Bluehost Review 2023: Features & Alternatives
Reviewed by Randolph Vialva, MBA
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Blue host is a well-known web host that works closely with WordPress providing businesses with a place to host their unique websites
Pros
- Services are catered toward small businesses
- Customer support is rated highly by users
Cons
- Only offered to US customers
- Excellent promotional prices end after 1 year
- Domain names are non-refundable
- 24/7 customer support
- Customizable services including design or shop help
- Free Google My Business profile with an account
- SEO assistance
- Integrated Google Ad services
- Over 2 million sites hosted
- Dedicated hosting, VPS hosting, WordPress hosting, and reseller hosting offered
Bluehost offers many desirable features to those looking for a website host. Compared to other web hosting services, they shine in the area of customer service, pricing, and ease of use with their partnership with WordPress.
Bluehost Advantages
Free Domain & Free SSL
One of the most advantageous features offered by Bluehost is its free domain and free SSL offering.
An SSL is a secure socket layer, and assists in the privacy of the connection between a user and a provider of a site.
Bluehost offers free domain privacy for each of its customers in this way. They also offer a free domain name with the purchase of their services for the first year
Great security
The free SSL certificate certainly provides a layer of security for Bluehost customers and ensures any customer entering data that their information is secure with the Bluehost customer’s site. Bluehost also partners with SiteLock to provide customers with website security at an affordable price. SiteLock provides services such as malware scanning, security alerts, and quick and helpful support in the case of any security issues.
Easy to use
Bluehost was made for the web hosting novice. With an official WordPress partnership, they provide WordPress site-building help, hosting plans, and website templates for anyone. Within the web hosting industry, they keep up with competitive prices, as well as ease of use.
Because of this offering for each user to create their own WordPress website, each user has the easy-to-use Bluehost dashboard as well as WordPress site-building help.
Excellent support
Bluehost’s most stellar feature includes their 24/7, helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable customer support. Bluehost’s customer support is known for its patience and assistance with any and all questions their customers might have. Customers who are new to building small business websites will be assisted in a timely and helpful manner with Bluehost.
Money-back guarantee
On top of their excellent service and easy-to-use features, Bluehost boasts a 30 day money back guarantee with their hosting services. Be aware that if you are unhappy with the services, you can request your money back within 30 days. However, this does not apply to domain names, you’ll have to purchase the domain name you originally selected and it will no longer be free to you with the services.
Read More: Best Web Hosting For Blog 2023
Bluehost Review: Plan & Prices
| WordPress hosting | Website Builder | Online Stores | Shared Hosting | Dedicated Hosting | VPS Hosting | |
| Start From | $4.95/mo | $4.95/mo | $9.95/mo | $2.75/mo* | $79.99/mo* | $19.99/mo* |
WordPress hosting
Bluehost’s managed WordPress hosting includes the use of WordPress as you build and maintain your website. Their partnership with WordPress enables customers to build WordPress sites with ease. This is a more basic plan, but it’s essential nonetheless.
Website Builder
Also including the use of WordPress is the website builder package. This package allows customers to build a custom site and literally drag and drop site elements where they should go.
Online Stores
Customers who desire an online store can use this package to set it up, customize it, and manage it with expert support.
Shared Hosting
The shared hosting package includes all the benefits of WordPress hosting, plus all the ins and outs of website management are taken care of by Bluehost. Shared hosting means you’ll “share” part of a server that Bluehost manages, but you won’t even notice. Any issues or site problems will be covered by Bluehost while you put out content and branding.
Dedicated Hosting
If you’re a customer who wants more control, dedicated hosting might be for you. You’ll have your own dedicated hosting server for your site, so you can add, edit and change your sites as needed. This hosting plan is for a more advanced site builder, or maybe someone who desires multiple sites to configure for their business.
VPS Hosting
VPS hosting also boasts separate dedicated servers. An acronym for “virtual private server,” this type of hosting plan offers “virtual storage” so that the user can customize, allocate, and configure their site in a customizable and flexible way. These types of hosting plans are again for the more seasoned site builder.
Bluehost Quick Overview
Best Overall Value
- Helpful and available customer service
- Easy-to-use features for the novice website builder
- Competitive pricing for small businesses
Bluehost Customer Reviews
I had the absolute best experience with Bluehost tech support!
Glenna Malleau
I can definitely see myself continue to work with bluehost with such wonderful customer service.
Jorge
Epic problem solving
Rev LeReve Tsolwizar
Bluehost has been a terrific hosting service for us. Good customer support and reliable website hosting.
