TL;DR
Being as one of the largest countries in Europe, there are many excellent EU-based web hosting options available to Spaniards. With server locations in multiple European regions, our top spain hosting pick Hostinger offers solid server performance, strong security features, and affordable pricing.
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, there are other factors you should consider for your specific needs. Our top Spanish web hosting picks address this by offering tailored suggestions for different requirements.
Hostinger
Hostinger has swiftly risen from its humble beginnings in 2004 to become a globally recognized web hosting powerhouse, known for its affordable, user-friendly services and innovative technologies like the proprietary hPanel. With a commitment to excellence and a rapidly expanding team, Hostinger continues to redefine the web hosting landscape, making it easier for users around the world to establish their online presence.
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Hostinger Pros
- Very cost-effective – Lowest plan starts at $2.99/mo and support up to 100 websites
- Nine different data centers in four continents
- Good spread of hosting plans
- User-friendly control panel (hPanel)
- Wide range of payment options accepted
- Git environment available on shared hosting
- Additional 10% discount with coupon code “HOSTSCORE”
Hostinger Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Does not support Windows hosting
ScalaHosting
ScalaHosting has a full range of products including Cloud and VPS hosting with its in-house built control panel, sPanel. The “Anytime Unconditional Money-back Guarantee” offered by the company transforms their offers into an irresistible proposition, particularly for those eager to experiment with their services without any financial risk.
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ScalaHosting Pros
- Outstanding hosting uptime and speed performance
- Affordable pricing
- Anytime unconditional Money-back Guarantee
- Automated backup with 7 restore points
- Generous offer in server resources – Even the lowest shared plan gets unmetered bandwidth and unlimited emails
- NVMe SSD storage for all shared hosting plans
- Innovative technology – SPanel, SShield, SWordPress
ScalaHosting Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
Kinsta
Specializing in a very specific niche of web hosting can be an extremely challenging thing to do but Kinsta has managed to succeed. The company offers users the unique opportunity to opt for extremely powerful web hosting that is designed around a single platform – WordPress.
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Kinsta Pros
- Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
- Choice of 30+ server locations
- Optimized for best WordPress site performance
- Plans auto-scale during visitor spikes
- Specialized WordPress support staff
- Highly developer-friendly
Kinsta Cons
- Expensive; not suitable for owners with multiple small sites
- No email hosting
- No shared hosting
- Some WordPress plugins banned
Webempresa
From what we can see, Webempresa offers robust services and excellent customer support. Whether you are a beginner launching your first website, an established business with niche requirements or even a web dev, you’ll find a solution here.
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Webempresa Pros
- Optimized servers
- Responsive customer support
- Broad range of hosting plans
- Self-developed tools
- Dominant in the Spanish market
Webempresa Cons
- Low storage space on cheaper plans
- No Asia-region data centers
- No phone support
Digital Ocean
Cloud hosting can be a little daunting for many people in the first place, but Digital Ocean has made that doubly so with the liberal use of self-developed technical jargon. For layman unfamiliar with the company, start by exploring “Droplets” – their unique term for “cloud hosting solution”. That said, Digital Ocean is a highly modular and scalable environment with many advanced, developer-friendly features. Everything here is priced independently, so you’re really paying for only what you need.
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Digital Ocean Pros
- Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
- Competitive and flexible pricing model
- Choice of 15 distributed data centers
- Highly configurable virtual machines
- Built-in alert system for resource thresholds or critical issues
Digital Ocean Cons
- Charges apply for automated backups
- Unencrypted backups
- Only suitable for advanced users
- Less user-friendly for team operations
HostArmada
HostArmada offers some excellent features for shared plans and does so at very low prices. This is true even for their renewal rates which don’t spike horribly after your term is up. The company also offers full range solutions, users who wish to scale up get to choose from a wide range of VPS and dedicated hosting offers. More importantly, HostArmada ensures powerful security in all shared hosting plans, incorporating WAF, DDoS protection, and automatic malware scanning, fortifying their commitment to customer safety and satisfaction.
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HostArmada Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Daily remote backup included
- Host unlimited websites in mid-to-high shared hosting account
- 45-day money back guarantee
- Free malware scan & web applications firewall (WAF) in all shared hosting plans
HostArmada Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Lack server speed features in lower shared hosting plans
Hostalia
Based on user feedback and overall performance, there are better choices than Hostalia. While the company offers various hosting plans and has a solid infrastructure, there are concerns about customer service and reliability. Potential customers should weigh these factors carefully before committing.
