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WordPress Guide → WooCommerce
How to choose the best WooCommerce hosting
Getting your business online is an exciting step. But once you decide to build your store on WooCommerce, the next big decision is where to host it. Picking the right WooCommerce hosting provider is crucial because it can affect your store’s speed, security, and overall customer experience.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your existing setup, this guide will walk you through the essentials. WooCommerce might feel a bit overwhelming if you’re new to website development, but don’t worry—you’ve got everything you need right here.
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What is WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is an open-source ecommerce platform built specifically to run on WordPress sites. It’s a plugin—a WordPress add-on—that turns a WordPress site into a fully functional online store.
WooCommerce is extremely popular, for several reasons. It’s a free plug-in, so if a site is already built on WordPress, adding an online store is simple. WooCommerce is also famously flexible and highly customizable, so users can tailor their stores to meet their needs.
While WooCommerce is one of the most popular options for building an ecommerce site, it’s not the only one. Platforms like Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento), BigCommerce, and Shopify also offer powerful ecommerce solutions.
WooCommerce does stand out, though, for its ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and active community of users and developers.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is a service that allows you to put your website on the internet. Think of it like renting space for your store in the digital world. Hosting providers offer servers where your site’s data—like images, products, and content—are stored and accessed by visitors when they browse your site.
WooCommerce gives you the tools you need to build your online store—it’s the shelves you hang and the cash register you plunk on the counter. Web hosting is the building you rent.
Most web hosts provide a variety of services, from basic storage to more advanced features like daily backups, security, and customer support. But before you can get started, you’ll need a domain name, which is the address visitors use to find your store online.
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Why choosing the best WooCommerce hosting provider is important
Picking the right hosting provider can be the difference between a successful and one that loses customers. A good WoodCommerce hosting provider will:
Keep your store online
Good hosting makes sure your store is always online, which means happy customers and more sales. High quality hosting providers offer strong uptime guarantees—ideally 99.9% or higher—so your store doesn’t crash.
Make your store fast
Site speed is crucial for customer satisfaction and completing sales. A good hosting provider will offer features that keep your site speedy, like server-side caching and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).
Secure your (and your customers’) data
Security is non-negotiable for any online store. A reliable hosting provider will help keep your customers’ data safe with SSL certificates, firewalls, and regular updates, and help you stay PCI-compliant.
Help optimize your site for Google
There are a lot of factors involved in optimizing your site to show up in organic search results, but the speed and security of the domain are two big ones.
How to choose the best WooCommerce hosting
If it seems like a lot to think about … that’s because it is. First, you’ll need to know a little more about different types of web hosting, then you can evaluate your ecommerce needs, and then we’ll look at how to evaluate providers.
I. Understand the different types of web hosting
There are different types of web hosting, even if we’re just talking about WooCommerce sites.
Choosing the right type of hosting depends on the size of your store, the amount of traffic you expect, and your specific requirements. Let’s go over the most common types, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Shared hosting
Shared hosting means your store shares server resources with multiple other websites. This is generally the most affordable type of hosting, making it an appealing choice for new or very small stores.
Shared hosting benefits
- Cost-effective: Shared hosting is simple, and so it’s generally the least expensive hosting option, making it ideal for small businesses on a tight budget.
- Beginner-friendly: These plans are straightforward and easy to set up, so they’re great for those without technical experience.
- Basic support included: Most shared hosting plans come with basic support, which can be helpful if you’re new to web hosting.
Shared hosting challenges
- Limited resources: Your site could experience slowdowns when other sites on the server are busy, because resources are shared without boundaries.
- Lower performance: Shared hosting is not designed for high-performance websites, so it usually can’t handle high traffic or large, media-heavy sites.
- Security risks – Sharing a server with other sites can expose your store to security risks if another site on the same server is compromised.
VPS hosting
VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting provides a dedicated slice of server resources, giving you more control and flexibility than shared hosting. It’s a good choice for growing stores that need more power. Some hosting providers even offer WooCommerce VPS, specifically, because it’s such a good option for ecommerce.
VPS hosting benefits
- Greater control: With VPS hosting, you have more control over your server environment, allowing you to configure settings to meet your store’s needs.
- Better performance: Since your server resources are isolated, your site can handle more traffic and run faster than with shared hosting.
