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The 12 Best Web Hosting Services of 2024
- IONOS: Best for startups
- HostGator: Best perks
- Bluehost: Best for new websites
- Hostinger: Scalable hosting solutions for fast websites
- DreamHost: Best for WordPress beginners
- InMotion Hosting: Best for reliability
- MochaHost: Best for lifetime SSL certificates
- GoDaddy: Best for easy site setup
- Hostwinds: Best for content-heavy sites
- InterServer: Best for website security
- ScalaHosting: Best cloud hosting
- WP Engine: #1 platform for WordPress
Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Small Business
The Small Business team at Forbes Advisor is dedicated to providing you with impartial rankings and information, maintaining complete editorial independence. Employing product data, strategic methodologies, and expert insights, we shape our content to guide you in making informed decisions for your business endeavors.
In our evaluation, we thoroughly assessed 16 web hosts using a detailed methodology, ultimately presenting you with the top 10 web hosting platforms. Our ratings take into account various factors such as pricing, general features, additional features, and reviews by our panel of experts. It’s important to note that all ratings are exclusively determined by our editorial team.
BEST FOR STARTUPS
IONOS
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
IONOS's pricing structure is designed to cater to cash-strapped startups, featuring an exceptionally low initial cost of $1 per month for the first year. Subsequent to the introductory period, the pricing adjusts to $10 per month. Even at the $10 per month rate, the inclusion of optimized CPU and MEM resources makes IONOS a compelling choice well beyond the initial term.
If you find yourself uncertain about which plan to select, IONOS provides expert recommendations based on your specific needs, whether you're starting an online store or seeking a superior hosting solution for your WordPress website.
Discover more about IONOS by delving into our comprehensive review.
This web hosting service is particularly well-suited for cash-strapped startups, given its incredibly low introductory pricing. It presents an ideal opportunity for those seeking a high-quality web host without a substantial initial investment.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| User-friendly interface | Monthly plan costs increase significantly after first year |
| Daily backups and data recovery | Limited storage in entry-level plan |
| DDoS protection | Domain only free the first year |
| Geo-redundant infrastructure | Includes just one email account |
| 24/7 customer service | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
BEST PERKS
HostGator
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
HostGator stands out as a top choice for the best web hosting service, thanks to its exceptional value, dependable performance, and extensive features tailored to the needs of small and medium businesses across various industries. Hosting solutions encompass shared, WordPress, website builder, dedicated, virtual private server (VPS), and reseller hosting. With offerings such as unmetered disk space, unmetered bandwidth, and a 99% uptime guarantee, HostGator ensures a reliable online presence. Additionally, users benefit from 24/7 support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
HostGator's pricing structure begins at $2.75 per month for the initial term, featuring one-click WordPress installation, unmetered bandwidth, a complimentary SSL certificate, a free domain name, and free WordPress/cPanel website transfers. For the mid-tier shared hosting plan, you can enjoy the flexibility of hosting unlimited websites for $3.50 per month during the initial term.
For a more in-depth understanding, explore our comprehensive HostGator review.
HostGator's shared hosting plans are particularly well-suited for individuals and small businesses seeking an affordable solution with versatile hosting options.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unmetered disk space and bandwidth on all plans | Pricing reflects a three-year commitment |
| Free domain name | Domain privacy costs extra |
| Free SSL certificate | Automated backups cost extra |
| Free website transfer service | |
| $500 in Google Ads spend match credit | |
| Support available 24/7/365 via phone, chat, tweet, knowledge base, and blog |
BEST FOR NEW WEBSITES
Bluehost
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
Bluehost is widely recognized as one of the leading web hosting platforms, and its popularity is well-founded. The platform offers an extensive range of features at competitive prices, making it an ideal choice for individuals who are just embarking on their journey into web hosting.
Bluehost Features:
The Basic plan, for instance, provides users with 10GB of storage, unmetered bandwidth, a complimentary domain for the first year, and support for up to 25 subdomains. If you opt for the Plus plan, your storage is doubled, and you receive $200 in Google Ads/Bing credits. Moreover, this plan grants you the flexibility of unlimited primary domains, parked domains, and subdomains.
Bluehost Pricing:
When it comes to pricing, Bluehost plans start at $11.99 per month. However, the Basic plan is available at a particularly attractive rate of $2.95 per month for the initial term. The Choice Plus plan, originally priced at $21.99 per month, is offered at a discounted rate of $5.45 per month during the first term. The Online Store plan is priced at $9.95 per month for the initial term, with a renewal rate of $26.99 per month. The Pro plan, which represents Bluehost's premium offering, is priced at $28.99 per month, though the first term is available at a reduced rate of $13.95 per month.
