Every website needs high-quality web hosting. Whether you are starting a site from scratch or want to migrate an existing site to a new hosting company, choosing the right provider is essential. We tested leading web hosting companies based on cost, speed, reliability, and features to help you choose a web hosting provider that will meet your needs. Compare the best web hosting providers:
| Web Hosting Service | Best For | Pricing | Best Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluehost (4.9)
| Best web hosting | Shared plans starting at $2.95 per month |
|
| SiteGround (4.8)
| Best WordPress hosting | Shared plans starting at $2.99 per month |
|
| Hostinger (4.5)
| Best web hosting for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) | Shared plans starting at $1.99 per month |
|
| A2 Hosting (3.8)
| Best web hosting for speed | Shared plans starting at $2.99 per month |
|
| DreamHost (5.0)
| Best shared hosting | Shared plans starting at $2.59 per month |
|
| GreenGeeks (4.6)
| Best eco-friendly hosting | Shared plans starting at $2.95 per month |
|
| InMotion Hosting (4.8)
| Best hosting for uptime and reliability | Shared plans starting at $2.99 per month |
|
| HostGator (4.7)
| Best web hosting for beginners | Shared plans starting at $2.75 per month |
|
| Nexcess (4.8)
| Best e-commerce web hosting | E-commerce plans starting at $13.30 per month |
|
| WP Engine (4.8)
| Best managed WordPress hosting | Managed plans starting at $20 per month |
|
About Digital.com’s expert reviewer, Michael Levanduski:
I have been working in IT for well over 20 years now and have been creating and running websites (both personally and professionally) since I was a child.
In my professional life, I work on a wide range of hardware and software, including web hosting equipment. I have also advised companies on many tech-related subjects, including web hosting, content management, and data security.
I have been involved in the web hosting industry almost my entire life. I’ve used that experience and knowledge here to help you choose the right hosting solutions for your business.
I rate web hosts on specific plans and prices, what features are offered, the performance of a hosting company, what type of security is included, and whether the hosting provider is engaging in ongoing improvements.
I sign up for a plan with each provider to test:
I then upload a basic static site to my web space, including HTML and CSS files and images, and configure Uptime.com to check my site’s availability and server response time at five-minute intervals. This test gives me a general indication of the speed and uptime you will likely experience when you decide on the best web hosting provider for you.
After choosing your web host, you’ll need to register your domain name with the host. Many web hosts combine both steps, but with others, you’ll need to configure the service to use your company’s chosen URL.
If your company already has a website with a different host, you’ll need to transfer the website files over to the new host. All hosting providers have instructions for how to do this, and it’s usually quick and painless.
If you don’t already have a website, then the only thing left to do is to build one! “Website builders” are the tools used for this and there are many options available. Too many, in fact, so head over to our Best Website Builders of 2022 page for a list of the best options and the pros and cons of each.
SMB IT Expert
Michael Levanduski is an IT professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He regularly advises businesses on a range of topics, including web hosting, content management and data security. He lives in West Michigan with his family where he enjoys camping, hiking, and of course, writing. Michael’s expertise has been shared on a variety of websites, including Hostadvice.com, Neweggbusiness.com and Gogetspace.com.
