If you do not consider yourself a techie and/or have not registered or administered a website before, doing so can feel a little intimidating. Since you are unfamiliar with what hosting features to look out for or use, it can be difficult to determine which is the right web host for you. The good news is that many web hosting providers recognize that most people seeking out their services are not tech geeks.
What features should a provider have to make it suitable for beginners?
So how do you know which web hosting provider is best suited for the rookie website owner?
✔Affordability
When investing in something you have never done before, it is always prudent to be conservative in your spending at the start. As a beginner, web hosting is an unknown territory. Choose a provider that will not have you spend too much money to get on board. That way, you won’t feel trapped by high sunk costs if you want to discontinue your hosting plan subscription at some moment.
✔ Easy-to-use dashboard
Website administrator dashboards are not created equal. And since this is where you will spend a lot of your time when managing and maintaining your site, a dashboard’s ease of use is critical for beginners. That way, you can spend more time creating content on your site and less time grappling with navigating the administrator dashboard.
✔ One-click installation
One-click installation wizards help get rid of the technical details of setting up web applications like WordPress. Though one-click installs are often not strictly single-click processes, they drastically reduce otherwise complex installations to just a couple of clicks, thus making it easy even for beginners.
✔ Amazing support
As a beginner, you will need considerable hand-holding in the first few weeks or months. A good web host should provide 24/7 support through multiple channels such as live chat, phone, email, social media, and help desk tickets. These should be complemented by a robust knowledge base covering topics relevant for a newbie using simple, non-technical language.
Consider your choice of CMS
Content management systems (CMS) make it easier for you to create, edit, format, publish, store and organize your website’s content. WordPress may be by far the most popular CMS, but there are other options out there as well. As a beginner, your reasons for picking a particular CMS should include affordability, ease of use, ease of installation and availability of support resources.
What type of hosting is best for beginners?
There are three broad categories of hosting plans: shared hosting, virtual private server (VPS) hosting, and dedicated server hosting. As a beginner, shared hosting is your best bet. It is simpler and more affordable than both VPS and dedicated hosting. Also, shared hosting plans are effectively managed plans by default. That means you can focus on building and managing your website without getting bogged down in handling technical tasks such as server maintenance, software updates, and advanced web application configuration.
The pros and cons of website builders like Wix and Squarespace?
Website builders allow you to create a website typically using a drag-and-drop editor and without having to write any code.
Pros
Cons
Top ten web hosting solutions for beginner site owners
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 9.7 | Visit Bluehost |
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| 9.6 | Visit Hostgator |
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| 9.6 | Visit Hostinger |
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| 9.5 | Visit SiteGround |
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| 9.4 | Visit Flywheel |
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| 9.3 | Visit Liquid Web |
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| 9.2 | Visit Hostwinds |
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| 9.1 | Visit AccuWeb |
 |
| 9 | Visit IONOS |
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| 9 | Visit DreamHost |
1. Bluehost
One of the most recognizable brands in web hosting, Bluehost’s least expensive shared hosting plan is the Basic plan which costs $9.99 per month. It includes 10 GB SSD storage, one website, and 20 databases.
All of its shared hosting plans also feature unmetered bandwidth, SSL certificates, and Cloudflare CDN.
What makes it a good choice
We ranked Bluehost’s shared hosting plans as the best for beginners for the simplified knowledge base, website builder, one-click installer, and free domain registration (first 12 months). All customers get 24/7 support through live chat and phone.
Unlike most of its peers, Bluehost does not provide an uptime commitment. However, the company has one of the highest measured uptimes in the industry. As far as payment options go, you can choose between a credit card, money order, check, and PayPal Instant Transfer. Bluehost has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. HostGator
Another heavy hitter in the hosting industry, Hostgator is a sister company to Bluehost though the two organizations run independently of each other. Its least expensive shared hosting plan is the Hatchling plan which costs $11.95 per month and is limited to one website.
