Hosting Comparisons – Bloggingtips.com https://bloggingtips.com Start, Grow, and Monetize a Blog Tue, 11 Oct 2022 11:11:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Google Cloud Vs AWS: A Comparison Of The Giants https://bloggingtips.com/google-cloud-vs-aws/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=google-cloud-vs-aws https://bloggingtips.com/google-cloud-vs-aws/#respond Wed, 14 Sep 2022 13:18:33 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?p=95925 Read more]]> Choosing a cloud provider can be daunting.

There are so many options, and it’s hard to know which one is the best for your needs.

In this post, we’ll compare Google Cloud and AWS, two of the biggest players in the cloud market.

We’ll look at their features, pricing, and ease of use to help you decide which one is right for you.

Stay tuned!

What Is Google Cloud?

Google Cloud is a cloud computing service for businesses that offers computing resources, application development, storage, and networking options.

It’s also the name of the infrastructure that Google uses internally for its own products and services.

With Google Cloud, businesses can tap into Google’s vast global network and use the same infrastructure that powers some of the most popular consumer products in the world, including Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps.

In addition to its infrastructure, Google Cloud services offer a number of tools and services to help businesses with everything from developing and deploying applications to managing data and cutting edge cloud security.

The Google Cloud Platform is also constantly expanding, with new features and services being added on a regular basis.

As one of the leading providers of cloud computing services, Google Cloud service provider is an essential part of any business’s IT infrastructure.

What Is AWS?

Amazon Web Services, or AWS, is a cloud computing platform operated by Amazon.com.

It provides a mix of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings.

AWS has more than 90 products and services, each of which falls into one of these three categories.

IaaS offerings include computing, storage, and networking resources that can be used to build and run applications in the cloud.

PaaS offerings provide developers with tools and services to build and run applications in the cloud.

SaaS offerings provide users with access to applications that are running in the cloud.

AWS was launched in 2006 and has since grown to become the largest cloud computing platform in the world, with over 1 million customers in 190 countries.

The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and has offices in 28 countries around the world.

What Do Google Cloud Providers Offer To Cloud Guests?

When it comes to cloud computing, there are three main types of service providers: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).

Each type of provider offers different benefits to their guests, and it’s important to understand what each one has to offer before making a decision about which provider to use.

IaaS

Infrastructure as a Service providers offer guests the ability to rent out physical or virtual machine instances on which they can run their own software.

This gives guests the flexibility to customize their environment and choose the operating system, applications, and tools that they want to use.

However, it also means that guests are responsible for managing their own infrastructure and ensuring that it is secure.

PaaS

Platform as Service providers offers a complete platform on which guests can develop and deploy their applications.

This includes everything from the operating system up to the application level, and guests don’t need to worry about managing any of the underlying infrastructures.

This can be a great option for organizations that don’t have the resources or expertise to manage their own infrastructure.

However, it can also be more expensive than other options and may not provide as much flexibility.

SaaS

Software as a Service providers offer software applications that are hosted in the cloud and made available to customers on a pay-as-you-go basis.

This can be a convenient option for companies that want to use popular software applications without having to install them locally.

It can also be more cost-effective than buying licenses for each individual user.

However, guests may not be able to customize the applications as much as they could if they were running them locally.

Google Cloud Platform is an Infrastructure as a Service provider that offers guests a variety of features, including the ability to rent out virtual machine instances, storage space, and Google Cloud network locations resources.

Google Cloud Platform is a great option for companies that want the flexibility to customize their environment and choose the applications and tools that they want to use.

However, guests should be aware that they will be responsible for managing their own infrastructure and ensuring that it is secure.

What Does AWS Offer To The Users?

Amazon Web Services is a platform that provides on-demand cloud computing services to businesses and individuals.

AWS offers a wide range of services, including storage, networking, data analysis, and more.

One of the advantages of using AWS is that it eliminates the need for businesses to invest in their own infrastructure.

With AWS, businesses can scale their operations quickly and easily without incurring any upfront costs.

In addition, AWS provides a pay-as-you-go pricing model that allows businesses to only pay for the resources they use.

As a result, AWS can be a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.

Benefits Of Google Cloud

The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a set of products and services that Google offers to businesses and individuals that want to use Google’s infrastructure for their own data and applications.

The benefits of using GCP are many, but some of the most notable include the following:

First, GCP provides businesses with a way to access Google’s world-class infrastructure.

This includes everything from Google’s global fiber network to its massive data centers.

By using GCP, businesses can tap into this infrastructure to power their own applications and services.

Second, GCP offers a variety of tools and services that make it easy for businesses to build and deploy applications on Google’s infrastructure.

These tools and services include things like App Engine, BigQuery, and Cloud Storage.

Third, GCP is highly scalable. This means that businesses can easily scale their applications and services up or down as needed. fourth, GCP is very reliable.

This is thanks to the fact that it is built on the same infrastructure that powers Google’s own applications and services.

And lastly, GCP is very affordable.

