In this article, we’ll delve into the optimal hosting platforms tailored for e-commerce websites running on WordPress. WordPress sites incorporating e-commerce functionality rely on a plugin called WooCommerce, an open-source e-commerce extension built on the WordPress framework. WooCommerce facilitates product creation, shipping and payment method setup, enabling direct sales and payment processing. Starting an e-commerce WordPress site necessitates installing WordPress and WooCommerce plugins. While the plugin is free, third-party apps can access additional functionality. E-commerce websites differ from primary brochure sites, entailing specific requirements due to increased server requests and traffic.
Therefore, selecting a hosting provider capable of meeting these requirements is crucial. Effective support is also essential for promptly resolving any hosting-related queries. Understanding the prerequisites for WooCommerce operation is vital; these requirements can be found on the WooCommerce website. Key recommendations include a PHP version of 7.4 or higher, MySQL version of 5.6 or higher, and WordPress memory limit of 256 MB or greater, alongside HTTPS support. Optional items such as curl or FSoC Open support may also be necessary for various WooCommerce integrations, particularly for payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.
Woocommerce
WooCommerce is a free, open-source plugin for WordPress that adds e-commerce functionality to websites. Developed by Automattic, the same company behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce empowers website owners to easily sell products and services online. It allows users to create product listings, set up payment gateways, manage inventory, handle shipping, and more, all within the familiar WordPress interface. With its extensive customisation options and wide range of extensions, WooCommerce is a popular choice for individuals and businesses looking to establish an online store.
Ensuring your server meets these requirements is essential. Soap Support may also be necessary depending on the third-party plugins you utilise. You can verify your server’s compatibility after installing WooCommerce by accessing the System Status page. This page provides insights into your WooCommerce setup and any associated issues. If you encounter WooCommerce-related problems, you can easily share the system status with your hosting provider’s support team for assistance. Accessing the System Status is straightforward: navigate to your WordPress dashboard, select WooCommerce, then Status. From there, you can generate and copy the system report for support, allowing your hosting provider to understand your server environment better.
Hosting Providers for E-commerce Websites
A WordPress hosting provider is a company that offers services specifically tailored to hosting WordPress websites. These services typically include server space, technical support, and features optimised for running WordPress sites smoothly. WordPress hosting providers often offer one-click WordPress installations, automatic updates, security features, and specialised customer support trained in WordPress-related issues. These providers understand the unique requirements of WordPress websites and offer hosting plans designed to meet those needs effectively. Some popular hosting providers for WordPress include Bluehost, SiteGround, WP Engine, and DreamHost.
SiteGround
Let’s discuss the first hosting provider, SiteGround. SiteGround is renowned in the WordPress community for its popularity and high ratings. They offer unique, in-house WordPress speed and security solutions, ensuring your site’s optimal performance and safety. With top-notch 24/7 support, SiteGround is an officially recommended hosting provider by WordPress and WooCommerce. Their services include preinstalled WooCommerce, free SSL, automatic upgrades, built-in WP caching, and one-click staging. Moreover, SiteGround stands out with location-specific hosting, boasting US, Europe, and Asia data centres. For WordPress and e-commerce needs, SiteGround is a highly competent option, with specialised offerings tailored to these platforms.
You can visit their website to explore their range of hosting plans, including Startup, Grow Big, and Go Geek. Currently, they’re offering a promotion of 75% off plus a free domain for one year. Shared hosting plans are recommended for new websites and ensuring WooCommerce support. The Startup plan is limited to one website, offering 10 GB disk space and suitable for approximately 10,000 monthly visitors.
It includes features like one-click WordPress installation, e-commerce support with free installation of WooCommerce, and a free SSL certificate. The Grow Big plan encompasses all features of Startup, including on-demand backup copies. Additionally, it provides 30% faster PHP and a staging environment. While both plans offer similar features, Grow Big allows for multiple websites.
Go Geek plan
The Go Geek plan offers unlimited websites and more web space and is suitable for approximately 100,000 monthly visitors. It includes all features of the Grow Big plan, such as on-demand backups and a staging environment. The Go Geek plan also provides a free private DNS, allowing you to use a custom domain name and brand your host server as if you were the owner. This feature enhances the professional image of your website.
