As a blogger or business owner, you need a reliable web hosting provider to ensure your website is always up and running. Bluehost is a popular web hosting company that has been around for over 15 years. In this Bluehost review, I will share my experience using their services and tell you why I think Bluehost is the best web hosting option for beginners.
What is Bluehost? Bluehost is a web hosting company that offers a range of hosting services, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, and WordPress hosting. They are an officially recommended hosting provider by WordPress.org and offer one-click WordPress installation.
Bluehost is known for its beginner-friendly interface and affordable pricing plans. To be honest, I am not a techie person. When it comes to web hosting, I only care about a few simple things:
- Is it easy to use/set up?
- Speed
- Uptime
- Customer Support (I'm gonna need it)
- Safety/Security
- Price
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Key Takeaways
- Bluehost is a reliable web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting services.
- Bluehost is beginner-friendly and offers one-click WordPress installation.
- Bluehost provides affordable pricing plans and reliable customer support.
Is It Easy To Use and Set Up?
The first time I had even heard of web hosting was the same day I decided to start a blog. I didn't want to know anything other than how to get to get through the setup quickly.
Bluehost is the preferred web host for WordPress. It hosts over 2 Million WordPress websites so there is no shortage of information and tutorials on how to setup Bluehost.
Even for someone who is allergic to technology, the setup process is fairly painless. I was able to get a domain name purchased and Bluehost setup in less than 45 minutes. WordPress setup and customization is its own step and the setup time there can vary greatly.
If you are making a go at blogging or affiliate marketing, my best advice is to use Bluehost, get up and running quickly, and don't get bogged down by customization details in WordPress.
Speed
How fast your website loads is a crucial factor. Studies have shown that even a 1 second delay can keep someone from staying on your webpage. We are such an impatient people.
Bluehost hosts a large number of websites on their servers and site speed is excellent across those sites. For 99% of websites, Bluehost is going to maintain sufficient loading speeds and uptime.
You will need something more robust when you hit it big time and are getting massive amounts of traffic. Think of someone who goes on Shark Tank and all of the sudden receives millions of visitors to their website in a matter of minutes.
When an event like this occurs, a web host needs to have servers geared toward handling gobs of traffic in a short period of time. You might be able to find a better option but you do not need to worry about that right now.
If you go with something more robust, you are going to pay dearly for it. Paying up in preparation for millions of visitors coming to your site in one night is a bit ambitious and unnecessary.
Uptime
Similar to site speed, Bluehost boasts excellent uptime. Most of the web tests I have seen confirm a 99.9% uptime for Bluehost. This means their servers keep your website up with minimal downtime. Downtime is any time your site is unable to be viewed by people on the internet because of an outage.
I have been hosting my websites on Bluehost for years and can only remember one time when my site was down. Bluehost had told me in advance they were doing server maintenance and that my site would be down for a few minutes. They were true to their word.
Uptime – Check.
Customer Support
I have spent a fair amount of time on the phone with Bluehost support. This is one of the best things about Bluehost, in my opinion. Because of my technological challenges, I need a little help.
Most of my interactions with Bluehost are because I find out I need to do something and I have no idea how to do it. I call Bluehost and one of their customer service reps walks me through how to do it.
Bluehost prides themselves in resolving these interactions quickly, kindly, and in the first interaction. You can tell it is a culture. It actually makes me much more likely to pick up the phone and ask for help and it keeps me being a customer.
Features of Bluehost
As someone who has used Bluehost for website hosting, I can attest to the various features it provides. In this section, I will outline the key features of Bluehost, including its website builder, email service, and security measures.
Website Builder
One of the standout features of Bluehost is its website builder. It offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to create a professional-looking website without any coding experience. The drag-and-drop feature allows you to easily add and customize elements like text, images, and buttons.
Bluehost's website builder also includes a variety of templates that you can choose from to get started. These templates are customizable, so you can make changes to suit your needs. Additionally, the website builder is optimized for mobile devices, ensuring that your website looks great on any device.
