Decision to select a host

[ftleow]

Hi Everyone,

I'm in the mid of making a decision to pick a host that is WP-friendly, business-friendly and user-friendly for my web design & development business. Looking for suggestions. Below are some criteria which I consider as important:

• Offer good migration service
• Good Security & Scalable
• High Performance
• Good customer service
• Good track records of history in terms of reliability
• Genesis framework-friendly is a plus

I'm open to hear from you guys. Thank you.

[AnitaC]

I think the best way to get that answer is to use Google as there are a ton of posts on this subject matter. They offer a lot of comparisons that could be more useful and meaningful for you in your search.

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[Genesis Developer]

WPE/ SiteGround/Kinsta

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[Baz]

If you need fast and reliable hosting with built-in features (cache/cdn/etc) then managed hosting from the likes of WPEngine and SiteGround is highly recommended (speaking from experience).

The problem with comparison websites is that the hosts which pay the most affiliate commissions are usually in the top spots!

[ftleow]

Thanks, Baz and Genesis Developer,

I was just going to reply .. I searched Google for any topics of interest before I post in this forum, and wasn't satisfied with the results, hence, I'm here to hear from the community hoping to understand / learn something of value and different. Really thanks for the suggestions.

[tankera13]

I personally, can tell you, (and, IF I ever get my own website up and running, will also sign up for affiliate account...LOL)
I use Flywheel for hosting and moved to them in 2015 - and I moved to Genesis theme around the same time, for ease of operations - and invested in and still use Dynamik Website builder, as Child Theme for new sites and older clients re-design work - want to know why?

Well, on theme front, I like the Genesis theme & the Dynamik theme for flexibility, expandibility, quick ramp up or more comprehensive tools to build more complex sites (providers who, BTW, ALSO give me wealth of how to's via posts/videos to learn/expand my skills while using their product)

Why Flywheel for hosting? Cuz they take ALWAYS care of me - Day or Night - 10 am on a Monday or 3am on a Saturday - their team has never failed to answer whatever question I asked, OR, point me in the right direction to find the info I am so 'noob' at, I often don't even communicate in right terms exactly what I'm searching for -

That said, I must also tell you I am rather picky about 'not keeping all my 'online eggs' in one basket, cuz have been burned by such decisions in the past (like 2010 - 2015) when choosing providers/themes, plugins - and yet, 'birds of a feather flock together' and I find that both Genesis and Flywheel (recently) have now come under the WP Engine umbrella of services since my first foray into using these services - how all this plays out in the future, well - I will see - 🙂

However, the online knowledgebases, the helpful support, etc., along with adaptability to do 'quick/easy' up to 'very customized as I want' tools is what I strive for, along with Hosting that makes it easier for me to say, "Oops! Not that - sigh! Awesome! No harm done! It was in staging (or update I thought was 'tiny' and cowboyed it, needs to be restored to 'last back up" (which, by the way, is always less than 24 hours ago - automatically!)

- and I know, I know, you just asked for a hosting service - but, my recommendation is Flywheel, who has just joined the WPEngine family, given the dual announcements I received last week from both lists I subscribe to - 🙂

Flat out, if you want to move, you want someone with free migration services, who can either show you through online help files and/or has folks standing by to help you move when you're under duress -
In 2015, the Flywheel team did all of the above, for me, when the last 3 client sites I was waiting for 'good time to move/change DNS files for' were 'down due to block of servers going down" that the *old company I used to do business with* informed me the server was fine, when I couldn't access my sites at all - not even cPanel - and who, after I had been 'telling them for the last 27 minutes in chat support - kept telling me 'we are fine, must be your problem' but then, quickly sent a chat, saying..."oh, wait, you're right... yeah we have a server block down in that city - announcement just came out, check (this link) to see status and to know when your server is back up* and

- 4 days later? When the *old company who shall be un-named, just cuz I'm not vindictive* servers were back online?
Well, didn't matter to me they were back up, cuz my last 3 sites were migrated, hurry-scurry, and tested, etc., by the helpful migration team at Flywheel - and that was done a good 2.5 or so days before the 'server block' at old company came back online and accessible ...if only, I was had still been pointing the DNS records to them....LOL

🙂
So there is my personal story, sans any affiliate links, etc., cuz I've been busy enough doing for my small in number, rural clients, I STILL don't have me own website up and going - But if I do, AND if the tools I use for me and my clients, and my daily peace of mind, have affiliate options? Yup, I'll put them in, just in case anyone thinks my experience of 'joy' is a description of what they think will work for them... 🙂

Earlier respondents are right - just "Googling' it means you will find many posts, touting what has worked best (or what folks don't use for themselves, but, nevertheless, have an affiliate link for - ...sigh...)

In the end, you must choose what works best for your operation/goals - but for me?

Team Flywheel hosting, Genesis Framework (and their useful list of plug-ins) AND Dynamik Website Builder are all the flock of birds I have never, ever, regretted the decision to fly with - 🙂

here's the Flywheel Hosting website link: https://getflywheel.com/
If you are looking for solid themes that are light yet robust, here's the themes/child themes I use, as well -
Framework: https://my.studiopress.com/themes/genesis/
Child Theme: https://cobaltapps.com/downloads/dynamik-website-builder/

Signed - small town girl, trying to serve her rural area organizations, governments and indie biz's with tools that meet both man-hour and budget line needs! :). I hope this 'plug/rave about my faves in both tools & Support is useful to you in your journey to find what's 'right' for your needs!

[ftleow]

Hi tankera13,

Thanks for sharing, it's very useful for me to make the decision. Yeah, I saw that newsletter too about Flywheel's been acquired by WPE.

Thanks really for the time writing down your thoughts. Gonna stick with my current host for now, I think they're doing pretty good so far, start with letter *B*, love their service thus far.

Again, just thought I want to learn more from you guys. Thanks everyone.

[Author]

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