BlueHost Review (2020): Best Web Hosting For Small Business
Welcome to BlueHost Review. In this BlueHost Review I will inform you about some great features of BlueHost, which you may not know. BlueHost BlueHost (A Best Web Hosting for Small Business) has become one of the best hosting company for WordPress users, so I thought I should test it. This BlueHost Review is the reflection of my own personal experience of 3 year with it. I found it to be reliable, fast, and affordable with friendly 24/7 customer support.
That’s why I recommend BlueHost as one of the best WordPress hosting provider companies for small business as well as large.
BlueHost has great relationships with WordPress community to build better future. It is officially recommended company for WordPress Hosting by the creators of WordPress.
So let’s take a start with little overview.
Overview
BlueHost is one of the top 10 hosting provider companies. With its sister companies JustHost, HostMonster, FastDomain, and iPage, BlueHost is serving more than 2 million domain names. It is operation servers in Provo, Utah (United States), now it is being share with its sister company HostMonster. In Utah facility house, BlueHost contains almost 700 employes, who are working 24/7/265 to help its customers. It is owned by Endurance International Group (EIG).
Background
After creating the two web hosts 50megs.com and 0catch.com, BlueHost was founded by Matt Heaton in 1996 and fully settled with it in 2003.
Let me inform you about some events of BlueHost life, in thin points.
- Introduced CPU Throttling, in 2009.
- Appeared in Newsweek article, in March 2009.
- Purchased by Endurance International Group (EIG), in 2010.
- June of 2011, the founder of BlueHost, Matt Heaton announced on a blog that he stepping down as a CEO.
- June of 2011, COO Dan Handy achieved the title of CEO.
- In February 2011, BlueHost took down a religious website, after blaming the Gays and Lesbians for Earthquakes in New Zealand (In comment section).
- Introduced VPS (Virtual Private Server) and Dedicated Hosting, in 2013.
- Endurance International Group (EIG) announced Mike Olson as CEO of BlueHost, in January 2015.
- Syrian Electronic Army hacked BlueHost by claiming that it is providing space for terrorists to host websites, in March 2015.
- BlueHost announced to post 440 employees in Utah, to increase the customer support, in Janauary 2017.
- WebsitePlanate Magazine client-side vulnerability, in January 2019.
Now you have read the history of Bluehost, you can see that history of BlueHost has some dots in it. But it is still getting high attention of website owners and experts.
When I first experienced BlueHost, I was really surprised and I appreciate BlueHost for providing such a great services.
Pros and Cons of BlueHost
There are always chances to have negative points in hosting companies, not only you, anyone could not delete that part.
With some negative points you may live with, and with some you cannot.
But BlueHost has managed itself to arrange flexibilities for its Pros, to cover the places instead of Cons, and it forced me to thing for a long time to write about Cons of BlueHost.
- Pros
- Best Uptime – 99.99% – All over the Year
- Great Loading Speed (307ms to 566ms)
- FREE Domain Name for 1st Year
- Price Friendly
- Good Security Options
- Recommended by WordPress.org
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
- Customer Support
- CPU Throttling
- Cons
- Higher Renewal Rates
- Site Migrations Are Not Free
- Upselling Addons
Pros
Pros section contains all the advantages and great features of hosting provider. In this BlueHost review Pro section, I will share with you some great features of BlueHost.
Best Uptime – 99.99% – All over the Year
Believe me if you want your business to stay alive then choose a hosting provider which provides great uptime, and Bluehost is really good in it.
After rewiring almost 35 web hosting companies I would like to thumb up for BlueHost. The acceptable average of uptime is almost 99.94%, now let me clear this 99.94% uptime in time durations. It means that you have to face the 26 minutes of downtime in a month and five hours over the course of a year.
That downtime is acceptable, and believe you do will never want to get more than that.
Now, question is how how much BlueHost uptime is?
Well…!