Email Service
Bluehost also offers an email service that is easy to set up and use. With Bluehost, you can create a professional email address that matches your domain name. For example, if your domain name is “example.com,” you can create an email address like “info@example.com.”
Bluehost's email service also includes features like spam protection, autoresponders, and email forwarding. You can access your email from anywhere using webmail or an email client like Microsoft Outlook.
Security Measures
When it comes to website hosting, security is a top priority. Bluehost takes security seriously and offers various measures to protect your website. For example, it provides SSL certificates, which encrypt data between the user's browser and your website.
Bluehost also offers SiteLock, a security tool that scans your website for malware and vulnerabilities. Additionally, it provides CodeGuard, a backup service that automatically backs up your website and allows you to restore it if necessary.
Overall, Bluehost offers a range of features that make it a great choice for website hosting. Its website builder is user-friendly, its email service is professional, and its security measures are top-notch.
Ease of Use
When it comes to web hosting, the ease of use is a critical factor to consider. Bluehost is well-known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to set up and manage their website. In this section, I will discuss my experience using Bluehost, including getting started with the platform.
Getting Started With Bluehost
Getting started with Bluehost is a straightforward process. Once you sign up for an account, you will be directed to the Bluehost dashboard. From there, you can access all the tools you need to manage your website, including the cPanel, website builder, and one-click WordPress installation.
The cPanel is where you can manage your website files, databases, and domains. It is easy to navigate and includes helpful features such as file managers, domain managers, and email accounts. The website builder is a drag-and-drop tool that allows you to create a website without any coding knowledge. It includes a variety of templates and customization options to help you create a professional-looking website quickly.
One of the best features of Bluehost is the one-click WordPress installation. WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, and Bluehost is one of the few web hosts recommended by WordPress.org. With Bluehost, you can install WordPress with just one click, making it easy to get started with your website.
In conclusion, Bluehost is an excellent option for those looking for a user-friendly web hosting platform. The cPanel, website builder, and one-click WordPress installation make it easy to manage your website, even if you are a beginner.
Pricing and Plans
Bluehost offers a variety of hosting plans to suit different needs and budgets. Here's a breakdown of their three main hosting types:
Bluehost's shared hosting plans are the most affordable option, starting at a regular price of $11.99 per month. These plans are ideal for someone starting a blog or personal website. You can always upgrade to something more robust once you hit it big time. Shared hosting is the way to go in the beginning.
Bluehost says their “regular” price is $11.99/month for the standard shared hosting plan. However, Bluehost offers a lot of promotions for the first year. You can get one of those promotions if you buy here at Ventured! Bluehost offers 75% off for the first year. You will also get. Buy through the link below and take advantage of Bluehost's great offer!:
- A free domain name for the first eyar
- Free SSL (site security)
- Free CDN (makes your site faster)
VPS Hosting
If you need more resources and greater flexibility, Bluehost's VPS hosting plans may be a better fit. Bluehost's “normal” price is $83.99 per month and provide a dedicated amount of server resources for your website. The discounted price for year 1 is 58% off or $34.99/month
With VPS hosting, you have more control over your server environment and can customize it to your needs. Bluehost's VPS plans also come with a free domain name, free SSL certificate, and root access.
Dedicated Hosting
For websites that require the highest level of performance and security, Bluehost's dedicated hosting plans are the way to go. These plans start at $109.97 per month and provide a dedicated server for your website.
With dedicated hosting, you have complete control over your server environment and can install any software you need. Bluehost's dedicated plans also come with a free domain name, free SSL certificate, and RAID storage.
In addition to these three main hosting types, Bluehost also offers specialized hosting for WordPress, WooCommerce, and more. No matter what type of website you have, Bluehost has a hosting plan to fit your needs and budget.
Conclusion
Overall, Bluehost provides reliable performance and uptime. Their uptime percentage is impressive, and they offer tools to help improve website speed. However, it's important to keep in mind that their uptime may vary from month to month.
