Analysis
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- Excellent uptime
- Free SSL with website
Cons
- Difficult control panel
When choosing a web hosting provider, it’s essential to balance cost, performance, and features. One name that frequently stands out in the crowded web hosting space is Bluehost. Founded in 2003, Bluehost has grown to become one of the most popular companies globally, currently hosting millions of websites. It’s also one of the three officially recommended hosts by WordPress.org.
But is Bluehost the right solution for your website? In this detailed review, we’ll explore its key features, pricing, performance, and customer support to help you decide.
Performance and Uptime
Uptime Guarantee
A critical aspect of web hosting is uptime, the amount of time your website is accessible online. Bluehost offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which is the industry standard for web hosting services. This means that your website will experience minimal downtime over a year, ensuring reliability for both personal and business use.
In independent uptime testing, Bluehost has consistently performed well, often exceeding its 99.9% guarantee. This high level of uptime is crucial for businesses that cannot afford downtime due to potential lost revenue or search engine ranking penalties.
Speed and Load Time
Website speed plays a pivotal role in user experience and search engine rankings. Bluehost performs reasonably well when it comes to page load speeds, although it isn’t necessarily the fastest web hosting provider on the market. On average, Bluehost’s load times fall between 500 to 800 milliseconds, which is acceptable for most small to medium-sized websites. For comparison, high-performance hosts like SiteGround or A2 Hosting can sometimes deliver faster speeds.
Bluehost utilizes Solid State Drives (SSD) for storage, which improves data retrieval times compared to traditional hard drives, thus enhancing website speed. Moreover, Bluehost has partnered with Cloudflare, a global content delivery network (CDN), to offer integrated CDN services. With a CDN in place, your website content is distributed across various servers worldwide, reducing the time it takes for visitors from different geographic locations to load your website.
Introduction: What is Bluehost?
Bluehost, established in 2003 by Matt Heaton and Danny Ashworth, is one of the leading web hosting providers in the world, with millions of websites hosted on their servers. The company is headquartered in Utah, USA, and is currently owned by the Endurance International Group.
Apart from shared hosting, Bluehost also offers dedicated hosting. VPS hosting and WordPress hosting at affordable prices are another plans offered by Bluehost. Bluehost also offers a range of features, including a free domain name for the first year, unlimited bandwidth, and a free SSL certificate. Bluehost’s easy and user friendly interface of cpanel makes managing a website and hosting easy.
Bluehost has been recognized for its exceptional hosting services and has won several awards, including Best Overall Web Host by HostingAdvice.com and Best WordPress Hosting by WPBeginner. Their customer support team is available 24/7 through phone, chat, or email, and they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all hosting plans.
Bluehost’s webhosting is a reliable and budget-friendly service suitable for individuals and businesses looking to host a website..
Pricing and Plans
Bluehost has many plans for all types of requirements to cater to the needs of diverse businesses and individuals. The company offers four primary types of hosting plans, which are Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, and WordPress Hosting.
Shared Hosting:
The most fundamental hosting plan offered by Bluehost is Shared Hosting. Multiple websites share a single server and its resources with this type of hosting. Consequently, hosting costs are low, making it a cost-effective option for those with a limited budget. However, since resources are shared, the website’s speed and performance may be affected if another website on the same server experiences a surge in traffic.
Bluehost offers four shared hosting plans:
Basic:
Bluehost’s Basic plan is its most affordable shared hosting plan. It comes with hosting for one website, 10 GB of website space, unmetered bandwidth, a free domain for the first year, and five email accounts. This plan is ideal small to medium level websites that don’t require many resources.
Choice Plus:
Bluehost’s Plus plan is the most popular shared hosting plan. It includes hosting for an unlimited number of websites, unmetered website space, unmetered bandwidth, and a free domain for the first year. It also offers unlimited email accounts. This plan is ideal for businesses that require more resources and want to host multiple websites.
Pro:
Bluehost’s Choice Plus plan is the most advanced shared hosting plan. It includes all the features of the Choice Plus plan, along with domain privacy and CodeGuard Basic for backup and restore. This plan is ideal for businesses that require extra security and backup options.
Online Store:
Bluehost’s Online Store plan is the most advanced shared hosting plan. It includes all the features of the Choice Plus plan, along with domain privacy and CodeGuard Basic for backup and restoration. This plan is ideal for businesses that require extra security and backup options.
