Best Web Hosting for Beginners: 8 Service Providers for 2024
Launching your first website? Start by finding the best web hosting for beginners.
You will need a straightforward yet robust hosting plan with all the newbie essentials, such as a drag-and-drop website builder, responsive 24/7 support, and an intuitive navigation panel.
To save you hours of research, we’ve listed the top 8 web hosting services for beginners and highlighted what sets them apart.
Dive into our guide to pick the perfect web hosting service provider that ticks all your boxes.
Download Glossary For Web Beginners
8 Best Web Hosting Services for Beginners
The definition of web hosting is very simple – it is a service that makes your website accessible online.
Below, we share our detailed review of beginner-friendly web hosting solutions to try in 2024.
1. Hostinger: Top Web Hosting for Beginners and Small Teams
- Best for: website owners looking for an affordable yet powerful web hosting solution
- Price: starts at $2.99/month
Hostinger is a go-to web hosting platform for beginners, startups, and small businesses with limited resources. It offers everything you need to launch a website from scratch in just a few hours.
For example, opt for Hostinger’s Website Builder and let AI create your website from scratch. Alternatively, you can benefit from Managed WordPress features – both options are available on every plan.
Either way, Hostinger offers pre-built templates and AI tools for a faster launch. You can also use them for any kind of website, including a blog, a digital portfolio, or an eCommerce store. However, we recommend opting for the Business web hosting option starting at $3.99/month if you want to launch an online store.
If you need help, contact Customer Support via live chat anytime or explore a vast library of tutorials, Knowledge Base, or Hostinger Academy on YouTube for self-learning.
Key Features for Beginners
- All-in-one solution for creating your website. Web hosting, an AI-powered drag-and-drop website builder, AI tools for content creation, and WordPress management – you get it all.
- Easy to use. Get an intuitive and custom-built control panel called hPanel. Should you have any questions, open AI Assistant or contact 24/7 live support.
- Performance and reliability. Hostinger uses SSD and NVMe technologies for fast site loading time and offers a 99.99% uptime guarantee. All these features guarantee a high performance of your website.
- Useful freebies. These include free SSL certificates to ensure website security, a free domain for building your brand for the first year, and a free email address to communicate with your clients.
Pros: – Exceptional value for money even on the cheapest hosting plans. – Modern, user-friendly interface and powerful AI tools for – website creation. – Responsive and friendly online 24/7 support – Extra features to ensure your online success, such as an AI copywriting tool and search engine optimization (SEO). | Cons: – No free trial is available, although there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. – No phone support. |
2. SiteGround: Streamlined Web Hosting for Beginners
- Best for: users needing a simple web hosting provider
- Price: starts at $2.99/month
SiteGround is another high-rated and easy-to-use hosting tool for beginners. It’s known for its friendly customer support, straightforward navigation panel, and reliable managed hosting solutions.
Have a preference for green companies? SiteGround operates on Google Cloud infrastructure, which uses renewable energy to power its data centers.
Note that SiteGround does not offer a proprietary website builder, which means you will need to create your website using WordPress or another content management system.
This method offers more flexibility but also involves a steeper learning curve and requires more effort.
Key Features for Beginners:
- Great customer support. SiteGround offers 24/7 live support, highly rated by its users.
- High website performance. Enjoy daily backups, 99.9% uptime guarantee, LiteSpeed web servers, and Google Cloud infrastructure.
- Freebies. The tool comes with a standard set of free features: a free domain, SSL certificates for security, and email.
- Email automation tool. You can access the proprietary email automation solution for $9.99/month.
Pros: – SiteGround provides a 100% renewable energy match. – Daily backups on every plan. – Multiple support options: live chat, phone, and tickets. | Cons: – Doesn’t offer a website builder or AI tools for content creation – The overall UI appears a bit outdated. |
3. Bluehost: Trusted Web Hosting for WordPress and eCommerce
- Best for: WordPress users and eCommerce sites looking for reliable hosting
- Price: starts at $2.45/month
Bluehost is one of the largest web hosting companies known for its reliability and a selection of extra tools.
