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Sunday, February 16th
Bluehost's story began in 1996 when Matt Heaton first conceived the idea while working on various hosting projects. After gaining valuable experience and insights from running 50megs and 0catch, Heaton officially launched Bluehost in 2003 in Provo, Utah. The company quickly established itself as a reliable hosting provider, particularly gaining recognition for its early partnership with WordPress and becoming one of their recommended hosts.
The company's independent journey continued until 2010 when it was acquired by Endurance International Group (EIG), marking its first major ownership transition. This acquisition brought significant changes to Bluehost's operations and service delivery model. In 2021, another significant change occurred when EIG merged with Web.com to form Newfold Digital, making Bluehost part of one of the largest web hosting conglomerates globally, alongside brands like HostGator, Domain.com, and Network Solutions.
Competitive initial pricing, but watch those renewals
Bluehost's pricing structure initially appears attractive, with shared hosting plans starting as low as $2.95 per month for the Basic plan with a three-year commitment. The Plus plan begins at $4.95 monthly, while the Choice Plus plan starts at $3.95 with additional features like domain privacy and automated backups included for free. These introductory rates are competitive within the industry and make Bluehost an appealing option for new website owners.
However, the renewal rates tell a different story. The Basic plan jumps to $11.99 monthly at renewal, Plus increases to $16.99, and Choice Plus surges to $21.99. For dedicated hosting, initial rates start at $141.19 but renew at significantly higher prices. VPS hosting ranges from $46.99 to $94.99 initially but can go up 40-50% at renewal. When comparing total cost of ownership over three to five years, Bluehost often becomes one of the more expensive options in the market, particularly when factoring in necessary add-ons like domain privacy protection and backup services. At this stage in the hosting game, all hosts ought to offer these absolutely critical services on all plans.
Something else we've found annoying about Bluehost and other hosts like them is that they advertise hosting value based on the number of websites you can have. That might be great if you're a web designer or agency reselling site hosting plans 10-100 at a time. But for single-site businesses, it makes little sense to buy into hosting for more than one website. Bluehost ought to have lower pricing for one-site scenarios.
Pricing
Robust feature set for various needs
Bluehost's feature set seems comprehensive at first glance, particularly excelling in WordPress integration. The platform offers one-click WordPress installation, free SSL certificates, and a custom-designed WordPress website builder. Advanced features include WordPress staging environments, unlimited websites on higher-tier plans, and integrated marketing tools through their partnership with Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising.
The control panel is built on cPanel but includes Bluehost's custom enhancements for easier navigation. However, the navigation was, in our experience with other hosts, not all that easy to use by comparison.
Resource allocations are generous, with the Basic plan offering 50GB SSD storage and unmetered bandwidth. Higher-tier plans include unlimited SSD storage, unlimited domains, and advanced spam protection. Developer-friendly features include support for PHP 7.4, MySQL 5.7, and SSH access, though some advanced features like Redis caching are only available on higher-tier plans.
For businesses requiring more power, Bluehost's VPS and dedicated hosting plans offer impressive specifications. VPS plans provide up to 120GB SSD storage and 8GB RAM, while dedicated servers offer up to 4 CPU cores, 16GB RAM, and 1TB of storage. However, some users report that resource limitations are more strictly enforced than advertised, particularly on shared hosting plans.
Money-back guarantee comes with fine print
Bluehost's 30-day money-back guarantee appears straightforward at first glance, offering a full refund of hosting fees within the first month of service. This policy applies to all hosting plans, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting services. The refund process typically takes 5-7 business days for the amount to be credited back to the original payment method.
However, several important exclusions and conditions apply. Domain registration fees are non-refundable, and if you received a free domain with your hosting package, a fee equal to the domain name registration price will be deducted from your refund to maintain domain registration. Add-on services such as domain privacy, CodeGuard backup, SiteLock security, and SEO tools are also non-refundable. Additionally, if you cancel after the 30-day period, no pro-rated refunds are available for unused service time, which differs from some competitors who offer pro-rated refunds throughout the contract term.
Support that too often misses the mark
Bluehost provides 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, including phone, live chat, and ticket-based email support. The support team is based primarily in Utah and India, with varying levels of technical expertise. Response times for live chat typically range from 5-20 minutes, while phone support often requires longer wait times, particularly during peak hours. The knowledge base includes over 1,000 articles covering common issues and setup procedures.
However, customer experiences with support have been inconsistent. Many users report frustration with first-line support representatives who seem to follow scripts rather than addressing specific issues. Complex technical problems often require multiple escalations, leading to extended resolution times. The quality of support also appears to vary significantly based on the plan level, with dedicated and VPS hosting customers receiving more attentive service compared to shared hosting users.
