Picking the right web host is a big deal. But with all the choices out there, how can you know what’s right? Our comprehensive top 10 guide is here to help you find the best web host for your membership site right now!
Your web host gives your business a place to “live” on the internet. It makes your site available to the world and gives it a home where customers and clients can stop by to do business.
But there’s good news and bad news when it comes to web hosts.
The good news is there are tons of hosting options out there. And you’ll find them at all kinds of price points.
The not-so-good news is that picking the right host for your project can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s awesome to have lots of choices when you’re on the hunt, but it can be tough to sift through the options.
Well, never fear – we’re here to help!
By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to pick a hosting plan that’s a great fit for your website and your balance sheets.
So, let’s jump right in…
What to Look for in a Web Host
If you’re just starting out with your membership site, going with budget-friendly shared hosting could be your best bet.
But if your site’s already up and running, and you’re looking for a new host, you’ll want to know how big your site is (in terms of file size) and how many folks are dropping by.
Why’s that? Well, most web hosts have limits on storage and visitor numbers, so knowing these figures can help you pick the right plan.
To see how many people are visiting your site, a handy tool like Google Analytics can do the trick. And if you’re wondering about storage, your current hosting provider can probably tell you how big your site is.
Things to think about
When it comes to choosing a web host for your online business, here are a few things you might want to think about:
- What kind of support they offer – like phone support, 24/7 live chat, or email assistance
- Any extra goodies they throw in – like premium WordPress themes or plugins
- Useful features – like automatic WordPress updates, website backups, and uptime monitoring
- Their uptime guarantees – some even offer refunds if they don’t meet their promises
- Any discounts if you pay for a year or more in advance
Every web host offers something a little different, so it’s all about figuring out what matters most to you and choosing a provider that ticks those boxes.
Now, with all that in mind, let’s take a look at some top-notch hosting options for WordPress online business and membership sites of all shapes and sizes.
Low-Cost Shared Hosting
If you’re new to the world of websites and hosting, you might be pleasantly surprised to find out you can snag decent, beginner-friendly web hosting for just a few bucks a month.
This type of hosting is often referred to as “shared” because you share server space and resources with other sites.
As a result, many of these affordable hosting plans come with unlimited storage and all the bandwidth you could need.
There’s something to keep in mind, though. If your site starts to take off and use up a lot of resources on a low cost plan, you might be asked to upgrade to a pricier plan or move your site.
But don’t let that scare you away from shared hosting.
If you’re just dipping your toes in the water to see if there’s demand for what you’ve got to offer, you’re best off starting with this budget-friendly option.
To help you get rolling, here are some of the top low-cost shared hosting providers for your consideration…
Hostinger
Hostinger stands out as a top choice for WordPress membership sites, offering a seamless blend of affordability and functionality.
It’s known for its user-friendly interface. And even those new to the world of web hosting find it easy to understand and manage their sites.
This makes Hostinger an ideal choice for membership site owners who want to focus more on content and community, and less on the technicalities of site management.
When it comes to pricing, Hostinger is hard to beat. They offer a range of plans to suit various needs and budgets, ensuring you only pay for what you need.
But don’t let the low prices fool you – Hostinger doesn’t skimp on features. With excellent uptime, fast speeds, and a dedicated 24/7 customer support team, it’s clear why Hostinger is a favorite among WordPress membership site owners.
Hostinger Perks
- Free Domain
- Free Website Migration
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Starting at $2.99/month
InMotion Hosting
InMotion is a win-win when it comes to shared hosting, offering a robust package that’s perfect for WordPress membership sites.
They provide a reliable server that’s easy to manage, so you can focus more on your content and less on the nuts and bolts.
One of the key features that sets InMotion apart is their 99.99% uptime guarantee. This means your site will be available around the clock, ensuring your members can access your content whenever they want.
And if anything does go wrong, InMotion’s 24/7 live support is there to help you sort things out in no time.
But it’s not just about reliability. InMotion also offers a range of features designed to make your life easier.
This includes one-click WordPress installations, free website migration, and automatic updates. Plus, they offer free SSL certificates to keep your site secure, and unlimited email accounts for your domain.
When it comes to pricing, InMotion offers competitive rates with a variety of plans to choose from. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, there’s a plan that fits your needs and budget.
Plus, they offer a 90-day money-back guarantee, so you can try their service risk-free.