VPS Hosting
VPS Hosting is a hosting solution that provides a higher level of resources than shared hosting. With VPS hosting, a single server’s resources are divided into virtual machines, each of which operates independently. As a result, each website hosted on a VPS has its dedicated resources, and it is unaffected by the traffic or performance of other websites on the server.
Bluehost offers three VPS hosting plans with different resource allocations to meet different needs:
Standard Plan:
This plan is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses and includes 2 CPU cores, 30 GB of SSD storage, 2 GB of RAM, 1 TB of bandwidth, and one IP address.
Enhanced Plan:
This plan is suitable for businesses that require more resources and want to host multiple websites. It includes 2 CPU cores, 60 GB of SSD storage, 4 GB of RAM, 2 TB of bandwidth, and two IP addresses.
Ultimate Plan:
This plan is suitable for businesses that require even more resources and want to host multiple high-traffic websites. It includes 4 CPU cores, 120 GB of SSD storage, 8 GB of RAM, 3 TB of bandwidth, and two IP addresses.
WordPress Hosting
Bluehost offers hosting plans that are specifically optimized for WordPress websites. These hosting plans are designed to provide features such as automatic WordPress updates, free SSL certificates, and advanced security features to ensure the safety and security of your WordPress site. The WordPress hosting plans offered by Bluehost are as follows:
Basic WP:
This plan is ideal for beginners with a single website and includes 50 GB SSD storage, a free domain for the first year, and a free SSL certificate. This plan is priced at $2.95 per month.
Choice Plus WP:
The Choice Plus WP plan includes all the features of the Plus WP plan, as well as CodeGuard Basic Backup and Domain Privacy + Protection. This plan is priced at $5.45 per month.
Pro WP:
This plan is suitable for professionals and comes with all the features of the Choice Plus WP plan, along with a dedicated IP address and high-performance server resources. The Pro WP plan is priced at $13.95 per month.
Dedicated Hosting
If your website demands optimal security, complete control, and high-performance, Bluehost’s dedicated hosting is the perfect solution. This type of hosting provides a physical server that is entirely dedicated to your website. The following are the four plans offered:
Standard Hosting:
It gives a quad-core Intel Xeon-D CPU, 5 TB bandwidth, 4 GB RAM ,500 GB mirrored storage, and. It costs $79.99 for a month.
Enhanced:
It provides a quad-core Intel Xeon-D CPU, 8 GB RAM , 1 TB mirrored storage, and 10 TB bandwidth. It costs $99.99 monthly.
Premium:
It delivers a quad-core Intel Xeon-D CPU, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB mirrored storage, and 15 TB bandwidth. It costs $119.99 on a monthly basis.
Elite
It offers a quad-core Intel Xeon-D CPU, 1 TB mirrored storage, 30 GB RAM, and 15 TB bandwidth. It costs $209.99 per month.
Hosting Type | Price per Month | Number of Websites | SSD Storage | Bandwidth | Included Domains | Free SSL |
Shared Hosting | $2.95 – $13.95 | 1 – Unlimited | 50GB – Unlimited | Unmetered | 1 – Unlimited | Yes |
WordPress Hosting | $2.95 – $13.95 | 1 – Unlimited | 50GB – Unlimited | Unmetered | 1 – Unlimited | Yes |
VPS Hosting | $19.99 – $59.99 | 1 – Unlimited | 30GB – 120GB | 1TB – 3TB | 1 | Yes |
Dedicated Hosting | $99.99 – $139.99 | 1 – Unlimited | 500GB – 1TB | 5TB – 15TB | 1 – 3 | Yes |
Overall, Bluehost provides a wide range of hosting plans that cater to different types of websites and budgets. The pricing is competitive compared to other web hosting providers, and the features are comprehensive, making it a great option for beginners and professionals alike.
Plans for Online Stores
Bluehost has a range of specialized Online Store plans that are tailored to the unique needs of e-commerce websites. These plans offer a powerful and feature-rich platform that makes it easy for businesses to create and manage online stores.
One of the standout features of Bluehost’s Online Store plans is their seamless integration with WooCommerce, the most popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress. This enables businesses to create a highly customizable online store that seamlessly integrates with their WordPress website.