- Scalability: VPS hosting offers scalability, meaning you can upgrade your resources as your store grows without switching to a new hosting plan.
VPS hosting challenges
- Requires technical knowledge: Configuring and managing a VPS generally requires some technical expertise, making it less beginner-friendly.
- Higher cost: VPS hosting is not expensive, but it is a little more than shared hosting, which may not be possible for businesses on a tight budget.
- Potential resource limitations: While more powerful than shared hosting, a VPS still shares physical hardware, which can limit performance if server demands are high.
Dedicated hosting
Dedicated hosting is when your store has an entire server to itself. This option is all about performance and control, making it best for large stores with heavy traffic and advanced requirements.
Dedicated hosting benefits
- Maximum control: You have full control over the server’s setup, allowing for advanced customizations and optimizations tailored to your store.
- High performance: With all server resources dedicated to your store, you’ll have the power to handle high traffic, complex sites, and large files.
- Enhanced security: Since no other sites are hosted on the server, there’s less risk of vulnerabilities caused by other users, providing a secure environment.
Dedicated hosting challenges
- High cost: Dedicated hosting represents the most expensive options, so it’s typically only used for large stores that demand top-tier performance.
- Technical expertise required: Dedicated servers are usually self-managed (unless additional support is purchased from the provider), which requires significant technical skills. You’ll be responsible for setup, updates, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Cloud hosting
Cloud hosting is a broad term for a number of web hosting services that provide access to a server, or network of servers, via remote access. It’s a difficult term, because many people generally understand ‘the cloud’ as remote access to an off-site server, but that definition of ‘cloud’ doesn’t apply to hosting.
Cloud hosting can refer to a virtualized server built on a network of physical servers. Or it can refer to a virtualized server build on one piece of hardware. (Virtualization is a technology that allows you to create virtual versions of physical components, such as servers, storage devices, networks, and operating systems.)
What you need to know for now, is that cloud hosting is generally a hosting solution that sits between VPS and fully dedicated hosting.
Cloud hosting benefits
- Scalability: Cloud hosting is highly scalable, making it easy to increase or decrease resources based on traffic spikes or seasonal demand.
- Cost efficiency: You only pay for the resources you use, which can be cost-effective for stores with fluctuating traffic levels.
Cloud hosting challenges
- Complex pricing: While generally cost-efficient, cloud hosting can become expensive if your traffic surges unexpectedly, as you’re charged based on usage.
- Technical knowledge required: Managing a cloud hosting environment can require some understanding of server management, depending on the provider and the plan.
Managed hosting
Managed hosting is a service wherein the hosting provider handles most of the technical tasks, like software updates, security patches, and backups. This option is available for various types of hosting, including VPS, dedicated, and cloud.
Managed hosting, then, is best for ecommerce business owners who don’t have a lot of hosting IT expertise.
Managed hosting benefits
- Time-saving: Managed hosting frees up your time, allowing you to focus on running your store while the hosting provider handles the technical tasks.
- Enhanced security: Managed hosting plans typically come with advanced security features, including malware scanning, firewalls, and SSL certificates.
- Expert support: Managed hosting providers usually offer specialized support, which can be a huge benefit if you’re not comfortable managing the technical side of things.
Managed hosting challenges
- Higher cost: Managed hosting is generally more expensive than self-managed options due to the added services, which may not be necessary for every store.
- Less control: With the provider handling the technical aspects, you may have less control over certain server settings and configurations.
- Provider dependency: You’re relying on the provider to manage your site’s backend, so it’s essential to choose a provider with a strong track record and good customer service.
- Managed WooCommerce hosting is a popular option, since many business owners are focused on their stores and not on learning website development or hosting IT.
II. Make a list of your ecommerce needs
Before looking at specific hosting providers, it’s important to get a clear idea of what your WooCommerce store actually needs. Making a wish list of requirements and capabilities will help you choose the best hosting provider for your unique situation.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself:
Q: How many online visitors do you get (or can you reasonably expect)?
Think about your physical store’s current traffic, if you have one, and/or your current website traffic, if you have one—and any expected growth.
If you’re just starting out, you might not be getting much traffic, but if you’re promoting your store or have a busy season, that could change quickly. Hosting plans typically have limits on how much traffic they can handle, so knowing your numbers will help you pick a plan that can support your busiest days.
Q: How much file storage will you need?