It’s a great option for WordPress users and owners of eCommerce stores. That said, Bluehost only offers a website builder for WordPress, which is not the best choice for building a more complex website, such as an online store.
Key Features for Beginners:
- Flexible hosting plans. Bluehost offers web hosting, seamless WordPress integration, and a variety of tools for website management.
- User-friendly experience. Get a modern control panel for easy account management, complemented by 24/7 support.
- Starter benefits. New users enjoy free SSL, a domain for the first year, email accounts, and free website migration.
- eCommerce solutions. If you want to start an eCommerce business, you will have to opt for a more expensive plan starting at $8.95/month.
Pros: – Trusted WordPress management with a good reputation. – Quick onboarding and simplified WordPress site creation. | Cons: – Some users report unresponsive customer support. – Bluehost doesn’t offer a proprietary website builder – users need to figure out WordPress website creation. – More expensive plans for eCommerce websites. |
4. HostGator: Solid Hosting Service for Teams of Any Size
- Best for: beginner and pro users looking for a hosting provider with scalable options
- Price: the cheapest plan starts at $2.75/month
HostGator is one of the top web hosting providers for beginners, offering a variety of plans that cater to your company’s growth.
You will also enjoy a standard set of freebies, such as a free SSL certificate and a free domain.
The web host offers one-click WordPress installation and features a proprietary website builder, which simplifies this process for beginners. However, it’s not as modern and powerful as some alternatives and doesn’t allow for AI content creation.
Key Features for Beginners:
- Flexibility. HostGator supports platforms like WordPress and Drupal, making it suitable for various web projects.
- Easy management: HostGator offers a cPanel, which is relatively easy to use, and a simple website drag-and-drop builder.
- Security and backups. HostGator offers SSL certificates and automated daily backups.
- Scalable plans. You can easily upgrade hosting plans as your website grows, making it perfect for teams of any size.
Pros: – HostGator is known for its reliability and efficient service, providing a stable hosting environment. – 24/7 online chat and phone support. – Unmetered web hosting prevents you from unexpected costs if your website starts generating more traffic. | Cons: – No AI features for building your website and creating content. The HostGator Website Builder is also not available on each plan. – The renewal costs are relatively high. For example, the Baby plan for WordPress hosting (initially $3.50/month) transforms into$9.99/month. |
5. HostArmada: Reliable Web Hosting Providing the Essentials
- Best for: beginners who need a standard set of features and stable performance
- Price: begins at $2.49/month
HostArmada is a good choice for beginners, offering a straightforward solution that covers the basics. Its shared hosting plan is an optimal choice for bloggers and owners of small websites.
The web hosting provider offers most of the default hosting features like free SSL, free domains, and email accounts.
HostArmada also features a proprietary website builder that is quite easy to use. However, it lacks AI features for faster website creation and appears outdated.
Key Features for Beginners:
- Covers the essentials. HostArmada offers all fundamental features, including web hosting, WordPress support, and email hosting.
- Simplified management. Get cPanel combined with a custom dashboard for hassle-free website management. It also offers a simple website builder and a one-click app installer.
- Security measures. Enjoy free SSL certificates and automated backups (seven daily backups on the cheapest plan).
- Global web server presence. Ensures fast loading times and reliability with server locations worldwide.
Pros: – Excellent for handling traffic and maintaining site performance. – 24/7 live support is highly rated by HostArmada users. – HostArmada has nine global data centers for enhanced accessibility and speed. | Cons: – Renewal prices are significantly higher than the initial rates. – LiteSpeed web servers are only available with the highest-tier plan, limiting advanced performance features for cheaper plans. – No advanced features for website building. |
6. Kinsta: Premium Web Hosting for Beginners and Pros
- Best for: those looking for a superior managed WordPress hosting experience
- Pricing: starts at $30/month.
