Bluehost Review: A Look at Bluehost’s Web Hosting

Web hosting is a vital step in creating a website. Your website is made up of files and data, and those files have to be stored somewhere on a physical server. A web host provides that server, giving your website the physical space to exist.

But there are different web hosts out there, and you may not be sure which one to choose. Some quick research will show that Bluehost, a popular hosting platform, works with WordPress to host and maintain your website. But with so many hosting options available, how can you know if Bluehost is right for you?

Keep reading for our complete Bluehost review, and subscribe to our newsletter for more information in your inbox each week!

What is Bluehost?

Bluehost is a website hosting platform that’s been around since 2003. Bluehost uses WordPress as a content management system (CMS) to host websites for businesses of all sizes. WordPress powers 39.5% of websites globally with user-friendly design and accessible solutions. 

When you want to start a business, you need a space to set up your shop. You could buy a building and use it, but many business owners rent from a landlord who helps them maintain the structure and facilitate changes. 

A website host is like your landlord. You can use their services to house your website, like renting a space in a building. Bluehost gives business owners and bloggers options to create, design, and maintain a website without creating a dedicated server. 

Types of hosting

Currently, Bluehost offers six kinds of hosting services: 

• Shared: Multiple websites exist on one server. 

• Virtual Private Server (VPS): Multiple websites run on one hosting environment, but each has its own dedicated server space. 

• Dedicated: Each website has a hosting server. 

• Shared WordPress: This service refers to shared hosting with a WordPress-optimized server.

• Managed WordPress: The host will handle basic administrative tasks with shared WordPress hosting. 

• WooCommerce: These hosting services are specifically designed for ecommerce stores. 

Plans and prices

The price for a Bluehost subscription depends on the length of your subscription, the kind of hosting you select, and whether you secure any promotions during sign-up. Below are general breakdowns of the pricing levels. 

Shared hosting

The shared web hosting plans come with the following options and prices: 

• Basic: $9.99 per month for a 12-month term and $8.99 per month for a 36-month term
• Plus: $13.99 per month for a 12-month term and $11.99 per month for a 36-month term
• Choice Plus: $18.99 per month for a 12-month term and $16.99 per month for a 36-month term
• Pro: $28.99 per month for a 12-month term and $26.99 per month for a 36-month term

Each plan comes with basic features, with the Pro tier having the most options at the highest cost. Features included in all plans include:

• Website creation
• Basic protection
• Domain manager
• SSL certificates
• Google Ads
• Google Business Profile

Dedicated hosting

With a dedicated server, you have three options available with 36-month terms: 

• Standard: $119.99
• Enhanced: $159.99
• Premium: $209.99

VPS hosting

The VPS service options comprise three packages with virtually curated servers and 36-month terms: 

• Standard: $29.99

• Enhanced: $59.99

• Ultimate: $119.99

Key Bluehost features

There are a few features that set Bluehost apart from other companies. 

Reliable servers

Since Bluehost has been around a while, they’ve had time to build their reputation and technology. Bluehost has reliable servers that will keep your site up and running, especially if you choose a plan based on the amount of traffic you get. 

Free SSL certificate, site-builders, and email addresses

Bluehost offers multiple tools you can use to build your site and professional reputation.

Your SSL certificate and domain name prove that your website is authentic, and Bluehost provides both of these documents for free! 

The site builder includes a simple drag-and-drop style creator mode. You can upload and arrange your website features to fit your design preferences. 

You can also use a professional email address that comes with your domain. That way, you can create a seamless brand appearance and store all your information in one place. 

Website staging area

If you want to see your website before it goes live, you can use the Bluehost staging site, which is on the same server as your live site. You can make changes and test the features before releasing your site to the public. 

99.98% uptime

Uptime is the percentage of time a website has been up and running without interruptions. Bluehost has a 99.98% uptime percentage, so you can count on it to keep your site up and running consistently. 

Potential drawbacks

While Bluehost is a reputable hosting platform, there are a few cons to keep in mind: 

• Increased prices: If you sign on during a promotional period, you’ll have to pay the regular price when you renew your plan.

• Hidden limitations: The entry-level plans limit how many sites, emails, and resources you can use at once. 

• Only U.S. servers: Currently, Bluehost only offers servers for sites in the U.S. 

Bluehost FAQs

Check out some frequently asked questions from users curious about Bluehost. 

Is Bluehost beginner-friendly?

Bluehost is ideal for small- to medium-sized operations. Their layout is user-friendly and comes with plenty of tools and resources. 

Is WordPress free on Bluehost?

WordPress installation comes with your Bluehost account. WordPress is the software you’ll use to create a site, and Bluehost lets you publish and maintain it.

Is Bluehost good for blogging?

Bluehost offers basic, easy-to-use plans for bloggers from all experience levels. You can use it to share your posts on WordPress’s user-friendly platform. 

Does Bluehost offer ecommerce services?

Yes! Bluehost lets you add ecommerce product listings and sales terminals with WordPress plugins. 

Build your website with WebFX

If you want a partner in your internet marketing adventures, WebFX can help. We have performed over 1600 website launches for our clients and helped generate over 24 million leads in just five years.

Our team offers complete web design and content development services to create a stunning, optimized website for your business. If you want to revamp your existing site, we can do that, too! 

Ready to learn more? Contact us online or call 888-601-5359 to get started on your website development!