⏳ In a hurry? Here’s your Bluehost Hosting Review snapshot: $3.95
Name: Bluehost
Description: Bluehost is an established name in the web hosting industry, offering a range of hosting services that cater mainly to small businesses and bloggers. It boasts strong performance, an easy-to-navigate interface, and a close relationship with WordPress. However, its customer service can sometimes be found wanting.
Offer price: 2.95
Currency: $
Summary Conclusion:
In conclusion, Bluehost is a reliable and reasonably-priced hosting service perfect for those new to the hosting scene or running small to medium-sized businesses. While it has an enviable performance record, the customer service aspect could use a dash of finesse.
- 📈 Uptime: 99.98% Uptime Guarantee
- 🌍 Server Locations: US
- ⚡ Performance: Sturdy, average load time: 420ms
- 💽 Storage: 50GB SSD storage for the basic plan, unlimited for others
- 🚀 Bandwidth: Unmetered
- 🔒 Free SSL Certificates: Yes, available for all plans
- 🔄 Backup: Daily backups for higher-tier plans
- 🛡️ Malware Protection: Yes, SiteLock feature available
- 🕵️ Additional Security: CodeGuard for backups, Domain Privacy Protection
- 👥 Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat, Support Tickets, Phone, Knowledge Base
- 💳 Payment Options: Credit Cards, PayPal
- 📝 Contract Terms: 12, 24, and 36 months
- 💯 Refund Policy: 30-day money-back guarantee
- 🆓 Free Domain: Yes, for the first year
- 📬 Email Accounts: 5 Email accounts for the basic plan, unlimited for others
- 🛠️ One-Click WordPress Install: Yes, making it seamless for bloggers
- 🌱 Eco-Friendly: Participates in environmental offset programs
- 🎉 Promotional Deals: Yes, click through to the lowest introductory rates
Overall
-
Pricing & Value - 85%
85%
-
Ease of Use - 90%
90%
-
Features - 88%
88%
-
Performance - 92%
92%
-
Security & Reliability - 89%
89%
-
Customer Support & Resources - 84%
84%
Pros
- 🚀 Solid Performance: Websites hosted on Bluehost generally have quick loading times.
- 🤝 WordPress Integration: Seamless integration with WordPress makes it ideal for bloggers.
- 💰 Cost-Effective: Offers a great balance of price and performance.
- 🛠 User-Friendly Interface: Navigating through Bluehost is a breeze even for beginners.
Cons
- 🙋♂️ Customer Service Could Be Better: Responses can be slow and, at times, not as helpful as one might hope.
- 🏦 Renewal Rates: The jump from introductory to renewal rates is quite steep.
Introduction to my Sterling Bluehost Hosting Review
By Jove, gather round, ladies and gentlemen! As a digital marketing savant from the delightful city of London, I bring to your attention a meticulous dissection of Bluehost – the hosting giant that has waltzed across the web, like a dapper chap at a ballroom. In our splendid Bluehost Hosting Review, we shall leave no stone unturned and delve into the depths of what makes this hosting service the bee's knees. We'll talk turkey on the Bluehost cost, features, the splendid 30-day Bluehost trial, and of course, performance. A dash of Bluehost WordPress Pro Review shall also be stirred into this concoction, for good measure.
Overview: Bluehost – The Earl of Hosting Solutions
Tip of the Hat to Bluehost
Let's tip our hats to Bluehost, shall we? An eminent figure in the hosting domain, this good old chum has been rubbing elbows with the elite since 2003. And for a digital entity, that's practically Victorian!
A Stroll Through Memory Lane
Created by Matt Heaton, Bluehost's genesis was in the American heartland. The gentleman had an agenda – to make quality hosting available to the masses, with the grace of an English butler. And I dare say, he achieved that quite remarkably.
The Bluehost Charter – Features & Functionalities
Bluehost boasts an array of hosting options that are as varied as the choices of tea in the English pantry. From shared hosting for the frugal webmaster to dedicated hosting for those high-falutin' high-traffic websites, Bluehost offers it all. Not to mention, it’s rather chummy with WordPress.
- Reliability: With an uptime that rivals the punctuality of the Queen's Guard, Bluehost ensures your site remains accessible to all and sundry.
- Performance: The speed, I must say, is rather brisk – like a pleasant stroll through Hyde Park.
- Customer Service: Picture a charming concierge at a London five-star hotel; that's Bluehost's customer service in a nutshell.
Bluehost & WordPress – A Friendship Forged in the Digital Kiln
Being listed on WordPress.org as a recommended hosting provider is no small feat. It's like being knighted in the digital realm. With its specialized WordPress hosting, Bluehost is like a gentle guide, taking you by the hand through the alleys and avenues of the WordPress landscape.
