There are a ton of choices when looking for a new web host for your WordPress websites. So to make it easy to narrow your options down, you should choose a web host that will give you a free SSL certificate.
Normally an SSL certificate can cost $50 – $100 per domain, per year. Ouch!
Luckily I have found 3 of the best WordPress hosting companies that will give you free SSL certificates for all of your websites.
SiteGround
SiteGround is a highly recommended web host online because they have catered to WordPress users and yet still have affordable pricing. They are most known for their fast performance and equally fast support.
Key SiteGround Features:- Free SSL Certificate
- FAST Knowledgable Support
- WordPress Staging Enviroment
- Free Website Migrations
- Daily Backups
SiteGround is a solid choice for your web hosting needs. They cater to WordPress websites and offer fewer resources than their competitors, but higher reliability.
Check Out SiteGround
Cloudways
Cloudways in a managed cloud server service where you choose the cloud provider and Cloudways connects their platform to it which makes it incredibly easy to manage. You pay a small monthly premium vs going direct in exchange for the management platform and support when you need it.
Key Cloudways Features:- Choose From 5 Cloud Hosting Services
- Insanely Fast Servers
- Easy To Use Control Panel
- 24/7 Support & Live Chat
- Free SSL Certificates
- One Click Staging For WordPress
- Free WordPress Caching Plugin
I really like what Cloudways is doing. Sure you can go directly to the various cloud hosting providers, but for the modest premium you pay, you get the Cloudways control panel and more importantly, support.
But in my personal experience support was not fast, or that interested in helping me.
Check Out Cloudways
A2 Hosting
A2Hosting is a US based hosting company that specializes in WordPress website hosting. They offer affordable prices, a stable hosting environment, and execelent support.
Key A2 Hosting Features:- Uses SSD Drives
- Free SSL Certificate
- US Based Support
A2Hosting is one of the top 3 WordPress web hosting companies that I recommend. If you want your WordPress website to have fast loading speeds without breaking the bank, then you should strongly consider a new hosting account with A2Hosting.
Check Out A2 Hosting
How to make fully search bar header like same as your website
This one is from my theme.
It always makes me happy when I get something free! And I am really happy with free WordPress SSL!
Very Nice Info Sir
Hi Adam, any of these hosting companies for hosting a classified ads listing site, that would potentially be getting over 300000 visitors monthly?
Also just on the site what wp theme would you recommend for such a site? thanks
For that amount of traffic, none of these would be a good fit. I would recommend Cloudways.
Hello Adam, I need your guidance on a project of mine. How can I have a live chat with you. So I can ask all my questions
You can email me via my contact page or you can join the WPCrafter Facebook Group.
Have a look at Pride Tech Design, it’s better than all 3 of the hosts you recommended.
I won’t because it’s not a good idea to use random web hosts where someone has a server in their garage. Its a recipe for disaster. And it’s equally not a good idea to look at anything posted by a comment spammer.
Hi Adams, thank you for all your support. I have followed you since I stumbled upon you on Youtube. You are the greatest guy on the planet. I have joined “inmotion” as my host for my blog and so far it has been a great experience.
Keep making videos for non techies, there is no one like you on youtube to trust. You are the best.
Keep up the great work! Thank you Adam for your being you! Hugs from London!
Juli
Thank you so much for the encouraging comment. I am grateful and humbled to be able to make videos that help peeople.
Thank you so much for the encouraging comment. I am grateful and humbled to be able to make videos that help people.
Hey, thanks for the great suggestions, Adam! I’m currently using a WordPress hosting plan with free SSL certificates, but it’s good to have some more options just in case. I’m really satisfied with the speed and the quality of the service that I’m currently using, and moreover, I pay a really affordable monthly price. It was not difficult at all to manage the SSL certificates, as the host provides a detailed article on how to manage the certificates.
Hi Adam! I went with InMotion (IMH) and deployed the Free SSL certificate. However, they mentioned that the “free SSL” is not recommended for commercial sites? Do you know much about this? If one plans to take payment through their website, even if just occasionally to start, would we really need to upgrade to a paid SSL with dedicated IP? Am a bit confused & would love to hear your thoughts…Thanks! See below regarding the free certs from IMH:
“However, it is worthwhile to note that *free certificates use SNI without a dedicated IP*. This means that multiple domains can share an IP address and still use an SSL. It should be noted that this type of certificate does not have the same level of acceptance as an Advanced SSL with a dedicated IP. This is because SNI is a relatively new extension and is only recently receiving widespread support across browsers and devices. Some combinations of older browsers and devices may not accept a certificate that is using SNI. For most informational websites, the level of acceptance provided by a free SSL is adequate. However, large-scale enterprises (like an e-commerce store) that accept private data about their customers would be best advised to consider a paid SSL from a respected certificate authority. Premium SSLs from certificate authorities often provide support and warranties in addition to being widely accepted in all browsers and devices.”