Learn more:
For a comprehensive review of Bluehost's features and offerings, we recommend reading our detailed Bluehost review.
Who Should Opt for Bluehost:
Bluehost is a highly suitable option for website owners in need of a reliable and cost-effective hosting service. Its feature-rich environment and diverse tools make it an excellent choice for effectively managing and maintaining websites.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free domain name | Price triples upon renewal |
| Free SSL certificate | Limited storage |
| Free business email | Must pay for automated backups |
| Includes a CDN | No phone support on its Basic plan |
| Higher-tiered plans include pro features such as client invoicing, staging, and insights | |
| 24/7 support |
Hosting Solutions For Fast Websites
Hostinger
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Top-quality shared hosting | Basic plan has limited bandwidth |
| Optimized for WordPress | Renewal price is a big jump for some plans |
| Unlimited websites and MySQL databases |
BEST FOR WORDPRESS BEGINNERS
DreamHost
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
Rapidly emerging as a premier web hosting provider, DreamHost has garnered acclaim for its reliability, affordability, and feature-rich plans. These comprehensive packages encompass all essential elements for creating a new website, ranging from domain registration and SSL certificates to hassle-free one-click WordPress installation. Beyond its competitive pricing, DreamHost stands out for its user-friendly site builder and, notably, a responsive support system capable of addressing a variety of hosting or site-related issues.
DreamHost Pricing:
DreamHost's pricing structure begins at a budget-friendly $2.59 per month for the basic package. The Shared Starter plan, renewing at $6.99 per month, features a single website, unmetered bandwidth, 50GB of storage, up to five subdomains, six MySQL databases, free domain name privacy, and round-the-clock support via ticket.
The most advantageous offering is the Shared Unlimited plan, available at $2.95 per month with a 36-month commitment. Post the promotional period, the renewal rate adjusts to $12.99 per month. This plan boasts unlimited websites, domain email, storage, and MySQL databases.
Learn more:
For a comprehensive understanding of DreamHost's features and offerings, delve into our detailed DreamHost review.
Who Should Use It:
DreamHost stands as a reliable choice for web hosting, catering to the diverse needs of most businesses. However, its standout feature lies in its exceptional support, making it particularly well-suited for WordPress beginners seeking expert assistance at their fingertips.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable plans starting at $2.59 per month | Pricing increases upon renewal |
| Free domain name and SSL certificate | Lots of upsells in checkout |
| One-, three-, 12- and 36-month contract lengths available | Cheapest plan doesn’t include a custom domain |
| Long 97-day money-back guarantee | Must pay for its unlimited plan for email |
| 100% uptime guarantee | |
| Top-notch support |
BEST FOR RELIABILITY
InMotion Hosting
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
InMotion Hosting, a prominent web hosting provider, distinguishes itself through its exceptionally low pricing, unwavering reliability, and robust security measures. The platform ensures a secure online environment by offering an extensive range of features, including a generous 90-day money-back guarantee, automatic backups, DDoS protection, and malware protection. These features contribute to safeguarding your website and securing sensitive information, such as payment details and user data.
InMotion Hosting Pricing:
The pricing structure for InMotion Hosting is designed to cater to various preferences. Plans commence at $2.49 per month with a 36-month commitment, $2.99 with a 24-month commitment, $3.49 with a 12-month commitment, or $19.99 on a month-to-month basis (available exclusively for the Pro plan). These plans encompass 100GB of solid-state drive (SSD) storage, unlimited bandwidth, a free SSL certificate, support for up to 10 business email addresses, and additional security features.
Learn more:
For an in-depth analysis of InMotion Hosting's features and performance, we recommend reading our comprehensive InMotion Hosting review.
Who Should Use It:
InMotion Hosting emerges as an excellent choice for businesses prioritizing reliability, peace of mind, and exceptional value for their investment. The extended 90-day money-back guarantee and consistently high uptimes make it an ideal solution for those seeking a trustworthy hosting service.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ultra-low long-term pricing | Minimum 12-month contract on most plans |
| Automatic backups available (for a fee) | Pricing increases upon renewal |
| Comes with many security features | Domain name not included with its base plan |
| Known for reliability | Month-to-month billing only available in highest-tier plan |
| 90-day money-back guarantee | |
| Highly rated 24/7 tech support |
BEST FOR LIFETIME SSL CERTIFICATES
MochaHost
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
MochaHost emerges as an excellent choice for businesses across the spectrum, offering highly competitive prices coupled with feature-rich plans. Starting at a mere $2.29 per month, MochaHost provides exceptional value with unlimited storage and bandwidth. This makes it an ideal solution for businesses aiming to establish content-heavy or high-traffic websites. The package includes a comprehensive set of features, from a money-back guarantee to a user-friendly website builder, and extras like a complimentary domain name, SSL certificate, and unlimited business email with Webmail.