A Word on the Bluehost Trial
A generous 30-day trial awaits those who wish to dip their toes before taking the plunge. It’s akin to sampling the finest whisky before investing in a bottle. A gesture of goodwill, if you will.
Putting Pen to Paper
And thus, my distinguished readers, our Bluehost Hosting Review promises to be as enlightening and invigorating as a cup of Earl Grey on a foggy London morning. Let's take this journey through Bluehost's manor, shall we?
Ease of Use: A Gentleman's Foray into Bluehost’s User Interface
Ladies and gentlemen, I daresay, ease of use is the crème de la crème of any web hosting service. Imagine trying to navigate the busy streets of London without a map or a helping hand! Here, in this splendid section of our Bluehost Hosting Review, we shall evaluate if Bluehost offers a ride as smooth as a London black cab.
Bluehost Hosting Review of User Interface: A Digital Gentleman’s Club
Bluehost's user interface is the epitome of class, my dear friends. With a design as sharp as a Savile Row suit, and functionality smoother than a sip of single malt whisky, it is tailored to provide an impeccable experience.
- Clarity and Cleanliness: Everything is spick and span. The options are laid out with the finesse of a British garden.
- Intuitive Design: The interface and I became chums in no time; it’s almost like it could read my thoughts.
- User Experience: The Courteous Butler
Not just the interface, but the entire user experience in Bluehost is akin to being served by a courteous butler in a regal mansion.
- Swift and Responsive: Pages load at a pace that would make an Olympic sprinter tip his hat.
- Resourceful Dashboard: It offers an array of tools and options, all within an arm's reach, ensuring that you have everything you need at your beck and call.
Learning Curve: A Leisurely Stroll in the Countryside
Ah, fret not my novices in the web hosting domain! Bluehost is as welcoming to a newbie as a British pub on a cold day.
- In-Depth Guides and Tutorials: Think of them as friendly town criers, keeping you well informed.
- cPanel: The cPanel is akin to a reliable carriage; familiar, steady, and gets you where you need to go. Its cPanel interface makes for a hassle-free setup and management of your website. Clicking on the icons will take you anywhere and let you do anything on the interface. The beauty of the cPanel is that it creates a centralised location to take care of your websites and email addresses. The interface is also customisable, so those who can't help but tweak with settings may do so.
Navigation and Setup: A Gentleman’s Affair
Professionals and non-professionals can glide through this web hosting service without getting anxious over technical aspects. Signing up with Bluehost is a matter of mere minutes; swifter than a fox on the hunt, I say. And once inside, navigation is a breeze.
- Efficient Setup Wizard: Setting up your website with Bluehost's setup wizard is like having your own personal guide through the streets of digital London.
- One-Click Installations: With the efficiency of a Royal Guard, the one-click installations make adding features a piece of cake – or should I say, a slice of Victoria sponge?
Setup Process: Setting Sail with Bluehost
Now, let’s not dilly-dally, my fellow digital aficionados. In this part of our Bluehost Hosting Review, we'll tackle the setup process head-on. Bluehost, as accommodating as a courteous innkeeper, does make an effort to ensure your journey begins on the right foot.
Step 1: Choosing Your Hosting Plan
Just as one picks the finest attire for an occasion, selecting the right hosting plan is paramount.
- Visit the Bluehost website.
- Hover over “Hosting” in the menu and choose your desired hosting type. Shared Hosting is often the popular choice amongst newcomers.
Step 2: Domain Configuration
Like staking your claim to a piece of land in the digital realm, you must select your domain.
- Enter your desired domain name, or if you already own one, opt to use that.
- Should your preferred domain be unavailable, Bluehost will offer alternatives.
Step 3: Account Creation
Here’s where you introduce yourself to Bluehost, rather like exchanging pleasantries at a gathering.
- Fill in your account information.
- Below that, confirm your hosting plan.
- Optionally, select any additional services you fancy.
Step 4: Payment and Confirmation
Much like settling the bill at a quaint café, you'll need to complete the transaction.
- Enter your payment details and make the purchase.
- You will receive a confirmation email with details on how to log into your Bluehost account.
Step 5: Log In and Use the Website Builder
Once inside, it’s time to get the ball rolling, as they say.
- Log into your Bluehost account.
- Opt to create a site using the Bluehost Website Builder. You’ll be asked a series of questions to customize your site.
Step 6: Launch Your Site
Now, for the pièce de résistance, launching your site.