File storage refers to the space needed to store your website’s files, like images, videos, and product information. Product images—especially high-quality ones—take up a lot of space, and video uses even more.
If you plan on adding more expanding your store or product offering, your storage needs will increase. Choose a hosting plan that offers enough storage now, AND the option to scale up later as needed.
Q: What other ecommerce features do you want?
WooCommerce stores are extremely customizable. There are thousands of plugins available that can add features to your store. Do you want to set up a newsletter, add or automate customer reviews, track inventory, offer coupon codes, etc.?
Each plugin can impact your website’s performance, so knowing which features you want will help you choose a host that can handle these added tools without slowing down your site.
Q: How much technical support will you need?
Web hosting can get technical, especially if something goes wrong. Be honest about your level of technical skill. If you’re not comfortable handling website issues on your own, choose a hosting provider that offers managed hosting services, or at least reputable customer support. This can be a lifesaver if you don’t have much experience or access to a tech-savvy friend or team member.
Q: What’s your budget?
Web hosting costs can vary widely, and it’s hard to set a firm budget before you start shopping. Still, try to think about a budget range. It will help you narrow down your options.
Remember that while basic plans might be cheaper, they may not include all the features you need. It’s also wise to watch out for additional fees, such as costs for extra storage or advanced support. Some hosting providers offer transparent pricing, while others might have hidden fees, so it’s worth checking exactly what’s included.
III. Evaluate WooCommerce hosting providers
Now you’re ready to start comparing hosting providers. When evaluating different hosts, consider a range of factors to find the best match for your WooCommerce store. Let’s explore the key considerations that can impact your store’s success.
1. Features specific WooCommerce hosting options
Choosing a hosting provider that is familiar with WooCommerce is the most important factor, because it covers so many more technical considerations.
For example, WooCommerce has unique requirements—like sufficient server resources to host multiple plugins, secure payment gateways, PHP versions, MySQL or MariaDB database support, and HTTPS to run properly. Fortunately, these have been table stakes for hosting providers for decades; everyone offers these.
WooCommerce experience will also help to ensure that your store runs smoothly, with limited (or no) downtime. WooCommerce-specific hosting often includes optimized servers, caching, and database configurations to help your store load quickly and efficiently.
Some hosts even offer to pre-installed WooCommerce when you sign up for hosting, making setup fast and easy, and reducing the likelihood of compatibility issues.
Finally, WooCommerce-focused hosts are more likely to provide extra tools like one-click staging environments and automated updates. These features simplify the process of maintaining and updating your store, which is essential as your business grows and changes over time.
2. Offers migration services
If you already have a WooCommerce store but want to switch hosts, migration services are invaluable. Migration involves moving your entire website—files, databases, and all—from one hosting provider to another. A hosting provider that offers migration services can take care of this process for you, saving you time and preventing potential technical issues.
Migrating a WooCommerce store isn’t as simple as moving a basic website. There’s customer data, order histories, and a complex database structure to manage. A good migration service will ensure everything is transferred accurately and that your store’s downtime is minimized during the switch.
Many providers offering migration services also assist with testing and troubleshooting to ensure your store functions correctly on the new server. They’ll help identify any plugins or settings that may not work with the new host and provide solutions.
Look for hosts that offer free or low-cost migration services. Many providers include this as a part of their managed WooCommerce hosting, making it easier for you to switch without extra expenses or headaches.
3. Prioritizes security
Don’t let your WooCommerce store be the weak link that exposes customer data.
Security is crucial for an ecommerce store, because you’re handling payment details and other sensitive customer information. Ensure your host has robust security measures in place for protecting your store and customer data from cyber threats.
One essential security feature, for example, is an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, which encrypts data exchanged between your store and your customers. SSL helps prevent hackers from intercepting sensitive information, like credit card numbers. Some hosts include free SSL certificates, because they’re so important for an ecommerce store.
A good hosting provider will offer additional security features as well, such as firewalls, malware scanning, and regular software updates. These help protect your store and your customers from data breaches and malware attacks, which can lead to financial losses and destroy your brand’s reputation.Another security measure to look for is two-factor authentication (2FA) for your hosting account. This adds a extra layer of protection, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access your store’s backend.
4. Optimizes for speed
Website speed is crucial for both UX and SEO. Slow websites can lead to high bounce rates (when someone clicks into your store and bails right away) and lost sales, so it’s essential to choose a host that prioritizes performance.
