Team Hostings

Our top pick for beginners is Bluehost — the easiest way to get your first site online. Below are our top five, ranked, followed by a side-by-side table, what to look for, and answers to common questions. You can also compare every host side by side or take the 60-second quiz.

What to look for in beginner hosting

The five things that actually matter when you are starting out.

The best hosting for beginners, ranked

Chosen on ease of use, support, value and how quickly you can launch.

1Best for beginnersOur score 9.4

Bluehost is the easiest way to launch your first website. It is officially recommended by WordPress.org, sets up in one click, includes a free domain and SSL, and offers 24/7 phone and chat help whenever you need it.

  • One-click WordPress install
  • Free domain & SSL for year one
  • 24/7 phone and chat support
  • Simple, guided dashboard
  • Upsells during checkout
  • Renewal prices rise after year one
$2.95/mo 64% off (reg $7.99)
2Best cheap & easyOur score 9.3

Hostinger pairs rock-bottom prices with a genuinely beginner-friendly custom panel. You get a website builder, free SSL, daily backups and fast servers, so a first site costs little and is easy to manage.

  • Very low starting price
  • Beginner-friendly hPanel
  • Free SSL and daily backups
  • Built-in website builder
  • Best price needs a long term
  • No free migration on entry plan
$0.80/mo 90% off (reg $7.99)
3Best supportOur score 9.2

SiteGround is a little pricier but its support and guided tools make it ideal if you want help on hand. Managed updates, free SSL and an easy setup wizard take the stress out of your first site.

  • Award-winning 24/7 support
  • Guided setup wizard
  • Managed updates and backups
  • Fast, reliable servers
  • Pricier than other picks
  • Storage capped on entry plan
$3.95/mo 67% off (reg $11.95)
4Best to grow intoOur score 8.8

A2 Hosting is beginner-friendly but gives you room to grow, with one-click installs, free SSL and free migration plus faster Turbo plans you can move up to as your skills and traffic increase.

  • One-click app installs
  • Free SSL and migration
  • Anytime money-back guarantee
  • Room to grow with Turbo plans
  • More options can overwhelm
  • Turbo speed costs more
$3.92/mo 51% off (reg $7.68)
5Best risk-free trialOur score 8.5

DreamHost is simple and trustworthy, with a clean dashboard, free SSL and privacy, and an industry-leading 97-day money-back guarantee so a nervous first-timer can try it with no risk.

  • 97-day money-back guarantee
  • Free domain, SSL and privacy
  • Clean, uncluttered dashboard
  • Unlimited traffic
  • No 24/7 phone support
  • Custom panel differs from cPanel
$2.59/mo 47% off (reg $5.50)

Beginner hosting compared

Our top five at a glance.

HostOur scoreFromUptimeAvg. speedFree migrationMoney-back
Bluehost9.4$2.95/mo99.95%578 msYes30-day
Hostinger9.3$0.80/mo99.98%379 msNo30-day
SiteGround9.2$3.95/mo99.99%514 msYes30-day
A2 Hosting8.8$3.92/mo99.99%622 msYesAnytime
DreamHost8.5$2.59/mo99.95%854 msYes97-day

Beginner hosting FAQ

What is the easiest hosting for beginners?
Bluehost is the easiest for most beginners thanks to its one-click WordPress install, guided dashboard and 24/7 phone support. Hostinger is the best cheap and easy alternative.
Do I need technical skills to use web hosting?
No. Our top picks offer one-click installs, website builders and guided setup, so you can launch a site with no coding. Support teams help if you get stuck.
How much should a beginner pay for hosting?
Plenty of good beginner hosting starts from around $1 to $4 per month on an introductory term. Just check the renewal price and that SSL and support are included.
Do I need a separate domain name?
You need a domain, but several picks, including Bluehost, include a free domain for the first year. Otherwise a domain costs around $10 to $15 per year.
Can I build a website without coding?
Yes. WordPress with a visual builder, or a host's own website builder like Hostinger's, lets you create a site by dragging and dropping, no code required.
What if I choose the wrong host?
Most of our picks offer a money-back guarantee, from 30 days up to DreamHost's 97 days, and free migration, so you can switch hosts later with little fuss.