In short, InMotion combines reliability, features, and affordability, making it a great choice for WordPress membership site owners.
InMotion Perks
- 99.99% uptime guarantee
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 live support
- Unlimited email accounts
- Starting at $2.49/month
DreamHost
With two decades of experience under their belt, DreamHost has earned its reputation as a reliable and trusted name in the web hosting industry.
They’ve got a lot to offer, especially if you’re running a WordPress membership site.
One of the standout features of DreamHost is their strong commitment to privacy. They offer free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates on all their plans, which means your site and your members’ data are secure.
Plus, they have a strong anti-spam policy to keep your site clean and professional.
DreamHost is also a big fan of open source. They’re an officially recommended hosting provider by WordPress.org, and they offer one-click WordPress installations, making it super easy to get your membership site up and running.
But that’s not all. DreamHost also offers unlimited traffic and bandwidth, so you don’t have to worry about your site slowing down or crashing, no matter how many members you have.
They also provide automated daily backups, so you can rest easy knowing your site’s data is safe.
When it comes to pricing, DreamHost is all about affordability and transparency. They offer a variety of plans to suit different needs, and there are no hidden fees to worry about.
Plus, they offer a 97-day money-back guarantee, which is one of the longest in the industry.
In short, DreamHost combines experience, features, and value for money, making it easily a top pick for online businesses.
Dreamhost Perks
- Long-standing reputation
- Free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates
- Officially recommended WordPress.org hosting provider
- Unlimited traffic and bandwidth
- 97-day money-back guarantee
- Starting at $2.59/month
SiteGround
SiteGround has carved out a name for itself as a go-to choice for WordPress membership sites.
They’ve earned their popularity through a combination of robust security features, top-notch customer support, and a variety of hosting plans to fit different needs and budgets.
One of the standout features of SiteGround is their commitment to security.
They offer a custom security solution that includes a Web Application Firewall to prevent security breaches, AI anti-bot system to block malicious traffic, and free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates to ensure secure data transmission.
This means you can rest easy knowing your membership site is in safe hands.
SiteGround also shines when it comes to customer support. They offer 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and ticketing system, and their team is known for being knowledgeable and friendly.
So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a hosting newbie, you’ll have all the help you need.
But that’s not all. SiteGround also offers features like daily backups, free email accounts, and free CDN for improved site speed.
Plus, they’re officially recommended by WordPress.org, and they offer easy one-click WordPress installation.
When it comes to pricing, SiteGround offers a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, there’s a plan for you.
They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can check out their service and if you don’t like it, you get your dough back.
In short, SiteGround combines robust security, excellent support, and a variety of features. For WordPress membership sites, it’s definitely a standout choice.
SiteGround Perks
- Custom security solution
- 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email
- Officially recommended WordPress.org hosting provider
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Free email accounts
- Starting at $2.99/month
Cloudways
Cloudways stands out in the hosting market with its unique blend of affordability and high performance.
They’ve crafted their services to cater to WordPress membership sites, offering a suite of features that ensure smooth operation.
Performance is a big deal at Cloudways. They offer advanced caching, PHP 7 ready servers, and CloudwaysCDN for faster load times.
Plus, they use SSD-based hosting to ensure your site runs as fast as possible. This means your members will have a smooth and enjoyable experience on your site.
When it comes to support, Cloudways has you covered. They offer 24/7 expert support to help you with any issues that may arise. Plus, they provide regular security patches and updates to keep your site safe and secure.
Though pricier than the other shared options on our list, Cloudways offers a unique pay-as-you-go pricing model that makes it worth it.
Because you only pay for the resources you use, their pricing is competitive and flexible, allowing you to scale your hosting plan as your membership site grows.
In short, Cloudways offers a unique blend of affordability, high performance, and expert support, making it a prime choice for online business websites of every kind.
Cloudways Perks
- 24/7 expert support
- Pay-as-you-go pricing model
- CloudwaysCDN
- SSD-based hosting
- Starting at $11.00/month
While these hosts are some of the most affordable options around, just be aware that if the size or user base of your membership site grows, you’ll probably have to upgrade your plan eventually.
Which brings us on to the next option in our guide to the best web hosts for membership sites…
Professional Managed WordPress Hosting
If you outgrow your low-cost hosting, or you want to start your membership site on a plan that’s a bit more robust, managed WordPress hosting is what you need.