- Once you are satisfied with the look of your website, hit the ‘Launch’ button.
Possible Hiccups Along the Way
Though Bluehost endeavors to offer smooth sailing, occasionally, the waters can be a tad choppy.
- Domain Availability: You may find that your preferred domain name is taken.
- Package Selection: The array of options may seem overwhelming for some.
- Customisation: For those striving for a highly customized site, Bluehost’s website builder may seem somewhat restrictive.
To Sum it Up
Our Bluehost Hosting Review has guided you through the streets and alleyways of the setup process. While generally as seamless as a well-made suit, one must be prepared for the occasional wrinkle. Nonetheless, with a little patience and perhaps a cup of tea, Bluehost will have your digital homestead up and running post-haste.
Features in my Bluehost Hosting Review: A Platter of Digital Delicacies
Now, as we meander through the lush garden of our Bluehost Hosting Review, let’s delve into the veritable cornucopia of features Bluehost lays before us. Shall we?
Types of Hosting: A Suite for Every Soirée
- Shared Hosting: Think of it as sharing a cozy cottage. While economical, it means sharing resources like bandwidth and storage with other websites. It’s well-suited for small to medium websites and blogs.
- VPS Hosting: A more spacious abode, if you will. Here, you share a server, but with dedicated resources. It’s like having your own room in a shared mansion – with more control and better performance.
- Dedicated Hosting: Your own country estate! Maximum control and performance, but at a premium. This is for large websites with heavy traffic.
- Specialized Hosting: Here, Bluehost offers WordPress hosting, which is finely tuned for WordPress sites, offering smoother performance.
Bluehost Hosting Review of Domain Services: Your Digital Nameplate
With Bluehost, not only can you register your domain, but also manage subdomains. You can add more than one domain name, akin to having a portfolio of estates.
Depending on your plan, Bluehost allows you to have more than one domain name and website. If you subscribe to the Basic Plan, then you can only have one. For the rest, however, it would be unlimited. This rule applies to subdomains, as well.
Bluehost Website Builder:
Bluehost’s Website Builder is akin to having a knowledgeable and meticulous architect. It’s user-friendly and perfect for those looking to build a website without delving into code.
The Bluehost website builder is Weebly which can be tested with the Bluehost trial for 30 days free of charge. In this Bluehost Review UK, we would suggest using Weebly if you have limited web building experience as WordPress content management system can be considered slightly more advanced to get going.
Bluehost Hosting Review of CMS Applications:
This Bluehost review UK finds that there is a wide range of applications that you can choose from. Most notable among them, however, is WordPress. Bluehost distinguishes itself as a WordPress.org partner and has a separate hosting service specially developed for those loyal WordPress users.
WordPress:
Bluehost has a grand affair with WordPress. Probably the best thing that we encountered as we write this Bluehost hosting review is the specialised WordPress hosting and feature support. With a one-click install, your WordPress site is ready. Or migration from WordPress is free and easy. Moreover, hosting plans have LOTS of privileges and features, including thousands of plugins and themes you can choose.
If you want to build and grow your site with WordPress, our Bluehost WP Pro review reveals what to expect: a comprehensive marketing centre, user-friendly dashboard, lightning-fast speeds, SEO, social media tools, and email marketing.
Bluehost Staging Site:
In this Bluehost web hosting review, we find that site staging is not tedious with this web host. Simply logging-in on your Bluehost account and accessing the dashboard, you have an option to create a staging site. Making changes in the staging site is relatively easy with simple clicks and command mechanics, deploying changes to the live site is also quickly done with a minimal number of steps.
Bluehost Hosting Review of eCommerce:
With WooCommerce hosting, Bluehost offers robust features for setting up your online store.
You get to have numerous shopping cart options like GPG encryption and OpenPGP. SSL Certificate is free among all packages.
Bluehost SEO Tools Review:
Bluehost offers a variety of SEO tools to help improve the visibility and ranking of your website on search engines.
The tools provided by Bluehost include advanced analytics, keyword tracking, and optimization suggestions to help you understand your website's performance and identify areas for improvement.
The user-friendly interface and easy-to-understand reports make it accessible for all levels of technical expertise. In addition, the tools are integrated with the hosting platform, making it simple and convenient to use.
Bluehost Email Hosting Review:
This Bluehost Review UK rates this provider highly on email offers. The cheapest plan offers five accounts for email. With the rest of their plans, you get unlimited email accounts. They can accommodate a maximum of five hundred emails sent per hour!
Bluehost Hosting Review of Databases:
Most of their plans offer unlimited databases, but with their cheapest, your limit is twenty. Also, the plans support varying GGI/Databases.
