

- Powers 2M+ websites worldwide
- Free domain and SSL certificate
- Limited Offer- starting at $1.99/mo
- Unmetered bandwidth


- Easy-to-use control panel
- Unmetered disk space & bandwidth
- Drag-and-drop website templates
- Free domain for one year


- Domain name included
- Professional templates
- Support: 24/7 phone & email
- Up to 10 sites per plan


- Automated domain transfer
- Save 25% with code TOPDOMAIN
- 24/7 customer support
- Unlimited storage


- Get a free domain for 1 year with code TOP10CD
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- 24/7 tech support
- Free SSL for one year


- Free domain name
- 50% off yearly plan using the code: BUILD50
- Support: 24/7 by phone
- Unmetered bandwidth on all plans


- Powers 2M+ websites worldwide
- Free domain and SSL certificate
- Limited Offer- starting at $1.99/mo
- Unmetered bandwidth
What Are Website Hosting Services and Which Is Right for You?
Website hosting services are basically the plot of internet land that your website storefront sits on. If you have a website, it needs to be on the web, and these hosting services are the landlords that put up your site and keep it running so your customers can access and see it when they type in your URL.
There are different types of web hosting services that cater to the varying types of businesses. Some web hosting companies will build your entire website, while others will just give you the plot of land and the shovel and leave you to it. Depending on your business model and size, you’ll choose a hosting company based on the factors explained below.
How to Choose the Best Web Hosting Company?
Without the best web hosting, your ability to run a successful website is going to be seriously hindered. There is a dizzying array of web hosting providers, like Bluehost, competing for your business. How can you pinpoint the best one? Start by keeping the following points in mind:
Bandwidth
The first thing you need to do when shopping for a web hosting service is to evaluate your disk space and bandwidth needs. If your site features lots of graphics, dozens of pages, and large amounts of traffic, you're going to need decent bandwidth and disk space. Unlimited plans are available, and they make life easier.
Compatibility
Keep compatibility in mind, too. In the excitement of looking for a website hosting provider, you might overlook one critical thing: the type of operating systems that are supported. You're not going to want to switch operating systems, so double-check this point before settling for a provider.
Reliability
Reliability and availability are critical characteristics to consider when shopping around for web hosting. The best web hosting companies offer availability rates of 98 and 99 percent, frequently referred to as “Uptime.”
Security
Security is also an essential concern. Choosing a web hosting provider without learning about its available security features is a big mistake. Things like firewalls, daily backups, and user authentication should all be included.
Take a look at how we choose the best web hosting sites in the industry in order to make a better decision about which is right for you.
Hosting Packages and What They Mean to You
The larger or more complex a website, the more comprehensive a configuration package it's going to need. The main ones are broken down as follows:
Shared
Shared web hosting is the basic package that services, like Bluehost offers. Your website sits on the same server along with many other websites, so you're sharing the server, and any other resources, such as memory or CPU. These are good for basic website needs such as email sending, file sharing, and base level ecommerce sites. Shared hosting is the cheapest and therefore smartest option for smaller or startup businesses.
VPS
A virtual private server is designated for your direct purposes, more than a shared server. You still may be sharing an actual server, but the service creates a virtual server of your very own. That means all the resources are yours alone, from memory storage to processing power and beyond. This is a safer and much more reliable option that keeps your site separate from the others while still maintaining affordability.
Dedicated
Dedicated hosting is already another level. In addition to getting your own server, dedicated hosting lets you take full control over your server. That means you have full administrative access and can set things up the way you like it. This type of package comes with a royal suite of features that may not be necessary for all types of businesses.
Wordpress
WordPress is a shared hosting service that caters to a more specialized clientele. The servers themselves are optimized differently, and have features that are particularly attractive to WordPress performance such as faster load time, pre-installation, security features that work specifically with WordPress, and WordPress updates. This is useful for businesses that have websites created on WordPress.
Some Top Features When It Comes to Top Hosting Quality
Hosting quality is affected by several factors that are important to weigh during your decision making process. Some of the most significant ones include:
Uptime Guarantee
We mention this in more detail below, and really it’s one of the most important factors to consider, so don’t skimp on uptime. Bluehost has one of the best uptime guarantees at 99.9%.
Load Time
Load time is also really important. Recent studies show that the average attention span has shrunk over the years to smaller than that of a goldfish! So, if your website takes even a drop too long to load a page, your business is dead before it’s even started. To keep yourself in the running, be sure your hosting service has a fast load time.
Customer Support
Because having an issue with your website is nothing to take lightly, you want to make sure customer service is available, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. More on this below.
Location
The number of servers and location plays a huge part in the speed of your website loading and service. Obviously, the more servers available, the faster the service, but where those servers are found in the world will also affect the quality. Look for servers in substantial locations close to you such as the UK, US, or Germany depending on your location.
Conclusion
As tempting as it may be to choose a web hosting provider quickly and just get on with your life, it's undeniably better to take your time. In doing so, you'll be able to find a provider you can stick with for the long haul. Browse these reviews to get the most data in the least amount of time/effort, in order to make a well-informed decision.
Our Top 3 Picks
- 1exceptional9.8Comprehensive hosting plans with perks includedComprehensive hosting plans with perks includedRead Bluehost Review
With more than 2 million websites internationally, Bluehost is one of the most popular web hosting services in the industry. And that’s not hard to understand when you look at what’s being offered. 1-click WordPress installation, 24/7 expert support from trained professionals, and a 30-day money-back guarantee are just a few of the reasons we’re so impressed by Bluehost.
Bluehost Pros & Cons
PROS
Outstanding customer supportSuite of added web toolsUnlimited bandwidth and storageCONS
Have to pay for site transferA lot of upselling - 2excellent9.2Web and cloud hosting with all the perksWeb and cloud hosting with all the perksRead HostGator Review
Not too many people will fail to recognize the familiar friendly gator, the mascot of HostGator. The service is one of the most prevalent in the country, and it has the perks to keep customers coming back. HostGator kicks things off with a 45-day money-back guarantee, 24/7 live chat customer support, and a solid 99.9% uptime guarantee.
HostGator Pros & Cons
PROS
Free domain for a year99.9% uptime guaranteeLots of tools and plans to choose fromCONS
VPS is only Linux-basedSo many options can be overwhelming - 3very good8.8Everything needed to launch and host your siteEverything needed to launch and host your siteRead Network Solutions Review
Network Solutions is known as the world’s first domain provider, and that’s an impressive claim in this competitive industry. With proven reliability, secure servers, and a wide variety of developer tools to tickle your fancy and make your website really pop, Network Solutions has an excellent service to offer SMBs, medium, and even enterprise-level businesses.
Network Solutions Pros & Cons
PROS
Live tech supportStrong security featuresLots of promotional offers frequentlyCONS
No live chat supportNot a lot of hosting variants