One way to boost site speed is by using a Content Delivery Network (CDN). A CDN distributes site content across multiple servers worldwide, so that visitors can access data from the server closest to them. This reduces load times, which improves the user experience—especially for stores with international customers.
Another speed consideration to look for is server-side caching. Caching temporarily stores data so that a site loads faster for returning visitors. That means server-side caching can also speed up your store, making it easier for customers to browse and make purchases.
Many WooCommerce-optimized hosts offer additional performance-enhancing tools like image optimization and minification of CSS and JavaScript files, which further contribute to faster load times.
5. Automates daily backups
Backing up your store is like having an insurance policy. If something goes wrong—whether due to a technical error, cyberattack, or accidental deletion—daily backups ensure you can quickly restore your site to a recent version.
Automated daily backups are particularly important for ecommerce stores because they update frequently with new orders, inventory changes, and customer information. An ecommerce host that offers automated backups takes care of this for you, guaranteeing that your data is safe … without requiring you to remember to manually run a backup.
Additionally, look for hosts that store multiple backup versions, so you can choose a specific point in time to restore from. Why? If a problem goes unnoticed for a few days you may need to restore an older version.
In addition to daily backups, some hosting providers allow for on-demand backups, which let you create a manual backup before making major changes to your store. This provides peace of mind and a layer of security when updating themes, plugins, or WooCommerce itself.
6. Provides multi-channel, expert support
When you run a WooCommerce store, support is essential. Ecommerce stores can encounter issues at any time, so it’s crucial to have access to knowledgeable, responsive support from your hosting provider.
Multi-channel support means you can reach the support team in various ways, such as by phone, chat, or email. This flexibility is especially helpful if you prefer one method over another or need quick assistance during busy times.
WooCommerce experience will also help to ensure that your store runs smoothly, with limited (or no) downtime. WooCommerce-specific hosting often includes optimized servers, caching, and database configurations to help your store load quickly and efficiently.
Look for providers who offer 24/7/365 support, because problems can arise at any time. Hosts with WooCommerce- and WordPress-specific expertise are particularly valuable, because they’ll understand the unique challenges your store is facing and can offer effective solutions and fixes.Additionally, some hosts provide resources like knowledge bases, tutorials, and community forums. These resources can be gold for finding answers to common questions and learning how to manage your store effectively.
7. Meets storage requirements
Storage is a key consideration for an ecommerce store. Your hosting plan needs to accommodate your current files and any future growth, especially as you add more products, images, and possibly even videos.
High-quality product images, media, and detailed product descriptions enhance the customer experience, but they also take up a lot of space. Ensure your host provides ample storage so your site doesn’t become cramped or sluggish over time.Some hosts offer scalable storage options, allowing you to increase space as needed. This flexibility can be beneficial as your store grows and requires more storage to handle an expanding inventory and larger customer base.
8. Can scale easily as your business grows
Scalability is the ability of your hosting plan to grow with your business. In ecommerce, sudden traffic spikes can happen during sales events, holidays, or marketing campaigns, so it’s essential to choose a host that can handle these changes.
A scalable hosting provider will allow you to upgrade your resources, such as CPU and RAM, without significant downtime or disruption to your site. This is particularly important for WooCommerce and other online stores, where slowdowns can lead to missed sales opportunities.
Cloud hosting, for example, offers seamless scalability by adding resources on-demand. Many hosts also offer VPS and dedicated server options that can accommodate growing businesses without requiring a complete migration to a new provider or server.
9. Guarantees competitive uptime
Uptime is a measure of how often your site is online and accessible to customers. High uptime is essential for ecommerce stores because downtime can lead to lost sales, frustrated customers, and damage to your reputation.
Look for hosts that guarantee at least 99.9% uptime, though some providers go even higher, offering 99.999% or even 100% uptime. These higher guarantees reflect a provider’s confidence in their infrastructure and ability to keep your store online.Uptime guarantees often come with a service level agreement (SLA), which may entitle you to compensation if the host fails to meet their uptime commitment. It’s worth reviewing the terms to understand what’s covered.
