Choosing the right web hosting provider is crucial for your small, local, social enterprise. A reliable host ensures your website runs smoothly and is easy to manage, even if you’re new to web design. But with so many options available, how do you decide which one to trust?
Go with a Trusted Brand.
While some lesser-known providers may offer cheap deals, it’s usually best to choose a well-established hosting company. These providers often deliver better support, reliability, and features tailored to beginners. Though you might pay slightly more, the peace of mind and quality service are worth it.
Recommended Hosting Providers.
Bluehost and Hostinger: Both are recommended by WordPress.org and offer affordable packages ideal for small websites. They’re beginner-friendly and provide the essential tools you need.
WordPress.com: Managed hosting by Automattic (the creators of WordPress) offers simplicity, but costs can rise quickly as you customise your site. It’s a great option for those who want a hands-off approach but might not suit tight budgets.
Pressable: Also owned by Automattic (WordPress), Pressable focuses on premium hosting services and may be more than you need for a small enterprise.
My Top Picks.
For affordability and reputation, I recommend SiteGround and Bluehost. Both hosts are beginner-friendly, provide excellent support, and have plans well-suited to small social enterprises.
Reliable web host
SiteGround
SiteGround is a good reliable web host with a selection of affordable packages.
Reliable Web Host
Bluehost
Bluehost is a popular web host that is recommended by WordPress.
Who do I recommend?
SiteGround and BlueHost are safe choices.
Test the Waters.
Before committing, take advantage of the pre-sales support offered by most hosting companies. Use their live chat features to ask questions about features, pricing, and suitability for your needs. While some chats may be automated, they’ll give you an early indication of the host’s quality and responsiveness.
Useful tips when choosing a web host for your small social enterprise website.
Essential Factors (must-haves for small enterprises):
Cost: Ensure the package fits your budget, £20 a month is a reasonable price. Look for value over just the lowest price.
Reliability: Uptime should be 99.9% or better. Check reviews and guarantees.
Tech Support: Access to email, chat, or phone support is critical for troubleshooting.
SSL Certificate: You’ll want one of these, such as let’s encrypt so confirm whether it’s free and straightforward to set up.
Ease of Installing WordPress: Clean installations without unnecessary extras are ideal.
Webspace and Bandwidth: Ensure there’s enough for your needs without strict limits.
Email at Your Domain: Verify if at least one custom email address is included.
Important Considerations:
Control Panel: cPanel or equivalent makes managing hosting simpler.
Fair Usage Policy: Understand limitations like inode counts, traffic caps, and acceptable use.
Scalability: Ability to upgrade as your website grows.
CPU, SSD, and RAM: While basic hosting is fine, ensure resources meet your needs.
Nice-to-Have Features (not essential but valuable):
Staging Sites: For testing updates or changes before going live.
Site Security and Backup Tools: Look for built-in options or integration with plugins.
CDN and Speed Optimisation: Check if provided to enhance performance.
Free Trial or Money-Back Guarantee: Low-risk way to test the hosting.
Other possibly useful points:
AI Site Building Tools: The guides on this site help you build your own site, but some people like AI tools.
Starter Pricing Discounts: Can be enticing but focus on long-term pricing.
Reputation and Reviews: Research customer feedback to gauge reliability and support quality.
Community-Focused Features: Some hosts may have packages or discounts tailored to nonprofits.
Data Center Location: Choose one near your audience (UK) for faster load times.
Environmental Impact: Check if the hosting provider uses green energy or eco-friendly practices.
Before you buy, ask questions!
Below is a transcript of a chat I had with a SiteGround pre-sales support operative.
However: Don’t rely on this information. It could be out of date when you read this post. Please chat yourself with your chosen host.
My chat with a SiteGround pre-sales chat operative:
Me:
I am new to WordPress but have been tasked with setting up a website for a small local social enterprise. If I choose the startup package would your support staff help me get a clean install of WordPress, an email address, and an SSL certificate set up?
And would I have to pay for this help?
SiteGround:
Hope you are doing great! I will be happy to assist
Me: Thanks SiteGround.
SiteGround:
Actually, all our plans already include everything you need for free – WordPress is preinstalled, SSL is automatically applied and you can create unlimited number of different email addresses at no cost
On top of that, you can count on our support team members 24/7 over the live chat if any questions appear during the site creation process or anything else :)
All that is included within the most basic StartUp.
Me:
Thanks SiteGround, I’ll give this info to my boss. Thanks for your help. Goodbye for now.
So, if you’re building a website for a small local social enterprise, I recommend you use SiteGround or Bluehost web hosting, WordPress content management system, and the Hestia theme.
Practice makes perfect, don’t expect to know everything to start with, and make good use of the videos I provide.
Good luck with your project, and best wishes,
Philip.