The answer is, BlueHost is providing 99.99% of uptime from 2017 to 2019. Yeah that’s a good news, BlueHost is providing such a great uptime for you. Let me share with you the states of previous 12 months uptime of BlueHost.
Average Time of January 2019: 99.96%
Average Time of February 2019: 100%
Average Time of March 2019: 99.99%
Average Time of April 2019: 100%
Average Time of May 2019: 100%
Average Time of June 2019: 99.98%
Average Time of July 2019: 100%
Average Time of August 2019: 99.99%
Average Time of September 2019: 99.99%
Average Time of October 2019: 99.96%
Average Time of November 2019: 100%
Average Time of December 2019: 100%
Average Time of January 2020: 100%
Great Loading Speed (307ms to 566ms)
According to the Google “A slow mobile site limits your business”. So it’s very important for your website to load fast, not only on desktop devices, it should load fast on movies and tab devices also.
According to the Statista, 51.51% traffic comes from mobile device (Worldwide). It’s very important for your online business to have a fast loading website for all devices, and for this task Bluehost is providing great page loading speed with its superfast caching system and high speed servers.
The minimum loading speed that I have seen from 2018 to till now is 566ms. Loading speed do not remain same for long, it changes after an interval, whenever time comes to repair or maintain the servers or it face some sudden accidents.
You can check the loading speed and uptime of BlueHost, which I have experienced in past 2 years.
FREE Domain Name for 1st Year
Getting a free domain name with hosting could be UN expensive.
Now…?
Well…!
If you have read all the steps about, how to choose a domain name? And after spending a huge time and performing great research, you have found a domain name which is expensive, then you may could face difficulties in purchasing that domain name.
But if your Hosting provider is that flexible to provide a free domain name with its hosting package, then it could be a great deal to purchase hosting.
With BlueHost you can get that deal. Yes…!
You can get access to your selected domain name for 1-year, but after 1-year you have to pay for that domain.
The Free Domain Name is not limited to specific hosting packages, you will get a free domain name with every single hosting package you purchase. No matter you are going to purchase shared hosting, VPS hosting or dedicated hosting.
Price Friendly
Price is an important factor to note for those peoples who are just going to start.
Yes…! There are many cheap hosting providers out there, but there is always an important feature in them, which could lead your website to get importance will be missing, and you could not ignore it.
If we check the starting price of BlueHost, we can see that it is providing hosting in $3.95/month, which is already reduced from $7.99/month. In that price you can get pretty much everything to take a good start for your online business.
With 50 GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth, a free SSL certificate in $3.95/month, gives a pretty good value to that price, plus you will get great uptime and page loading speeds, which are very important for you.
Now…!
Here the good news, with a constant conservations and requests to reduce that $3.95/month price for my customer, I have been able to get special discount for my reader, now you can purchase BlueHost services through WpPointer in $2.75/month.
Good Security Options
Beading a cheap hosting provider it’s very difficult to take care of all the needs. But BlueHost is performing this job with great effort, the providers do not cut too many corners for their customers.
And specially,
They do not compromise on those features, which are definitely important for online presence.
BlueHost provides a lot of security options for you website, like SSL Certificate. It’s very important to have an SSL Certificate in your website, because google prefers those website, which are performing with SSL. Otherwise it will show a “Not Secure” warning to your visitor.
BLueHost is also providing the Domain Privacy protection for its users. Now it’s not that easy for anyone to get you information that you used to sign up, by just putting your domain URL in the online detail checker. That protection prevents hackers to steal your information and generate schemes for you or others.
By providing the SiteLock, BlueHost makes sure of it that you are being protected from viruses, cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and even email blacklisting. SiteLock service runs a daily scan of your website to take care of vulnerabilities and protection from threats.
BlueHost also provides you CodeGuard service, which could work for you as a medkit. You will be informed if any changes will be performed in you database/website. CodeGuard provides and automatic backup for your website. For example, if anyone hacks into your website and performs any changes, you will be notified and you can back-up your entire website in seconds.
