NOTE: This post is outdated. Please read this post for our current WordPress hosting recommendations.

We often get asked to recommend a good reliable WordPress host or even troubleshoot a slow performing site/blog (which is many times due to a poor host). While everyone likes to pick the least expensive host they can, there are other factors that play into picking a good WordPress host, even some that most people don’t consider…

  • First, make sure they meet WordPress’ minimum hosting requirements. While almost all Linux based hosts do meet them, it can’t hurt to double check.
  • Don’t host on a Windows server. While WordPress technically can run on Windows IIS, it’s a pain and prone to problems.
  • Make sure they have good WordPress support (or at least know what it is). While we like to think that WordPress is mainstream, you would be surprised that some hosts don’t mention it anywhere. We suggest you search on the hosts knowledge base or forum for the term “WordPress” and see what they have published. If there is none or the info is sparse, move on. Also stay away from hosts that push competing blog software like MovableType – we know from experience 😉
  • Don’t pick a host simply because they offer an auto-installer for WordPress (ala Fantastico, etc.). While these are handy and can quickly install WordPress, they are often not the latest version and are not automatically/easily updated. NOTE: There are some good hosts that keep their auto-installer updated (BlueHost does this). You typically can also install WordPress yourself at any host that offers an auto-installer.
  • We strongly recommend that you don’t host your site on a service that started primarily as a Domain Name registrar (examples: Network Solutions, GoDaddy, etc.). They always try to force you into their silly plans and onto other useless services of theirs. They also typically have the worst control panels. In fact, we like to keep the place where we register domains completely separate from where we host our sites. It makes it easier to hop to other hosts if needed.

You might be saying by now, who’s left after ruling all these hosts out? Here’s the hosts that we suggest along with some notes on what we like/dislike about them…

MediaTemple:
+ Reasonably priced Grid-Service (gs) service ($17-$20/month – depending on hosting term)
+ Grid-Service’s on-demand scalability
+ Great, easy to use control panel
+ Robust knowledgebase and user forum
+ For power users* – easy SSH access, subversion pre-installed

DreamHost:
+ Inexpensive ($7-$11/month – depending on hosting term)
+ Nice, easy to use control panel
+ Robust Wiki based knowledge base
+ For power users* – easy SSH access, subversion pre-installed

Bluehost:
+ Inexpensive ($7-$10/month – depending on hosting term)
+ Up-to-date WordPress Auto-Installer (WordPress updates are made available within 24 hours)
+ cPanel based control panel (which we feel is not that user friendly)
+ For power users* – SSH access requires you to send them a copy of a driver license or passport, subversion available but not supported

*ssh access and subversion are not required for WordPress, but are very handy for advanced users who would like to use subversion to install and upgrade WordPress

We’d love to hear from you – who do you host your WordPress site with? Why do you love/hate them?

Related Posts:

When good hosts go bad (for WordPress anyway)
Moving to a New Host is NOT for the Faint-Hearted
Affiliate Blogging: Hosting Considerations

Update:

We published this post on our WeFixWP blog about a two and a half years ago. Wow – how have things changed. ContentRobot was recommending MediaTemple every chance we got, and many of our clients did host with them for quite a while.

Over time, we heard ever-increasing complaints of bad performance and inadequate support (from many of the hosts on this list and others who are not). Since then we’ve been determined to find a better solution for our bloggers.

Fast forward to this past February, we launched BlogOnCloud9, which offers scalable cloud hosting along with expert WordPress support. We are happy to report that our growing service has been robust, reliable, and solid as we had envisioned.

– Updated June 28, 2010