With this arrangement, your website is hosted on servers optimized for WordPress.
That, combined with more generous access to server resources, means your website…
- loads faster
- is able to handle more visitors at once
- sees less downtime
- is more secure
As part of the managed hosting service, your WordPress website software is updated for you, as are your plugins, depending on which host you choose.
As always, you get what you pay for. And most good managed WordPress hosting plans average around $30 a month.
Thanks to these plans’ ability to scale with your business, it’s highly unlikely your membership site will outgrow your hosting company.
Although you will have to move up the plans, and increase your monthly subscription fees, to keep your website running smoothly if your site does become very popular.
All that said, here are our top rated entry-level managed hosting plans…
Flywheel
Flywheel is a top-tier choice for professional managed hosting, with a particular emphasis on stellar customer support.
They’ve tailored their services to ensure the success of your WordPress membership site, offering a suite of features that cater specifically to your needs.
Flywheel also places a high priority on speed and performance. They offer server-level caching and a built-in CDN to ensure your site loads quickly, providing a seamless experience for your members.
Plus, they use SSD storage for all their plans, which means faster load times for your site.
When it comes to support, Flywheel really shines. They offer 24/7 support from real humans, ready to help you with any issues that may arise.
Whether you need help with site migration, troubleshooting, or just have a question about your plan, Flywheel’s support team is there for you.
Pricing at Flywheel is competitive, with a variety of plans to suit different needs. Whether you’re just starting out or have a large membership site, there’s a plan for you.
On top of that, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test their service and if it’s not for you, it won’t cost you a penny.
In short, Flywheel combines professional managed hosting, excellent support, and a variety of features, making it a superb option for WordPress membership site owners.
Flywheel Perks
- Built-in CDN
- SSD storage
- 24/7 support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Starting at $13/month
InMotion (Managed)
InMotion doesn’t mess around. This host steps up their game with their professional managed hosting services, offering on-demand IT service and support at an affordable price.
This service is perfect for WordPress membership site owners who want to focus on their content and members, while leaving the technical details to the experts.
One of the key features of InMotion’s managed hosting is their extensive platform optimization.
Their experienced and knowledgeable team can speed tune your LAMP environment, enable custom installation of NGINX, modify scripts and other environmental variables, and even help you adopt new task automation.
This means your site will be optimized for speed and efficiency, providing a seamless experience for your members.
InMotion also offers seamless migration services, whether you’re transferring multiple applications, simple websites, or an entire server.
Their team of system administrators make sure the move is smooth and hassle-free, allowing you to focus on what matters most – your members.
InMotion is on the pricey side, but when you consider what you get, it’s an incredible value.
This host offers a range of additional services to help you succeed. These include things like…
- General consultation
- Troubleshooting advanced web servers configuration or common CMS issues
- Replacing MariaDB SQL with MySQL or installing applications like PostgreSQL, AngularJS, NodeJS, Django, Apache TomCat Server, Redis, PHP module/ Extension
- …and many more
Plus, they offer a 90-day money-back guarantee, so you can try their service risk-free.
In short, InMotion’s professional managed hosting combines expert support, extensive optimization, and a variety of features. For membership sites and online businesses, it’s definitely a first-rate option.
InMotion (Managed) Perks
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- On-demand IT service and support
- Great value
- Starting at $48/month
Kinsta
Kinsta is a top-tier choice for anyone seeking a fast and reliable hosting solution. They’re all about resolving issues swiftly, ensuring your WordPress membership site runs smoothly and successfully.
One of the standout features of Kinsta is their use of cutting-edge technology to ensure fast performance.
They use Google Cloud Platform’s premium tier network for all their plans, which means your site will load incredibly fast. Plus, they offer server-level caching and a free CDN, further boosting your site’s speed.
Kinsta also takes security seriously. They provide free SSL certificates, DDoS detection, hardware firewalls, and uptime monitoring to ensure your site is safe and secure.
Plus, they do daily backups and have a hack fix guarantee, so if your site is ever compromised, they’ll fix it for free.
When it comes to support, Kinsta offers 24/7 expert support. Their team is made up of WordPress experts who are ready to help you with any issues that may arise.
Plus, they offer a comprehensive knowledge base and a blog full of helpful articles, so you can learn more about managing your WordPress site.
Pricing at Kinsta is competitive, with a variety of plans to suit different needs. Whether you’re just starting out or have a large membership site, there’s a plan for you.
