Let’s be honest. Buying your first web hosting plan is confusing. You read a few reviews, see names like Bluehost or GoDaddy, and just pick one. Then, six months later, you realize your site is slow, you’re paying too much, or you found a way better option.
It’s a terrible feeling. Especially when you’re just trying to get your first WordPress site online.
The thing is, most of the technical jargon doesn’t matter to a beginner. But a few things do. So before you click “buy,” here’s what actually makes a host good in 2025.
What Actually Matters in a “Good” Web Host
You can ignore most of the marketing. It really boils down to three things:
- Server Software: You want to see the words “LiteSpeed Server.” It’s just a newer, faster technology than the old stuff, and it makes WordPress, in particular, run much smoother.
- Server Hardware: Look for “NVMe Storage.” It’s the new standard that’s replacing older SSDs, and it’s significantly faster. Think of it as the difference between a high-speed train and a regular one.
- Server Location: Where are their data centers? If your audience is in the U.S., you want a server in the U.S. If it’s in Europe, you want one there. The closer the data is to your visitor, the faster your site loads for them.
Why Hostinger is My Pick for First-Time WordPress Users
This is where the choice gets tough. You could go super-technical and build your own virtual private server (VPS). It’s fast and cheap. But here’s the catch: you get nothing else. You’d be responsible for setting up your own SSL certificate, email, security, backups… it’s a nightmare for a beginner.
This is exactly why Hostinger is my go-to recommendation for 80% of people.
Hostinger is what I’d call the “all-in-one” web hosting solution. It’s not for tech experts who want to build a server from scratch. It’s for people who want to build a website and not worry about the backend.
When you sign up, you get everything you need in one bundle:
- A free domain name
- A free SSL certificate (this is the “https” lock) that installs easily
- Free business email
- Automatic WordPress installation
- Good 24/7 support
- And yes, they use LiteSpeed servers, NVMe storage, and have data centers all over the world.
For someone launching their first WordPress blog, this is the most efficient path. You’re paying for simplicity and peace of mind. You can get your site live in an afternoon instead of spending a week figuring out server settings.
It’s why I recommend their Business plan to most people starting out web hosting. You can check it out here:
https://hostinger.com?REFERRALCODE=QBXJEEWONK3H
The Bonus: How Hostinger Can Pay You
So, you’re a happy user. Your site is running well. Here’s the other part I like.
Hostinger has a “Refer & Earn” program, and it’s not a complicated affiliate program for marketers. It’s a simple “thank you” for regular customers.
The core idea is simple:
- You Share Your Link: You get a unique referral link from your Hostinger dashboard.
- Your Friend Buys: Your friend clicks that link and buys an eligible hosting plan.
- You Both Win: Your friend gets a 20% discount on their purchase, and you get a 20% commission from that sale (which can be up to $200).
There’s a 45-day hold period on your commission, which is perfectly reasonable. It just covers their 30-day money-back guarantee, plus 15 days for processing. It’s a genuine win-win. Your friend saves money, and you get a kickback. My link, for example, is
https://hostinger.com?REFERRALCODE=QBXJEEWONK3H
Cashing Out (It’s Easy, Too)
Once you’ve earned a commission, you have three options to get your money:
- PayPal (minimum $50)
- Bank Wire Transfer (minimum $200)
- Hostinger Credit (minimum $30)
Honestly, if you plan on using Hostinger for a while, the credit is a great deal. You can use it to pay for your plan renewals or upgrade.
And the best part? There’s no limit. You can refer as many people as you want. It’s not going to replace your day job, but it’s one of the easiest ways to make some extra cash from a service you’re already using.
So, if you’re on the fence about your first WordPress host, Hostinger is a safe, efficient bet to just get started without the technical headaches. And if you’re already a user, don’t forget this program exists.
If this sounds like a fit, it might be worth checking out. You can get started right here:
https://hostinger.com?REFERRALCODE=QBXJEEWONK3H
What do you think? Seems like a pretty easy win to me.