It seems more and more people are starting their own blogs. Or at least I’m getting more and more emails asking if I can refer an affordable blog web hosting provider. Over the years, I’ve used many web hosting providers. Some good, many were not. In the early years I’m sure it was because I went with the cheapest web hosting provider or used the free web host. You know the kind, the ones that put a gazillion banner ads on your site because they were letting you use their service for free!
In the last few years, web hosting has come a long way. Nowadays you can find affordable and reliable blog web hosting providers everywhere. Currently I’m using about 20 different web host for a variety of reasons. Everything from big affiliate marketing websites down to personal web hosting of blogs and websites for my family and close friends.
Before I show you the list, you need to be aware of a few things if you’re a beginner looking to host your first blog. There are a few things you’ll want to look for before choosing a blog web hosting provider.
Here Are The Things I Look For In A Blog or Personal Web Hosting Provider
These are the things I want when looking for blog web hosting.
- CPanel - The blog web hosting provider you choose should have CPanel so you can easily maintain your account. The only exception that I would make for this rule is DreamHost. They have their own “one click install” program which make using their service as easy as a web host with CPanel.
- Fantastico - This is a program that will install a number of programs for you with minimal effort. It makes it really easy to set up a blog or personal website. Programs such as WordPress, bulletin boards, photo galleries and much more. Most web host provide it with CPanel, but not all.
- Multiple Domain Hosting - If you’re just looking to host a personal blog, then this will not matter to you. But if you’re looking for easy web hosting so you can run multiple blogs or websites, then make sure the web hosting provider offers the ability to host multiple domains on one account. Some will only let you host 1 domain while other will allow you to host more than one.
- Multiple SubDomains - Again, if you’re just looking for a personal web hosting for a single blog, this probably doesn’t matter. But for Internet Marketers, the ability to have multiple sub domains can come in handy.
- Domain Registration - Although it’s pretty easy to buy a domain in one place and then host you website in another, not everyone wants to fool with this. For this reason, you may want to make sure the blog web hosting provider you choose offers domain registration. What’s even better is if that web host will give you a free domain for buying their web hosting services.
- Customer Service - Before I sign up with any blog web hosting provider, I email the company and ask a few simple questions. I already know the answers to the questions before I send them. What I’m looking for is how quick they get back to me and how informative their answers are. This tells me a lot about a hosting company.
That’s about it for the “must have’s”. I don’t worry much about the storage space. Most of the web host listed below give you plenty of storage space for your blog or website. Also I don’t worry much about bandwidth on my small blogs or for personal web hosting.
I will tell you this about personal web hosting. If you plan on using your blog or website to store pictures for the family, you’re better off using a service like Flickr and then using a WordPress plugin to show those pictures on your blog rather than try and upload a bunch of pictures to your web hosting account. Your storage and bandwidth will be ate up by large files and pictures.
Okay, here’s what you’ve been waiting for.
11 Affordable Blog Web Hosting Providers for Beginners
Note: Prices and features are current at the time I wrote this. Things change so you should check their websites to see if any changes have occurred since this article was posted.
Dream Host
Price: $9.95 per month on a 1 year sign up or $5.95 per month on a 10 year sign up.
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: No
Fantastico: No
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: Yes
Multiple SubDomains: Yes
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: DreamHost has their own “one click” install for WordPress. This makes it just as easy as having Fantastico on CPanel. I have two DreamHost accounts that I’ve had for many years. I’ve had a few problems in the past (as you will with all web hosting companies from time to time). They’ve been quick to fix any problems I’ve had and their Customer Service has been excellent any time I needed help. They’ve also been very quick to get back with me. A good choice for the beginning looking for personal web hosting or affiliate marketer. Click here for more information on DreamHost blog hosting.
BlueHost
Price: $7.95 per month for one year or $6.95 per month for two years
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: Yes
Fantastico: Yes
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: Yes
Multiple SubDomains: Yes
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: This is another host that I’ve had for years. Good customer service and I have few problems with their hosting of my blogs and websites. They also have free set up, free domain privacy and free domain registration for as long as you keep the account.