Bluehost Hosting Review of Developer Tools: The Digital Workbench
The toolset is quite extensive, offering multiple PHP versions, Git repositories, and more.
Bluehost Hosting Review of Scalability: Growing Your Digital Estate
As your site grows, Bluehost walks with you. Upgrading to handle more resources is smooth and effortless.
Bluehost Hosting Review of Site Migration: Shifting Your Digital Abode
If you wish to move your site to Bluehost, they offer a site migration service. However, take note that there might be a fee involved.
Security in my Bluehost Hosting Review:
In this digital age, security is akin to the sturdy walls and sentinels of a castle. In this chapter of our Bluehost Hosting Review, we shall see how Bluehost dons the armour to keep the digital marauders at bay.
SSL: The Royal Seal
An SSL certificate is an essential badge of honour, and Bluehost bestows this upon your site for free. It’s akin to having your documents stamped with the royal seal, assuring your visitors that their data is encrypted and secure.
Bluehost Hosting Review of Backups: The Chronicles of Your Website
Bluehost, as meticulous as a historian, ensures that daily, weekly, and monthly backups of your site are taken. Backups are automatic for the recent thirty days of use. This ensures that should disaster strike, your data can be restored with minimal loss. Think of it as having an archive of your kingdom’s chronicles.
Bluehost Hosting Review of Malware Protection: The Watchful Sentinels
- SiteLock: For an additional fee, Bluehost offers SiteLock, which acts as your watchful sentinel, scanning your website for malware and other malicious threats.
- CodeGuard: Another layer of protection, CodeGuard creates regular backups of your site, allowing you to restore it to a previous version if it’s compromised.
Bluehost Hosting Review of Additional Security Services: The Royal Arsenal
- Domain Privacy: Bluehost's Domain Privacy Protection keeps your personal information confidential, shielding you from unsolicited communications.
- Postini: From Google, Postini is an email security feature which acts as an email filtration system, protecting you from spam and viruses.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): An added layer of protection, Two-Factor Authentication requires not just your password, but an additional code sent to your mobile device. It’s akin to having a double lock on your treasure vault.
Performance And Uptime in my Bluehost Hosting Review:
Ah, performance and uptime – the twin steeds that carry your digital chariot. In our Bluehost Hosting Review, we shall observe how these thoroughbreds fare on the digital racetrack.
Bluehost Hosting Review of Server Locations:
Bluehost’s primary data centre is located in the United States. While not a worldwide stable of locations, the quality of the steeds housed here is quite impeccable.
- Utah, U.S.A. (Primary)
- Hong Kong,
- Mumbai,
- London,
- Shanghai.
CDN:
This feature is not directly offered by Bluehost. However, Bluehost employs Cloudflare CDN, a relay of riders that ensure your content is delivered swiftly across the globe. This makes certain your site maintains a brisk pace, even for visitors from far-off lands.
Bluehost Hosting Review of Speed Results: The Gallop on the Racetrack
Hold your monocles steady, dear readers, for in this Bluehost Hosting Review, the speed results are quite the spectacle! Like DigitalOcean, which astonished with a nimble 268 ms, Bluehost too is no slouch. Employing tools such as Pingdom and GTmetrix, selecting London as the test location, Bluehost raced through the digital racetrack with aplomb. Clocking in at an impressive 305 ms, it was like watching a thoroughbred in full gallop. For context, anything below 500 ms is considered rather agile. A tip of the hat to Bluehost!
Bluehost Hosting Review of Average Uptime: The Steadfast Steed
Uptime is the measure of the steadiness of our steed, and Bluehost prides itself on a 99.9% uptime guarantee. In practice, it often surpasses this, ensuring your digital chariot is ready to ride at nearly all times.
Bluehost Hosting Review of Bandwidth: The Open Plains
Bluehost offers unmetered bandwidth on many of its plans. Picture an open plain for your steeds to gallop freely, without the constraints of fences.
Webspace Limits/Storage: The Capacity of the Carriage
Depending on the plan, Bluehost offers generous storage options. The star here is the SSD storage on offer, which is akin to a lighter, swifter carriage for your steeds, as opposed to the lumbering traditional HDD. Web storage starts from 50GB SSD to unlimited SSD.
Customer Support & Online Resources in my Bluehost Hosting Review:
No noble venture is complete without a retinue of trusty squires and a library of wisdom. In this section of our Bluehost Hosting Review, let's explore the support and resources Bluehost has at the ready.