Even better, they have a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can give it a try and if it’s not a good fit, you won’t be out any dough.
In short, Kinsta combines fast performance, robust security, and expert support, making it an excellent alternative for WordPress membership site owners.
Kinsta Perks
- Server-level caching
- Free CDN
- 24/7 support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Starting at $7/month
WP Engine
WP Engine is a renowned WordPress platform that’s built a reputation for reliability and performance.
They offer a suite of features specifically designed to ensure the success of your WordPress membership site.
WP Engine places a high priority on speed and performance. They offer a proprietary caching technology and a built-in CDN to ensure your site loads quickly, providing a seamless experience for your members.
Plus, they use the latest PHP version and HTTP/2 protocol for faster load times.
When it comes to security, WP Engine has you covered. They offer proactive WordPress security, which includes regular security patches and updates, daily backups, and a free SSL certificate.
Plus, they feature a one-click staging environment, so you can test changes and updates to your site without affecting the live version.
Support is another area where WP Engine shines. They offer 24/7 expert support from a team of WordPress experts, ready to help you with any issues that may arise.
Pricing is competitive, and there are plans to fit every size and budget. Plus, they offer a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try their service risk-free.
In short, WP Engine combines managed hosting, excellent support, and robust security, making it an elite option for any online business.
WP Engine Perks
- Proprietary caching technology
- Built-in CDN
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 support
- Starting at $20/month
WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a powerhouse in the hosting world, offering a suite of features specifically designed to ensure the success of your WordPress membership site.
One of the standout features of WordPress.com is their commitment to performance. They offer unrestricted bandwidth, which means your site can handle as much traffic as your membership base can throw at it.
Plus, they use global edge caching to ensure your site loads quickly for visitors, no matter where they are in the world.
WordPress.com also offers high-burst capacity. This means your site can handle sudden spikes in traffic without slowing down or crashing, which is especially useful if you’re running a promotion or if your content goes viral.
But that’s not all. WordPress.com also offers free SSL certificates and a range of other features designed to make your life easier. Things like…
- Automatic WordPress updates
- Daily backups
- Access to premium themes and plugins
When it comes to pricing, WordPress.com offers competitive rates with a variety of plans to choose from. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, there’s a plan that fits your needs and budget.
Plus, they give you a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try out their service and not worry about losing any cash.
In short, WordPress.com combines performance, features, and affordability. As always, it’s a standout option for membership sites of every kind.
WordPress.com Perks
- Unrestricted bandwidth
- Global edge caching
- Free SSL certificates
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Starting at $25/month for business plans
If your budget can accommodate it, you won’t be disappointed with any of the above managed WordPress hosting plans for your membership site.
But if you’re thinking super big-time (or you’re already there), you’ll want to go with the big guns…
Custom Enterprise Web Hosting
If your membership site really takes off, or you find that you need to create a custom platform to deliver your membership content or build integrations with other services, you might need to turn to enterprise web hosting.
With enterprise plans, you get even more generous allowances, such as storage, processing power, visitors, and bandwidth. And you also get more control over how you use your webspace.
This extra freedom can enable you to do a lot more.
Think things like installing custom scripts on your hosting account to facilitate integration with third-party services or customizing the WordPress software to make it more suitable for your membership site.
However, this greater freedom to do what you want with your webspace does come with increased responsibility (and cost).
Depending on your plan and what you do with it, it might be up to you to ensure everything is running smoothly. And you may get less assistance compared to what you’d get with the managed hosting packages covered earlier.
It’s unlikely you’ll need this type of hosting from the outset, if at all. But if you do require enterprise hosting, here are some of the best-known providers in this space.
Cloudways Enterprise Cloudflare Hosting
Cloudways takes hosting to the next level with their Cloudflare Enterprise Hosting. This platform offers a suite of features specifically designed to ensure the success of large-scale WordPress membership sites.
One of the standout features of Cloudways Cloudflare Enterprise Hosting is their commitment to superior performance and security.
They offer enterprise-grade mitigation of DDoS attacks against layers 3, 4, & 7, ensuring your site is protected from potential threats.
And they have an intelligent web application firewall that updates itself with the most recently discovered threats, providing an additional layer of security for your site.
Cloudflare also offers a range of tools and features that make managing your site easier. This includes easy website tools, managed auto-updates of the core software and plugins, and even a unique performance booster.
