it gives you the flexibility and ownership that you want.
- Custom domain name for a professional look
- More storage and bandwidth for more visitors
- Better website performance and speed
- Stronger security to protect your site
- More ways to customize and advanced features
- Direct support and help
Paid hosting is best for serious bloggers with commercial aims. It gives you the tools and support for a smooth-running website.
Think about your goals, budget, and what you need from hosting. Free hosting is more for hobby bloggers who want to write for their friends and family, but paid hosting is way better for a professional blog.
Top Website Hosting Providers for Bloggers
Choosing the best website hosting for your blog is crucial. Several top companies stand out for their reliability, support, and features for bloggers. Let’s explore some of the best options for bloggers.
Bluehost
Bluehost is a favorite among WordPress users. It has a fast load time of 689 ms and an uptime of 99.99%. This means your blog stays online for your readers. They offer great support, scoring a 9/10.
Bluehost is known for being reliable, fast, and easy to use. It’s a great choice for both new and experienced bloggers.
SiteGround
SiteGround is another top choice for bloggers. It has a load time of 649 ms and an uptime of 99.98%. This ensures your blog runs smoothly.
What makes SiteGround stand out is their excellent support, rated 10/10. Their plans might be a bit more expensive, but they offer great value for serious bloggers.
Cloudways
Cloudways offers managed cloud hosting for bloggers. You can pick from providers like DigitalOcean, Linode, and AWS. This flexibility lets you use cloud hosting’s power with Cloudways’ easy interface and support.
Cloudways is known for reliable performance and great support.
WP Engine
WP Engine specializes in WordPress hosting, focusing on speed and security. It has a load time of 582 ms and an uptime of 99.99%. Your blog will load fast and stay online.
They offer excellent support, rated 9/10. WP Engine has features like automatic updates and daily backups, perfect for WordPress users.
| Hosting Provider | Load Time | Uptime | Support Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluehost | 689 ms | 99.99% | 7/10 |
| SiteGround | 649 ms | 99.98% | 9/10 |
| Cloudways | 600 ms | 99.99% | 10/10 |
| WP Engine | 582 ms | 99.99% | 10/10 |
When picking a hosting provider, think about uptime, speed, support, and features for your blogging platform. Choosing one of these top providers will give your blog a strong base for success. This lets you focus on making great content for your readers.
Conclusion
No matter where in your blogging journey you are, there is a good hosting choice for you and I don’t want you to overthink this.
Nothing will ever be perfect and the most important part is that you just get started now and not postpone it for another year.
If you have any questions about what I would recommend you or about this article, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to me through my email on my contact form. I will personally reply to you within 24/48 hours.
