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Liquid Web Review

Sunday, February 16th

2025 Web Hosting Company Reviews

Liquid Web Review 3 Star Rating

Liquid Web

3 Star Rating
  • Enterprise-grade infrastructure with 18 data centers worldwide
  • Comprehensive DDoS protection and security measures included
  • Free migration service with specialist assistance
  • Full range of hosting solutions from VPS to dedicated servers
  • 100% network and power uptime guarantee

Founded in 1997 in Matthew Hill's basement, Liquid Web began as a small hosting operation that quickly gained traction in the competitive web hosting market. Through strategic growth and a focus on premium services, they've expanded to serve over 180,000 customers worldwide. The company's journey from a basement startup to a major hosting provider demonstrates their ability to adapt and scale in the ever-evolving hosting industry.

Currently led by President Carrie Wheeler, Liquid Web operates from their Michigan headquarters while maintaining a global presence through 18 data centers. Their focus has shifted significantly over the years from general hosting to specifically targeting businesses and mission-critical hosting needs. This specialization has allowed them to develop expertise in areas like managed WordPress, WooCommerce, and enterprise-level dedicated hosting solutions.

Premium pricing that may give you pause

Liquid Web's pricing structure positions them firmly in the premium hosting category, with costs that may challenge smaller businesses' budgets. Their VPS hosting starts at $5/month and goes up to $82.50/month for basic cloud VPS. If you need managed VPS services, the base price jumps to $14.75/month but caps off at $44.75/month. Windows VPS solutions start at a more substantial $60/month. While introductory rates often feature 70% off for the first three months, the regular pricing represents a significant investment compared to web hosting competitors.

When examining the value proposition, it's important to note that Liquid Web's managed WordPress hosting starts at $5.25/month for a single site for the first three months, after which it jumps to $21/month. For enterprise plans, you'll be scaling up to $1,095/month after the 3-month discount ends. Dedicated servers, their premium offering, range from $70/month to over $500/month after a 6-month discount and depending on configuration. While these prices include many premium features, they're notably higher than similar offerings from competitors, making it crucial for potential customers to carefully evaluate their needs and budget.

Pricing

  • Varies widely depending on business needs

Comprehensive feature set meets all business needs

Liquid Web's feature set is extensive and clearly targeted at businesses requiring robust hosting solutions. Their VPS hosting includes dedicated resources with guaranteed RAM and storage, root access for complete server control, and enterprise-grade DDoS protection. The Server Secure protection package, included with all Windows server plans, provides advanced security features like malware scanning and removal, which is particularly valuable for business customers.

The managed services layer adds significant value through features like Acronis backups, choice of control panels (cPanel, Plesk, or InterWorx), and high-performance AMD EPYC processors. Their infrastructure supports both Windows and Linux environments, with specialized optimizations for popular applications like WordPress, WooCommerce, and Magento. A standout feature is their claimed fastest LAMP stack performance, which they report outpaces competitors like Rackspace, DigitalOcean, and Amazon in independent testing.

For developers and agencies, they offer additional tools like Git version control, staging environments, and developer tools integration. Their cloud platform provides auto-scaling capabilities and load balancing, essential features for growing businesses with fluctuating resource needs.

Customer-friendly policies with some limitations

Liquid Web offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but it's important to understand its specific scope and limitations. This guarantee applies only to managed VPS, managed metal, and managed cloud servers, with refunds typically processed within 7-10 business days. However, their terms of service specify that "except as otherwise provided, all Services are non-cancellable and all Fees are non-refundable," making it crucial to understand exactly which services qualify for the money-back guarantee and which don't.

The company provides free migration services, handling everything from initial assessment to final testing, including database transfers and configuration adjustments. Billing begins on the first day services are available, with automatic monthly credit card charges being the default payment method. Alternative payment arrangements require written approval and come with specific invoicing procedures. Customers should be aware of several important financial policies: a 30-day limit exists for disputing any charges, late payments incur a 1.5% monthly charge, and Liquid Web reserves the right to increase fees with 30 days' notice at renewal time or adjust prices due to significant cost increases in their operations. Additionally, customers are responsible for all applicable taxes and governmental fees unless valid tax exemption certificates are provided.