The hosting provider goes beyond the basics by offering industry-low prices for high-value features. Users can enjoy peace of mind with unlimited SSL certificates for life, 24/7 tech support, and a hassle-free website transfer service for those transitioning between web hosts. MochaHost further distinguishes itself with the Mocha Lightning Fast Guarantee, pledging faster site loading than any other cloud hosting service, all backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
MochaHost Pricing:
MochaHost stands out as one of the most competitively priced web hosting providers, presenting three main hosting plans priced between $2.29 and $3.81 per month with a long-term contract. Each plan offers unlimited disk space, making it particularly cost-effective for content-heavy sites. Additionally, the inclusion of unlimited traffic positions MochaHost as a preferred choice for websites with a substantial volume of visitors.
Who Should Use It:
Given MochaHost's extensive feature set at an affordable price point, it proves valuable for a wide range of businesses. The unlimited storage and bandwidth make it especially well-suited for enterprises focused on content-heavy websites, including portfolios, large e-commerce catalogs, or any site experiencing high traffic volumes.
Read More: MochaHost Review.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ultra-low-cost plans for under $3 per month | Does not offer the industry-standard one-click WordPress installation |
| Lock in your price forever | Free domain name is not included with the entry-level plan |
| Unlimited storage and bandwidth | Dated interface |
| Fast site load speeds | |
| Free SSL certificate | |
| 24/7 live chat support | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
BEST FOR EASY SITE SETUP
GoDaddy
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
GoDaddy stands out as the premier web hosting service tailored for businesses seeking a hassle-free setup without extensive storage needs. It particularly excels in facilitating the effortless creation of WordPress websites, offering convenient one-click installations and daily backups. Notably, GoDaddy's plans come equipped with a complimentary SSL certificate, enhancing site security. The inclusion of DDoS protection adds an additional layer of defense against malicious attacks.
GoDaddy Pricing:
GoDaddy's pricing structure starts at $5.99 per month with a three-year contract, subsequently renewing at $9.99 per month. The Web Hosting Deluxe plan is available at $7.99 per month for a three-year term, with a renewal rate of $13.99 per month. For high-traffic websites, the Web Hosting Ultimate plan proves ideal, priced at $12.99 per month with a three-year contract and renewing at $17.99 per month. Additionally, there is a Web Hosting Maximum plan catering to up to 50 sites, initially priced at $17.99 per month for the first three years and later renewing at $24.99 per month.
Learn more:
For a comprehensive understanding of GoDaddy's features and performance, delve into our detailed GoDaddy review.
Who Should Use It:
GoDaddy is a perfect fit for small businesses seeking the simplicity of setting up WordPress websites with one-click installations. Its appeal extends to those looking to secure low pricing without the concern of increases upon renewal.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pricing doesn’t increase upon renewal | Limited storage |
| One-click setup of more than 150 apps | Storage limits |
| Includes daily backups | |
| Beginner-friendly website builder | |
| Has data centers in North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe |
BEST FOR CONTENT-HEAVY SITES
Hostwinds
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
Hostwinds distinguishes itself among web hosting providers by offering unlimited storage and bandwidth with every plan, positioning it as the optimal choice for content-heavy sites. The service caters to diverse needs with additional perks like unlimited business email, a complimentary SSL certificate, a dedicated IP address, free site migration, effortless WordPress auto-installation, and 24/7 support. Hostwinds further sets itself apart by providing users the flexibility to select from three server locations—Dallas, Seattle, or Amsterdam—for enhanced control.
Hostwinds Pricing:
Starting at $3.74 per month with a 36-month contract, $5.24 per month with a 12-month contract, or $6.74 per month with a month-to-month contract, Hostwinds offers feature-rich plans. While these plans include unique features like a free dedicated IP address and location customization, it's noteworthy that domain names are not incorporated.
Learn more:
For a comprehensive evaluation of Hostwinds' features and performance, explore our detailed Hostwinds review.