Priority support is also included, ensuring faster response times from the support team. Furthermore, e-commerce support is available, making the Go Geek plan ideal for e-commerce websites. With its additional server resources, the Go Geek plan can efficiently handle the higher demands of e-commerce sites, which typically require more resources than basic brochure websites.
If you’re seeking a web hosting plan tailored specifically for e-commerce, the Go Geek plan is recommended. SiteGround offers several advantages, notably its high-speed servers. All SiteGround servers are optimised for speed, utilising the Google Cloud Platform for new customers, renowned for its high performance. Their customer support is highly praised, and they are available 24/7 via phone, live chat, and ticket-based support. Priority support is included with the Go Geek plan, ensuring faster response times.
However, the Grow Big and Startup plans offer commendable customer support. One drawback of web hosting plans is limited storage, with fixed amounts ranging from 10 GB to 40 GB. While these storage capacities are substantial, they may become limiting for some users. For those considering a hosting platform for their WooCommerce website, the Go Geek plan is recommended due to its ample storage capacity, eliminating the need for additional purchases.
Typically, hosting platforms tend to have slightly higher monthly billing than others. Currently, SiteGround offers plans ranging from £4.99 to £7.49, but their regular prices usually fall between £12 to £30. However, signing up for a more extended billing period often results in significant discounts and lower rates. Additionally, SiteGround provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans, ensuring customer satisfaction.
Their sites perform well in terms of performance and test results, making SiteGround a reliable choice for hosting e-commerce platforms. SiteGround recommends the Go Geek plan for Google Commerce hosting, highlighting its suitability for e-commerce websites. Moreover, their plans come with preinstalled Google Commerce and comprehensive support, making them ideal for beginners. Having dedicated support for e-commerce websites ensures that the support team is knowledgeable and capable of addressing any questions or issues.
SlackRound and Hostinger
SlackRound is recognised as one of the leading hosting providers for e-commerce websites. Another notable platform suitable for e-commerce is Hostinger. While Hostinger may not have the same longevity as SlackRound, it’s gaining prominence in the WordPress hosting industry.
Hostinger offers more affordable hosting options without compromising quality. They provide 24/7 live chat support and a user-friendly platform for hosting websites. Like SiteGround, Hostinger features a one-click WordPress installation, manages automatic updates, and includes a free CDN. Additionally, they offer free site migration services, simplifying the process for users transitioning from other platforms or hosting providers. Hostinger also employs geolocation-specific hosting, boasting seven data centres across the US, Europe, Asia, and South America. This extensive network contributes to their reputation as a top hosting provider for e-commerce and WordPress websites. Users can explore Hostinger’s web hosting plans on their website for more details.
They offer a variety of plans, which are notably more cost-effective than SlackRound. Known for their competitive pricing, their hosting plans start at a lower price point. Currently on sale, their plans range from $10 to $30. Opting for longer billing cycles yields greater savings, similar to SiteGround.
They provide a broader range of plans with diverse features, encompassing hosting, e-commerce hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, and website-building services. The entry-level plan, called the Single plan, is limited to one website and email account and offers 50 GB SSD storage. It’s suitable for sites with up to 10,000 monthly visitors and includes standard features like CPU cores and free SSL. However, the main drawback of the Single WordPress plan is that it only offers weekly backups. This may pose a risk as it could result in slightly outdated backups in case of any issues during the day.
To mitigate this risk, install plugins like Updraft or All in One Migration to perform your daily backups. However, at the server level, backups are only conducted once a week, posing a potential risk. For users on either the Single WordPress or Starter plan, I recommend utilising a plugin like Updraft for daily backups to supplement the weekly backups provided. Despite this limitation, all plans include data centres, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and 24/7 support. Customer support quality remains consistent across all plans; however, the most expensive plan offers premium support. The WordPress Pro plan, their priciest option, is tailored for smaller businesses and accommodates up to 300 websites.
