As a blogger, you're likely no stranger to the importance of having a reliable and efficient hosting service for your Ghost website. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.
Bluehost, for instance, is a popular choice among bloggers, offering a 1-click Ghost installation and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For those on a budget, Hostinger provides an affordable option with a free domain and a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
If you're looking for a more hands-on approach, self-hosting with a provider like DigitalOcean allows you to have complete control over your website's infrastructure.
Choosing a Hosting Platform
Choosing a hosting platform for your Ghost website is crucial for its performance and security. The cheapest plan in hosted Ghost is $29 a month, but it doesn't come with a free domain, making self-hosted options more appealing.
You can get a droplet on DigitalOcean for as low as $5 a month, which is almost 6 times cheaper than hosted Ghost. This cost-effectiveness makes self-hosting an attractive option for those just starting out.
To ensure your Ghost site runs smoothly, look for a hosting platform that supports Node.js, has one-click installations, and offers robust infrastructure with high availability. This will guarantee fast loading speeds and minimize downtime.
Some key factors to consider when choosing a Ghost hosting platform include:
- Node.js Support
- Ease of Setup
- Performance and Uptime
- Scalability
- SSL and Security
- Pricing Transparency
- Content Delivery Network (CDN)
- Support and Documentation
- Backup and Restore Options
Ghost Pro vs
Ghost Pro vs self-hosting: which one is right for you? If you're looking for a hassle-free experience, Ghost Pro is the way to go. It's the official managed hosting service provided by Ghost CMS, designed to offer a seamless experience with full support for all Ghost-specific features and optimizations.
Ghost Pro costs from $9/month, while self-hosting starts at $10/month. However, Ghost Pro includes worldwide Fastly CDN, email newsletter sending, full site backups, and a built-in image editor, all for no extra cost.
Self-hosting, on the other hand, requires you to manage your own servers, databases, and Node.js apps. This can be a lot of work, but it does give you full control over your environment.
Here's a comparison of the two options:
Ultimately, Ghost Pro is the best choice for most people who want to use the Ghost software without worrying about managing servers. If you're part of a technical team and want maximum control and flexibility, self-hosting might be the way to go.
Best Option for Me
Choosing a hosting platform can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. If you're a team that's comfortable managing servers, databases, and Node.js apps, self-hosting might be the way to go.
Self-hosting gives you full control over your environment, but it comes with more complexity and costs. You'll need to sign up for and pay for your own Mailgun account for email delivery and CDN service for performance and scale. This can end up being more expensive, especially if you're sending lots of email newsletters.
For most people, however, Ghost(Pro) is the best choice. It's easy to set up, with a new site taking around 20 seconds to get started. After that, all weekly updates, backups, security, and performance are managed for you, so you can focus on your content.
Here's a quick summary to help you decide:
If you want the easiest and cheapest option, Ghost(Pro) is probably your best bet. But if you have a technical team and want maximum control and flexibility, self-hosting might be the way to go.
Domain
I registered my domain at Namecheap, a popular and easy-to-use domain registrar with a competitive price. I'm recommending it for the first time and had a smooth experience.
Namecheap is a reliable option for registering your domain. You can trust their service to get the job done.
Their competitive price is one of the reasons I chose them. I was able to register my domain without breaking the bank.
If you're looking for a hassle-free domain registration experience, Namecheap is definitely worth considering.
Choosing a Hosting Platform
Choosing a hosting platform for your Ghost site can be a daunting task, but don't worry, I've got you covered. Consider KnownHost, a well-established provider offering scalable solutions and strong customer support, which is a big plus for many users.
Look for a host that offers fully managed support, automatic backups, and a focus on uptime, like KnownHost's VPS plans do. This ensures your Ghost site remains stable and accessible at all times.
When choosing a hosting platform, consider the following key factors:
- Node.js Support: Ensure the hosting environment is compatible with Ghost’s Node.js-based architecture and supports the required versions for smooth performance.
- Ease of Setup: Look for platforms that offer one-click installations, pre-configured environments, or managed Ghost hosting to simplify the setup process, especially if you are not technically inclined.