With these great security features you can build a secure platform for others and also for yourself. Altogether, with these features you are secure from spammers.
BLueHost was also providing Postini security feature, which was owned by Google but in 2012 google announced to discontinue that service. So, you could not get that service now, but BlueHost is still a good host with above mentioned features.
Recommended by WordPress.org
That’s the point, where we could not ignore BlueHost.
WordPress is containing the 35% of entire internet, and the developers of WordPress recommend first to use BlueHost.
Really I’m not laying
Have a look.
Yes, Dreamhost and SiteGround are also recommended by WordPress, and they are also providing good performance for WordPress users.
BlueHost is working with WordPress form a long time and it has managed servers according to the WordPress.
WordPress developers officially recommend BlueHost to host WordPress website.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Everyone has its own demands, if you do not like to continue with BlueHost, then it’s a good news for you. You can get your money back in first 30 days (When you purchased the hosting).
Now, you can test BlueHost freely, if you’re not completely satisfied then, BlueHost offers a guarantee of 30-Days Money-Back Guarantee.
But…!
They have some specific terms, for money-back. Let’ me mention these terms for you:
- You can get money-back guarantee only on Web Hosting Plans, not for other products like domains or other add-ons.
- $15.99 will be deducted if you have selected a free domain name with your hosting packages.
- Requests after the first 30-Days for refund, will not be accepted.
So, make sure you are okay with these terms, before purchasing any Hosting Package.
Customer Support
I have contact with BlueHost many times, and they are providing pretty good response to its customers.
That company (BlueHost) is providing a team which works 24/7/365 on live chat, email ticket support, and even phone support, to satisfy their customers by providing the solutions of their problems.
On live chat support it got connected with available support member in first 20 seconds. They are also good in providing the continuous conversation, you do not need to wait for minutes to get reply while talking to support member.
For me, it was painless experience, while talking to BlueHost customer support.
CPU Throttling
As I have mentioned before, in 2009 BlueHost introduced a feature called CPU Throttling.
You may know that in shared hosting one server is divided between most of the users, and sometimes one user (Website) effects the others (websites) by using more resources (Crossing limits).
So, to protect its users, Bluehost introduced CPU Throttling in 2009, in this feature, if one website is using too much server resources at one time, BlueHost will freeze client sites’ CPU usage substantially. That feature effectively shut down clients’ websites for several hours.
I think that’s a great thing to stop those website which affect others, because in online business, every second makes money, and believe me you will never want to lose that.
Cons
Now let’s have an eye on some disadvantages of BlueHost.
BlueHost is performing pretty well in the ground, but there are also some negative points which may can lead you to left BlueHost in future.
High Renewal Rates
After spending the introductory period, you have to prepare yourself to pay more for renewal of your server.
Yes…!
For first year you can purchase Webhosting with the starting price of $2.75/month, but after exactly one year, you have to pay almost $7.99 – $8.99/month.
It could be difficult for those users who were not that successful to get high attentions on their business, and could not pay that amount of money.
Site Migrations Are Not Free
I have used almost 35 above hosting providers, and there are almost 25 providers, who let you migrate your website free on their servers. They offers that friendly service to make their servers happy.
But here with BlueHost you could not enjoy free migrations.
BlueHost provides a special package of $149.99 to migrate up to 5 websites and 20 email accounts on their server.
Yes…! That’s not good.
You have to spend large amount to money if you are going to transfer your website on BlueHost.
BlueHost providers claims that, it will be quick and seamless, you won’t experience any delays for transferring the website.
That’s not a good reason to charge $149.99 to migrations.
Upselling Add-ons
If you want to use extra features like Multi-Server Management, Access Control, Content Delivery Network (CDN), Secure Shell (SSH) access, server-side includes, log file access, web-based managers for files, Unique IPs, SiteLock, CodeGuard, Domain Privacy + Protection, and Spam Protection you have to pay more.