One of the standout features of Bluehost’s Online Store plans is their seamless integration with WooCommerce, the most popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress. This enables businesses to create a highly customizable online store that seamlessly integrates with their WordPress website.
In addition to this, Bluehost’s Online Store plans come equipped with support for multiple payment gateways, providing customers with a secure and efficient way to complete transactions. The built-in inventory management features also allow businesses to track and manage their product stock levels in real-time, while offering a range of shipping options, including real-time rates from popular carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS.
Further engaging customers are product variations and reviews, which help build trust in the business. Access to customizable e-commerce themes and marketing tools like email marketing and search engine optimization also allow businesses to create a unique and professional-looking online store.
What’s more, Bluehost’s Online Store plans are highly scalable, allowing businesses to expand their online store as needed with features like automatic backups and one-click upgrades. In conclusion, Bluehost’s Online Store plans offer a comprehensive and customizable platform for businesses to successfully sell products and services online, optimize their store’s performance, and expand their online business, without any worries about plagiarism.
Additional Services:
Bluehost also offers a range of additional services that users can add to their hosting plan for an additional fee. These services include:
Bluehost also offers a range of additional services that users can add to their hosting plan for an additional fee. These services include:
SiteLock: SiteLock is a security service that helps protect your website from malware and other security threats. Bluehost offers several SiteLock plans starting at $1.99 per month.
CodeGuard: CodeGuard is a backup service that automatically backs up your website on a daily basis. Bluehost offers several CodeGuard plans starting at $2.99 per month.
SEO Tools: Bluehost provides a range of SEO tools to help users optimize their website for search engines. These tools include Site Booster, which helps users list their website in online directories, and SEO Tools Start, which provides keyword research and other SEO insights. These tools are available starting at $1.99 per month.
Blue Sky: Blue Sky is Bluehost’s premium support service, which provides users with access to a dedicated team of experts who can help with website design, marketing, and other aspects of website management. Blue Sky is available starting at $29.99 per month.
Bluehost’s pricing and plans are competitive with other web hosting providers, and their range of additional services can help users customize their hosting experience to meet their specific needs. However, users should be aware of the potential for higher renewal rates and limited storage on lower-tier plans.
Security Features
Free SSL Certificate
Security is a top priority for Bluehost, as evidenced by the inclusion of free SSL certificates with all of its hosting plans. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts the data between your website and its visitors, ensuring safe and secure transactions. Websites with SSL certificates are favored by Google, and it is especially crucial for eCommerce websites that handle sensitive payment information.
Malware Protection
Bluehost takes malware protection seriously. All plans come with **SiteLock**, a tool that scans your website for potential vulnerabilities and malware. It proactively identifies and removes harmful software before it can compromise your website’s security. Users can also opt for **SiteLock Security Essential** to enhance protection and add features such as automatic malware removal.
Domain Privacy
With Bluehost’s Choice Plus and Pro plans, domain privacy is included for free. Domain privacy prevents your personal information, such as your name and address, from being publicly accessible through the WHOIS database. This protects users from spam, identity theft, and other security threats.
CodeGuard Backups
CodeGuard, a feature offered on some plans, provides daily automatic backups for your website. With CodeGuard, users can restore their websites to a previous state if something goes wrong during updates or changes. Backups are crucial for maintaining business continuity, especially for larger websites or eCommerce stores that depend on accurate, up-to-date content.
User Experience and Ease of Use
cPanel and Dashboard
Bluehost uses cPanel, one of the most popular control panel interfaces, known for its intuitive design and ease of use. Through cPanel, users can manage all aspects of their hosting, including domain management, file uploads, email accounts, and databases.
Additionally, Bluehost’s custom dashboard simplifies website management, making it easy for beginners to navigate. The one-click install feature, particularly for WordPress, takes the complexity out of setting up a new website.
User-Friendly Setup
For those new to web hosting, Bluehost offers a step-by-step onboarding process. The setup wizard helps users choose their domain, set up WordPress, and configure the website. The process is straightforward, ensuring that even users without technical expertise can get their websites up and running quickly.
Built-In Website Builder
Bluehost also offers a drag-and-drop website builder powered by Weebly. This website builder is perfect for beginners or those who prefer not to work with code. It’s user-friendly and allows users to create professional-looking websites without the need for advanced technical skills.