- Performance and Uptime: Ghost’s speed advantage can be undermined by slow servers. Prioritize hosts with robust infrastructure, SSD or NVMe storage, and high availability.
- Scalability: A Ghost hosting that offers easy scaling options allows you to handle traffic spikes without compromising your blog speed.
- SSL and Security: Built-in support for HTTPS, firewalls, and malware scanning is essential to secure your Ghost site. Look for automatic SSL certificate installations and regular security updates.
- Pricing Transparency: Make sure the pricing model is straightforward, with no hidden costs for essential features like backups, server migrations, or technical support.
- Content Delivery Network (CDN): A CDN can significantly improve the loading speed of your Ghost blog, especially for global audiences. Hosts that include integrated CDN services or easy third-party integration are advantageous.
- Support and Documentation: Quality support is crucial for resolving issues quickly. Choose a host with 24/7 customer support and comprehensive documentation, including Ghost-specific guides and community forums.
- Backup and Restore Options: Regular backups are vital for data safety. Ensure the hosting provider offers automated backup options and easy restore capabilities to prevent data loss during updates or migrations.
Our Managed
Ghost Hosting
You can upgrade your Ghost version or install a Node.js module with just a few clicks. This is a feature offered by Cloudways, which simplifies the process of managing your server environment.
DigitalOcean offers a simple, affordable hosting provider for your Ghost instance. You can upgrade your Ghost version or install a Node.js module with just a few clicks.
Cloudways offers a topnotch server uptime and speed performance, making it an excellent choice for hosting your Ghost blog. Their integrated dashboard provides good abstraction over complex cloud server setups.
DigitalOcean is a cost-effective and developer-friendly blog hosting service that users of all skill levels appreciate. They offer a 99.99% Droplet uptime SLA, robust security features like DDoS protection, and excellent website performance across the globe.
Cloudways offers outstanding customer support, making it an excellent choice for those who want help managing their server environment. Their team is available to assist you with any technical issues or concerns.
DigitalOcean offers a user-friendly control panel for seamless—and painless—management of your Ghost site. Their comprehensive documentation and tutorials simplify the deployment and management of your blog.
Cloudways allows you to host unlimited applications in one account, making it an excellent choice for those who want to host multiple websites or applications under one roof.
DigitalOcean offers a managed database service, domain management, load balancers, and a user-friendly control panel for seamless—and painless—management of your Ghost site.
Cloudways offers easy server cloning, site staging, and website transfer, making it an excellent choice for those who want to easily move their Ghost blog to a new server or environment.
Here are some key features to look for in a managed Ghost hosting platform:
Cloudways offers a 25% discount for the first two months with the coupon "HOSTSCORE", making it an excellent choice for those who want to save money on their managed Ghost hosting.
Choose Self-Hosted
Choosing self-hosted Ghost is a no-brainer, especially when you consider the cost. The cheapest plan in hosted Ghost is $29 a month, which still doesn't come with a free domain.
Self-hosted Ghost, on the other hand, can be had for as little as $5 a month, and you can upgrade or downgrade your plan as needed. This is a significant cost savings, and it's a big reason to consider self-hosted Ghost.
To get started with self-hosted Ghost, you'll need to create a few accounts. These might include a DigitalOcean account, which is a popular choice for self-hosted Ghost.
Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a Ghost self-hosted platform:
- Node.js Support: Ensure that the hosting environment is compatible with Ghost’s Node.js-based architecture.
- Ease of Setup: Look for platforms that offer one-click installations or pre-configured environments.
- Performance and Uptime: Prioritize hosts with robust infrastructure, SSD or NVMe storage, and high availability.
- Scalability: Choose a host that offers easy scaling options to handle traffic spikes.
- SSL and Security: Look for automatic SSL certificate installations and regular security updates.
- Pricing Transparency: Make sure the pricing model is straightforward, with no hidden costs.
- Content Delivery Network (CDN): Consider hosts that include integrated CDN services or easy third-party integration.
- Support and Documentation: Choose a host with 24/7 customer support and comprehensive documentation.
- Backup and Restore Options: Ensure the hosting provider offers automated backup options and easy restore capabilities.
Featured Images: pexels.com