While purchasing the web hosting you can uncheck these options, but if you want these features in your server (Website) then you have to pay more.
That could be painful most of the peoples especially for those who were expecting the CDN, SiteLock, CodeGuard, Domain Privacy + Protection, and Spam Protection.
SiteLock add-on price:
CodeGuard add-on price:
Spam Protection add-on price:
Hosting Plans-Pricing BlueHost Review
As I have mentioned above, at the start, BlueHost was providing only shared hosting services, but in 2013 it also introduced VPS (Virtual Private Server) and Dedicated Hosting for its customers.
Let me take you to a survey of Shared, VPS, Dedicated, Managed WordPress, and WooCommerce Hosting packages details about price and features included in them.
Shared Hosting
No matter, if you are just going to start or your business is small. BlueHost is providing thunder features in its Shared Hosting Packages.
Sharing of server between different users cloud make it hard for hosting provider to provide great user experience for all of its customers. But BlueHost take it very seriously, its well-educated and highly trained team has managed themselves to introduce a feature named “CPU Throttling”, which provides great uptime, speed and reliability for users, even in shared hosting.
The shared hosting packages are starting with price of $3.95/month, if you will normally visit BlueHost. Good News is that I’ve managed myself you build a good relation with BLueHost team to get discount for my readers. Now you ca purchase BlueHost starter hosting for small business in $2.75/month.
Purchase shared hosting form here in $2.75/month, but fist let me show you a table comparison of all shared hosting plans.
VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server)
One of the key ideas around the term cloud is the idea of elasticity in resources. If we talk about BlueHost’s VPS hosting then yes it’s pretty elastic but expensive as compared to the other hosting provider in the market.
You can add processors, you can add memory, you can even add disk space and it’s in simple on click. BlueHost has a terrific sand product, it’s one that BlueHost has built on its own.
It’s designed to be fast as fast it can be, if you are on benchmark, then you’ll see that is extraordinary fast storage because they are providing SSD.
When a customer uploads data to disk, BlueHost have caching layers in between the customer’s storage and its sand that allows right to do through instantaneously. No one has this type of persistence, fast, saleable partitioned and it’s all build on open source technology. With their VPS platform you will get full root access to CentOS.
With its KVM hypervisor virtualization BlueHpst guarantees the always availability of resources.
Managed WordPress Hosting (WP Pro Hosting)
BlueHost is also providing optimized WordPress hosting solutions for its non tech. users. Their Managed WordPress hosting packages are based on their VPS servers.
If we talk about their Managed Hosting Plans, then you will not be that happy because it could be little expensive for some users. But believe me it’s really good for those websites which needs more protection then Shared Hosting plan and want to spread positive user experience for its users.
If you are running a small business then, this package may not be good for you, it only suits for those who needs more resources.
Dedicated Hosting
BLueHost’s dedicated hosting is built on a scalable cloud OS (OpenStack). If your website is generating high revenue and you want it produce high performance, security, and control, then dedicated hosting is a great option for you.
Well…!
The price of dedicated hosting of BlueHost is also expensive options. Let me one thing clare “If you really want a reliable platform to host your website then yes, you have to pay little more”.
But I think it’s a good option for you to choose. You will get unfettered access to your server and you can arrange it according to your lines. The team of BlueHost experts build and rack your server, by connecting it to the network in 24-72 hours. They arrange RAID1 storage to keep your data protected.
With their c-Panel interface you can easily upgrade your resources if want to. Like VPS hosting, BlueHost provides full root access, to allow advanced users with unrestricted access to perform any custom installations or other customization process.
WooCommerce Hosting (E-Commerce)
BlueHost has made online selling and purchasing more secure than ever.
The experts of BlueHost has managed to build special packaged for those who want to convert their business into online business by selling goods. By using their WooCommerce Hosting you can add and remove products from your online inventory easily.
If you want to generate special discounts for your customer then now with WooCommerce it’s easy like clicking. With their WooCommerace hosting you can monitor your store performance direct through analytics dashboard.
