Writer: Jennifer Young
Editor: Lillian Castro
Reviewer: Cristian Lopez
Even if you’ve never created a website before, the best WordPress hosting for beginners make sure the path to online success is smooth and trouble-free.
WordPress is a popular choice for building a new site – one that more than 74 million sites choose to use. Self-hosted WordPress is the best option if you want the broadest range of features with superior technical specifications and functionality, but even experienced developers can get overwhelmed with all the options available. Everyone wants great performance and reliable uptime, but many can’t afford the most robust services. Still more are complete beginners who know next to nothing about web hosting.
With those folks in mind, we’ve selected the best WordPress hosting plans built for absolute beginners. These options are friendly to those who aren’t familiar with web hosting or running a site and need insight into how to prioritize the features they want.
Best WordPress Hosting Overall
To get a sense of how popular WordPress is, consider this: WordPress has been downloaded more than 44 million times and counting – and these downloads are being used in WordPress hosting environments. Though you may be just one of many WordPress users, you still want to choose a host that’s best for your site. Selecting the WordPress host that is right for your specific website is a matter of knowing what you aren’t willing to compromise on. Reliable uptime and high performance are key features of any host. The exact statistics on these features can vary from service to service, but we consider this an area of high importance.
WordPress hosts optimize their services for WordPress, so you’ll want to also look for reliable support, easy installation, and integration with other applications. Consider whether you want to fully manage your own site or have a hands-off approach and let the hosting company manage it. Also think about the size of your site and how fast you want it to load, as this will determine which of the different types of host offerings you choose, whether it’s shared hosting, a virtual private server, or a dedicated server.
Many other factors come into play when selecting a host, and the process of evaluating them can be daunting. Our list of top WordPress hosts overall narrows down the options for you. Looking at the wide range of hosts on the market, we compared their features and pricing and came up with a list of hosts that give customers the best quality of service. WordPress users of all types of websites will find a solution here that fits their needs.
1. A2Hosting.com
Monthly Starting Price $1.75
- FREE Cloudflare CDN and 1-click WP installs
- Turbo Server, SSD speed, and optimized caching
- A2-optimized plugins for performance and security
- FREE SSL certificates and 24/7 support
- FREE HackScan and KernelCare
- Get started on A2 Hosting now.
As experts in performance optimization, A2 Hosting is a top choice for powering resource-heavy WordPress websites. The company offers shared or managed plans for the ultra-popular content management system, with the benefits extending to Joomla, Drupal, and other platforms. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 50 GB SSD - Unlimited SSD | New or Transfer | 4 minutes |
2. Hostinger.com
Monthly Starting Price $2.69
- Officially endorsed by WordPress.org
- Managed WordPress hosting & free site migration
- 1-click WP install, PHP 7+, HTTP/2, and LiteSpeed
- All-in-one security protections from BitNinja
- No price markup for WordPress services
- Daily backups, FREE SSL certificates, and AI Tools
- Get started on Hostinger now.
As much as we love WordPress, one of our biggest pet peeves is when hosting providers exploit the popularity of the world's most-used content management system by offering so-called WordPress hosting that, in reality, is exactly the same as the host's shared server plans. Fortunately, Hostinger's ultra-fast infrastructure and easy access to SSL certificates and backups sets up the company to outperform the vast majority of the violators of our admittedly made-up rule. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 100 GB SSD - 200 GB NVMe | FREE (1 year) | 4 minutes |
3. Bluehost.com
Monthly Starting Price $1.99
- Recommended by WordPress.org since 2005
- Automatic WordPress updates and initial install
- FREE WordPress themes in the Bluehost Marketplace
- 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email
- Get exclusive discounts on WordPress plans
- Get started on Bluehost now.
Bluehost's WordPress hosting packages are aimed at first-time site owners and personal bloggers. These services come at a premium compared to the standard Bluehost web hosting (basic shared hosting) plans, but the WordPress optimization and platform-specific resources are arguably worth the cost. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 10 GB SSD - 100 GB SSD | FREE (1 year) | 7 minutes |
See more WordPress hosting recommendations »
Best “Cheap” WordPress Hosting
For some website owners, the cost of the web host is a top consideration. The good news is there are plenty of hosts that provide high-quality services that won’t exceed even the most conservative of budgets. You can still get reliable performance and security with more affordable options. With providers whose services cost less, you won’t be getting all the bells and whistles, but you can still select a provider who has the features that are most important to you.
