⏳ In a hurry? Here’s your Hostgator Website Builder Review snapshot: $3.84
Summary
HostGator Website Builder is a website building platform offered by HostGator, a web hosting company. It provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, customizable templates, and a range of features and tools to help users create professional-looking websites without needing to know how to code.
Overall
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Ease of Use - 88%
88%
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Features & Flexibility - 86%
86%
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SEO & Mobility - 86%
86%
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Help & Support - 88%
88%
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Pricing - 88%
88%
Pros
- Affordable pricing plans
- Smart and sleek interface
- Modern themes and templates
- Focus on analytics
Cons
- No free trial
- Limited photo editing tools
- Basic eCommerce functionality
Introduction to our Hostgator Website Builder Review.
Everything is evolving – including Hostgator’s web services. The platform has always been known as an industry giant in providing hosting for websites. However, in this Hostgator website builder review, you’ll find that it has more to offer, especially in the field of website development.
So, let’s dive into where Hostgator site builder stands on its ease-of-use, features on eCommerce, SEO, and marketing, as well as its talked-of-the-town pricing options.
If you read until the end of this Hostgator Website Builder review, you may find the right platform for your online store with time to spare. We’ll provide you with insights, pros and cons, and other details you would not want to miss.
Overview: From Hosting to Website Building
Hostgator is a Houston, Texas-based provider of various website hosting services. Therefore, it has been a household name in the website hosting industry. However, it has since expanded its range of services to include its own website builder called Gator.
Ease of Use:
Having zero background whatsoever in website building is not an issue with Hostgator site builder. You may find it comforting that the platform is built precisely for this kind of scenario.
Signing up with Gator Website Builder is a breeze. The main dashboard is simple and straightforward. All buttons and essential elements of a website builder can be found with minimal effort. The first thing you need to do after setting up your account is picking a theme.
You can choose from several industry-specific themes, categories, or via keywords. In this Hostgator website builder review, it's obvious that the software's aim is to provide an avenue for even the most inexperienced in setting up an online store or small business. If you ask me, this is pretty much what we look for when building a start-up.
Features and Flexibility:
Since user-friendliness is a common theme among website builders nowadays, screening their features and offers is the most practical way to help you decide. In this sense, we look at features and flexibility in this Hostgator website builder review.
Out-of-the-box:
A clear advantage of Hostgator, having started as the top web hosting provider, is that its Gator website builder comes with free hosting, unlimited storage, and unmetered bandwidth. As a result, you can upload content as much as you like and cater to limitless visitors if you can.
Themes and Templates:
Gator Website Builder has a library of responsive themes varying from minimalistic to modern designs. In addition, you can choose from their categorized templates based on industry or niche.
However, as broad as the theme collection may be, they also come across as basic. This means creative professionals may find them too bland for their taste.
See Gator builder themes and templates
Customisation Tools:
Gator Website builder allows you to create your web pages with its drag-and-drop editor, which is the holy grail of intuitive website design.
You can simply move elements around your website and place pieces without consuming too much time or needing to learn the process extensively. You can also change fonts, sizes, colours, and add images along with other types of media.
3rd Party Integrations:
The Gator website builder has an App Market. It is comparable to WordPress’s plugin marketplace. You can readily incorporate any app you need in your website, from marketing to payment apps.
Also, Gator sitebuilder takes pride in its social media integrations. You can directly connect with your audience when it comes to updates, product coupons, or marketing campaigns without needing to create separate social media content.
Backups:
HostGator lets you back up your website using its preferred solution CodeGuard. It performs automatic backups daily and includes a one-click restore feature.
Hosting:
It goes without saying, but hosting with a Gator website builder is included within its eCommerce plans. Hostgator is first and foremost a hosting provider. Also included in the pricing plans are the SSL certificate and your preferred domain name for free.
SEO and Mobility:
Being able to support and guarantee that you have all the chances to be on top of the search engine results pages in any device adds more value to the platform.
In this Hostgator website builder review, let’s see how the builder performs in this area.
SEO:
When it comes to ensuring online visibility, especially in search engines, Gator offers basic SEO.
You can optimise URLs, meta tags, page titles, and alt text. Moreover, you can monitor your website analytics and add Google Analytics tracking code to check your site’s traffic.
Here are some real-time data you can utilize from the web analytics:
- Bounce rate
- Pageviews
- Total visits
- Unique visitors
Mobility:
Hostgator builder incorporates mobile responsiveness in its user interface. This means that your website will automatically adjust on the mobile or tablet screens without creating a separate design.
Pagespeed:
Hostgator is well-versed about page speed. Thereby, it comes as no surprise that it knows full well how to maintain an optimum page speed. As a result, Gator builder users can benefit from its quick load time and high uptime.
Additionally, Hostgator site builder has a handful of resources on improving site speed in its knowledge base.
See more Gator sitebuilder features
eCommerce Tools:
If you’re opening an online store and decided to do it with a Gator website, you can take advantage of its eCommerce tools that cut your work in half.
You can put up your products seamlessly with the help of the step-by-step wizard. You can also add product variants like sizes and colors. Likewise, you have the choice to include limited-time promotional prices, coupons, and other promos.
The website builder also lets you integrate your brick-and-mortar store address and payment processing.
With the following eCommerce features, you can turn your Gator website into a sales machine.
- Customisable download time
- Caters to physical and digital goods
- Templates for Product Descriptions
- Multiple Payment Options
- Tax Calculations Included
- Stock Tracking System
See more Hostgator site-builder eCommerce features
Support and Resources:
You can get hold of Gator builder’s support staff 24/7/365 through live chat, phone call, or email. Priority support is provided for those who availed of higher-tiered plans, which means you can connect to the staff almost immediately.