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Hostalia Pros
- Advantage for Spanish-speaking audiences
- Variety of hosting plans
- Advanced features like SSH access and Git
- Scalable solutions
Hostalia Cons
- Potentially poor customer support
- Limited choice of server location outside Spain
- Limited resources on cheaper plans
AltusHost
AltusHost offers a wide range of web hosting services and has data centers across Europe. The web host isn’t the cheapest around but prices are reasonable and their feature list is nicely balanced. All their shared hosting is powered by LiteSpeed server and new customers get free migration services to this host.
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AltusHost Pros
- Great hosting speed and uptime performance
- Generous resource allocation
- Excellent for Euro-targeted traffic
- Lots of freebies in shared hosting plans
AltusHost Cons
- Limited reach in non-European areas
- Some complaints on customer supports
- Price increase during the renewal
Choosing the Right Web Host for Spanish Websites
Choosing the right web hosting provider for your business in Spain can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to web hosting. Below are six key factors to consider.
1. Server Reliability and Uptime
Reliability is crucial for any website, as downtime can lead to lost revenue and a negative user experience. When evaluating reliability, consider the following:
- Uptime Guarantees: Look for web hosting providers that offer at least a 99.9% uptime guarantee. This ensures your website will be available almost all the time, minimizing disruptions.
- Redundant Systems: Providers with redundant systems and data centers can offer more reliable service. This often means they have offsite backup and infrastructure to keep your site running even if one part fails.
- Historical Uptime Data: Check the provider’s historical uptime data. Reliable providers often publish their uptime statistics publicly (for example, Hostinger publishes their past 90 days service status). Use this information when choosing a web host.
- Security Features: A secured hosting environment is a must for a reliable provider. Look for hosting providers that offer basic DDoS protection, auto server backup, regular malware scanning, and easy free SSL installation. These features help mitigate cybersecurity threats and keep your sites safe.
2. Speed and Latency
Your distance to your target market is a crucial factor that affects your website loading speed, which, in turn, impacts your site’s user experience and SEO rankings.
Your server location matters
When choosing a host for your Spanish website, one key factor to keep in mind is the distance your data needs to travel to get to visitors.
If your primary target audience is located in Spain, choosing a provider with servers in or near Spain can lead to better performance for local users. Having your web hosting server in another continent, such as North America, would be a bad idea. This is compounded by the fact that data needs to travel both ways – that’s over 7,000km one-way from the U.S. to Spain alone.
3. WordPress Optimization
More than 30% of websites in the world are built with WordPress. If you’re part of this crowd and plan to use WordPress for your Spanish site, it’s essential to choose a hosting provider that offers WordPress-specific features. This includes:
- One-Click Installations: Ensure the provider offers easy WordPress installation, preferably with a single click. This simplifies the setup process and gets your site up and running quickly.
- Optimized Servers: Hosting providers that optimize their servers for WordPress can significantly enhance your website’s performance. This includes faster loading times and better overall stability.
- Managed WordPress Hosting: Managed WordPress hosting takes care of all the technical aspects of running WordPress, including updates, security, and backups. It’s perfect for businesses that want a hassle-free experience.
- WordPress Expert Support: Access to knowledgeable support staff who understand WordPress can be invaluable. Look for providers with good reviews for their WordPress support services.
- Support for WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface): For users comfortable with command line tools, WP-CLI can significantly speed up various administrative tasks, such as updates, backups, and migrations. It’s a powerful tool for managing WordPress sites efficiently.
- WordPress Staging: A staging environment allows you to test changes and updates in a safe environment before pushing them live. This feature is particularly useful for making significant updates or redesigns. If your website is going to undergo continuous development, a host with a WordPress staging tool will save you tons of headaches in the future.
- WordPress Multisite: If you plan to run multiple WordPress sites, look for hosting providers that support WordPress Multisite. This feature allows you to manage several WordPress sites from a single dashboard, streamlining management and updates.
4. Legal and Data Privacy Regulations
Compliance with legal and data privacy regulations is essential, especially with the stringent data protection laws in place in Europe:
- GDPR Compliance: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates strict data protection and privacy standards for businesses operating in the EU. Ensure your hosting provider complies with GDPR requirements, including data encryption and user consent mechanisms.
- Data Residency: Some businesses may require data to be stored within Spain or the EU for legal reasons. Check if the hosting provider offers data residency options to comply with local regulations.
- Regular Audits and Certifications: Look for providers that undergo regular security audits and have certifications like ISO 27001. These indicate a commitment to maintaining high security and data protection standards.
5. Scalability
As your business grows, your hosting needs may change. Consider providers that offer:
- Resource Upgrades: Ability to easily upgrade resources like storage, bandwidth, and CPU power without significant downtime or hassle.
- Flexible Plans: Options to move between different hosting plans (shared, VPS, dedicated) as your needs evolve.
