DreamHost is a website hosting service with features such as managed VPS hosting, public cloud computing, and dedicated servers. Managed options include WordPress with the DreamPress upgraded service with staging and coaching, WooCommerce hosting, as well as dedicated server hosting.
$3.95
per month
Namecheap
Score 9.4 out of 10
N/A
Namecheap is a website domain name service offering providing easy domain name registration, and affordable hosting plans.
If you're not too technical, don't want to spend time managing a server and want something quality while sticking to a budget, DreamHost is the best it can get. We may be able to save money by switching to something like AWS, but for our usage it doesn't totally make sense even with potential cost-savings and improved speeds. The support and ease of use cannot be overstated here.
Namecheap is well suited for anyone wanting to register a new domain. Their prices are extremely hard to beat and the renewal costs are also acceptable. They make the search easy so it's the best place if you aren't sure which domain name you want yet. I cannot think of any scenarios where it would be a bad idea to use Namecheap. You can't beat the free whois privacy.
Domain search: When you search for a domain you'd like to register, they provide a list of alternative options using other top level domains (TLDs)
Domain management: Managing domains in Namecheap is nice and simple. Plus, if you need to transfer ownership of a domain to another Namecheap user, the process is quite easy.
Domain sales: Namecheap always has some great domain sales/promotions going on. Need to pick up a domain for 88 cents? Check Namecheap.
Account security: They offer two factor authentication vie their Namecheap app. With that app, you're able to approve or deny login attempts. In my estimation, this is both easier and more secure than having a two factor auth security code emailed or sent to you phone.
Support: Their live chat support is a great option for getting in touch and solving any issues you might be having.
Hosting: They have some great low cost hosting options.
There was one instance where DreamHost support caused unnecessary downtime because they misread my request. Unfortunately I don't have access to that account anymore (it was an old employer) so I don't remember the details. To avoid this, make it very clear whether you're just asking a question or want support to handle it (they can be quite eager to fix the problem even when you've just asked a question), and be VERY clear what you need when doing the wrong thing may cause serious problems.
We have every intention of staying with Dreamhost, but we are a tad concerned with the company's recent involvement in high profile litigation and controversial topics. While we don't take a position one way or another on what type of content they should host, one concern we have is that repeated attacks on their infrastructure have caused significant downtime during business hours for us, and that's something we'll have to take into consideration going forward.
Personally I find it really easy to use and getting everything set-up and sorted is no problem at all, from initial account set-up and purchasing to the technical aspects required
Whether we're calling in on the phone, live chatting or emailing, we get immediate high-quality, native English-speaking support. This cannot be overstated when it comes to hosting, because support tickets are usually time sensitive and high stress. I've always had great experiences with the limited times we've needed to use DreamHost support. We've dealt with support for many other providers and no one comes close to DreamHost.
We very rarely have to reach out to customer support because the service is so quick, easy and intuitive to use. But when we have had to use it, the customer service was quick, reliable, answered our questions and addressed our problems without too much back and forth, and was native English speaking.
We've tried a few other WordPress-specific hosts, as well as other shared hosting providers (Rackspace, WPEngine, and others). We have found that DreamHost gives the best balance of cost, performance, and features, for our needs. All vendors have their own pitfalls and shortcomings, and DreamHost isn't without its own, but it works for us.
Namecheap is the best. Best price. Best service. Best UI. Best documentation. Best customer services. What impresses me the most about Namecheap is that they are there to do one thing really well. And they do it excellently. Unless something drastically changes, I will be a Namecheap customer for life. I can’t think of anything that any other company could offer me that would convince me to change. Other domain registrars are horrible to use, and it feels like you’re going to be taken advantage of the entire time. Namecheap is like the “Take 5 Oil Change” or “Five Guys Burgers and Fries” of domain registrars. They do one thing INCREDIBLY well. They are fast, affordable, friendly, easy to use, and they legitimately make the experience fun.