All HostGator shared hosting plans also feature unmetered bandwidth, unmetered storage, and unlimited email addresses. Other perks include free domain registration (first 12 months), free website transfers, advertising credits, Cloudflare CDN, SSL certificates, regular backups, and the fast LiteSpeed web servers.
What makes it a good choice
We ranked HostGator second for offering beginner-friendly plans that come with a rich knowledge base, an active user community discussion board, the Gator Website Builder, a one-click installer, advertising credits, and free domain registration (first 12 months).
All customers have 24/7 support through live chat, phone, and social media. HostGator provides a 99.9 percent uptime commitment. You can pay your subscription through a credit card, money order, bank transfer, or PayPal. The company has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. Hostinger
Hostinger has, over the years, chalked up a reputation for crafting plans meant to simultaneously meet the expectations of website owners, administrators, developers, and visitors. Its least expensive plan is the Single plan, which costs $9.99 per month. The plan features one website, 50 GB SSD storage, 100 GB bandwidth, one database, and one email account.
All Hostinger shared hosting plans also include Cloudflare CDN, SSL certificates, automatic weekly backups, and a proprietary control panel.
What makes it a good choice
We ranked Hostinger’s beginner-friendly shared hosting plans in third place for their automatic installer, automatic backups, and a website builder. The company has also developed the proprietary hPanel control panel. hPanel is built for ease of use by Hostinger’s clients, irrespective of their skill level.
Customers have access to 24/7 support through live chat. Plans enjoy a 99.9 percent uptime commitment. You can pay for your plan by credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Alipay. Hostinger is one of the few providers that also accept cryptocurrency. All plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. SiteGround
SiteGround has demonstrated a commitment to providing eco-friendly plans backed by some of the industry's best quality customer service. Its cheapest shared hosting package is the StartUp plan which costs $19.99 per month. The StartUp plan features one website and 10 GB SSD storage.
All SiteGround shared hosting plans include unmetered bandwidth, unlimited email accounts, unlimited databases, SSL certificates, Cloudflare CDN, automatic daily backups, and free shopping cart installation.
What makes it a good choice
SiteGround is the fourth best host for beginners thanks to its website builder, app installation wizard, extensive knowledge base, and automatic daily backups. And for beginners looking to try their hand at eCommerce, you get free shopping cart installation too.
All customers enjoy 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and help desk tickets. Your website’s availability is backed by a 99.9 percent uptime commitment. You can pay for your preferred package using credit card or PayPal. SiteGround provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Flywheel
Acquired by WordPress-focused web host WP Engine in 2019, Flywheel specializes in the provision of WordPress managed shared hosting plans. Its lowest-priced package is the Tiny plan, which costs $15 per month. The Tiny plan comes with one WordPress website, 5 GB storage, and 20 GB bandwidth.
All Flywheel WordPress shared hosting plans include SSL certificates, Fastly CDN, daily backups, and free website migration.
What makes it a good choice
We ranked Flywheel’s beginner-friendly hosting packages in fifth place for its WordPress expertise, WordPress page builder, managed WordPress plans, free website migration, and daily backups.
Customers have 24/7 support through live chat, phone, and help desk tickets. You can pay for your plan by credit card or PayPal. Flywheel has an industry-leading 60-day money-back guarantee.
6. Liquid Web
Liquid Web is focused on the provision of hosting plans that feature award-winning speed, security, and scalability. Its lowest-priced Nexcess-managed WordPress package is the Spark plan, and it costs $4.75 per month. The Spark plan features 15 GB storage space, 2 TB bandwidth, and one website.
All plans include free SSL certificates, daily automatic backups, unmetered bandwidth, unlimited email accounts, and free website migration.
What makes it a good choice
We ranked Liquid Web sixth for its beginner-friendly WordPress plans that feature one-click installer, website builder, daily automatic backups, and free website migration.
Customers get 24/7 customer support via live chat, phone, and email. You can pay for your plan by credit card, bank transfer, check, or PayPal. While Liquid Web does not provide a money-back guarantee for its managed WordPress plans, you can contact the company’s support for a refund a few days after paying your initial subscription.