Maryellen Capek
Bluehost Web Hosting Service Review
Review of Bluehost
| Overall Pricing and Value | 87.5%
| 87.5% |
| Cost Value | 85%
| 85% |
| Customer Support | 90%
| 90% |
| Ease of Use | 95%
| 95% |
| Included Features | 80%
| 80% |
When considering employing Bluehost as your web hosting service provider, it’s essential to think about their services, costs, and the quality of their offerings.
Is Bluehost Right For You?
If you’re a small business owner, Bluehost might be a great web hosting company for your needs. They offer customer support for any problems or questions, easy-to-use WordPress websites, and varying features based on your company’s needs.
Cost Value
Bluehost provides competitive rates when compared with other web hosting providers out there. The only caution to take when considering cost is the increase in cost after the first year with Bluehost.
Customer Service
As you can tell from the customer reviews listed above, customers are generally happy with Bluehost. They rave about the friendliness and the helpfulness of the support staff. However, some customers do complain of being charged in error or having technological issues from time to time.
Ease of Use
With the automatic WordPress installation, Bluehost makes site hosting and creation as easy to use as ever. Anyone can build a website and get it up and running within just a few hours. The ease of use is incredible!
Included Features
Some features include:
- 24/7 customer support
- Customizable services including design or shop help
- Free Google My Business profile with an account
- SEO assistance
- Integrated Google Ad services
- Over 2 million sites hosted
- Dedicated hosting, VPS hosting, WordPress hosting, and reseller hosting offered
Overall
In the end, Bluehost is one of the best web hosting services available on the market today. They boast excellent customer assistance, a free domain name for a year, a plethora of hosting options, SEO tools, high website speed, and more. There’s no wonder they’re a well-known name in the world of web hosts.
2 Top Bluehost Alternatives
| Hostgator | Hostinger | Bluehost | |
| Price | From $2.75/mo | From $1.99/mo | From $2.75/mo* |
| Free Domain | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hosting types | WordPress, VPS, cloud, and dedicated server hosting | WordPress, VPS, cloud, cPanel, Minecraft, and CyberPanel VPS hosting | Shared, WordPress, VPS, cloud, and dedicated |
| Money-back guarantee | 45 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Detail | Read detail | Read detail | Read detail |
| Link |
Hostgator
Hostgator is another option for a great hosting service. They offer similar features to Bluehost, however, they have a longer money-back period. Founded in 2002, they have over 20 years of experience hosting sites and helping customers create an excellent online experience.
Hostinger
Hostinger is another hosting provider that offers customers a place on the internet for a lower price than Bluehost. They are newer to the hosting scene, having been founded in 2011. Like the other two hosting services, they offer a free domain with their services.
Read More: Best Hosting For Ecommerce 2023
Conclusion
It’s up to you which out of these hosting services you’d like to purchase, but Bluehost is an excellent contender for small business owners everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This is a type of storage of websites or information in a virtual way to make them accessible at any location or time.
Each hosting account provides different features, so depending on your unique situation, Bluehost, Hostinger, or Hostgator might be right for you. Bluehost servers are great for a new business owner trying to make an online presence.
Bluehost boasts 24/7 customer support, and most customers say that it has been very helpful to their web hosting journey. It seems that most issues are revised in a helpful, friendly, and timely manner.
Bluehost works with WordPress to offer an easy-to-use website builder that anyone can figure out to easily build a website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
+ 7 sources
Bizreport Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Bizreport, you can read more about the editorial process here.
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What Is An SSL Certificate? How Much Is An SSL Certificate? www.bluehost.com. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.bluehost.com/help/article/ssl-certificates
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Domains by Bluehost. www.bluehost.com. Published February 1, 2019. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.bluehost.com/blog/domains-by-bluehost/#:~:text=Every%20new%20Bluehost%20account%20includes,to%20us%20via%20live%20chat.
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How to Order SiteLock. www.bluehost.com. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.bluehost.com/help/article/order-sitelock
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30-Day Hosting Money-back Guarantee. www.bluehost.com. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.bluehost.com/money-back-guarantee
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About Us – A Leading Web Hosting Solutions Company – Bluehost. Bluehost.com. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.bluehost.com/about
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About HostGator | HostGator Support. www.hostgator.com. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.hostgator.com/help/article/about-hostgator
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About Hostinger. Hostinger. Accessed January 6, 2023. https://www.hostinger.com/about#:~:text=Since%20its%20founding%20in%202011