Bluehost Features
Bluehost gives a wide range of features that are designed to make web hosting easy and efficient. Some of their key features include:
1. Uptime
One of the most important features of any hosting service provider is uptime. Bluehost provides an uptime guarantee of 99.9%, which means that your website should be up and running almost all the time. Bluehost also has a team of experts who monitor their servers 24/7 to ensure maximum uptime.
2. Security
Bluehost takes security seriously, and they offer a variety of features to keep your website safe. Their plans include free SSL certificates, which encrypt data and protect sensitive information. They also offer SiteLock, a security tool that scans your website for malware and vulnerabilities.
3. Customer Support
If you run into any issues with your website, Bluehost has a team of experts who are available 24/7 to help you out. They offer support via phone, email, and live chat. Bluehost also has a knowledge base with articles and tutorials that can help you troubleshoot common problems.
4. WordPress Integration
Bluehost is one of the best web hosts for WordPress, and they offer a variety of features that are designed specifically for WordPress users. Their plans include one-click WordPress installation, automatic WordPress updates, and access to WordPress-specific support.
5. Customizable cPanel
Bluehost’s cPanel is easy to use and customizable. You can customize your dashboard to include the features and tools that you use most often, making it easy to manage your website.
5. Customizable cPanel
Bluehost’s cPanel is easy to use and customizable. You can customize your dashboard to include the features and tools that you use most often, making it easy to manage your website.
Pros and Cons of Bluehost
Pros
Cons
Pros
- Affordable Pricing: Bluehost’s introductory prices are competitive, especially for beginners looking for an entry-level web hosting solution.
- Ease of Use: The cPanel interface, along with Bluehost’s custom dashboard, makes website management straightforward, even for beginners.
- Strong Integration with WordPress: Officially recommended by WordPress.org, Bluehost offers seamless WordPress installation and management, with specialized support for the platform.
- 24/7 Customer Support: With multiple channels available, including live chat, phone, and email support, Bluehost ensures that users can get help when they need it.
- Security Features: Free SSL certificates, SiteLock malware protection, and CodeGuard backups provide a secure environment for users.
- Comprehensive Hosting Options: From shared hosting to VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting, Bluehost has a variety of plans to suit different needs.
Cons
- Higher Renewal Rates: While the initial pricing is attractive, Bluehost’s renewal rates are significantly higher, which can be a drawback for long-term users.
- Average Speed: While Bluehost’s performance is reliable, its speed may lag behind some of its competitors, particularly premium hosting providers like SiteGround and A2 Hosting.
- No Free Site Migrations: Unlike some competitors, Bluehost charges for site migration services, which can be a disadvantage for users looking to switch from another provider.
- Upselling During Checkout: Bluehost has a tendency to upsell additional features and services during the checkout process, which may be overwhelming for some users.
Bluehost Comparison
Here is a comparison of Bluehost with other hosting providers.
Bluehost v/s. HostGator:
Both Bluehost and HostGator are the products of the Endurance International Group and bring almost identical servers and plans and pricing. However, when it comes to uptime, Bluehost has a slightly better track record, with an average uptime of 99.99%, compared to HostGator’s 99.97%. Bluehost also gives better and more features, such as SSD storage and free SSL certificates, which are not included in HostGator’s basic plans. On the other hand, HostGator has a reputation for better customer support, with a 24/7 live chat and phone support. Additionally, HostGator’s cloud hosting plans may be a better fit for users who require scalability and flexibility. Overall, both Bluehost and HostGator are solid choices for web hosting, and the decision between them may come down to personal preference and specific hosting needs.
Bluehost vs. SiteGround:
SiteGround is a well-regarded web hosts known for its fast loading times and exceptional customer support. While Bluehost offers many hosting options, SiteGround is often considered a better choice for WordPress hosting due to its optimized servers and WordPress-specific features, such as the SG Optimizer plugin and automatic WordPress updates. SiteGround also offers free daily backups and advanced security features, which are not included in Bluehost’s basic plans. On the other hand, Bluehost offers value for money pricing and a a collection of hosting choices, including dedicated and VPS hosting. Overall, both Bluehost and SiteGround are great options for web hosting, and the decision may come down to specific hosting needs and budget.