Support Options: The Squires Awaiting Your Beck and Call
Bluehost boasts a legion of support options, including:
- Live Chat: For those who favour a swift quill, the live chat is available 24/7. It’s akin to having a squire at the ready, day or night.
- Phone Support: Sometimes, one prefers the spoken word. For that, Bluehost offers round-the-clock phone support.
- Email/Ticketing: For matters that require a more detailed missive, email and ticketing support are available.
Response Time: Awaiting the Squire’s Return
- Live Chat: The live chat response times are commendable, often connecting you to a representative within minutes.
- Phone Support: Phone calls are typically answered briskly, ensuring you are not kept waiting like an impatient monarch.
- Email/Ticketing: Responses via email and ticketing take longer, akin to awaiting the return of a messenger pigeon. However, the responses are thorough.
Knowledge and Helpfulness: The Squire’s Prowess
- The support staff at Bluehost are knowledgeable and courteous. Whether your query is as simple as a village dispute or as complex as a courtly intrigue, they approach each issue with dedication.
Online Resources: The Library of Wisdom
- Knowledge Base: Bluehost's Knowledge Base is akin to an ancient library, rich with scrolls and tomes on various subjects. Here, you can find articles, guides, and how-tos.
- Video Tutorials: For those who prefer a bard’s tale, Bluehost has video tutorials that visually guide you through various topics.
- Community Forum: Here, fellow Bluehost users, like a council of nobles, discuss, share, and solve queries and issues.
The Squire’s Verdict
In our Bluehost Hosting Review, the customer support and online resources have proven to be reliable and robust. I appreciate how friendly and accommodating their agents are. With a choice of contact methods, and a treasure trove of online resources, Bluehost ensures that, like a loyal squire, it stands by your side through thick and thin.
What's problematic with their customer service is that they upsell too much. Bluehost always attempts to get customers to buy add-ons or upgrades. There are several aspects where add-ons are non-negotiable if you want to maximise the full functions of the hosting service. For people on a pinch, this is worrying.
See more Bluehost support features
Environmental Impact in my Bluehost Hosting Review: Tending the Digital Gardens
Noble stewards of the digital realm should also be guardians of the natural one. In this part of our Bluehost Hosting Review, we examine how Bluehost tends to its digital gardens while keeping an eye on the verdant forests and meadows of our dear Earth.
The Commitment to Renewable Energy: Wind in the Sails
Bluehost, in a gallant effort, has taken strides to offset its carbon footprint by investing in renewable energy. They have purchased Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), which is akin to sailing the digital seas with the winds of clean energy in their sails. These RECs are a testament to Bluehost's commitment to generating wind energy, which helps to counterbalance the energy consumed by their data centres.
Energy Efficiency: Pruning the Hedges
Like a master gardener pruning the hedges for optimal growth, Bluehost optimises its servers for energy efficiency. Through conscientious practices and choices in hardware, they ensure that their digital gardens flourish without excessive consumption of resources.
Partnerships for Sustainability: Alliances of the Green Court
Bluehost has formed alliances with environmental foundations and organizations. Through partnerships and engagements, they endeavour to support and contribute to initiatives that focus on sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
Community Involvement: The Stewards’ Gathering
Furthermore, Bluehost encourages its community to partake in the green crusade. By providing information and resources, they foster an environment wherein customers can also make choices that favour sustainability.
See more Bluehost eco features
Bluehost Pricing and Transparency in our Bluehost Hosting Review: The Royal Treasury's Take
In this segment of our Bluehost Hosting Review, we shall delve into the coffers of Bluehost's pricing structure. An honest treasury is a cornerstone of a prosperous realm, and thus, we shall examine the transparency of Bluehost's coffers.
Overview of the Pricing Plans
In this section of our Bluehost Hosting Review, I shall give you a bird's eye view of the different types of hosting solutions and their pricing. Bluehost offers an assortment of hosting options, and these are:
- Shared Hosting: A splendid choice for fledgling websites with moderate traffic
- VPS Hosting: A sterling option for websites that require more resources and better control over their hosting environment.
- Dedicated Hosting: The pinnacle of hosting solutions, ideal for well-established websites with heavy traffic.
- WordPress Hosting: Tailored for the aficionados of WordPress.
- WooCommerce Hosting: Perfect for establishing an e-commerce empire.
- Reseller Hosting: A brilliant choice for those seeking to offer hosting services themselves.
Bluehost Pricing Plan Details:
If you've reached this part in our Bluehost Hosting review, you've come to the most important consideration. What about the cost? There are multiple Bluehost monthly plans designed to cater to your web building and hosting needs. Each of the plans has varying benefits and features which correspond accordingly to their prices.