The knowledge base, while extensive, suffers from organization issues and outdated information. Many articles haven't been updated to reflect recent changes in the control panel interface or newer features. Video tutorials are available but similarly need updating to match current platform versions.
A concerning pattern of customer dissatisfaction
Recent reviews on Trustpilot reveal a troubling trend in customer satisfaction. Out of over 16,000+ reviews, Bluehost maintains a rating average of just 4.2 out of 5 stars, which is relatively low compared to the other, better companies we're reviewing.
Many customers are reporting issues related to site performance, billing practices, and support quality. Common complaints include unexpected downtime, slow loading speeds during peak hours, and difficulty reaching knowledgeable support staff for technical issues.
The Better Business Bureau's report on Newfold Digital, Bluehost's parent company, raises additional concerns. The BBB has identified a pattern of complaints regarding unauthorized charges, difficult cancellation processes, and unresponsive customer service. Despite Newfold Digital's responses to these complaints, the pattern continues, suggesting systemic issues in customer service and billing practices across their brands, including Bluehost. This pattern is particularly troubling for small business owners who rely on consistent hosting performance and transparent billing practices.
The bottom line: look elsewhere
While Bluehost offers an average foundation for basic websites and WordPress hosting, several factors should turn you away from making a commitment. The platform's strengths lie in its user-friendly interface, comprehensive WordPress integration, and initial pricing structure. These features make it a potentially suitable choice for personal blogs, small business websites, and WordPress enthusiasts who prioritize ease of use over advanced functionality.
However, the combination of steep renewal prices, inconsistent customer support, and troublesome patterns of customer complaints suggests that Bluehost is not a reliable or helpful company. For mission-critical websites or growing businesses, the value proposition becomes less compelling when considering the total cost of ownership and potential service reliability issues. We recommend exploring alternatives, particularly web hosts with better track records in customer satisfaction and more transparent pricing structures. If you do choose Bluehost for some reason, consider starting with a shorter commitment period to evaluate the service quality firsthand before making a longer-term investment.
If you want to connect with a local, national, or global audience, having a website is essential. Whether your site is for promoting a brand, running an online store, sharing media, offering services, showcasing your writing, or just pursuing a hobby, it needs a reliable host.
Over the years, countless hosting companies have emerged, thrived, and then disappeared. So, how do you figure out which of the current providers will still be around when you need them? And what features should you prioritize? First, you need to understand your budget and the pricing models of different hosting companies.
Be careful to verify enticing low prices by reading terms of service, looking up renewal prices, and asking questions. Some payment plans are consistent from period to period. Others provide discounts for monthly, yearly, or multi-year commitments. Additionally, some companies offer advanced features tailored to the specific needs of your website and audience. Avoid signing up for excessively long hosting terms. We recommend paying for no more than 12 months at a time - marketplace conditions can change, causing you to take a loss on moving to a different hosting provider before your term is up.
When evaluating features, make a list of what you truly need, what would be nice to have, and what you can do without. For instance, do you want a wide selection of themes for a DIY approach, or would you prefer a custom design from a professional? Are you looking for a powerful dedicated server, or is a shared server sufficient for your needs? Will you be coding your own site, or do you need a developer's assistance? If you don't have a domain yet, can the host provide one? If you already own a domain, how easy is it for the host to transfer it and migrate your existing site? Don't forget to include any requirements for email, eCommerce, advertising, and search engine optimization (SEO).
Security and performance are often overlooked but are incredibly important. Many people assume that all hosting services are secure and provide fast loading times, but that's not always the case. This is especially true for hosts that offer very low prices for plans that may not deliver. Be wary of shared hosting, where your site shares a server with many others. If another site on that server experiences issues, it could put your site at risk as well.
Lastly, consider the reputation of the hosting company. This goes beyond just how long they've been in business; it includes how they treat their customers, the number of complaints they receive, and how effectively they address those complaints. It can also matter which holding company or private equity firm owns the hosting service. If at all possible, avoid hosts owned by Newfold Digital (formerly Endurance International Group or EIG) as they have all had a history of poor customer service and quality due to overly-aggressive acquisitions of hosts. Reach out to other website owners, web designers, and developers to get their opinions on the hosting companies you're considering. They can provide valuable insights based on their experiences.
As you narrow down your options, keep these factors in mind:
The IT experts at Top Consumer Reviews have compiled a list of leading web hosting providers to assist you in your research. We hope this information helps you find the best web host for your needs, ensuring your website is engaging, efficient, affordable, and secure.
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