Who Should Use It:
Hostwinds proves ideal for businesses seeking increased storage without exorbitant costs, making it a practical choice for those outgrowing their current web hosting provider. It is also well-suited for new businesses establishing content-heavy sites, such as portfolio websites.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low-cost plans start at $3.74 per month (with 36-month contract) | Does not include a domain name |
| Multiple contract lengths available (one month to 36 months) | Backups cost an extra $3 per month |
| Unlimited storage and bandwidth on all plans | |
| Free SSL certificate | |
| Unlimited business email included |
BEST FOR WEBSITE SECURITY
InterServer
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
InterServer stands out as an affordable web hosting solution that offers a plethora of tools and valuable features to enhance website security. Notably, its plans are equipped with InterShield Security, a robust defense mechanism against web attacks. The platform boasts an in-house malware database, a machine learning firewall, and an automatic virus scanner, providing continuous vigilance to ensure the health and integrity of your site. This makes it particularly advantageous for businesses dealing with sensitive information, such as customer contact details.
InterServer Pricing:
InterServer simplifies its offerings with a single web hosting plan priced at $2.50 per month, with no contractual obligations. This plan includes unlimited storage and bandwidth, making it a cost-effective choice. Notably, InterServer incorporates industry-leading security features, including Inter-Insurance, designed to clean up any aftermath of security breach attacks. The comprehensive plan further includes 24/7 managed support, free site migration, unlimited business email, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Learn more:
For an in-depth exploration of InterServer's features and performance, refer to our detailed InterServer review.
Who Should Use It:
InterServer emerges as the optimal web hosting service for budget-conscious businesses prioritizing website security. This includes entities handling sensitive information and processing online payments, such as online stores, medical practices, or financial services providers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited storage on all plans | Does not include a free domain name |
| Free Cloudflare CDN | Dated cPanel |
| Includes InterShield Security | Live chat can be slow to respond |
| Weekly backups included | |
| Free unlimited business email | |
| Includes a WordPress installer | |
| Free website migration service | |
| 99.9% uptime guarantee |
Powerful, User-Friendly Hosting
123 Reg
Starting price
£4.99 /month
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Choice of Linux or Windows host | Expensive |
| Easy to configure email | No phone customer service outside of the U.K. |
| Robust dedicated hosting plans | Base plan is too limited for most use; less expensive plans are restrictive |
| Skimpy 15-day money-back guarantee |
Most Trusted WordPress Platform
WPEngine
Starting price
Storage and bandwidth
Extras and inclusions
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Terrific uptime in testing | Email isn't included with hosting plans |
| Outstanding customer service | Doesn't sell domains |
| Daily backups | |
| Real-time threat detection | |
| Useful staging area | |
| Choice of either Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud Platform cloud hosting | |
| Custom plans available |
What Is Web Hosting?
The Small Business team at Forbes Advisor is dedicated to providing you with impartial rankings and information, maintaining complete editorial independence. Employing product data, strategic methodologies, and expert insights, we shape our content to guide you in making informed decisions for your business endeavors.
Web hosting is a service that enables individuals to lease space on the internet, and websites require web hosting for online accessibility. While certain content management systems (CMS) like Squarespace and Wix provide web hosting as an integral part of their monthly subscription, if you’re constructing a website on WordPress, you’ll have to acquire web hosting separately from providers like MochaHost or IONOS.
Learn more about what web hosting is.
How Does Web Hosting Work?
Consider web hosting as the process of securing a residence for your website. All the elements of your website, including the domain name, HTML code, images, and text, require a designated space to exist. Web hosting facilitates this by providing a location for your website’s content on a server.
In essence, a server acts as a computer connecting users to your website. Think of the server as a large condo or office building, and web hosting as the process of either renting office space or purchasing a condo within that building.
Web Hosting vs. Domain Hosting
It’s essential to differentiate between web hosting and domain hosting. Before finding a home for your website through web hosting, you first need a domain name. While interconnected, web hosting involves connecting your website to a server, whereas domain hosting is about securing a domain name or web address for your site.
Using our earlier analogy, if web hosting is like renting space in a building, domain hosting is akin to placing a nameplate outside your door with your name and address. The domain serves as the means for people to navigate to your address on the Internet.
Many service providers offer both domain hosting and web hosting, providing all-in-one convenience. However, depending on your requirements, you might consider separating these services. Regardless, obtaining a domain name through a domain registrar is the initial step before delving into web hosting considerations.
How To Choose the Best Web Hosting Service for You
- Pricing, Storage, and Bandwidth Limits: Assess the pricing structure, storage space, and bandwidth limits to ensure they align with your website’s requirements. Look for hosts offering sufficient storage and unmetered bandwidth to accommodate your content needs.