Plus, they offer daily backups and a free CDN, further enhancing your site’s performance and security.
When it comes to performance, Cloudflare doesn’t disappoint. It offers a version of its CDN with dedicated IPs, ensuring maximum speed for your site.
Plus, its Argo-tiered caching uses regional Tier 1 Cloudflare data centers to propagate content, which minimizes static content requests to your server and reduces costs.
In short, Cloudways Cloudflare Enterprise Hosting combines superior performance, robust security, and a variety of features, making it a superior alternative for large-scale businesses.
Cloudways Cloudflare Enterprise Perks
- Enterprise-grade mitigation of DDoS attacks
- Daily backups
- Free CDN
- Customized pricing
Pantheon
Pantheon is a top-tier choice for enterprise-level hosting, offering a suite of features designed to help your large-scale membership business succeed.
One of the standout features of Pantheon is their commitment to speed and reliability.
They’re known for providing a fast, reliable WebOps platform that’s perfect for running WordPress sites. This means your site will load quickly and run smoothly, providing a seamless experience for your members.
Pantheon also offers a range of tools and features that make managing your site easier. This includes one-click core updates, which means you can always have the latest and most secure version of WordPress running on your site.
Plus, they offer scalable infrastructure, allowing your site to grow without worrying about hitting any limits.
When it comes to security, Pantheon has you covered. Their managed cloud hosting platform is built with multiple layers of protection to keep your website and data safe.
This means you can focus on your content and members, knowing that your site is secure.
While specific pricing details are not provided on their website, Pantheon is known for its competitive rates and variety of plans to suit different needs.
Whether you’re just starting out or have a large membership site, there’s likely a plan that fits your needs and budget.
Pantheon’s combination of speed, reliability, and a variety of features, make it a supreme choice for WordPress membership site owners. Pricing on enterprise-level plans is customized, so you’ll want to get in touch.
Pantheon Perks
- Scalable infrastructure
- 1-click core updates
- Fast, reliable WebOps platform
- Customized pricing
SiteGround (Enterprise)
SiteGround is a well-regarded choice for enterprise-level hosting, offering a suite of success-oriented features.
One of the standout features of SiteGround is their commitment to superior technology and performance.
They offer fully-managed cloud hosting that runs on Google Cloud, ensuring your site loads quickly and runs smoothly. This means your members will have a seamless experience on your site.
SiteGround also offers a range of tools and features that make managing your site easier. This includes easy website tools, managed auto-updates of the core software and plugins, and even a unique performance booster.
Plus, they offer daily backups and a free CDN, further enhancing your site’s performance and security.
When it comes to security, SiteGround is on point. They’ve developed a centralized, enterprise-grade security system to protect your site, applications, and data.
While you won’t find specific pricing details on the site, SiteGround is known for its competitive rates and variety of plans to suit different needs.
In the end, SiteGround combines superior technology, a variety of features, and robust security. It’s a perfect solution for large scale online businesses of all kinds.
Siteground (Enterprise) Perks
- Managed auto-updates of core and plugins
- Free CDN
- Operates on Google Cloud
- Starting at $100/month
If you check out the plans, you’ll see that this type of hosting isn’t cheap, but it’s what you need – if you need it!
In most cases, managed WordPress hosting will suffice once you’ve outgrown entry-level shared hosting.
Final Thoughts
If you choose WordPress for your membership website – not only are you extremely wise – your hosting options won’t be limited whatsoever.
Almost all hosting plans support WordPress, and there are some excellent WordPress-only packages out there to ensure your website is fast loading, always available, and fully secure.
With shared hosting prices starting at just a few dollars a month, there’s no reason not to sign up with a reputable company and start your membership site today.
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If you decide to start out with premium managed WordPress hosting, or you want to upgrade your existing hosting arrangements, you’ll end up paying around $30 a month.
But the higher prices come with lots of extras and benefits that make it a worthwhile investment for your membership site – especially if you expect it to grow.
And with MemberPress at the helm, and your hard work and dedication fueling the engine, growth is bound to happen!
Which host will you choose for your membership site? Please let us know in the comments below.
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Thanks, Joe for this amazing breakdown of web hosting regarding their prices and features I am looking for managed WordPress hosting and I found Kinsta which suits my criteria thanks for this amazing article.
Regards
Suryakant
Thanks for the recommendation. Great work. I will look into it!