There are many web hosting services out there, but Bluehost is quite unique in a few important ways. It’s like a special option for a large group. Bluehost offers good prices, especially for hosting WordPress websites, and you get a lot of value for what you pay.
In this Bluehost review, an expert from KIDIGITALI took a close look at the good and not-so-good things about Bluehost’s hosting services.
We’ll explain how Bluehost works, what makes it special, the different plans it offers, and how it’s different from other hosting providers.
You’ll get all the information you need to decide if Bluehost is the right choice for hosting your website.
What Is Bluehost?
Imagine you’re building a house on the internet—that’s your website. Now, just like a house needs a piece of land to stand on, your website needs a place to live on the internet. That’s where Bluehost comes in!
Bluehost is like a super helpful landlord for your website. It’s a really popular and trusted service that helps bloggers, people starting their own businesses, and small companies put their websites online. It’s so good that it’s one of the top 5 web hosting services we recommend.
Here’s why Bluehost is awesome:
1. Easy to Use: Even if you’re new to all this website stuff, Bluehost has a website that’s super easy to understand. It’s like they designed it just for beginners!
2. Lots of Free Stuff: Imagine if your landlord gave you free Wi-Fi, a fancy security system, and even a cool address. Well, Bluehost gives you things like a free security certificate (that’s like the security system), a way to make your website load faster all around the world, and they even pay for your website’s name for the first year!
3. Online Store Magic: If you’re thinking of starting an online store (like selling cool things online), Bluehost has a special plan that helps you do that. They give you more than $450 worth of tools to make your store amazing.
4. Many Websites, One Home: It’s like having a big piece of land where you can build as many houses as you want. With Bluehost, you can have lots of different websites, all in one place.
5. Get Seen on Google: Bluehost gives you a special card that you can use to put your website on Google. That way, when people search for stuff, they can find your website easily.
6. Best Buddy of WordPress: You know how some houses are just perfect for certain families? Well, Bluehost is the perfect place for websites that use WordPress, which is a really popular way to build websites. Even WordPress says, “Go with Bluehost!“
7. Easy Domain Handling: Just like you have an address for your house, your website has an address too. Bluehost makes it really simple to get, move, and take care of these addresses all in one spot.
Remember, this review is mostly about how Bluehost works with WordPress (that’s a special way to build websites) and how it’s great for regular websites. They also have some fancier options, such as virtual private server (VPS) hosting, for really tech-savvy folks who need more power.
So, if you’re looking for a great place to put your website—whether you’re writing a blog, starting an online shop, or just sharing your cool ideas—Bluehost is like the best landlord you could ask for on the internet street!
How Bluehost Works
Imagine a big computer that’s like a digital neighborhood. Bluehost is like the manager of this computer neighborhood. It’s a bit like sharing a big pizza with your friends—everyone gets a slice!
In this digital neighborhood, many people can build their websites. They each have their own space, but they share things like internet speed, storage space, and computer power. This sharing makes it cheaper than having a whole computer just for one person.
Bluehost takes care of the computer stuff, making sure it’s safe and works well. It’s like they have guards to protect your website and make sure it stays up and running.
When you want to make a website, you first need to pick a name for it—that’s your domain. If you don’t have one, Bluehost gives you one for free for the first year when you get their service. It’s like getting a cool address for your website.
After the first year, you need to renew your address, but Bluehost can do that automatically, so you never lose it. And the good news is that having a domain doesn’t cost much. Some are just $1.99, while the new .com ones are about $12.99 a year.
If you want to keep your personal information safe, you can pay a bit more to hide it. It’s like having a curtain that stops people from seeing your private stuff.
So, Bluehost is like the super landlord for your website’s home. It helps you get online, stay safe, and keep your address neat and tidy!
Is Bluehost Right for Me?
Picking a place to put your website is like choosing a house to live in. You want it to fit your needs and be safe. There are many things you need to consider when selecting a hosting provider: cost, storage, reliability, security, and customer support all matter.
Bluehost is like a house for your website, but it’s better for some people than others.
When you’re deciding, think about these things:
Bluehost is Good for:
- Simple WordPress websites
- People who write blogs
- Folks starting their own small businesses
- New projects with a small budget
- Small businesses that don’t need too much stuff on their website
- If you’re not a tech expert but want to make your own website.
Bluehost is Not the Best for:
- Websites with lots of pictures and videos that need a lot of space and speed
- Big companies with big websites
- People who are really good with technical stuff and want lots of control
So, think about what you want your website to do and how much you know about websites. That’ll help you decide if Bluehost is the right choice for your online home!
Bluehost Pricing and Plans
Getting the right plan for your website is like picking the right car for a trip. Bluehost has different plans, and knowing how their prices work can save you money.
They talk about prices per month, but you pay for all the months at once. Remember this!
Starting Low, Going High: The first shared hosting plan sounds great at $2.95 per month for a year. But after that, it jumps to $10.99 per month. That’s like paying three times more! In three years, you’ll spend almost $300 on the Basic plan.
Smart Savings: If you’re sure about using Bluehost, you can pay $4.95 per month for three years. In total, that’s $178.20 for three years. You save more than $120 this way.
