If you are looking for the best web hosting services of 2022, you have come to the right place. In this blog post, we will rank the top web hosts based on their performance and features. We will also provide a list of pros and cons for each host so that you can decide which one is right for you. So without further ado, let's get started!
What You Need In Web Hosting Services For Small Business
If you have a small business, you may be wondering what kind of web hosting services you need. The first step is to assess your needs and figure out what kind of website you want to create. Do you want a simple WordPress site, or something more complex like an online store? Do you want a blog?
Deciding on the features that you need from your hosting provider
Once you know what kind of website you need, you can start looking at web hosting services that offer the features and tools you need to build it. For example, if you need an online store, look for a web hosting provider that offers e-commerce features such as shopping carts and payment processors. If you're not sure what you need, many hosting providers offer pre-made website templates that can give you a good starting point.
Customer support and customer service are everything to a good provider
Once you've found a few potential web hosting services, take the time to read reviews and compare pricing. Don't forget to factor in things like customer support and uptime when making your decision. A 30-day money back guarantee is nice, but it doesn't mean anything if the web hosting provider you choose has terrible customer support.
Finally, before you jump into building a website, know this: the reason that websites cost so much when you pay someone to do it for you? It's because they are a LOT of work. Being successful in search engines, letting people find your website naturally – that takes so much work. So be prepared. If you want reliable online business, your website will be your number one cost AND your number one asset.
Terms and definitions you may need to know about hosting services
If you're new to the world of web hosting, it can be really challenging to understand what you need, what you might want, and what doesn't apply to you. Here, we'll try to break down some of those terms. Here are a few basics that you should absolutely know about hosting:
- Web server: a computer that stores websites and makes them available to computers connected to the internet
- Domain name: the address people use to find your website (ex. google.com)
- Website builder: software that helps you create a website without having to learn coding
- Web hosting options: a service that provides access to a server. Very often, web hosting includes all of the three above.
- SSL: A secure connection to a website, indicated by the padlock in your address bar. Google requires SSL for a website to be shown in search results.
What is managed WordPress hosting?
WordPress is one of the most popular site-building and content management systems in the world. Part of the reason for its widespread popularity is that it is easy to use, even for beginners. Another reason is that it is highly customizable, allowing users to create unique sites that meet their specific needs. Finally, it is open source, so WordPress can be used freely for many different projects.
One way to get the most out of WordPress is to use a managed WordPress hosting service. With managed WordPress hosting, users get features like automatic updates, daily backups, and security monitoring. In addition, managed WordPress web hosting services offer customer support specifically for WordPress users. As a result, managed WordPress hosting can be a great option for those who want to get the most out of their WordPress site without handling the nitty gritty of web management.
If you're only making one website, I strongly recommend the managed hosting provided by NameCheap and their subsidiary, EasyWP. The best web hosting service is one that gives you what you need – whether that's shared hosting, dedicated hosting, managed hosting, or something else entirely.
Should I expect a free SSL certificate from my web host?
If you're planning on setting up a website, you may be wondering if you should expect a free SSL certificate. The answer is: it depends. Many web hosting providers do offer free SSL certificates as part of their services, so if you're shopping around for a host, be sure to ask about this. However, there are also some companies that charge for SSL certificates.
In general, unless you have specific security needs, a free SSL certificate should be sufficient. And even if your host doesn't offer one for free, you can still access free SSL from other sources.
Free SSL certificates are easy for web hosts to offer now, so I usually expect free SSL when I'm looking at a new hosting platform. There are so many web hosting options, and they need to have SSL to be competitive.
So, in short, while you shouldn't necessarily expect free SSL, it's definitely something to look into when choosing a web host. And if you have any questions about whether or not an SSL certificate is right for your website, be sure to ask your provider – they'll be happy to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Should I expect a free domain from a web hosting provider?
While some web hosting providers do offer free domains, this is not always the case. It is important to check with your provider to see if this is something that they offer. In many cases, providers will offer discounts on domains if you purchase a hosting package with them.
Keep a close eye on renewal prices though. Many hosts that offer reduced prices for new users will charge over double when it comes time to renew. You can always transfer your domain every year, but that is too much work to save a few bucks.
Do I need free site migration?
If you don't currently have a website, then no – you don't need free site migration. If you do already have a website though, consider whether or not a free site migration might be useful to you. Many people like to start from scratch with a new web hosting company. But if you want to keep your previous material, make a backup (just in case) then find a hosting provider with site migration and great customer support that works for you.
My Web Hosting Ranking For Art Businesses
I'm not going to give you a giant list of web hosting services here, because I think that it can lend itself to choice fatigue.
1. Best managed host for a WordPress site
The best web hosting provider that I've found over the years for one-off WordPress sites is EasyWP. It's a managed hosting solution – you purchase a domain name and hosting plan, then BOOM! You've got a live site that you can customize.
I love that this web hosting provider offers 24/7 customer support, automatic updates and backups, and a whole host of other features. And if you need to scale up your hosting plan, it's easy to do so – you just purchase a new plan from their website.
The only downside is that EasyWP can be a bit more expensive than a traditional web host if you're running multiple sites. Namecheap's EasyWP is the best web hosting provider for most artists looking to develop their own WordPress site.
EasyWP and Name cheap do provide a several-day money back guarantee, which is important for folks who are trying things out. Keep in mind, though, that domain sales are final. So if you get a domain, don't expect to be able to return it here or anywhere else.
Bonus: I really appreciate that this web hosting company has morals. They were very clear about supporting Ukraine against Russia's aggression early on in the conflict. The best web hosting service is one with a soul!
2. Best cloud hosting for multiple WordPress sites
If you need to go a little bigger, cloud hosting might be where you're heading. Cloud hosting is basically hosting a bunch of different copies of your website across the world, so if one server goes down, the others will be able to cover the downtime. That's the power of cloud hosting – but it does also come at a slightly increased cost.
There's a bunch of different cloud hosting services out there, but I really recommend Cloudways. They're easily scalable and they've got great customer service, too. I also felt really comfortable with their straightforward, honest approach.
Unlike many hosts, they don't provide an “X day money back guarantee” – but they do offer a free trial. And, you'll only pay for what you use. Cloudways is still a managed host, but it gives you more flexibility. Unlike EasyWP, Cloudways isn't just WordPress hosting plans – you can also have other servers and programs like Drupal installed. So if you're looking to explore hosting, Cloudways should provide a flexible web hosting solution for you and other growing artists and techies.
3. Other hosts
I know, I know. I only gave you two hosts. But if you're a beginning artist, there's no sense in overwhelming yourself. You can spend days researching which hosting services are going to be best for you. And I don't want that for you.
I want you to keep creating your art. Don't spend days learning everything about web hosting companies. Pick your best web hosting service, then get in there and get your hands dirty. The only way you're going to learn about hosting providers is to try a few out and figure it out yourself. What works for me? It might not work for you.
So don't go too deep down the rabbit hole. Value your time and keep it simple – the best web hosting services are the ones that work for you. Pick a fast web hosting service that fits your budget and your needs, then just jump in. If you're unsatisfied, you can always switch later.
I have a host, now what?
Web hosting companies are really only the tip of the iceberg. After you pick from the many web hosting providers out there, you're going to need to build your website! Don't worry. WE can help. Whether you're using Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting or a traditional web hosting service – you'll need to build.
We've got resources on website builders, WordPress plugins, and more so take a look at what we've offered to you, for free! And if you don't see something but you need it, reach out and let us know. We want to help you succeed.