WP Engine
WP Engine is a renowned hosting platform tailored explicitly for WordPress websites. With WP Engine, you’re assured of efficient and hassle-free hosting featuring automatic security updates and daily backups. Since WP Engine exclusively caters to WordPress websites, you can expect a highly competent support team equipped to handle any issues or inquiries. This makes it an ideal choice, particularly for businesses seeking to minimise involvement in the technical aspects of running an e-commerce website. Additionally, WP Engine offers premium themes at no extra cost with your account, providing various options for those just starting. To explore their hosting plans, simply navigate to their website, access the “Products” section, and select “WordPress Hosting” to view the available plans.
Navigating WP Engine’s pricing structure may not be as straightforward as other platforms. However, you can explore their pricing plans and their respective features by accessing the drop-down menu or the pricing section on their website. While WP Engine plans may come at a higher cost than other hosting platforms, it’s essential to consider their services.
Their plans are divided into three categories: Managed WordPress, e-commerce solutions for WooCommerce, and Advanced Solutions. You have the option to choose between annual and monthly billing plans. Currently, offers are available for yearly and monthly plans, such as four months free with annual plans or a £5 discount on the first month with monthly plans. Opting for an annual plan generally yields more savings in the long run. Among the annual plans, the e-commerce and advanced solutions for WooCommerce are likely the most suitable options for your needs.
One of the key advantages of choosing WP Engine is its focus on security. WP Engine offers robust security features, including SOC2 Type 2 compliance, allowing users to monitor logs and user permissions for enhanced site security—an aspect many other hosting providers do not provide. Additionally, WP Engine ensures fast loading times by optimising servers specifically for WordPress websites and employing proprietary technology to accelerate loading speeds further.
Users also benefit from access to a Content Delivery Network (CDN), further enhancing website performance. WP Engine’s platform is known for its reliability and ability to effectively manage traffic spikes without compromising website stability. Moreover, WP Engine boasts an expert support system consisting entirely of trained WordPress professionals equipped to assist with any WordPress-related issues, from hosting to site setup. Renowned for its reliability and excellent customer service, WP Engine has garnered numerous positive reviews from satisfied customers.
While WP Engine offers numerous benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, WP Engine tends to have higher costs than hosting providers like SiteGround and Hostinger. However, the tailored plans and extensive features WP Engine offers often justify the investment. Additionally, WP Engine restricts using certain WordPress plugins on your site.
This restriction may be due to plugin conflicts, redundancy with existing WP Engine features, or plugins causing high server loads. Commonly disallowed plugins include caching plugins like WP FileCache and WP TotalCache and backup plugins. WP Engine provides a list of disallowed plugins on its website’s support centre, allowing users to review and assess the compatibility of their desired plugins. Despite these limitations, WP Engine’s curated approach optimises site performance and security, albeit with certain plugin restrictions.
Blue Host
Bluehost is one of the most established web hosting providers in the industry. Founded in 1996, Bluehost has become one of the largest hosting providers and a prominent name in WordPress hosting. While Bluehost offers various types of website hosting, WordPress officially recommends it as a hosting provider. Bluehost prides itself on guaranteeing site speed, particularly during periods of high traffic. They provide 24/7 expert support via phone, email, and live chat, ensuring assistance with hosting or website-related issues. Bluehost has earned the top spot in web hosting for small businesses, reflecting its reliability and commitment to customer satisfaction.
In addition to its reputation and features, Bluehost offers a range of plans to cater to diverse needs. To explore their plans, simply visit the Bluehost website and navigate to the WordPress hosting section. You can also explore their WooCommerce offerings if you plan to build an online store with WordPress. Bluehost provides specific plans tailored for both WooCommerce and basic WordPress hosting. By accessing the WordPress hosting section, you’ll also find options for online stores. Bluehost offers various options when considering billing cycles, such as one month, 12 months, and 36 months. Opting for the 12-month billing cycle typically yields substantial savings, with discounts of up to 60% available for online store and marketplace plans.
Conversely, the one-month billing cycle offers limited savings, although current promotional discounts may be available. As is standard with most WordPress hosting platforms, choosing a longer billing cycle results in greater savings. This flexibility allows users to select a plan and billing cycle that best suits their requirements and budget.