Kinsta is a top-tier hosting company offering premium features for improved site performance. It uses advanced technology to guarantee fast loading and excellent uptime.
You also get premium website migration for free, with the possibility of choosing your own time when it happens.
At the same time, Kinsta lacks some essential beginner features like a proprietary website builder and tools for AI content creation and SEO. It’s primarily tailored to the needs of WordPress site owners.
Key Features for Beginners:
- High performance. Kinsta offers fast loading times and impressive uptime, supported by a vast network of global data centers.
- Simple dashboard. You’ll enjoy an intuitive account dashboard that simplifies site management, coupled with beginner-friendly features like one-click WordPress installation.
- Reliable customer support. Kinsta users get responsive and friendly support from a team of WordPress experts.
- Versatile plans. You can choose a pricing plan that suits your specific needs.
Pros: – CDN locations worldwide enhance your site’s performance. – High-performance hosting environment able to handle peak traffic with ease. – Effective and friendly customer support. | Cons: – Expensive hosting plans – No proprietary website builder, no tools to simplify content creation and SEO. – No phone support. |
7. Namecheap: Affordable Hosting Provider for Beginners
- Best for: anyone who wants an easy ride with domain registration and affordable web hosting.
- Pricing: starts at $1.98/month
Namecheap is known for its straightforward and budget-friendly approach to web hosting and domain management.
It’s a great option if you’re starting your first site and need an affordable hosting provider.
The tool offers all essential web hosting features, including custom domains, email, security protocols, and various integrations.
Namecheap also features a simple site maker for beginner users. Even though it doesn’t have an AI builder, the templates are nice, and you can customize them with a drag-and-drop editor.
Key Features for Beginners:
- Simple interface. The tool offers intuitive dashboards and free tutorials, making website management easy even for beginners.
- Affordable pricing. True to its name, Namecheap offers competitive rates to help you start a website without breaking the bank.
- Tools for marketing. Besides the site builder, there’s a logo maker, a business name generator, and other free tools. You can also use toolkits for SEO, social media, and paid ads for a separate price.
- Efficient customer support. You’ll have a knowledgeable and responsive support team around the clock.
Pros: – The platform features a clean and modern interface, ideal for beginners. – It maintains competitive prices both before and after renewal. – Offers beginner-friendly tools like the site maker. | Cons: – Some users report issues with Namecheap site performance and unresponsive customer support. – The Namecheap site maker’s AI features are limited, requiring more time for manual setup. – No phone support. |
8. WordPress.com: Top Hosted Website Builder
- Best for: Beginners and small business owners who want a hassle-free way to build a website
- Pricing: starts at $4/month.
Hosted website builders like WordPress.com offer a one-stop platform for creating, managing, and hosting websites.
It’s a great starting point for newbies looking to launch their first site. However, there are limits to what you can customize and achieve with these tools. To take the most out of WordPress, we recommend opting for WordPress.org.
In addition, you will have to opt for the Explorer plan, starting at $8/month, to get live chat support. Otherwise, you will have to wait for the customer support team to reply to your emails.
Key Features for Beginners:
- User-friendly design tools. The drag-and-drop builder eliminates the need for technical skills, saving you time and resources.
- All-inclusive services. From securing a domain to ensuring site safety, everything is included from the start.
- Scalability. You can easily add new features with a straightforward upgrade path.
- Great design templates. The tool lets you build beautiful, professional-looking websites even with zero experience.
Pros: – The platform handles all technical aspects of web hosting and maintenance. – You automatically get features that help you optimize your site and rank higher in search. – Access to customer support, forums, and knowledge bases facilitates learning for beginners. | Cons: – You might face certain limitations as your website grows, prompting you to migrate to another platform. – The site’s infrastructure and capabilities are tied to the platform, limiting customization. – While affordable at the start, the cost of premium features, themes, and plugins can add up, especially for eCommerce sites. |
Best Web Hosting for Beginners Compared
Ready to make a decision?