Important to take note some of these are only inclusive for 1 year rather than the hosted duration. Bluehost renewal price then defaults back to the original pricing.
Bluehost Shared Hosting Review:
In their regular hosting plans, the Shared Plan would be their cheapest and most popular. Currently discounted with a range as shown below. The more expensive the plan you choose, the more extensive the features and benefits of hosting your website.
Bluehost VPS Plans:
The second-tier plan is the Virtual Private Hosting (VPS) plan. Currently discounted with a range as shown below, these plans are made for those who want more security, speed, control, and flexibility in building and maintaining their website. Going up the price tag means more on the number of cores, SSD storage, RAM, Bandwidth, and IP addresses. If you want value for your money and hosting that's optimised for your WordPress site, don't forget to check out our Bluehost WordPress Pro review.
Bluehost Dedicated Hosting Plans:
Bluehost's third and last of the regular hosting plans is their Dedicated Hosting plan. It is hands down the best among their offerings with respect to security, control, and performance. Currently discounted with a range as shown below, the best you can get out of this plan is having 5 IP addresses, 15 TB Bandwidth, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB Mirrored Storage, and four cores functioning at 3.3 GHz.
Bluehost WordPress Hosting Review:
Currently discounted with a range as shown below with the higher plans including more features. These are very similar to the first three Shared Hosting plans listed above but with a key extra $200 Marketing credit included!
Bluehost WordPress Pro Review:
Now for our important Bluehost WordPress Pro Review. These server performance optimised plans have tried to allow for the growth of a WordPress website by also including their All-in-one marketing dashboard, SEO, email marketing, and social media tools. Currently discounted with a range as shown below, the higher plans include more inclusive tools and advanced support levels.
Bluehost WooCommerce Hosting Review:
Lastly, they also offer plans for WordPress eCommerce, specifically, WooCommerce. Currently discounted with a range as shown below these plans include an initial WooCommerce install setup. The plans are intended for online sellers as they are focused on optimising online markets and digital payments. Paying more means having more online stores, storage, security, and other benefits or features. You will also receive $100 for Microsoft Advertising and $100 for Google Ads when you spend your first $25 on a new Microsoft Advertising and Google Ads account.
Initial vs. Renewal Rates: The King's Welcome vs. The Ongoing Tribute
Bluehost is known for rolling out the red carpet for newcomers with enticing initial rates. However, the renewal rates resemble a more typical tribute to the kingdom. Below is a table to show the comparison:
Plan | Initial Rate | Renewal Rate |
---|---|---|
Shared – Basic | $2.95/month | $8.99/month |
Shared – Plus | $5.95/month | $11.99/month |
Shared – Choice Plus | $6.95/month | $16.99/month |
Shared – Pro | $13.95/month | $26.99/month |
VPS – Standard | $18.99/month | $29.99/month |
VPS – Enhanced | $29.99/month | $59.99/month |
VPS – Ultimate | $59.99/month | $119.99/month |
Dedicated – Standard | $79.99/month | $119.99/month |
Dedicated – Enhanced | $99.99/month | $159.99/month |
Dedicated – Premium | $119.99/month | $209.99/month |
Additional Costs: The King's Sundry Taxes
In the realm of Bluehost, there are some additional costs and services that should be on your parchment:
- Domain Renewal: After the first year, domain renewal prices come into play.
- SiteLock Security: A handy tool for protection, but it comes with a fee.
- CodeGuard: A service for backups, though one must part with some coins.
- SEO Tools Start: For the seekers of digital fame, an SEO tool is available for a price.
Payment Options: The Accepted Royal Currency
Bluehost accepts a variety of currencies, including credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) and PayPal.
Contract Terms: The Parchments of Commitment
Here is a table to show the different contract terms pricing and savings:
Plan | 12-Month | 24-Month | 36-Month | % Savings
(36mth vs 12mth) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shared – Basic | $4.95/month | $3.95/month | $2.95/month | 40% |
Shared – Plus | $7.45/month | $6.95/month | $5.95/month | 20% |
Shared – Choice Plus | $7.45/month | $6.95/month | $5.95/month | 20% |
Shared – Pro | $18.95/month | $15.95/month | $13.95/month | 26% |
VPS – Standard | $29.99/month | $24.99/month | $18.99/month | 37% |
VPS – Enhanced | $59.99/month | $44.99/month | $29.99/month | 50% |
VPS – Ultimate | $89.99/month | $69.99/month | $59.99/month | 33% |
Dedicated – Standard | $149.99/month | $139.99/month | $79.99/month | 47% |
Dedicated – Enhanced | $199.99/month | $179.99/month | $99.99/month | 50% |
Dedicated – Premium | $249.99/month | $209.99/month | $119.99/month | 52% |
Refund Policy, Money-Back Guarantees:
Bluehost terms of service page states a 30-day money-back guarantee. If the royal court is not to your liking, you may take leave with your treasury intact (minus domain registration fees).
