A Comprehensive Guide to the 10 Best Blog Hosts
Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or just starting out, choosing the right blog hosts can make or break your blogging experience.
For those looking to make a blog their side hustle, a host impacts the speed, reliability, and flexibility of your site, as well as your budget.
But with so many options available, finding the best blog host can be overwhelming. In this guide, we’ll cover the ten best blog hosts, their costs, pros and cons, and what to consider when choosing the perfect platform.
What Should You Look for in Blog Hosts?
Before we jump into the full list, it’s important to understand the key features to evaluate when selecting blog hosts. Below, you can see a list of the most important things to look for in blog hosts, which will give you a benchmark when reading through the full list of blog hosts later in the guide.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is one of the most important aspects of a blog host, especially if you’re new to blogging. If you’re building an audience for your blog, it means you’re going to be posting a lot of content. And if you’re posting a lot of content, it means you’re likely going to use your content management system (CMS) multiple times a week.
Platforms with intuitive interfaces and straightforward setup processes can save you time and frustration. For example, drag-and-drop builders like Wix and Weebly are perfect for beginners who don’t have coding skills. Even more complex platforms like WordPress.org often include helpful tutorials and extensive online support communities to simplify the learning curve.
At the end of the day, you want to look for a blog host that balances functionality and user-friendliness, ensuring that both beginners and professionals can navigate the platform with ease.
Cost
Your budget plays a significant role in choosing a blog host. Free options like Blogger and WordPress are ideal for hobbyists or those just starting out, while paid platforms such as Squarespace and Bluehost cater to those seeking more robust features and scalability.
You should keep in mind that free plans often come with limitations, such as platform branding or restricted customisation options, which may not align with professional goals. Say, for example, you’re looking to host ads on your blog to bring in additional income, with a free plan, you may not be able to do this.
Customisation (An essential feature of blog hosts)
The ability to customise your blog’s appearance and functionality can make a big difference in your success. A blog host with a wide range of themes and plugins, like WordPress for example, allows you to tailor your site to reflect your brand and meet the needs of your audience.
This flexibility is especially useful for blogs focused on specific niches that require unique layouts or features. Free platforms may have limited design options, which could restrict your creativity. Paid hosts often provide advanced customisation tools, enabling you to integrate additional features such as eCommerce functionality, interactive elements, and more.
When evaluating a platform, consider how much control you need over the design and functionality of your blog. You may find it best to start with a free platform to get a few articles published, then as your audience grows, investing in a paid account to fully customise your website to your branding.
Scalability
If you plan to grow your blog over time, scalability should be a top consideration. Some platforms, like WordPress and Bluehost, are well-suited for scaling up as your audience and content expand. They allow you to add features, upgrade hosting plans, and handle increased traffic seamlessly.
In contrast to this, free platforms may not offer the same flexibility, potentially limiting your growth. Think about your long-term goals when choosing a blog host, and select one that can evolve alongside your blog. Whilst you can switch between platforms at a later date, this will likely be a big headache for Future You.
SEO Features
SEO is crucial for driving organic traffic to your blog. Blog hosts with built-in SEO tools can simplify the optimisation process, helping you rank higher in search engine results. For example, platforms like WordPress and Squarespace offer features such as customisable meta tags, XML sitemaps, and clean URLs to boost your blog’s visibility.
If you’re new to SEO, it stands for Search Engine Optimisation, and is the process of optimising your website to ensure it appears in search engine results – meaning that when people search for something using sites like Google or Bing, your website shows up.
Even if your chosen host doesn’t have specific SEO tools, we highly recommend you run through our free 25-point SEO checklist before you publish any articles.
Monetisation Options
We spoke about this in the Cost section, but if you’re planning to monetise your blog, make sure the platform supports the necessary tools and integrations. WordPress, for instance, allows you to run ads, use affiliate marketing, and sell products through eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce.
Some free platforms will place restrictions on monetisation for basic plans. Paid plans often remove these limits, enabling you to explore multiple revenue streams. For example, Squarespace, the platform we use for The Side Hustle Blueprint, doesn’t allow you to run ads unless you pay for a business account.
By considering these features, you can select a blog host that meets your needs and sets you up for long-term success. Keep your goals and priorities in mind, and you’ll be well-equipped to find the perfect platform for your blogging journey.
If you’re looking to start a blog and make it your side hustle, we recommend reading our ultimate guide to setting up a side hustle blog!