By getting Use free SSL certificate and dedicated IP you can accept secure payments through all over the world.
With BlueHost it’s very easy to Configuring currency settings, Adding and setting up products, Create product variations, payment methods and payment gateways, Arrange Shipping options, Create product variables, and Manage orders.
Policies of BlueHost
If you haven’t read this advice then read it now and I will strongly recommend you to always keep it in mind, no matter you are going to install an application, game, or purchasing anything from online website. You must read their Policies. It will help you to understand well, whether you are going to put your money on right platform or not.
So, let’s talk about the Policies of BlueHost (A Best Web Hosting for Small Business). It’s very important for you and me to know about their policies before purchasing package.
Policies of BlueHost
Have you read these words before? Unlimited Storage, Unlimited Bandwidth, 30-Day Money-back Guarantee etc. Most of the hosting providers are using these words wildly. BlueHost is also using these words for its Storage, E-mail Accounts, Bandwidth, Message Forum etc.
But main question is, are they really provide Unlimited as they mention?
Let’s find out.
Disk Space and Bandwidth
BllueHost has widely used this word Unlimited in the shared hosting. Do you know, Unlimited is not really means infinite. They claims that, these resources are unmetered which means you are not billed according to the amount of storage or bandwidth you use.
They claims that 99.95% of customers will have more than enough disk space and bandwidth to meet their needs to keep running their small business.
Now note that point “They apply limits by analyzing the website’s usage on monthly basis. For example if your website is using 20GB of storage and Bandwidth, then they can apply limits by providing more resources than it should be for normal operation of a personal or small business website.
But what does it mean by Normal use of Hosting Resources?
Well, it means they will monitor customer’s bandwidth and disk space utilization in statistical analyses and use these results for define normal term. These tests can vary from months to months.
Normal usage of Storage and bandwidth mean’s if your website is using resources then its okay to exceed your limit, but if your website is effecting other shared accounts on the same server then you could be banned temporarily, almost for 48 hours.
BLueHost will send a notice of 48 hours by allowing to make adjustments before they take any permanent action.
Websites, Domain Names, or Email
For plans featuring unlimited websites, domains, or email accounts BlueHost do not enforce Limitations. You can use these resources as many of these you can. But you have to follow the terms and conditions.
For example, while creating an email account, it rely on the storage of your packaged. So you have to ensure that resources are available to keep your email functionality running.
30-Day Hosting Money-back Guarantee
BLueHost provides you a chance to get your money back in first 30 days if you haven’t experienced well with them. But, they have some policies under which this 30-Day Hosting Money-back Guarantee works.
If you cancel your hosting package within 30 days, you will only get back you hosting price, not domain. This money-back guarantee also do not apply on Add-ons you purchased.
BlueHost cuts off $15.99 form refunds for domain name. But, you do not need to worry about your domain, you will still have right on it. You can migrate it on other hosting provider or just use it on BlueHost.
Blue Sky Services
BlueHost is also provding Blue Sky services for those customers who do not want to read differe guids or watch vides to learn things. If you do not have enough time spend on searching thing and understanding them then you can just purchase Blue Sky service of BlueHost.
By having the BlueHost Experts on your side you can build a better platform with their help, no metter you want Design Guidance, Bluehost SEO Tools, Content Optimization Assistance, Keyword Optimization, or Mobile Optimization Assistance, just purchase Blue Sky offer and experts will on their way.
Do I recommend BlueHost?
Yes, I really do, I recommend everyone to use BlueHost, at least give them a chance.
They are providing supper fast speed time, Uptime, great 24/7/365 support, tight security, and perfect money-back guarantee, what else you want?
Really…! Just think what else you want to build a reliable and secure online business?
Yes, prices are bit high for renewals, but they are pretty cheap on first purchase.
So, I will recommend you to do not waste time, click below and purchase best WordPress Hosting to take a start for your small or large business.