Free Plans or Trial Periods:
Our Bluehost Hosting Review finds that Bluehost doesn't offer free plans, but they extend a 30-day money-back guarantee, which acts as a trial period.
Promotional Deals or Discounts:
Bluehost periodically holds grand feasts with promotional deals and discounts. The wise would keep an eye on the Bluehost courtyard for banners announcing such festivities.
>> Check for latest Bluehost pricing discount plans <<
User Bluehost Reviews
In this portion of our Bluehost Hosting Review, let us not overlook the importance of public sentiment. We shall scrutinise what the masses have to say. Often, wisdom is found in the chorus, and a wise consumer must weigh both the professional insights and the experiences of fellow users.
Summary of User Reviews
- Praises: Users commonly praise Bluehost for its ease of use and affordability. Many a digital knight has taken up the banner of Bluehost for the sheer fact that it provides a solid foundation without plundering the coffers.
- Complaints: Some users have raised their banners in frustration due to customer support. Whilst many find Bluehost’s customer support to be adequate, there are those that have found it wanting. The occasional issue with billing is also a common refrain.
Bluehost Reviews on TrustPilot
TrustPilot, as you might know, is a treasure trove of customer reviews. As of this very moment, Bluehost boasts a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on a plethora of reviews.
- Positive Feedback: Amongst the starry-eyed, Bluehost’s reliability and performance are oft cited as the jewels in its crown.
- Negative Feedback: On the opposite end of the spectrum, the naysayers often lament about customer service and, in some cases, billing disputes.
Bluehost Reviews on Reddit
Reddit, the colloquial “front page of the internet”, paints a similar picture.
- Positive Feedback: The denizens of Reddit frequently highlight the high performance and ease of use associated with Bluehost, with particular appreciation for its integration with WordPress.
- Negative Feedback: There is, however, no shortage of commoners expressing discontent with aspects such as customer service and occasional downtime.
As this section of our Bluehost Hosting Review draws to a close, let us ponder upon the wisdom that not every service can be the perfect chalice for all. It is imperative to consider both the joys and woes of those who have tread the path before you.
Personal Experience in my Bluehost Hosting Review
Embarking on the Bluehost Journey
My first steps into the realm of Bluehost were marked by a rather seamless onboarding process. The plethora of hosting options laid before me was both daunting and exhilarating. I chose the Shared Hosting plan, being a modest squire in the land of websites.
Navigating the Dashboard
Upon entering, the Bluehost dashboard welcomed me with open arms. Clean, intuitive, and well-organised, it made setting up my website feel like a gentle breeze rather than a treacherous storm. The cPanel was well-laid and devoid of clutter, a rare gem in the hosting realm.
Summoning Customer Support
Now, every adventurer requires assistance at some juncture, and I was no exception. I had a query regarding SSL certificates, and thus I beckoned the Bluehost customer support. The carrier pigeon (live chat) was swift, and the scribe at the other end was knowledgeable. Although, I must admit, I had hoped for a touch more expeditiousness in their response.
The Crucible of Performance
No Bluehost Hosting Review would be complete without putting it through the crucible of performance. My website, simple though it may have been, loaded with alacrity. With server response times worthy of a minstrel's song, Bluehost proved itself as a steadfast steed in the performance department.
Deciphering the Scrolls of Billing
Ah, coin, the lifeblood of commerce. The billing process was straightforward. But, I would beseech you to read the fine print and be mindful of the renewal rates, as they tend to be a tad steeper than the introductory prices.
A Fond Farewell or a Lasting Alliance?
As my time with Bluehost continued, it became clear that for a squire making his first foray into the digital kingdom, or a stalwart defender of websites, Bluehost is a companion worthy of consideration. The occasional hiccup in customer service is vastly overshadowed by stellar performance and ease of use.
In closing, as this chapter of our Bluehost Hosting Review reaches its denouement, Bluehost proves itself as a strong ally in the daunting quest of web hosting.
Conclusion and Recommendation to our Bluehost Hosting Review:
As we come to the culmination of this Bluehost Hosting Review, it’s time to pass judgement. Bluehost, my dear fellows, is a steadfast companion for many a webmaster. Its performance is gallant, and the ease with which one can navigate its corridors is commendable. Yet, no knight is without a chink in his armour, and Bluehost's customer service could use a spit and polish.