Bluehost prides itself on its 24/7 support system, offering assistance via live chat or phone support. This round-the-clock availability proves invaluable when you require prompt assistance from knowledgeable support staff, just a click or call away. Renowned as the top web hosting provider by numerous websites, Bluehost offers many hosting options and excels particularly in commerce plans. Bluehost provides a risk-free trial period of 30 days for those embarking on their website journey, allowing you to test their services and receive a full refund if you are unsatisfied.
As your website evolves, you can seamlessly upgrade to higher hosting plans to accommodate growth. With a focus on user-friendliness, Bluehost is tailored for beginners, automatically installing WordPress upon signup and providing an intuitive control panel for easy management. Furthermore, their extensive knowledge base, comprehensive guides, and free support ensure that assistance is readily available, making Bluehost an ideal choice for novice users.
Dream Host
DreamHost’s WooCommerce hosting platform stands out as a highly acclaimed choice among users. DreamHost is renowned for simplifying web hosting and has an impressive 18 years in the industry. Their offerings include a custom dashboard, one-click WordPress installation, automatic WordPress updates, unlimited space, bandwidth, and free SSDs, ensuring optimal site performance. As an officially recommended WordPress hosting provider, DreamHost offers a range of plans tailored specifically for WooCommerce hosting. By exploring their plans, users can select options that suit their needs and budget, with the opportunity to save more by opting for longer billing cycles. With its reputation for reliability and user-friendly features, DreamHost remains a top choice for WooCommerce hosting solutions.
With DreamHost, the DreamPress Pro plan stands out as it offers expedited support, ensuring quicker responses from the support team. Additionally, all plans have a money-back guarantee, allowing users to test the service risk-free. Renowned for its exceptional customer support, DreamHost is an officially recommended WordPress site, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
With a one-click WordPress installation feature, setting up a WordPress site is effortless. Furthermore, DreamHost provides a free domain, SSL, privacy, and automatic daily backups across all plans, simplifying website management. However, it’s worth noting that there’s no free email included, particularly in the starter plan. While support response times may not be immediate, DreamHost’s overall features and reliability make it a winning choice for hosting needs.
DreamHost operates with set hours for their live chat support and email-based ticket system. You may not receive immediate support if you submit a ticket outside of these hours. This could pose challenges if you encounter pressing issues or difficulties. While email support is available 24/7, live chat operates between 5:30 and 9:30 Pacific time. However, users can request a callback for additional assistance, albeit for a fee. Although DreamHost offers a comprehensive knowledge base and forum similar to Bluehost, some reviews highlight that immediate support via phone or live chat may not be readily accessible. For beginners lacking technical expertise, opting for a hosting provider with 24/7 support ensures prompt assistance for any urgent issues that may arise.
Hostgator
HostGator is a renowned web hosting provider, managing over 10 million domains and establishing itself as one of the industry’s leaders. Like its counterparts, it simplifies website setup with one-click WordPress installation while ensuring an impressive uptime of 99.5%. Additionally, it boasts 24/7 support, making it an excellent choice for website owners, particularly businesses. On their website, you’ll find plans categorised as Hatchling, Baby, and Business. While they lack specific plans tailored for WooCommerce websites like WP Engine or DreamHost, their business plan offers affordability and comprehensive features suitable for e-commerce platforms.
Most HostGator customers express satisfaction with the quality of support they receive, indicating its effectiveness. Compared to Bluehost, HostGator offers resources similar to bandwidth and disk space. While Bluehost may provide a slightly better user experience due to its investment in the WordPress platform, HostGator compensates with slightly cheaper hosting plans and a 45-day money-back guarantee. HostGator is a reliable web hosting provider suitable for running an online store, but as website traffic grows, upgrading to a virtual private server may become necessary due to plan limitations.
Conclusion
The top three hosting providers are SiteGround, Hostinger, and WP Engine. SiteGround offers the best e-commerce hosting plan suitable for growing businesses, particularly with their GoGeek plan. Hostinger stands out for its affordability and value, providing extremely budget-friendly plans. On the other hand, WP Engine caters well to larger e-commerce sites, especially for those requiring extensive technical support. These recommendations are based on pricing, customer service, and performance.
Panseih Gharib
ProfileTree // 26th November 2023 