You can also check Gator’s help center and its comprehensive knowledge base. In addition, there are video tutorials and in-house blogs that could guide you in building and running your website.
Hostgator Site Builder Pricing:
No matter how great website builders’ features are, sometimes it still boils down to the pricing.
And Gator Builder has an edge on this factor.
Pricing Plans:
When you go to Gator Builder’s pricing page, you’ll find the starting plan is insanely low for a drag-and-drop website builder.
Its Express Start pricing plan currently discounted from $3.84 per month following by the Express site at $5.99 and Express Store at $9.22 monthly.
The two higher-tiered plans also come with booking features (calendar management, email notifications) and additional marketing campaigns.
Hostgator Free trial/refund policy/money-back guarantee:
Unfortunately, Gator sitebuilder does not offer a free trial plan. If you wish to build a website or online store via Gator Builder, you should be ready to pay the price immediately.
The platform terms page, however, does state money-back guarantee within the first 45 days of your purchase.
>>See latest Hostgator site builder pricing and discounts<<
Conclusion and Recommendation to our Hostgator Website Builder Review:
And just like that, our Hostgator Website Builder Review is about to come to an end. Hostgator may have tied up its name into web hosting, but it sure has proven a lot more worth with Gator builder.
Gator builder matches what beginners are looking for with its intuitive user interface, promising hosting features, a spectrum of themes to choose from, and incredibly low pricing plans.
What is it best for?
Hostgator sitebuilder is recommended for small business owners who wish to put up a simple yet functional online store or website.
Those who only have basic computer skills can benefit from the user-friendly editor and web page builder that Gator has to offer.
What is it not best for?
With Gator Website Builder’s features designed to accommodate beginners, it may not be the best platform for large enterprises and experienced professionals.
Although the eCommerce tools are readily available, they may not suffice the appetite and needs of established online businesses.
Hostgator Alternatives:
Here is a list of the best Hostagtor Alternatives to build a website;
Rank | Key Features | Price (Basic Paid Plan) | My View | |
---|---|---|---|---|
🥇 Squarespace | Beautiful Professional design templates, blogging tools, powerful marketing tools, great eCommerce features for small to medium-sized stores | Starts at $12/month Check Pricing | Perfect for creatives and small businesses needing a visually stunning site | Try For Free |
2. Webflow | Visual CSS design, CMS features, eCommerce capabilities | Starts at $12/month Check Pricing | Best for designers and developers wanting deep customization | Try For Free |
3. Weebly | Easy-to-use, eCommerce capabilities, range of templates | Starts at $6/month Check Pricing | Good for small businesses and e-commerce | Try For Free |
4. Shopify | Comprehensive eCommerce tools, large app store, SEO features | Starts at $29/month Check Pricing | Best for creating an online store | Try For Free |
5. Wix | Drag-and-drop builder, wide range of templates, App Market | Starts at $14/month Check Pricing | Great all-around website builder with flexibility and features | Try For Free |
6. Wordpress.com | Blogging tools, large theme selection, good for large sites | Starts at $4/month Check Pricing | Best for blogging and larger sites | Try For Free |
7. Carrd | Simple, one-page sites, ideal for personal profiles and resumes | Starts at $19/year Check Pricing | Best for simple, one-page sites | Try For Free |
8. Jimdo | AI-powered builder, eCommerce tools, SEO features | Starts at $9/month Check Pricing | Ideal for beginners with its easy-to-use interface | Try For Free |
9. 1&1 IONOS | Wide range of templates, marketing and eCommerce tools | Starts at $5/month Check Pricing | Good all-rounder with a focus on business websites | Try For Free |
10. GoDaddy | GoCentral ADI, email marketing, eCommerce tools | Starts at $9.99/month Check Pricing | Easy-to-use, but limited in terms of design customization | Try For Free |
- Hostgator Site Builder vs Wix: When it comes to eCommerce solutions, Wix probably has more advanced tools than Hostgator. Likewise, it has a free plan that allows you to test the waters in the platform.
- Hostgator Web Builder vs Squarespace: If it’s the style and aesthetics you’re looking for, you may want to check out Squarespace. Gator Builder may have strings of themes and templates, but some of them can be too plain if you have a taste for elegance.
- Hostgator Site Builder vs Weebly: Weebly also boasts on its drag-and-drop editor, which can also be found in Hostgator. But its edge lies in its established blogging features.
Hostgator Website Builder Review Final Word:
So now, let’s conclude this Hostgator Website Builder Review with a simple thought. Hostgator is part of the running to become the go-to website builder for beginners.
Its ease-of-use and user-friendly features provide reassurance for those who have no background in developing websites, and its price plans are affordable. However, these features may attract advanced users who are looking for hassle-free website building.
While Hostgator doesn’t have a free plan, you can always begin with its Express Start pricing plan. Avail of the money-back guarantee within 45 days if the platform does not suit well to your needs.
FAQ:
What happens if I send a refund request after 45 days of purchase?
Hostgator strictly requires that you process the cancellation within 45 days. Therefore, you may not be granted a refund if you go beyond that timeframe.
How does Gator Builder compare to other platforms when it comes to eCommerce functionality?
Hostgator's eCommerce tools are more basic than competitors like Shopify, Wix, and BigCommerce. But, it corresponds well to small business needs and start-up entrepreneurs.
That’s all for now:
If you've read our Hostgator Website Builder review up to here, we are grateful. Remember always to keep abreast of the latest developments on website builders, eCommerce, and other articles, such as the ones below;
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