The 10 Best Blog Hosts for Side Hustles
Now that we know what we should be looking out for when it comes to picking blog hosts, let’s explore ten of the very best options out there. Here, we’ll give you an overview of each platform, looking at a description of the platform itself, the overall cost (if any), as well as a list of the pros and cons for you to consider.
1. WordPress.org
Cost: Free (Hosting required, starting at £3 per month)
WordPress.org is the most popular self-hosted blog platform. It offers complete control and flexibility, allowing users to design their site, add plugins, and optimise for SEO.
Pros
Extensive customisation options
Access to thousands of themes and plugins
Scalable for blogs of all sizes
Cons
Requires purchasing hosting and a domain name
Slight learning curve for beginners
2. Wix
Cost: Free (Premium plans from £4/month)
Wix is a user-friendly website builder with drag-and-drop functionality. It’s ideal for bloggers who value simplicity and visual appeal.
Pros
Intuitive interface suitable for beginners
Plenty of stylish templates
All-in-one hosting and design platform
Cons
Free plan includes Wix branding and ads
Limited customisation compared to WordPress
3. Squarespace
Cost: Paid (Starting at £10/month)
Squarespace is renowned for its sleek, professional templates, making it a favourite among creatives and businesses. For reference, this is what we use for The Side Hustle Blueprint.
Pros
Stunning, mobile-responsive templates
Built-in SEO and analytics tools
Excellent customer support
Cons
More expensive than many alternatives
Less flexibility with customisation
4. WordPress.com
Cost: Free (Premium plans from £3/month)
WordPress.com is a managed hosting solution ideal for those who don’t want to handle technical details. It’s a streamlined alternative to WordPress.org.
Pros
Free hosting and subdomain options
Easy setup and maintenance
SEO-friendly out of the box
Cons
Limited control over design and features
Ads on free plans
5. Blogger
Cost: Paid (Starting at £2.50/month)
HostGator offers reliable web hosting services with plans tailored to bloggers. It’s ideal for those looking for affordable hosting with good performance.
Pros
Affordable plans with free domain registration
99.9% uptime guarantee
24/7 customer support
Cons
Requires separate blog setup
Basic plans may lack advanced features
7. Medium
Cost: Free
Medium is a content-focused platform where writers can share their work and reach a built-in audience without worrying about technicalities.
Pros
No setup required
Built-in audience for your content
Clean, minimalist design
Cons
Limited branding options
You don’t fully own your content
8. Bluehost
Cost: Paid (Starting at £2.50/month)
Bluehost is a top hosting provider that works seamlessly with WordPress. It’s beginner-friendly and offers robust features.
Pros
One-click WordPress installation
Free domain for the first year
Scalable hosting options
Cons
Renewal prices can be higher
Limited features on basic plans
9. Weebly
Cost: Free (Paid plans from £5/month)
Weebly is another drag-and-drop builder offering easy-to-use tools for creating blogs and small websites.
Pros
Simple interface and setup
Free SSL certificate included
Decent range of templates
Cons
Limited flexibility for customisation
Free plan includes Weebly branding
10. Ghost
Cost: Paid (Starting at £7/month)
Ghost is designed for professional publishers and writers who want a clean, distraction-free blogging experience.
Pros
Focused on content creation and distribution
Fast, lightweight platform
Built-in SEO and analytics
Cons
Limited design options compared to competitors
No free plan is available
Conclusion
When it comes to selecting a blog host, there’s no one-size-fits-all option. Choosing the right blog host depends on your goals, technical skills, and budget.
For maximum customisation and growth potential, WordPress.org remains the top choice. Beginners seeking simplicity may prefer Wix or Blogger, while those looking for a content-first approach might gravitate towards Medium or Ghost.
Ultimately, the platform that’s right for you all comes down to your needs and goals. Carefully assess your priorities and start building your blog with the host that best suits your needs.
Before you select your blogging platform, you need to know what you’re going to be writing about. And if you’re not sure how to do that, we recommend using mind maps to help you discover your passions and interests!
![The Anatomy of a Perfect Blog Post: Structure, SEO, and Engagement [INFOGRAPHIC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cfebab7bfcecb000194cc60/1739551006784-EHEIBO7KO3PAYMG8VB54/07+-+Cover+-+The+Anatomy+of+a+Perfect+Blog+Post+Structure%2C+SEO%2C+and+Engagement+%5BINFOGRAPHIC%5D.png)