7. Hostwinds
A company that has steered clear of relying on third-party data centers, Hostwinds' lowest-priced shared hosting package is the Basic plan which costs $6.99 per month and covers one website only.
All Hostwinds shared hosting plans feature SSL certificates, daily backups, dedicated IP address, free website migration, unmetered bandwidth, unmetered storage, unlimited email accounts, and unlimited databases.
What makes it a good choice
We placed Hostwinds beginner-friendly shared hosting plans in seventh for its one-click installer, free website migration, free dedicated IP address, and daily backups. While it doesn’t have its own website builder, it relies on Weebly’s builder. Customers get 24/7 access to support through live chat, help desk tickets, and email.
Websites are backed by a 99.9999 percent uptime commitment. You can pay for your hosting package by credit card, PayPal as well as cryptocurrency. Against industry convention, Hostwinds does not have a money-back guarantee, but you can ask for a refund within 72 hours of paying your initial subscription.
8. AccuWeb Hosting
A company that’s been in business for two decades, AccuWeb Hosting’s cheapest shared hosting package is known as the Budget plan and costs $1.99 per month. The Budget plan’s key features are one website, 10 GB SSD storage, 25 GB bandwidth, and 25 email accounts.
All AccuWeb Hosting shared plans include SSL certificates, spam filters, website migration, daily backups, and LiteSpeed web servers.
What makes it a good choice
We have AccuWeb Hosting taking eighth in beginner-friendly hosting for offering one-click installation, free website migration, daily backups, a large knowledge base, and an active user community discussion board. At just $1.99 per month for its Budget plan, the company offers the lowest cost plan in our top 10.
Customers have 24/7 support through live chat, email, and phone. Website availability is backed by a 99.9 percent uptime commitment. Once you determine the hosting package you prefer, you can pay by credit card, PayPal, or money order. AccuWeb Hosting offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
9.IONOS
IONOS (formerly known as 1&1 Internet) is a subsidiary of Europe’s largest Internet company, United Internet. Its entry-level shared hosting package is known as the Essential plan and costs $6 per month. The essential plan features one website, 10 GB of storage, and 10 databases.
All plans include unmetered bandwidth, free domain registration (first 12 months), SSL certificate, daily backups, and one email account.
What makes it a good choice
We rank IONOS beginner-friendly shared hosting packages in ninth for their one-click installation, large knowledge base, active user community discussion boards, free domain registration (first 12 months), and daily backups.
Customers get 24/7 customer support via live chat and phone. All plans are backed by a 99.9 percent uptime commitment. You can pay for your plan by credit card or PayPal. IONOS has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
10. DreamHost
DreamHost’s overarching vision is to give its customers substantial control and ownership over their online presence. Its lowest-priced shared hosting package is the Shared Starter plan which costs $4.95 per month. The Shared Starter plan comes with 50 GB SSD storage, six databases, and one website.
All DreamHost shared hosting plans include unmetered bandwidth, daily automatic backups, SSL certificates, domain privacy, pre-installed WordPress, and WordPress website migration.
What makes it a good choice
DreamHost’s beginner-friendly shared hosting plans round up our top 10 for its rich knowledge base and daily automatic backups. You also get free access to a WordPress website builder, pre-installed WordPress and WordPress website migration.
Customers get 24/7 support through help desk tickets and live chat. Site availability is buttressed by a bold 100 percent uptime commitment. You can pay for your preferred package by credit card, check, money order, ACH, or PayPal. At 97 days, DreamHost has one of the longest money-back guarantees in the industry.
Conclusion
Irrespective of the hosting provider you choose though, you can always switch to a different web host later on. Still, you are better served to get things right from the get-go so you can stick with the provider long-term. Once your web administration skills transition from beginner to intermediate, you can cast your eye wider and consider providers that would not necessarily be considered beginner friendly.
As a rookie website owner, it is hard to go wrong picking any of the ten web hosting providers covered here. These hosts demonstrate beginner-friendly plans that place them a class above their peers.