Choosing the right host for your WordPress blog can be a daunting task if you’re not familiar with the intricate details of server technology. So to help ease the confusion, I’ve put together this list of hosting providers that are well equipped to host WordPress blogs. They offer one-click installs of the WordPress software, which means if you have no experience in setting up a blog, all you’ll need to do is press a few buttons and the host will automatically install WordPress for you.
Host Gator – Get %25 off with the coupon code ‘wpthemegrrl’
Great Customer Service and Affordability
I’m yet to come across any one who’s had a bad experience with Host Gator. Their customer service is highly rated. The feedback from ThemeGrrl readers has been positively glowing! You can host one domain for as little as $3.95 a month. The next package up provides hosting for unlimited blogs and is still great value at only $6.95. Remember to use our coupon code ‘wpthemegrrl’ to receive a 25% discount!
www.hostgator.com
WP Web Host
WordPress Specialists
If only this host had been around when I started out! Although there are many good hosting services out there, few specialize in WordPress. Their servers are tailor made for hosting WordPress powered websites. It would be wise to choose hosting provider that knows WordPress inside out. Their hosting packages are very reasonably priced as well, starting at $4.95 a month for their Freedom Plan.
www.wpwebhost.com
Blue Host
Free Domain Registration and Google Adwords Credits
Blue Host comes highly recommended by WordPress.org. It’s great value at only $6.95 a month. New customers also receive $75 worth of Google credits which you could use to promote your blog on Google Adwords. You can also register one domain for free. A good opportunity to test the waters with a second blog using the free domain.
www.bluehost.com
High End Hosting Option: Media Temple
If you are serious about setting up a great blog that can handle traffic spikes without interruption, I highly recommend Media Temple. The cheap shared hosting packages offered by the hosts above are fantastic for beginners and small to modest blogs, but it is important to keep in mind that as they are for shared hosting (multiple site/clients on the one server) it is inevitable that your site will experience some difficulties from time to time due to bugs and rogue scripts from other customers. Shared hosting might be the most affordable hosting option, but if you are running site that uses a database or software like WordPress, a slightly more sophisticated package would ensure a faster loading site with a much higher rate of up time.
After trying many different hosts and packages over the years, about a year ago I signed up to Media Temple’s Grid-Service package with a Grid Container add on, and I couldn’t be happier. This is a shared hosting package as well BUT the Grid Container add on will help keep your site running much more smoothly. The Grid-Service package with the add on is more expensive than your regular dirt cheap shared hosting elsewhere, but it’s worth every penny for the reliability and peace of mind it provides. If you are just starting out, one of the other packages from WP Web Host or Hostgator might be more suitable, but if you have high aspirations for your site and are looking at running several different sites with various kinds of software that are demanding on a database, an investment in good hosting is well worth while to save you from headaches later.
My current, A Small Orange, isn’t horrible, they are dirt cheap, but some of the stuff they do has bugged me lately. In defense of Dreamhost however, they have been running an insane deal lately where you can get a full year plus a domain for like $9. I got my girlfriend setup, and using WordPress for her crafting site finally because of it. So far I’ve been pleased with what I have seen compared to my host. I’ve considered switching, but I can handle the problems for a host as cheap as they are, being cheap myself, haha.
Hi Corey, I think DreamHost is great for those starting out with one or two blogs. Their deals are great and it makes having a self hosted blog more accessible. But for larger blogs with heaps of traffic their down time is unacceptable. I recently moved to Media Temple (will be writing a post about it soon).
Thanks for mentioning ThemeGrrl on your blog. I hadn’t seen the theme you are using before, it’s pretty cool!
ThemeGrrl, this is a great post and let me also just say I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your design. Wow! One of the best themes I’ve seen in a long time. Great job!
Lisa
Thanks Lisa! I wanted to create something really different with this design. I’ll be writing a post on it soon. I got a theme from Theme Forest and customized it like crazy!
I would put Bluehost below that of Dreamhost due to my own personal experience. I have been with Dreamhost for nearly 4 years with a few sites. Only once there was an issue I didn’t even notice which they said sorry by offering unlimited bandwidth. Can’t complain.