- Customer Service: Prioritize a hosting provider with 24/7 customer support through various channels like chat, phone, ticket, and email. Accessibility to prompt assistance is vital for addressing issues promptly.
- Server Location Options and Security Features: Evaluate the server location options and security measures provided by the hosting service. Ensure they offer DDoS protection, SSL certificates, and other security features to safeguard your site from malicious attacks.
- Automatic Backups: Confirm whether the hosting service provides automatic backups. Regular backups are crucial for website security, and a reliable host should offer this feature to protect your data.
- Reliability and Performance: Look for a hosting provider with a high uptime percentage, preferably 99.9% or higher. A contractual guarantee for reimbursement in case of outages adds an extra layer of assurance.
- Essential Features for All Websites:
Regardless of your website’s specifics, seek a hosting provider with these essential features:
- Reliability and Performance: Aiming for uptime guarantees and reimbursement for outages.
- Security: DDoS protection, SSL certificates, and robust security measures.
- Customer Service: 24/7 support through various channels.
- Storage and Bandwidth: Adequate storage and unmetered bandwidth for your content.
- Backups: Automatic backup options for regular data protection.
- Ease of Use: Choose a web hosting provider with an intuitive user interface and control panel. This ensures a user-friendly experience and facilitates easy management of your website.
- Scalability: Evaluate the scalability options provided by the hosting service. Consider how the host accommodates future growth and whether they offer scalable solutions like VPS and dedicated hosting. Additionally, assess whether downgrading to a lower-tiered plan is a viable option during periods of reduced activity.
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Types of Web Hosting
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is widely preferred by small businesses and websites with minimal customization requirements or lower expected traffic volumes. In shared hosting, multiple websites—ranging from dozens to thousands—share space on a single server.
This option is cost-effective due to its lower expenses. However, it comes with the potential drawbacks of service disruptions or reduced connection speeds. This is because multiple clients and websites are utilizing the same server resources, including disk space, RAM, and central processing unit (CPU) power.
Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting
VPS hosting comes in two forms: managed and unmanaged. Opting for managed VPS hosting means the host takes care of all maintenance and necessary services to ensure the website and server’s continuous operation. While this comes at a higher price, you are relieved of maintenance responsibilities.
On the other hand, with unmanaged VPS hosting, you are tasked with configuring and maintaining the server, monitoring security threats, installing software upgrades, and backing up your data. This option is suitable for website developers, businesses with dedicated IT departments, and individuals with a background in technology. This option is cost-effective due to its lower expenses. However, it comes with the potential drawbacks of service disruptions or reduced connection speeds. This is because multiple clients and websites are utilizing the same server resources, including disk space, RAM, and central processing unit (CPU) power.
WordPress Managed Hosting
Cloud Hosting
While these additional services offer valuable benefits, it’s important to note that the pricing structure of cloud hosting providers can be intricate, depending on the level of plan customization.
Dedicated Hosting
In specific scenarios, the costs associated with dedicated hosting may be justified. For example, if there’s an anticipation of a substantial increase in website traffic, the potential impact of service disruptions and slow connection speeds on your business could be detrimental. In such instances, investing in a dedicated server becomes worthwhile as it ensures uninterrupted service and rapid connection speeds. Moreover, a dedicated server offers enhanced security, which proves beneficial when handling sensitive information such as credit card details.
| Type of Web Hosting | Pros | Cons | Appropriate For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | Economical | Increased potential for service disruption and slower connection speeds | Small websites Personal blogs Startup websites |
| VPS Hosting | Additional security and customization, while still being relatively economical | More expensive than shared hosting | Medium-sized businesses Professional blogs |
| WordPress Managed Hosting | Security and speed Ease of use | More expensive than shared hosting Lack of customization | Medium-sized businesses Professional blogs |
| Cloud Hosting | Minimizes service disruptions Maintains quick connection speeds | Can be confusing to set up | High-traffic websites |
| Dedicated Hosting | Minimizes service disruptions Maintains quick connection speeds Offers additional security | Most expensive | Websites that maintain personally identifiable information |
Web Hosting Cost
For instance, lower-cost plans often exclude a domain name and may only support a single website. On the other hand, pricier plans may encompass multiple domains, increased storage and bandwidth, and additional features. Evaluating these factors ensures that you choose a plan that aligns with your needs and provides optimal value.