Pros and Cons
Advantages of Bluehost
As a web hosting provider, Bluehost has several advantages that make it a popular choice among website owners. Here are some of the main benefits of using Bluehost:
- User-friendly interface: Bluehost offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that allows users to manage their websites, domains, and hosting accounts with ease. This is especially useful for beginners who may not have much experience with web hosting.
- 24/7 phone and chat support: Bluehost provides excellent customer support via phone and chat, which means that users can get help whenever they need it. This is particularly important for businesses that rely on their websites for revenue and need to resolve issues quickly.
- One-click WordPress installation: Bluehost makes it easy to install WordPress with just one click, which is great for users who want to use this popular content management system for their website.
- Free CDN: Bluehost offers a free content delivery network (CDN) that helps to improve website speed and performance. This is a valuable feature that can help to enhance the user experience and boost search engine rankings.
- Recommended by WordPress.org: Bluehost is one of only three web hosting providers that is recommended by WordPress.org, which is a testament to the quality of its hosting services.
Disadvantages of Bluehost
While Bluehost has many advantages, there are also some drawbacks that users should be aware of. Here are some of the main disadvantages of using Bluehost:
- Renewal rates increase significantly: While Bluehost offers affordable introductory rates, the renewal rates can be much higher. This means that users may end up paying significantly more for their hosting services in the long run.
- Limited storage and bandwidth: Bluehost's basic plans come with limited storage and bandwidth, which may not be sufficient for larger websites or those with high traffic volumes.
- No free website migration: Unlike some other web hosting providers, Bluehost does not offer free website migration services, which means that users may need to pay extra to transfer their website to Bluehost.
Overall, Bluehost is a solid web hosting provider with many advantages and some disadvantages. Users should carefully consider their needs and budget before choosing Bluehost as their hosting provider.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bluehost is a solid choice for web hosting with its user-friendly interface, 24/7 phone and chat support, and one-click WordPress installation. While its renewal rates may be higher than its initial pricing, the value-priced starter plan with a free domain name makes it an attractive option for those starting a website.
Bluehost's well-designed UX and up-to-date security make it one of the most popular hosting providers on the planet. Its extensive support and knowledgebase filled with helpful articles are just another reason to give this web host a try.
Overall, Bluehost is a reliable service that can be a good match for your project. However, it's important to consider your specific needs and requirements before choosing a web host. Take the time to research and compare different options to find the best fit for your website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the limitations of Bluehost?
As with any web hosting service, Bluehost has some limitations. One of the main limitations is that they have a strict CPU usage policy. This means that if your website uses too much CPU, Bluehost may ask you to upgrade to a more expensive plan. Additionally, Bluehost does not offer Windows hosting, so if your website requires Windows-specific technologies, you will need to look elsewhere.
Is Bluehost good for small business?
Yes, Bluehost is a good option for small businesses. They offer a range of hosting plans that can accommodate different levels of traffic and website needs. Additionally, Bluehost offers a range of features that are useful for small businesses, such as email hosting and ecommerce tools.
Which is better Bluehost or GoDaddy?
Both Bluehost and GoDaddy are popular web hosting services, but which one is better depends on your specific needs. Overall, Bluehost is a better option for beginners and those who need a reliable, affordable hosting solution. GoDaddy, on the other hand, is better for those who need a lot of flexibility and customization options.
What are the pricing plans for Bluehost?
Bluehost offers a range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, and WordPress hosting. Their pricing starts at $2.95 per month for shared hosting, and goes up to $119.99 per month for dedicated hosting.
Is Bluehost good for blogging?
Yes, Bluehost is a good option for bloggers. They offer a range of hosting plans that are optimized for WordPress, which is one of the most popular blogging platforms. Additionally, Bluehost offers a range of features that are useful for bloggers, such as automatic WordPress updates and a free SSL certificate.
What are the ecommerce features of Bluehost?
Bluehost offers a range of ecommerce features that are useful for online businesses. They offer a range of shopping cart solutions, including WooCommerce and Magento, and they also offer SSL certificates and payment processing solutions. Additionally, Bluehost offers marketing tools and analytics to help you grow your online business.