10. Uses server-side caching
Caching is a technique that temporarily stores data to reduce the time it takes to load your site for visitors. In general, commonly accessed data (images, files, precompiled PHP scripts, database queries, etc.) is stored in a cache, creating a smaller pool of potential data. When someone visit a webpage, this smaller pool of data is referenced first. If the page is in the cache, it can be shown to that user more quickly.
Server-side caching is a type of caching that happens on the server level, meaning your store’s data is ready to go before a customer even requests it. This enables faster load times and a smoother shopping experience, especially for returning visitors.
Hosts that offer server-side caching usually provide tools or settings to help you customize caching based on your store’s needs. This can further improve the speed and efficiency of your site, benefiting both user experience and SEO.
11. Keeps pricing transparent
Pricing transparency is essential to avoid unexpected costs. Some hosts advertise low rates but tack on hidden fees for essentials like SSL certificates, backups, or support services.
Common hidden fees include extra charges for exceeding data limits, accessing additional storage, or using certain plugins. Some hosts also have steep renewal rates that kick in after an initial promotional period, so it’s crucial to review all potential costs.
Choose a host that offers clear pricing information and a full breakdown of what’s included. Many reputable providers offer flat-rate pricing that bundles essential features into one plan, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
12. Allows access for developers
Developer access, called root access, is important if you or someone on your team plans to make advanced customizations to your WooCommerce store. Root access allows you to modify server settings, install custom software, and fully control the environment.
If you’re working with a developer or have technical experience yourself, root access can open up possibilities for optimizing your store’s performance and adding unique features. However, not all hosting plans offer this level of access, so it’s worth checking before committing to a plan.
13. Offers a free trial or guarantee
A free trial or money-back guarantee gives you the chance to test out the hosting provider’s services with minimal risk. These offers allow you to experience their support, check site speed, and test the features they promise.
A money-back guarantee also signals the provider’s confidence in their services. Most hosts that offer guarantees or trials provide a minimum of 30 days, giving you plenty of time to see if they’re the right fit for your WooCommerce store.
It’s a good idea to read the fine print on these offers, as some may have limitations or conditions. But in general, a free trial or guarantee is an excellent way to ensure you’re making the best choice for your store.
Summary: What to look for in a WooCommerce hosting provider:
- Features specific WooCommerce hosting options
- Offers migration services
- Prioritizes security
- Optimizes for speed
- Automates daily backups
- Provides multi-channel, expert support
- Meets storage requirements
- Can scale easily as your business grows
- Guarantees competitive uptime
- Uses server-side caching
- Keeps pricing transparent
- Allows access for developers
- Offers a free trial or guarantee
IV. Evaluate value and price
When choosing a WooCommerce hosting provider, it’s easy to just look at the price. After all, most people starting an online store are working with a tight budget.
However, it’s essential to consider the total value of a hosting provider—not just the price tag. Value goes beyond cost by taking into account the features, support, and performance that help create a seamless and successful ecommerce experience.
A low-cost hosting plan may seem attractive at first glance, but there’s usually a trade-off.
Value vs price: hosting features
Budget providers often limit important features like storage, security, or speed, which can destroy your store’s performance and customer experience.
Another area where value and pricing may be at odds is in the availability of premium features like daily backups, CDN integration, or SSL certificates. These features may be add-ons with some providers, leading to unexpected costs. A WooCommerce hosting plan that includes these essentials in a single package might have a higher sticker price attached, but actually offer better value by sparing you from having to purchase those individual add-ons later.
Value vs price: support
Additionally, cheaper web hosting plans frequently don’t include customer support, leaving management, maintenance, and solving problems completely up to you. Investing a little more in a higher-tier plan almost always pays off in terms of reliability and peace of mind.
For example, managed hosting costs more than self-managed hosting, but that’s because it includes services like automatic updates, security monitoring, and expert support. These added features can be invaluable if you’re not familiar with hosting IT, because they ensure your site is secure, up-to-date, and well-maintained without requiring your direct involvement.
Ultimately, choosing a web host based on value rather than just price saves you time, money, and hassle. Investing in a hosting service that offers comprehensive features, expert support, and superior performance isn’t just paying for web space—it’s investing in your business’s growth and success. So, when evaluating your options, think about the long-term benefits and total cost of ownership rather than just the initial price.
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Tiffany Bridge is the Product Manager of Ecommerce Applications, Security, and Professional Services at Liquid Web, where she spends every day thinking about the needs of ecommerce businesses and the people who own them.