These past years I became obsessed with finding the best blog host for creative and lifestyle bloggers.
If you’ve been following my blogging journey for a while, you already know that at some point I decided to quit blogging. There were several factors that brought me to the point of quitting but everything started spinning out of control when I had to face some major, nerve-racking, blood-draining, overwhelmingly stressful technical issues with my previous web host provider.
My website pages were slow loading, it’s hard to tweak anything without a thousand system errors, there are 404s everywhere, and updating the blog has become such a chore.
Because of this, everything was placed on hold—my plans for this blog, my editorial calendar, and even my excitement for blogging were affected in major ways.
The culprit? My web host.
So today I want to talk about web hosting because, as a creative blogger, technical issues like should not deter your creative process.
Just how important is having the right blog host?
Web hosting is one of those technical things that are SUPER important in launching and growing a blog but most of us don’t want to deal with it. I bet you just want to set it up one time and then completely forget about it, right?
This is even truer if you’re a creative blogger, a lifestyle blogger, or a mommy blogger. Chances are, you just want to jump into creating content and writing stories.
You probably don’t like to bother with resizing your photos too, nor do you optimize them for the web—a common (and understandable) mistake creative bloggers make.
These little things affect the speed and performance of your website. More so, when your blog starts getting traction, your server should be able to handle the amount of activity and traffic coming into your website or else it will crash.
This is why it’s important that you choose the right web host from the beginning.
FULL DISCLOSURE: This blog contains DreamHost affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you purchase DreamHost services through my link without any extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.
The gist
After years as a paying customer of several blog host sites, I can now confidently say, without a doubt, that the best web host for bloggers is DreamHost.
I’ve tried a number of web hosts in the past and none of them has stood the test of time for me like DreamHost.
The long story is below, if you like to read.
My DreamHost story
I started using DreamHost in 2006. I didn’t have any major issues with them in my first few years of blogging. I was happy with my website/s’ performance. I even recommended them to clients and friends.
In many ways, DreamHost educated me and taught me a lot of the things I know about setting up content platforms, SSL certificates, managing cpanels, domain registrations, site optimizations — all useful learning that became important aspects of my profession.
At some point, I started offering WordPress design and development as a service, which exposed me to different hosting providers: Bluehost, Siteground, InMotion hosting, even Squarespace, eventually trying them out for myself.
As I explored options, I kept my DreamHost account as a place to archive years of content, creative projects, and my design portfolio. I didn’t have to pay much, after all. I was happy to pay $119.40/year to have a place in the cloud for all my legacy work, and maybe a place to come back to just in case I couldn’t find a better alternative.
I settled with Siteground for close to 2 years, between 2019 to 2020. A more expensive provider, but I was happy to pay a fee for good upkeep and customer support.
Fast-forward to 2020, the world went on lockdown and my two main blogs had to be placed on hold. And whilst I was ok with Siteground for a few years, the cost of keeping two web hosts was just too much so I had to consolidate.
Which is why I’m soooo glad I kept my DreamHost account (hint: it costs me about a quarter of the price of Siteground). It was a no-brainer for me to kill my Siteground account and migrate my blogs back to DreamHost.
The process was fast and easy and I regret why I didn’t do it sooner.
Improved overall performance
It felt like a long time since I was using DreamHost as my active blog hosting, there were so many improvements in the time I was “away”. Bandwidth issues that used to be a problem are no longer an issue. There was little work I have to do in terms of keeping my website optimized. I never worry about downtimes.
Improved customer support, 24/7
Before I moved to Siteground, I had issues with DreamHost not having 24/7 customer support agents. I’m happy to report that this is no longer the case too and in the handful of times I needed a CS, I was able to find help from an actual (and friendly) human in real time.
12 reasons DreamHost is the best web hosting provider for bloggers
To further flesh out why DreamHost is the best web host for creative and lifestyle bloggers, here are more reasons:
1. Web hosting with Purpose
I love how on-brand DreamHost is with The Purpose Blog! While many will say this is just good marketing, their messaging definitely resonates with us here at TPB. We are happy to support purpose-driven brands, for sure!
Full disclosure: The Purpose Blog is powered by WordPress and DreamHost. 10/10 recommend!
2. Performance and uptime guarantee
DreamHost boasts remarkable performance and an impressive uptime guarantee. They ensure that your website experiences minimal downtime. With DreamHost, non-techy bloggers can rest assured that their content will be available to readers consistently. I can speak for this myself. I hardly have any downtime with DreamHost!
3. User-friendly interface and one-click installations
DreamHost offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy for bloggers to navigate and manage their websites effortlessly. Additionally, DreamHost provides one-click installations for popular Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, enabling bloggers to set up their websites quickly and efficiently.
4. Robust security measures and regular backups
Security is paramount when it comes to web hosting, especially for bloggers who handle sensitive user data. DreamHost prioritizes website security by implementing robust measures, including advanced firewalls, SSL certificates, and malware scanning. Moreover, DreamHost performs regular backups, ensuring that your valuable content is always protected and can be restored if necessary.
5. Unlimited bandwidth and storage space
DreamHost offers generous bandwidth and storage space, allowing bloggers to upload and share their content without limitations. With unlimited resources, bloggers can grow their websites and cater to increasing traffic without worrying about hitting capacity limits.
6. Comprehensive WordPress support and optimized environment
For bloggers utilizing the popular WordPress platform, DreamHost provides comprehensive support and an optimized hosting environment. DreamHost’s servers are tailored to enhance WordPress performance, providing seamless integration, automatic updates, and advanced caching options.
7. Reliable 24/7 customer support
DreamHost takes pride in its award-winning customer support team, known for its prompt and knowledgeable assistance. Whether you have technical inquiries or need help with website management, DreamHost’s support staff is available 24/7 to address your concerns and provide reliable solutions.
8. Affordable pricing plans and flexible options
DreamHost offers affordable pricing plans suitable for bloggers of all budgets. They provide a range of hosting options, including shared hosting, Virtual Private Servers (VPS), and dedicated servers, allowing bloggers to choose a plan that best aligns with their specific needs.
Pricing begins at $2.59/month!
9. Money-back guarantee for peace of mind
To ensure customer satisfaction, DreamHost offers a 97-day money-back guarantee. This generous policy gives bloggers ample time to evaluate the services and determine if DreamHost is the right fit for their blogging journey.
10. DreamHost’s commitment to sustainability
For environmentally-conscious bloggers, DreamHost’s commitment to sustainability is a significant advantage. DreamHost is a carbon-neutral company that utilizes efficient technologies and renewable energy sources to minimize its environmental impact.
11. Advanced features for scaling and growth
As bloggers grow their online presence, scalability becomes essential. DreamHost offers advanced features and tools to facilitate website expansion, including easy scalability options, performance optimizations, and resource management tools.
12. Positive user reviews and testimonials
The satisfaction of existing customers speaks volumes about the quality of a web hosting service. DreamHost has garnered a vast number of positive user reviews and testimonials, providing its reliability, performance, and overall excellence in catering to bloggers’ needs. Yep, I am not the only one raving about DreamHost!
If it’s not obvious enough, I highly recommend DreamHost. If you’re shopping around for a blog hosting provider, this is the sign you’re looking for! Get started with DreamHost today!
[…] years of having my blog on free blogging platforms, I could finally afford a self-hosted blog where I practiced everything I learned on the job. I was obsessed! The digital marketing world was […]