Less expensive providers range in their offers just like the higher-priced options. These might include investment in secure and high-performing servers, responsive 24/7 customer service, and automated data backups. We’ve reviewed the cheapest WordPress hosting options and have come up with a winner that outperforms the rest. Read on to find out more about our top pick!
4. Hostinger.com
Monthly Starting Price $2.24
- Unlimited everything, from storage to databases
- FREE site builder & WP performance upgrades
- FREE daily or weekly backups
- Custom control panel and auto-installation scripts
- SSH access & unlimited FREE SSL certificates
- Get started on Hostinger now.
As the shared hosting market becomes increasingly saturated, unlimited storage, bandwidth, and email accounts have become surprisingly average. Hostinger, however, extends the routine, expected metrics to greater lengths — the number of websites, databases, FTP users, subdomains, and parked domains are all unrestricted for most customers. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 100 GB SSD - 200 GB NVMe | FREE (1 year) | 3 minutes |
See more cheap WP hosting recommendations »
Best “Website Builder” WordPress Hosting
WordPress is already an intuitive and easy-to-learn platform. With its WYSIWYG editor and a seemingly endless supply of themes available, WordPress is a platform that was built with the beginner in mind (but that’s also equipped with tools for the advanced user). Website builders like BoldGrid take this ease of use one step further by layering website-building tools over the WordPress environment. BoldGrid has a number of official host providers that support it, including its parent company of the founding development team InMotion Hosting.
Users with little technical experience will find BoldGrid’s interface makes building a site with WordPress a stress-free experience. Easily drag and drop the elements you want into your site to create the website you envision. If you’re a more technically advanced user, BoldGrid will make your site building more efficient. Read on below to learn more about our top builder recommendation for WordPress website building.
5. Hostinger.com
Monthly Starting Price $2.69
- Officially endorsed by WordPress.org
- SSD storage and built-in WordPress optimizations
- 1-click installation and your choice of plugins
- Multiple caching tools to boost performance
- Low-cost site-building with a FREE domain
- Get started on Hostinger now.
A titan of affordable — yet powerful — web hosting services, Hostinger unsurprisingly excels in the WordPress design realm as well. Turn toward the company for all the tools needed to launch your next site. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 100 GB SSD - 200 GB NVMe | FREE (1 year) | 4 minutes |
See more website builder hosting recommendations for WordPress »
Best “Blog” WordPress Hosting
WordPress is commonly used as a platform for hosting a blog. If you need a web host for a blog, you may not need some of the features that someone running a full website would need, although this depends on your content. Site speed and uptime reliability are still going to be important factors, especially if your blog incorporates images and video. Blogs are dependent on their readership and you want your site to stay up and running without interruptions.
Easy, no-nonsense site and server management is also an important feature for blogs so you can focus your time on creating content. Blog users would be wise to consider how well a host can support the blog’s future growth. Hosts that offer scalable solutions for server type, storage, and add-on tools are the best bets. Our top pick for the best blog host has a winning combination of the most desirable features for hosting a blog.
6. Bluehost.com
Monthly Starting Price $1.99
- Recommended by WordPress since 2005
- Automatic WordPress installation and updates
- FREE themes and plugins in Bluehost Marketplace
- Upgrade for managed WordPress or design help
- FREE domain and content delivery network
- Get started on Bluehost now.
Bluehost's WordPress hosting packages are aimed at first-time site owners and personal bloggers. These services come at a premium compared to the standard Bluehost web hosting (basic shared hosting) plans, but the WordPress optimization and platform-specific resources are arguably worth the cost. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 10 GB SSD - 100 GB SSD | FREE (1 year) | 7 minutes |
See more blog hosting recommendations »
Best “eCommerce” WordPress Hosting
There’s a lot to consider when setting up an online store. One requirement is a host that supports eCommerce functions. Working with a host that understands the needs of businesses for their online presence is essential. Good product display and management will ensure that customers can easily view and learn about your products. Payment processing tools allow for easy transactions on both the customer and business owner ends of the experience.
Another thing to consider for hosting an online store is how well the host allows for marketing and search engine optimization. According to Forbes and many other sources, investing in SEO is key for online businesses. You’ll ideally have access to tools that allow you to help people searching online for your products find them in your store. Because you’ll be dealing with financial transactions, optimal security is a must, as well as 24/7 support to keep business flowing. Find out below which hosting company we selected as our favorite eCommerce host for WordPress is, based on reviews of the market competitors.