SiteGround
Price: $7.95 per month for one year, $5.95 per month for 3 years
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: Yes
Fantastico: Yes
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: 5 - extra fees apply
Multiple SubDomains: Yes
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: I only have 2 blogs hosted at SiteGround but I haven’t had any issues with them. WordPress installtion is a snap with CPanel and Fantastico and the people I’ve talked with over there are friendly and helpful. The only drawback for me is that you have to pay extra to host multiple domains on one account. Not an issue if you plan to start 1 blog or website.
HostMonster
Price: $6.95 per month on a 1 year signup and $5.95 per month on a 3 year sign up.
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: Yes
Fantastico: Yes
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: Yes
Multiple SubDomains: Yes
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: Popular hosting provider. A good choice for beginning affiliate marketers looking to host multiple blogs on one account.
GoDaddy

Price: $4.99 per month for 1 year with their basic package. $6.99 per month for their Deluxe Package
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: No
Fantastico: No
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: No for their Basic Package, Yes for their Deluxe Package
Multiple SubDomains: Yes
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: Another website host who doesn’t offer CPanel or Fantastico, but their dashboard is easy to use and they offer easy installation of WordPress as well as other scripts and programs. You can also pay month by month if you prefer, they don’t require any long term contracts. They also have Danica Patrick as a GoDaddy Girl. Reason enough to choose them
Seriously though, they’re an okay host for personal web hosting but I’d choose another host for building websites and blogs for affiliate marketing.
HostGator
Price: $4.95 per month
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: Yes
Fantastico: Yes
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: Yes
Multiple SubDomains: No for their $4.95 per month “Baby” package, Yes for their $7.95 per month “Hatchling” plan
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: A very popular host for affiliate marketers, especially those using the Build A Niche Store program. I believe their servers are a bit crowded for my taste. But they do have excellent customer service and the accounts I’ve had with them, I’ve had few problems.
MidPhase
Price: $6.95 per month on a 1 year signup and $5.95 per month on a 3 year sign up.
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: Yes
Fantastico: Yes
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: Yes
Multiple SubDomains: Yes
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: I have some large sites hosted by MidPhase and they’ve been a good and reliable host for me. They offer a free domain for the life of your account when you purchase web hosting services from them.
1and1.com
Price: $3.99 per month for their Basic package
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: No
Fantastico: No
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: Yes
Multiple SubDomains: Yes
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: I only have static websites hosted at 1and1 so I’m not sure about their WordPress installation. They claim to be the World’s #1 web host. I’d check them out if your looking for personal web hosting for a simple website or blog. Like GoDaddy and DreamHost, they have their own dashboard that makes it easy to install scripts and software such as Guestbooks and Forums. About the lowest reliable cheap blog hosting I know of.
Dotster.Com
Price: $6.95 per month on a 1 year signup
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: No - Have thier own program for easy installation
Fantastico: No
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: No on Starter plan, up to 50 on their Standard Plan
Multiple SubDomains: Unknown
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: I’m not a huge fan of Dotster for ease of use. But to be honest, I’m more familiar with dashboards like DreamHost and Fantastico. Couldn’t find out whether or not their basic package allowed multiple sub domains.
iX Webhosting
Price: $4.95 per month for a 1 year sign up and $5.95 per month on a 2 year sign up
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: No
Fantastico: No
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: Yes
Multiple SubDomains: Yes
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: Their dashboard is very similar to CPanels and just as easy to use. WordPress installation is a breeze also. One of the first blog web hosting providers I used and I still have blogs hosted there.
WebHostingPad
Price: $3.96 per month for their Basic package
Domain Registration: Yes
CPanel: Yes
Fantastico: Yes
Host Multiple Domains with 1 Account: Yes
Multiple SubDomains: Yes
Easy WordPress Installation: Yes
Comments: A good choice for personal web hosting or small affiliate marketing blogs or websites. Customer service has been good for me as well.
Okay, there you have my pick of the 11 web hosting providers I would start with if I was just getting into building websites or looking for a personal web hosting provider. Could you use these for larger sites? Sure. But I prefer a little more meat in a hosting package when running larger sites. For blogs, the 11 above are hard to beat for price and reliability. Drop me a line if you have comments about these or other blog web hosting providers.
Source: http://www.affiliatewatcher.com/11-affordable-blog-web-hosting-providers-for-beginners/
Tags: blog, web hosting, web hosting providers