Below, we provide a snapshot of the best web hosting for beginners and the attributes of each web hosting company.
Brand | Hostinger | SiteGround | Bluehost | HostGator | HostArmada | Kinsta | Namecheap | WordPress.com |
Summary | Best for beginners and new/small websites | Environmentally-conscious provider | All-in-one platform | Great for growing teams | Covers all essentials | Premium web host | Most affordable | Simplified website creation |
Website builder | Proprietary website builder with AI features for fast website creation | Integrates with WordPress | WordPress website builder | Proprietary website builder | Integrates with WordPress | None | Proprietary website builder | WordPress website builder |
AI tools for content creation | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ (limited functionality) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (limited functionality) |
One-click WordPress installation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Uptime | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% – 100% | 99.9% – 100% |
Email accounts | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Free domain | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Free SSL for security | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
24/7 Customer support | Live chat, email, AI Assistant | Live chat, phone support, tickets | Live chat and phone support | Live chat and phone support | Live chat, email, phone, and helpdesk tickets | Live chat and tickets | Live chat and tickets. | Email support (more expensive plans come with live chat) |
Price starts at | $2.99/month | $2.99/month | $2.45/month | $2.75/month | $2/49/month | $1.98/month | $30/month | $4/month |
How to Choose the Best Web Hosting for Beginners
Selecting the best web hosting service as a newbie boils down to a few key considerations. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Ease of use. Look for an intuitive control panel. It should be straightforward, allowing you to manage your website without diving deep into technical details.
- Modern and flexible website builder. Having a proprietary website builder will save you hours of work. This option is preferable for beginners without prior WordPress and website management experience.
- Self-learning materials. A comprehensive resource center with clear guidelines is essential for a smooth learning experience.
- 24/7 support. Reliable support is crucial when hosting a website. Look for a provider that’s always there for you.
- Value for money. Your web host should offer a good balance of features and affordability. For example, look for free domain registration, high performance, a powerful website builder, etc.
- Security. Prioritize hosts that offer reliable security features to protect your site and your visitors.
- Performance. Look for hosting services with fast servers and dependable uptime. This improves user experience and SEO rankings.
- Scalability. As your site grows, your hosting needs will change. Opt for a service that offers flexible upgrade options and provides enough storage.
Conclusion
Choosing the right web hosting is essential for beginners looking to grow their online presence. A reliable web host can help you launch your website quickly and easily, handle your security issues, and scale your business.
Consider these points when making a decision: user-friendly navigation, positive reviews, responsible support, value for money, site performance, and room to grow.
We recommend going with a managed hosting service that comes with an AI-powered website builder and a drag-and-drop editor for a smoother start.
We hope this roundup helps you find the best web hosting for beginners that’s right for you. Drop a comment below if you have any questions.
Best Web Hosting for Beginners FAQ
Let’s answer the most frequently asked questions about web hosting platforms for beginners.
Which Web Hosting Service Offers the Easiest Setup for Beginners?
Most web hosting providers offer beginner-friendly onboarding with clear navigation, one-click installers, fast support, and setup guides. If you want to simplify website creation, look for hosting services with proprietary website builders. For example, Hostinger features an AI-powered website maker designed specifically for beginners.
Do Beginner-Friendly Web Hosting Services Offer Website Builders or Templates?
Some web hosting companies offer website builders and WordPress integration. This gives you access to a variety of templates, themes, plugins, and content creation tools. However, in many cases, those proprietary site builders are outdated and have limited features. It’s best to opt for a tool that provides both WordPress hosting and a modern website builder. For example, Hostinger’s site builder uses powerful AI to create beautiful, functional websites.
How Much Does Web Hosting for Beginners Cost?
The cost of web hosting for beginners can vary depending on the web hosting provider. With Hostinger, you can start for as little as $2.99/month for a web hosting service, a website builder, a domain name, and an email.