Average Cost By Hosting Type
- Shared web hosting: up to $15 per month
- VPS web hosting: $18 to $85 per month
- WordPress managed hosting: $2 to $30 per month
- Cloud hosting: $5 to $50 per month
- Dedicated server hosting: $80 to several hundred dollars per month
Website Hosting Cost Factors
- Storage: The amount of data storage your hosting plan allows.
- Bandwidth: How much traffic you can have on your website without interruption or slow speeds.
- Number of websites: Depending on the plan, you may be able to host multiple websites with one account.
- IP addresses: If you need a static IP address with your hosting plan, you may have to pay an additional cost.
- SSL certificate: An SSL certificate keeps your website secure and safe from hackers. Some hosting plans offer a free SSL certificate, but others may require you to purchase one in addition to the hosting plan.
- Customer service: Some hosting companies offer 24/7 customer service, while others may only provide limited support. Others will charge a premium but will walk you through fixing things that break on your site.
- Customization options: Hosting plans that allow for customization and add-ons, such as databases or web servers, will usually cost more.
Fees & Add-Ons
Do I Need A Web Host?
| Website Builders | Offers Hosting As Part of Their Plans |
|---|---|
| Shopify | Yes, plans start at $29 per month |
| Wix | Yes, plans start at $16 per month |
| Squarespace | Yes, plans start at $16 per month |
| Weebly | Yes, offers a free plan |
| GoDaddy | Yes, plans start at $9.99 per month |
Low-Quality Web Hosting Affects Customer Loyalty
Website Users Will Wait an Average of 8 Seconds for a Website to Load
The Majority of Website Users Find a Slow or Unresponsive Website to be Frustrating
43% of Website Users Will Go to a Competitor if a Business’ Website Doesn’t Load or is Unresponsive
66% Will Not Visit Websites if They Don’t Have “HTTPS” Security
Survey Methodology
This online survey of 2,000 U.S. adults was commissioned by Forbes Advisor and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct. The margin of error is +/- 2.2 points with 95% confidence. This survey was overseen by the OnePoll research team, which is a member of the MRS and has corporate membership with the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR).
Beyond Hosting: Other Website Setup Considerations
Website Builder
Domain Registration
Your domain name serves as the URL or web address that users enter to reach your website. Typically, you can acquire and register a domain name when enrolling in hosting services, although some web hosting providers may charge an extra fee for domain registration. For businesses, a domain name holds significance as it contributes to establishing a professional online presence.
Email Hosting
Ecommerce Functionality
Methodology
Pricing
We did a deep dive into each provider’s pricing options. Focusing on shared hosting, we looked at the starting price of each one’s lowest-priced plan to see what it cost per month, how long of a contract (if any) was required, and what features come with that plan. Then, we looked at each provider’s high-tiered plans with the same scrutiny as well as how much the price increased for each plan upon renewal. We also looked at how many sites each provider covered for hosting under each plan as well as its money-back guarantee. Pricing accounted for 10% of our weighted scoring.
Features
Moreover, we assigned weight to distinctive features, including the provision of a Content Delivery Network (CDN), a free business email address, a website builder, automatic backups, and free domain name privacy protection. Collectively, these features constituted 50% of our overall scoring criteria.
Third-party reviews
Expert analysis
2024 Web Hosting Trends
Fewer On-site Data Centers
Cloud-based servers offer numerous advantages, such as enhanced scaling potential, increased flexibility, cost-effectiveness, the capacity to create backups, heightened security, regular maintenance, and improved software capability. The trend toward cloud computing is anticipated to persist, with the expectation that more entities will transition their operations to the cloud in 2024.
Multicloud Hosting
The appeal of multicloud hosting lies in its ability to liberate companies from dependency on a single vendor, enabling them to leverage the distinctive benefits and strengths offered by each hosting provider. Anticipated as a strategy to enhance competitiveness in the virtual landscape, multicloud hosting is expected to gain even more popularity in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you're in search of a web hosting provider to support and propel your business website, IONOS emerges as an ideal solution. Across all their plans, you'll benefit from one year of complimentary domain name registration, a free SSL certificate, and round-the-clock customer service for any unexpected issues.
Earning its place among the best web hosting services, HostGator is distinguished by its exceptional value for money, reliable performance, and a plethora of features designed specifically for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It offers unlimited disk space, bandwidth, and a robust 99% uptime guarantee.
Bluehost has secured its position as one of the most popular web hosting solutions, and for good reason. It presents users with an impressive array of features at budget-friendly prices, making it an excellent choice for beginners in need of dependable web hosting.
The Best IT Service Provider.