Bluehost vs. DreamHost:
DreamHost is known for its affordable pricing and commitment to privacy, with a strong stance against data mining and targeted advertising. However, Bluehost offers a a diverse selection of servers, including VPS, shared, dedicated, and cloud hosting. If you want a free domain then choose Bluehost as it includes one domain with every hosting plan absolutely free, while DreamHost charges an additional fee for domain registration. On the other hand, DreamHost offers unlimited storage and bandwidth with all plans, while Bluehost’s basic plans have storage and bandwidth limitations. Both Bluehost and DreamHost offer reliable uptime and user-friendly features, but the decision may come down to specific hosting needs and budget.
Bluehost vs. InMotion Hosting:
InMotion Hosting is known for its fast speeds and excellent customer support, that gives 24/7 phone, chat, and email support. Bluehost gives economical pricing and a vast array of hosting choices, InMotion Hosting’s plans include free SSL certificates and daily backups, which are not included in Bluehost’s basic plans. One free domain along with ad credits is offered under InMotion Hosting’s business hosting plans. This may be beneficial for users looking to start an online business. Overall, both Bluehost and InMotion Hosting are solid choices for web hosting, and the decision may come down to specific hosting needs and budget.
Bluehost vs. A2 Hosting:
A2 Hosting is known for its fast performance and developer-friendly features, such as SSH access and staging environments. Where Bluehost delivers budget friendly pricing and a wide selection of hosting solutions, A2 Hosting may be a better fit for users who require advanced features and customization options. A2 Hosting’s Turbo plans also offer up to 20 times faster speeds than Bluehost’s basic plans. However, Bluehost’s plans include more user-friendly features, such as website builders and 1-click WordPress installations. Overall, the decision between Bluehost and A2 Hosting may come down to specific hosting needs and technical expertise.
Customer Support
24/7 Support
One of Bluehost’s major strengths is its 24/7 customer support. Whether you’re facing technical difficulties or need help with website setup, Bluehost provides multiple support channels, including live chat, phone support, and a comprehensive knowledge base.
Expert Support for WordPress
For users hosting WordPress websites, Bluehost offers specialized WordPress support. Their team of experts is knowledgeable about the platform and can help with issues such as plugin installations, theme customization, and troubleshooting common errors. According to WPBeginner, Bluehost’s support for WordPress users is particularly helpful for those new to the platform.
Knowledge Base and Tutorials
In addition to live support, Bluehost provides an extensive **knowledge base** filled with articles, tutorials, and how-to guides. This resource helps users troubleshoot common issues independently or learn new hosting skills. The knowledge base covers everything from website setup and domain management to WordPress tutorials and email configuration.
24/7 Help & Support
24/7
customer Support is Available
Phone Support
Phone support
between 8 am and 5 pm on
weekdays.
Email support is available
and also 24/4 using contact
form on website
FAQ
Basic
FAQ section on website
Conclusion
Bluehost is a reliable and beginner-friendly web hosting provider that offers an array of hosting solutions to meet various user needs. Its shared hosting plans, particularly the Basic plan, provide an affordable and accessible option for individuals, bloggers, and small businesses looking to establish an online presence. For those seeking more power, Bluehost’s VPS and dedicated hosting plans offer additional control and flexibility.
WordPress users will benefit from Bluehost’s WP Pro plans, which come with managed services, enhanced speed, and optimized performance. Additionally, the seamless integration with WordPress.org makes it a top choice for anyone building a WordPress website.
However, while Bluehost offers competitive pricing, users should be mindful of the higher renewal rates, which can add to the long-term cost of hosting. Additionally, although Bluehost’s performance is solid, users requiring faster load times and premium features may want to explore alternative providers like SiteGround or A2 Hosting.
In conclusion, Bluehost is an excellent option for those looking for ease of use, strong WordPress integration, and reliable customer support at an affordable price point. Whether you’re a beginner launching your first website or an experienced user needing advanced hosting solutions, Bluehost is a hosting provider worth considering for your web hosting needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, Bluehost is highly beginner-friendly, offering easy-to-use tools like one-click WordPress installations, an intuitive cPanel interface, and a step-by-step setup wizard. It’s a great option for individuals or small businesses starting their first website.
Bluehost offers shared hosting plans starting from $2.95 per month for the Basic plan. Prices increase after the first term, with renewals starting at $8.99 per month.
Yes, Bluehost provides 24/7 support through live chat, phone, and a comprehensive knowledge base. Their support team is particularly knowledgeable about WordPress hosting.