Important Points: You can upgrade anytime, but canceling is tricky. You have only 30 days to get your money back. Plans renew at higher prices. If you want to cancel, do it before renewing, or you’ll pay more.
So, remember to think about how long you’ll need your website and pick the plan that’s best for your wallet!
| Basic | Choice Plus | Online Store | Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Pricing (per Month)* | $2.95 | $5.45 | $9.95 | $13.95 |
| Renewal Pricing | $10.99 | $19.99 | $24.95 | $28.99 |
| Contract Lengths Available | 12 months and 36 months | 12 months and 36 months | 12 months and 36 months | 12 months and 36 months |
| Storage | 10GB | 40GB | 100GB | 100GB |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Free Domain Name | First year only | First year only | First year only | First year only |
| Free SSL Certificate | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Free Cloudflare CDN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Business Email | Up to five | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Customer Support | 24/7 online chat and phone support | 24/7 online chat and phone support | 24/7 online chat and phone support | 24/7 online chat and phone support |
| *Based on a 12-month commitment | ||||
Customer Service and Support
When you’re on a journey, having a map or a guide can be a lifesaver. Bluehost offers help around the clock through phone and chat, which is pretty rare among hosting providers. They also have a treasure trove of helpful information on their website and a blog that’s always buzzing.
But, like any adventure, our experience with Bluehost’s helpers had ups and downs. Chat responses were slow, and sometimes it felt like they were more interested in selling than answering questions.
It was a bit confusing whether we were talking to a real person or a chatbot. And guess what? The answers we got were the same no matter when we asked, which makes us wonder if the chat is really live or if the staff has strict rules on what they can say.
Calling for help was better, but still not super speedy. They did give better answers to direct questions, but when we wanted to know the nitty-gritty details about safety, file speed, and computer stuff, they were a bit tight-lipped.
We also looked at what lots of real Bluehost users said. Some folks had good things to say about the support team—they were friendly and helpful, fixing problems and answering questions like champs. But there were grumbles too. Some had to wait a long time on hold, got pushed to buy more stuff, and had trouble with their websites acting up. And when things went really bad, not everyone got the help they needed.
So, like any guide on a trip, Bluehost support has its highlights and some bumps in the road. Just remember, you’re not alone on this adventure; there are others who’ve had different experiences!
The Good and Not-So-Good of Bluehost
Good Stuff:
- Affordable starting plan
- Free website name
- Easy-to-use website tools
- Help anytime with phone and chat
- Quickly start a WordPress site
- Faster site with free CDN
- Recommended by WordPress.org
Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Renewal prices get expensive
- They push you to buy more stuff
- Not much space for your files
- Some plans lack daily backups
- There are no short-term payment options
- Help quality can vary
- Not all plans can have online stores
Is Bluehost Right for You or Your Business?
Bluehost is a great option to consider if you plan to build your website with WordPress and if you know you want to commit to a multi-year web hosting plan. Since 2005, WordPress has recommended Bluehost as the best hosting, and it is one of the most comprehensive services for creating WordPress websites.
Bluehost Alternatives
If you’re exploring your options for hosting your website and want to see what else is out there, here are a couple of Bluehost alternatives:
1. SiteGround:
- Known for excellent customer support and performance.
- Offers solid security features and free daily backups.
- Suitable for beginners and those with more technical knowledge.
- Generally good reviews for their services.
2. HostGator:
- Provides a range of hosting options, from shared to dedicated hosting.
- Known for its budget-friendly plans and reliable uptime.
- Offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Provides one-click WordPress installation.
3. DreamHost:
- Known for its commitment to privacy and transparency.
- Offers unlimited storage and bandwidth on shared plans.
- User-friendly for beginners and also caters to developers.
- Offers a 97-day money-back guarantee.
4. Hostinger:
- Offers very affordable hosting plans, making it budget-friendly.
- Provides good performance and loading speeds.
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners.
- Offers free SSL certificates and daily backups on certain plans.
5. Namecheap:
- Known for its domain registration services, but also offers hosting.
- Provides a variety of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting.
- Offers competitive pricing and free website migration.
- User-friendly interface and good customer support.
6. Liquid Web:
- Specializes in managed hosting with a focus on performance and security.
- Offers dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and managed WordPress plans.
- Great for businesses and those with more advanced hosting needs.
- Provides highly responsive customer support.
As you weigh your options, make sure to think about your website’s specific needs, your technical expertise, and your budget. Each of these alternatives brings something unique to the table, so carefully consider what aligns best with your goals.
What is the best alternative to Bluehost?
The best alternative to Bluehost depends on your specific needs and budget. However, an overall cheaper and more performance-oriented option would be Hostinger. The host is ready to handle any small-to-medium websites. Alternatively, for big projects, Liquid Web will offer more value for money.
Bluehost Review: Our Expert Professional Opinion
Bluehost stands out for catering to people with smaller website requirements, like bloggers, new businesses, and startups. It’s an especially good choice for those new to the technical side of websites.
If you’re not aiming for huge website traffic and your budget is tight, Bluehost is a reliable option.
However, be cautious about the steep price increase after the initial year. Also, be prepared for persistent efforts to get you to buy more services—a common experience with Bluehost users.