6. Pricing and Plans
Affordability is always a key concern, but it’s important to find a balance between cost and features. Often, the cheapest might not be the best for your website. If a deal is too good to be true, it usually is.
When searching for a web host, regardless of where the company is based, we recommend providers with:
- Transparent Pricing: Hosting providers with clear, upfront pricing are the best. Be wary of hidden fees and ensure you understand the renewal rates, as introductory offers can sometimes be misleading.
- Plan Flexibility: Choose a provider that offers a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets. This flexibility allows you to start small and upgrade as your business grows. For instance, if you are new, start with a cheap shared hosting plan and upgrade to higher VPS or dedicated hosting plans as your site grows. You could save a ton of money by not overpaying for hosting capacity that you don’t need.
Hosting Locally vs. Internationally for Spanish Websites
When deciding whether to host your website locally with a Spanish web host or with an international provider with servers in the EU zone, there are several key factors to consider. Both options have their distinct advantages – the decision will depend on your specific business needs, budget, and website target audience.
Hosting Locally
Benefits of Hosting Locally:
- Lower Latency: Hosting your website on servers located within Spain can significantly reduce latency, providing faster loading times and a more responsive experience for users in the country.
- Legal Compliance: Local providers are more likely to be familiar with and compliant with Spanish and European Union regulations. This ensures your website adheres to necessary legal standards and data protection laws.
- Customer Support: Local hosting providers offer customer support in Spanish, making it easier to communicate and resolve issues quickly. Support teams that understand the local market can provide more tailored and relevant assistance.
- Notable Local Providers: Webempressa, Hostinet, Sered, Nominalia, and Dinahosting are some notable companies with data centers in Spain.
Reasons to Choose Local Spanish Hosting:
- Your only audience is in Spain and you need fast, responsive service.
- You require strict compliance with Spanish and EU regulations.
- You prefer customer support that operates during local business hours and in Spanish.
Hosting with International Providers
Benefits of Hosting Internationally:
- Advanced Features: Due to larger scale of economy and global competition, international hosting providers typically offer cutting-edge technology and enhanced security measures, and comprehensive control panels. These features can greatly benefit businesses looking to leverage the latest in hosting technology.
- Scalability: These providers typically have larger infrastructures and can offer better scalability options. This flexibility is essential for businesses expecting to expand their online presence.
- Global Presence: With data centers in multiple locations worldwide, international providers can reduce latency for users outside of Spain by using Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). This ensures a consistent and fast user experience across different regions.
- Notable Players: Hostinger, ScalaHosting, as well as Verpex come with location choice in multiple European countries. This allows you to enjoy the benefits of hosting with an international web host without sacrificing your website speed due to latency.
Choose International Hosting If:
- You aim to serve an international audience and need a global presence.
- You require advanced features and better scalability options.
- You are looking for robust CDN support to ensure fast loading times for users around the world.
Note that there are plenty of international hosting companies that run multiple data centers in the European zone. When hosting with these providers, you do not have to worry about latency for audience in Spain or the EU zone (in comparison with Spain local providers).
Conclusion
Picking the perfect web host for your Spanish website is like choosing the right tapas – it needs to be reliable, quick, and suited to your taste (think WordPress optimization and legal compliance). Get it right, and your online presence will flourish like a fiesta, delighting visitors and boosting your business.
About Spain
Spain, located in Southwestern Europe, is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant economy. With a population of over 47 million people, it is one of the largest countries in Europe by both area and population. The capital city, Madrid, along with Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville, are major urban centers that contribute significantly to the country’s economic activities.
State of eCommerce in Spain
Spain’s eCommerce market has been experiencing rapid growth over the past decade. The increasing internet penetration and the widespread use of smartphones have significantly boosted online shopping. According to recent statistics, Spain is among the top eCommerce markets in Europe, with annual online sales reaching $29.3 billions. Popular eCommerce platforms include Amazon, eBay, and local giants like El Corte Inglés.
Spanish consumers are increasingly comfortable with online shopping, valuing convenience, a wide range of products, and competitive pricing. This trend is further fueled by the country’s strategic position as a gateway between Asia and Europe, making it a hub for cross-border eCommerce. In fact, Spain’s cross-border eCommerce market grew by 29% in 2020, reflecting the increasing demand for international products.
The growing popularity of eCommerce has encouraged many businesses to enhance their online presence and optimize their websites for better performance. Reliable web hosting services – such as the ones we listed on this page – are crucial in supporting these ventures. As the eCommerce sector continues to expand, businesses in Spain must prioritize excellent web design and high-performance hosting to meet the increasing demands. After all, nobody likes a slow website, especially not your customers (or your bottom line).