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Support that's showing signs of strain

Liquid Web's support team, marketed as the "Most Helpful Humans in Hosting," provides 24/7/365 assistance through multiple channels including phone, chat, and email. Their support staff undergoes extensive training and certification processes, and the company maintains an impressive 59-second average initial response time for support tickets. They also offer consultation services for complex hosting needs and dedicated account management for larger clients.

However, recent customer feedback suggests some concerning trends in their support quality. While their technical expertise remains strong, response times have reportedly increased, particularly for more complex issues. Some customers report experiencing longer wait times during peak periods and occasional communication gaps during extended problem-resolution processes. The support team's knowledge of specialized services like WooCommerce and Magento hosting remains strong, but general support quality appears to vary depending on the specific technician and issue type.

Mixed reviews paint a complex picture

Recent Trustpilot reviews further reveal a nuanced picture of customer satisfaction. While maintaining an overall rating average of 4.4 out of 5 stars, the reviews from the past 12 months show increasing polarization. Many customers praise specific support staff members and the technical robustness of the hosting infrastructure, particularly highlighting the stability of dedicated servers and the expertise of senior technical staff.

However, a growing number of critical reviews point to specific areas of concern. Common issues include unexpected downtime during maintenance windows, challenges with the migration process, and inconsistent support experiences. The absence of a BBB listing is particularly notable for a company of this size and market position, potentially raising questions about their commitment to standardized business practices and dispute resolution processes.

Recommended after careful consideration

Liquid Web presents a mixed value proposition that requires careful consideration. Their services are best suited for established businesses that require high-performance hosting and can justify the premium pricing structure. The robust infrastructure and technical capabilities make them a viable choice for mission-critical applications and high-traffic websites.

However, potential customers should carefully evaluate their specific needs and budget constraints before committing. We recommend starting with a smaller service package to test their support and performance claims, particularly if you're moving from a less expensive host. While their technical capabilities are strong, the premium pricing and recent support challenges suggest that some businesses might find better value elsewhere, especially those with simpler hosting needs or tighter budgets.

Which Web Hosting Service is the Best Choice?

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.

The Best Web Hosting Companies Compare Web Hosting Companies Compare Web Hosting Company Reviews What are the best Web Hosting Companies Best Web Hosting Company Reviews

Web Hosting Company FAQ

Web hosting is a service that provides a computer (called a server) that delivers web page content to your website visitors. Rather than learning how to build and connect your own server to the Internet, web hosting companies provide all of these services for a fee so you can just focus on your website.
Web hosting can be very inexpensive if your needs are basic. But there is also a trade-off of lesser quality availability, security, and performance with lower-cost hosting. It is highly recommended that you prioritize your web hosting budget to balance obtaining the highest quality for a reasonable price. As your website's traffic grows, you'll be happier if you purchased hosting that can grow with it.
All reputable web hosting companies provide some kind of money-back guarantee. Avoid those companies that do not allow you to back out of a plan without penalty if it doesn't initially meet your needs. Choose a company that provides a guarantee that you will love their hosting or they'll refund at least your first payment.
Most web hosts do not require that you sign a contract for their services. Rather, they provide monthly pricing plans or yearly pricing plans that discount the monthly service cost if you pay for a year of hosting up front. It is not advisable to sign a contract or purchase a hosting plan for more than a year of service. Your needs, and the quality of the web host, could change in that time - leaving you out of pocket for the difference if you have to move to another web hosting provider.
Having good web hosting will enable you to get the most out of your website. A fast website is typically hosted on a fast server. Fast websites get and keep more visitors than slow websites. Additionally, the more secure your web hosting company is, the more secure your website will be from the attacks of hackers. And, you'll want a web host that will provide the best features, even if it costs more than some of the cheaper competitors.
Some key features to look for in a web host include:
  • Fast Time to First Byte (the time it takes for the web server to deliver the first byte of data in a request)
  • Free SSL certificates that automatically renew
  • Focus on security and performance so that an attack or spike in traffic on another unrelated site on the same server will not adversely affect your site
  • Included Content Delivery Network (CDN) to duplicate your content closer to the geographical location of your visitors for faster content delivery
  • High availability (typically 99.99% uptime) so that you have as little downtime as possible
  • Backup and restore capabilities, preferably included at no additional cost
  • Maintenance package if your site uses a content management service like WordPress
  • Easy access to support via chat, email, and phone in case of problems or questions
It doesn't matter where your domain is registered, so choosing a hosting provider that doesn't provide domain registration is not a problem. You can always select a different domain registrar service and simply point it to your hosting provider's name servers. Sometimes this is a better option in case your hosting provider decides to cancel your account for any reason. If they do, your domain name will not be jeopardized.
In general you can get some value from most hosting providers. However, there is a practice of very large holding companies buying up popular hosting providers and consolidating their services under one "roof”. Users of these consolidated companies often complain about poor customer service and very low performance and security. Seek out reviews for each company you're considering and ensure that they are not part of a larger consolidation.
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Continued from above...