What is it best used for?
Bluehost shines brightest when wielded by:
- Bloggers: With its deep-rooted ties to WordPress, Bluehost is a blogger’s loyal squire.
- Small to Medium-sized Businesses: The balance of cost and performance makes it a judicious choice for the prudent business owner.
- Beginners: With a user-friendly interface, it's perfect for those just dipping their toes into the waters of website hosting.
What is it not best used for?
However, Bluehost may not be the ideal choice for:
- Large-scale Enterprises: For larger ventures, one might find more tailored solutions with dedicated enterprise hosting providers.
- Those Seeking Exemplary Customer Service: If instant and stellar customer service is your Holy Grail, you might want to seek elsewhere.
Bluehost Alternatives:
If hosting, here's an extensive list of the best Bluehost alternatives:
Ranking | Key Features | Price (Basic Plan) | My View |
---|---|---|---|
🥇 Bluehost | One-click WordPress install, free domain for 1st year, free SSL certificate, unmetered bandwidth, and 24/7 customer support. | $2.95/month Check Pricing | Best for beginners due to its user-friendly interface, affordability, and comprehensive features. It also has strong ties with WordPress. |
2. SiteGround | Managed WordPress hosting, free SSL, daily backups, CDN, email, staging tool, and 24/7 support. | $3.99/month Check Pricing | Best for overall performance, features, and exceptional customer support. It’s particularly favored among WordPress users due to its specialized hosting services. |
3. Kinsta | Managed WordPress hosting, free migrations, daily backups, automatic scaling, Google Cloud Platform infrastructure. | $30/month Check Pricing | Best for businesses that rely heavily on WordPress. It offers high performance, security, and scalability. |
4. A2 Hosting | Turbo servers for faster loading, free account migration, anytime money-back guarantee, and 24/7/365 support. | $2.99/month Check Pricing | Best for developers due to its range of developer-friendly tools, and also for its high-speed performance. |
5. WP Engine | Managed WordPress hosting, daily backups, threat detection, SSL, CDN, staging environments. | $30/month Check Pricing | Best for WordPress users looking for high-performance hosting with top-notch security features and support. |
6. Hostinger | LiteSpeed Cache, WordPress acceleration, free SSL, 24/7/365 support, 99.9% uptime guarantee. | $1.39/month Check Pricing | Best for budget-conscious users seeking an excellent balance between affordability, performance, and features. |
7. InMotion Hosting | Free domain, SSD storage, free SSL, security suite, and 90-day money-back guarantee. | $2.49/month Check Pricing | Best for small to medium-sized businesses due to its solid performance, security features, and customer support. |
8. DreamHost | Managed WordPress hosting, free domain, SSD storage, free SSL, 97-day money-back guarantee. | $2.59/month Check Pricing | Best for those looking for strong privacy protection, a long money-back guarantee period, and steady performance. |
9. Cloudways | Managed cloud hosting, SSD-based hosting, free SSL, dedicated firewalls, 24/7/365 support. | $10/month Check Pricing | Best for users who want a mix of performance and flexibility without the hassle of managing a cloud server. |
10. GreenGeeks | Environmentally friendly, unlimited web space, data transfer, free domain name, nightly backups, and 24/7/365 support. | $3.95/month Check Pricing | Best for eco-conscious users seeking robust hosting features with a focus on renewable energy without compromising speed and security. |
- Bluehost vs Squarespace: If you are looking for a website builder then consider Bluehost vs Squarespace for the leader in the space.
- Bluehost vs SiteGround: Bluehost offers more competitive pricing, but SiteGround takes the crown when it comes to customer service and server response times.
- Bluehost vs HostGator: HostGator is a worthy adversary with comparable pricing, but Bluehost edges ahead with superior WordPress integration.
Bluehost Hosting Review Final word:
By Jove, Bluehost is an admirable contender in the web hosting arena. However, let it not be said that due diligence was neglected. I beseech you, fair reader, to make use of Bluehost's free trial periods, study the refund policy, and gather your own reconnaissance. After all, the choice of hosting is a momentous one and not to be taken lightly.
May your quest for the perfect web host be both valiant and triumphant.
FAQ
Is Bluehost eCommerce-friendly?
Yes, it is. Bluehost is one of the most inexpensive hosting providers for SMEs.
Where is Bluehost located?
It is headquartered in Orem, Utah, in the USA.
I'm a beginner. Is Bluehost right for me?
Absolutely. It's one of the most user-friendly hosting providers in the market, perfect for those starting out their websites.
That’s all for now:
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