Thanks for letting me know they are saying that. There is nothing wrong with using their free SSL for Ecommerce sites. Also I will touch base with them on this.
Hi Leah,
Correct. The free SSL these hosting companies provide are mostly the stock “self-signed” C-panel generated SSL certificates. Now those who give Let’s encrypt certificates are for general purpose and are protected with 128bit layers.
For e-commerce it’s recommended choosing wildcard 256 bit SSL.
Hope it helps.
Hi Adam,
Can you reply to AAYUSH comment regarding e-commerce sites using 256 bit SSL. Will Google hit your site if it is not 256 bit SSL?
This all sounds like a money grab to me.
Hi, Thanks for all the great information. I was getting fed up with hostgator nickel and diming me, but I wanted a hosting service that provided free SSL. So I chose InMotion and I just got confirmed. However, I did not see the button for your free course. I don’t want to be greedy, but it sounded like something I could really use. Is there anyway to let me know how to get access to it? Thanks, Louise
On my contact page, there is a tab that said Couse Offers. All the instructions are right there https://www.wpcrafter.com/contact/
IM MOTION:
Here is my comment on the above company and the feedback I sent their sales feedback.
“I had a pleasant chap Mathew on chat, who was patient and attentive. However you people are walking past business.
I wanted to sign up today for a six month R2000 plan and pay the money then and there.
HOWEVER there was NO guarantee of the renewal cost after 6 months other than some crazy offer of a lifetime plan at considerably more or an undisclosed loyalty discount.
Forget Loyalty discounts etc. Where I come from (New Zealand) it is illegal to trade this way. WHY do you Americans make it so dam difficult to do business?
I know hosting is all about monthly fees and loyalty, FIX the price at what you offer from day one. THEN you get loyalty……
I am so disappointed with all the waste of time for both your guy and myself. SIMPLE is the answer NOT difficult.
When will your country and people ever learn”?
Steve Hilliar
New Zealand
That sounds pretty bizarre to me. The cost of the plan is right there on the website and it’s not hard to find. I don’t see why there would be confusion on the cost unless you were wanting some extra discount that you were trying to get them to agree to on the phone.
Sound more like to me that you are only telling part of this story because none of it makes any sense at all. The R2000 plan can be ordered by anyone for $39.99 per month. It is a mid-tier reseller plan. There is no confusion on the price, it’s there in black and white, all you have to do is click order if that is the plan you want.
Sorry but maybe I have not expressed it properly.
There is a plan for various payment structures 1, 6, 12, 24 months etc
However they will not disclose the cost after those times, they say they offer a loyalty discount after that but will not disclose it. Nothing bizzare about that I just don’t understand their marketing ploy
All web hosting companies have a discount when you first sign up. All of them do. So the normal price is listed, in this case, $39.99. That is the price per month after the period of time that you sign up for. So if you prepay for 1 year, take advantage of that discount, then after a year, the cost is $39.99. Every web hosting company is this way. Many monthly services are this was as well. All 3 hosting providers on this page are structured this way and they are all generally regarded as the best web hosting providers.
Fair enough however they are keen for business as anyone would be and say they offer a loyalty discount after the initial term is up, they just will not disclose what that is and in my humble opinion that sucks. I am looking at a reseller account with the view of transferring 15 sites. I believe I am entitled to know what my ongoing costs will be.
I have finally joined IM Hosting within your specified time. I cannot find a JOIN button on your website menu.
That’s great! just send over a copy of your receipt that shows what you ordered. Full instructions are on my contact page.
I already did that two weeks ago. I was replying to your latest email
Adam, do you recommend any particular companies for Registering a Domain? I currently have InMotion Hosting, where 1 site has the Free SSL already with them, but my 2nd site needs to be moved FROM Yahoo to somewhere else that is reputable.
Would you recommend http://www.NameCheap.com ?
I love NameCheap and use them for all of my domain names.
Nice Post, I think A2 hosting is best because low rate plan and more speed for cheap plan.
Yea it’s a pretty good deal for what you get.