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:

  • Features. What does the web host offer, and do you need all of them?
  • Cost. How is the pricing structured? Will there be increases after a certain period?
  • Reputation. What are people saying about the host online? Are they likely to change names or engage in questionable practices?
  • Security. How many security incidents has the host faced? Are there frequent complaints about outages, and how quickly are they resolved?
  • Performance. How does the host's speed compare to competitors? Can they handle traffic spikes effectively?
  • Customer service. What support options are available, and how responsive are they? Are the representatives friendly and helpful or dismissive? How long does it take to resolve issues?

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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Select any 2 Web Hosting Companies to compare them head to head

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ScalaHosting vs Host Papa ScalaHosting vs DreamHost ScalaHosting vs Hostinger ScalaHosting vs A2 Hosting ScalaHosting vs GoDaddy ScalaHosting vs Network Solutions ScalaHosting vs Liquid Web ScalaHosting vs HostGator ScalaHosting vs Interserver ScalaHosting vs Bluehost ScalaHosting vs One Host Papa vs DreamHost Host Papa vs Hostinger Host Papa vs A2 Hosting Host Papa vs GoDaddy Host Papa vs Network Solutions Host Papa vs Liquid Web Host Papa vs HostGator Host Papa vs Interserver Host Papa vs Bluehost Host Papa vs One DreamHost vs Hostinger DreamHost vs A2 Hosting DreamHost vs GoDaddy DreamHost vs Network Solutions DreamHost vs Liquid Web DreamHost vs HostGator DreamHost vs Interserver DreamHost vs Bluehost DreamHost vs One Hostinger vs A2 Hosting Hostinger vs GoDaddy Hostinger vs Network Solutions Hostinger vs Liquid Web Hostinger vs HostGator Hostinger vs Interserver Hostinger vs Bluehost Hostinger vs One A2 Hosting vs GoDaddy A2 Hosting vs Network Solutions A2 Hosting vs Liquid Web A2 Hosting vs HostGator A2 Hosting vs Interserver A2 Hosting vs Bluehost A2 Hosting vs One GoDaddy vs Network Solutions GoDaddy vs Liquid Web GoDaddy vs HostGator GoDaddy vs Interserver GoDaddy vs Bluehost GoDaddy vs One Network Solutions vs Liquid Web Network Solutions vs HostGator Network Solutions vs Interserver Network Solutions vs Bluehost Network Solutions vs One Liquid Web vs HostGator Liquid Web vs Interserver Liquid Web vs Bluehost Liquid Web vs One HostGator vs Interserver HostGator vs Bluehost HostGator vs One Interserver vs Bluehost Interserver vs One Bluehost vs One
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