7. A2Hosting.com
Monthly Starting Price $2.99
- 20 times faster performance that boosts sales
- 80+ software options: Magento, OpenCart, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, and others
- Fully managed WordPress and server environments
- Worry-free migration and 24/7 support
- DDoS protection and layered security measures
- Get started on A2 Hosting now.
For those who understand the importance of page load speed and sales, look no further than A2 Hosting. The company boasts premium storage, optimized security, and one of the most diverse portfolios of one-click software installations we’ve seen. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 100 GB SSD - Unlimited SSD | New or Transfer | 4 minutes |
See more eCommerce hosting recommendations »
Best “Personal Website” WordPress Hosting
When looking for a host for your personal website, you’ll have different considerations than a business or even a blog owner. There’s typically less content to manage and update. However, you still want to have optimal uptime and site speed so people who find your site can access it freely. As your main online presence, your personal site should perform well. Security is important, too, because you don’t want anyone hacking your personal web presence.
Website-building software is ideal for creating a personal website because it will get your site up in as little time as possible. Most people building a personal website want to get it up and running in a week or less, which is totally doable, according to career advice site The Muse. Below, we reveal the hosting service we think best covers the needs of people building a personal website with WordPress.
8. A2Hosting.com
Monthly Starting Price $1.75
- FREE Cloudflare CDN and 1-click WP installs
- Turbo Server, SSD speed, and optimized caching
- A2-optimized plugins for performance and security
- FREE SSL certificates and 24/7 support
- FREE HackScan and KernelCare
- Get started on A2 Hosting now.
As experts in performance optimization, A2 Hosting is a top choice for powering resource-heavy WordPress websites. The company offers shared or managed plans for the ultra-popular content management system, with the benefits extending to Joomla, Drupal, and other platforms. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 50 GB SSD - Unlimited SSD | New or Transfer | 4 minutes |
See more hosting recommendations for personal sites »
Best Beginner-Friendly WordPress Hosting Alternatives
WordPress may be the most popular website-building platform, but other heavyweights certainly give WordPress some healthy competition. Wix and Weebly are popular platforms to consider as alternatives to WordPress. Like WordPress, they’re both intuitive and beginner-friendly, each with its own unique functionality, and are good for people on a budget.
Wix is an industry leader in simple web design. Its drag-and-drop functionality and WYSIWYG editor are so intuitive that beginners will only need a little time to get used to the platform before feeling comfortable. With thousands of templates to choose from, any type of business or individual can find a look and feel that matches their style.
Weebly has credibility on par with WordPress and Wix. About 40 million websites are built on Weebly, and signing up for yours is as simple as entering your email to get a free account. The many available themes will give you ample room to play with your site’s appearance. Easily add, arrange, and customize text and images and increase your site’s functionality with add-on tools.
9. Wix.com
Monthly Starting Price $0.00
- No coding skills needed with drag-and-drop builder
- 100s of templates with niche-specific designs
- Add features via the App Market and Wix Events
- Easily create ecommerce functionality easily
- Great way to build small sites on a budget
- Get started on Wix now.
Website building is where Wix shines. The thousands of templates, the intuitive editor, the industry-leading designs that cater to a variety of specific fields and use cases — all these facets represent a platform that excels at facilitating easy web design for the non-tech-savvy user. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-day FREE trial | 2 GB - Unlimited | FREE (1 year) | 4 minutes |
10. Weebly.com
Monthly Starting Price $10.00
- Design your site with the popular drag-and-drop site builder
- Fully hosted, drag-and-drop site-building and marketing
- Choose from 100s of customizable, professional themes
- Add contact forms and take RSVPs via apps
- eCommerce-ready and SEO-friendly with built-in tools
- Get started on Weebly now.
Weebly is in the elite clique of drag-and-drop website builders that includes WordPress and Wix. com. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 500 MB - Unlimited | FREE (w/ paid plans) | 3 minutes |
See more WordPress alternatives for beginners »
When Paired with the Right Host, WordPress Welcomes Beginners!
Creating a site with WordPress can be easy and fun. We recommend you choose a host for your WordPress site that will keep things simple and breezy. Whether you are a business owner, blogger, or individual professional with a personal site, there’s no need to complicate your hosting experience.
WordPress beginners and first-time site owners aren’t in the market for complex solutions – they want them to be straightforward and manageable. Although the WordPress interface doesn’t change depending on your hosting provider, your overall experience and satisfaction can vary greatly. Be sure to find the 24/7 support you need, as well as all the domain, email, and other features you need to succeed!
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