Hmmm... which web host should I choose?
If you just want the quick version of this — I have used and highly recommend either Bluehost or Hostgator hosting.
If you read this blog regularly (actually — if you read nearly any bloggers blog regularly) you know that WordPress is the most powerful blogging platform available.
You also know that in order to execute an effective Content Marketing strategy you will need to set up a blog and begin adding relevant, valuable and consistent content to your blog.
Setting up a WordPress blog is not difficult — in fact I have created step by step video on setting up a blog that will walk you through the process — it is painless. In order to set up your own blog you will need web hosting.
What is Web Hosting?
Think of your web host as another computer somewhere else in the world that is housing the files for your website. When someone types in your domain name (example: russhenneberry.com) your files will be fetched from your web host and returned to the searchers Internet browser.
How To Pick A Web Host For A WordPress Blog
Be sure to verify that your web host has the following attributes before purchasing:
Linux/Apache
First things first, you will want to find a web host that provides LAMP servers. This is a Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP server. Since WordPress runs on PHP and MySQL you will need to ensure that this is the type of server space that you purchase.
Fantastico/Simple Scripts
Secondly, I would not even consider getting hosting that doesn’t include either Fantastico or Simple Scripts. These two applications allow you to install your WordPress blog with a couple of clicks of a button — no technical stuff.
Add On Domains
If you have even the slightest inkling that you may eventually start another website, you should ensure that your web host allows “add-on domains.” This means that you will be able to host multiple websites on the same hosting package while still retaining separate domains in the eyes of search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing.
My hosting providers of choice for a beginning blogger have been Bluehost and Hostgator. Both provide all of the above and then some. I have had good experiences with both customer support and product quality.
Leave a comment! What questions do you have about setting up your WordPress hosting?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been using Godaddy for a while now on a couple different hosting types – shared mostly but I just upgraded to a VPS – both work well…. the VPS is really fast! I’ve also got a 1&1 account I don’t used but they are pretty good….. I’ve also heard good things about Bluehost.
http://whdb.com/2008/10-best-wordpress-web-hosts-compared-2009/
@John Dawson — The only problem I have with GoDaddy is that they don’t use cPanel — I like working in cpanel because it is standard across the board and works very well.
Russ,
I like the new blog format! Looks good.
I use BlueHost because you told me to, you are the expert.
Hi Brandi, thanks for the compliments on the new design! Bluehost is a great provider of hosting.
I had been using Hostmonster for over a year without any problems until this last week. Some sites are being corrupted by their servers. In researching the hostmonster forum it seems this is a problem for many others as well. My sites are moving to Hostgator this weekend.
A word to the wise is download your backups.
@David Evans — I love Hostgators support team. They will help you move your sites from Hostmonster!