My 2017 Pick for WordPress Host

I’ve been building websites for a loooooooong time. 10-years in Internet years – which is like, maybe, 112 human years, and 767 dog years. In that time, I’ve worked with dozens and dozens of hosting companies. About 5 or 6 years ago, shared hosting sites rose in popularity to fill the painful gap left by <ahem> GoDaddy. So I tried them out.

Some had fantastic, US-based support staff. And way too many outages.

Some had crazy fast speed. And no support at all.

Some had cool add-ons (backups, SSL, etc…). And none that actually worked.

Why? Shared hosting companies like HostGator, BlueHost, GoDaddy cPanel, etc… are trying to be everything to everyone. WordPress has been the most prevalent website platform for years now, yet the hosts supporting it were using database servers that could be tipped over like a house of cards, backups that backed up themselves until you have a terabyte of back-ups which could slow your site to a crawl.

The verdict: get thee to Managed WordPress Hosting.

These WordPress-specific accounts are highly optimized, delivering a better experience. Here’s the 7-criteria I discuss with my clients when helping them choose (or more often upgrade) their host.

7 Criteria to Consider when Upgrading WordPress Hosting

Speed
1) Site Speed directly impacts SEO
2) Site Speed directly impacts your conversion rates
Security
1) If your site is down, you stop making money.
2) Getting the red-screen of death (Google Malware Warning) is a great way to scare away your customers
Flexibility
1) Sites are meant to grow
2) PHP Version Upgrades, Multi-Site, CDN’s
Accessibility and Skill of Support
1) US-Based Support is critical to clear communication
1) Hosting support should have expert-level support staff available
Ease of Migration
1) Do they have a tool or service to handle the migration for you?
2) Have other users reviewed this aspect of the service?
Backup/Restore Features
1) Daily backups are standard now, not an add-on benefit.
2) Restoring a backup should not be complex or require complicated FTP uploads
Core Features vs. Add-ons
1) SSL (Secure-Socket Layer) should be easy / cheap to add to your WordPress install
2) CDN (Content-Delivery Network) integrations and add-on should be available.

About Our Services

Clean, Professional and Elegant Web Design

Responsive WordPress

Your business has two primary objectives. Help people, and be profitable.

A thoughtfully planned and professionally designed website can get your business in front of the right people, in ever-increasing numbers. These customers will notice within seconds that you care. Your imagery must be high-quality and strategically placed. Your website color palette should be beautiful and elegant. Your text should be focused and powerful. We will strive to design a clean, uncluttered website and use appropriate fonts and calls-to-action to your advantage. You can count on us to keep an eye on the smallest details and maintain high-level standards for your website’s overall appeal. We want you to love your website and we want you to be proud of its quality.

Your customers will notice within seconds that they have found a Quality Business.

Intuitive, Easy-to-Use Websites = Happy Customers

The information on your website should be organized and easy to find. The navigation should be clear. Your web pages should have a variety of formatting and good flow. Your customers will appreciate how easy it is for them to use your site and find the information they are looking for. That appreciation will translate into repeat visits, longer visits, and higher conversions.

Optimized Websites

There are two components to a successful website. A professionally designed website with strong, well-written content. And, TRAFFIC. You must have both for optimal results. Your website must be strategically placed in the search engines to drive the right people to your site. Then, once they get there, your website must be so compelling that they stay, cruise around, find what they are looking for and become a customer.

An optimized website is built on a solid foundation of Keyword Phrase Research, Competitive Intelligence, and SEO. This will give your business a huge advantage and give you realistic expectations about what you have to do to break into a profitable market online.

Smart Web Design = A Gorgeous Website + Internet Marketing Activity

There are many ways, short-term and long-term, to get traffic. On-site optimization, pay-per-click campaigns, social media, and off-site linking strategies are a great way to start. You should also consider e-newsletters, auto-responders and article marketing. Participate in social networking. Keep your traditional methods of marketing going – word-of-mouth, print material, trade shows, networking…

This is how our guidance and your commitment make it happen and your business prospers!

We love creating websites. We also love marketing. We will combine all of our design, SEO, and marketing talents to build a competitive, exceptional website that exceeds your expectations. The opportunities on the World Wide Web are unlimited. You are going to learn a lot about how to maximize your online presence and create a valuable marketing tool for your business.

Flagstaff Websites We Design and Build

We specialize in premium, responsive, WordPress websites:

Brochure Websites
Blogs
Small-to medium eCommerce Websites

Request a Free Estimate

We offer a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation.

: Give us a call:

928-300-9147

: Send us an email:

char@SEOwebdesignflagstaff.com

View Website Portfolio

Some reviews from clients

What They Say

Stunningly Beautiful website! I can’t stop looking at it... I can’t thank you enough. For us to have a brief conversation and then being able to turn it over to you and Kim, was touching. I trusted Kim and she trusted you and now AD Tours is ready for another 40 years. Makes me tear up. This is a big deal. You’ve a customer for life.

Cody Little ,

Owner, Adventure Discovery Tours

The business cards are wonderful! I really love them. I had no idea that cards could look so wonderful while still being incredibly marketable! Thank god I found you!!!

T.W. ,

Owner of Hiking Company

I hope you have a great day and a wonderful new year. Thank you for making my website the best ever. I just love my website!

J.C. ,

Sobriety Coach

Thanks again for all your help, Char. Your knowledge and professionalism made it a pleasure working with you and I would definitely recommend you to other companies.

M.L. ,

Technology Company

Char was great to work with, very accommodating and very professional. The site was up for about a week and we were on the first page of Google!

M.J. ,

Home Maintenance and Repair Business

Char, you created the ultimate web site for us. It is far beyond anything we could have imagined. It is so easy to navigate that even computer dummies like us don't get lost. The site is gorgeous too. So tasteful and clean. We could not be more pleased with your artistry not to mention the joy it is to work with you.

E.S. ,

Special Events Company

Thank you so much for ALL of your expert support, creativity and friendship over the years, Char. I wish you continued success, happiness and good health.

S. D. ,

Hypnotherapist

Wow! There is an old Bedouin proverb 'God took a handful of southern wind and blew life into it, creating the Arabian Horse' ... Char, you can take a vision and give it life... Thank you for seeing what's in my heart and making it real. 🙂

T.B. ,

Non-profit Business Owner

Charlotte Howard Web Design exceeded my expectations; I have a website that is beautiful and professional! Within two weeks I was on page one of google and had business lined up locally and in South Africa. Thanks again. I love my website!

I.S. ,

Equine Therapy Business Owner

Just to let you know how much I appreciate your great skills, wonderful positive attitude and fantastic results you have produced for us....many blessings.

A.B. ,

Hotel Owner

I have looked at thousands of websites. Your websites consistently present the perfect balance of beauty and information. That's why I am hiring you to create my new website.

E.B. ,

Boutique Business Owner

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