This is because businesses only pay for what they use.

There are no upfront costs or long-term contracts required.

All in all, these are just some of the many benefits that come with using GCP.

Benefits Of AWS

The mainstay of AWS is Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2).

EC2 provides on-demand, scalable computing capacity in the cloud.

Customers can launch virtual servers (instances) using a wide variety of operating systems and configurations.

Then they can access these instances using any internet-connected device to deploy their applications.

Storage options on AWS include Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), Amazon Glacier, and Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS).

These services provide customers with secure, durable block storage for their data and applications.

In addition, customers can use S3 to host static websites or serve files through a content delivery network (CDN).

AWS also offers various managed relational databases such as Amazon Aurora, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle Database, and Microsoft SQL Server.

These services make it easy for customers to set up and operate relational databases in the cloud.

This enables customers to build applications that are triggered by events and scale automatically without having to provision or manage any servers.

In summary, AWS provides a wide variety of cloud computing services that allow customers to deploy their applications in the cloud quickly and easily.

Cons Of Google Cloud Service

Though Google Cloud Service has many perks, there are also several cons that users should be aware of before signing up.

One major downside is the cost; while Google Cloud Service is more affordable than some competitors, it can still be pricey for those on a tight budget.

Additionally, users have reported occasional outages and glitches, which can be frustrating.

Another potential issue is privacy; since Google stores all data on its servers, there is always the possibility that information could be accessed by unauthorized individuals.

Finally, some users find the interface to be confusing and difficult to use.

While Google Cloud Service has many advantages, it is important to be aware of the potential downsides before signing up.

Cons Of AWS

There are a few potential drawbacks to using AWS.

First, it can be difficult to get started with AWS if you’re not familiar with using cloud services.

The AWS management console can be confusing, and it can be hard to know which services to use for your project.

Additionally, AWS can be more expensive than other cloud providers, such as Google Cloud Platform or Microsoft Azure.

Finally, AWS has a relatively small range of products compared to other providers, which means that you might not be able to find the specific service you need.

However, overall, AWS is a powerful and versatile cloud platform that can provide a lot of benefits for your business.

AWS Vs Google Cloud: Giants Comparison

AWS and Google Cloud Platform are two of the biggest names in the cloud computing space.

And for good reason – they both offer a wealth of features and services that can help businesses to boost their productivity and cut their costs.

But how do they compare when it comes to core cloud firewall services?

Well, there are a few key differences between the two.

For starters, AWS offers a managed service called AWS WAF, which helps to protect web applications from attacks.

On the other hand, Google Cloud does not currently offer a managed service for web application firewalls.

However, it does offer some features that can be used to build a custom solution.

Another key difference is in the way that the two platforms handle the traffic.

On AWS, all traffic passes through a centralized gateway, which can make it easier to manage and monitor.

However, this also means that if the gateway goes down, all traffic will be disrupted.

Google Cloud, on the other hand, uses a distributed system that allows traffic to be routed around problems.

This can provide greater resilience but may require a more complex configuration.

So which platform is better for core cloud firewall service?

There is no simple answer – it depends on the specific needs of each business.

However, by considering the factors outlined above, businesses should be able to make an informed decision about which platform is best for them.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it – a comprehensive comparison of the two biggest players in cloud computing.

Which one is right for your business?

That depends on what you need, but both Google Cloud and AWS offer a lot of features and services that can help companies run their operations more smoothly.

Hopefully, this article has helped you make a decision about which provider to choose or at least narrowed down your options.

Thanks for reading!

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Siteground Vs DreamHost: Similarities, Differences & Which Is Best https://bloggingtips.com/siteground-vs-dreamhost/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=siteground-vs-dreamhost https://bloggingtips.com/siteground-vs-dreamhost/#respond Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:59:33 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?p=94743 Read more]]> Starting a website seems daunting, but you can easily maintain your site with a managed hosting provider.

Several options are available, but SiteGround and DreamHost are always at the top of the best web hosting list.

We think SiteGround is the best host, but check out our hosting comparison of SiteGround vs. DreamHost to see what works for you.

What Is a Managed WordPress Hosting?

vector graphic showing an illustration of siteground vs dreamhost - computer screens running logos of both companies on the screen with "vs" in the middle

Managed WordPress hosting takes a lot of web management work off your hands.

You pay the host to take care of backing up your content, testing security levels, and updating any WordPress elements.

You can do it all yourself by choosing shared hosting, which is more affordable.

While you save money, you will spend more time doing everything manually.

SiteGround and DreamHost are both quality WordPress hosting services that simplify your work.

A web hosting comparison will help you understand what you need.

SiteGround vs. DreamHost: An Overview

WordPress is one of the most popular web hosts on the market, but there’s a lot to learn about the service.

To get started, you need to choose the hosting package, which you’ll learn about next.

It would help if you had a domain name in mind and a general idea of your content and layout.

Once you choose your host type, you can quickly design your site thanks to WordPress themes and plugins.

Creating a WordPress website can be fun and simple with the right tools.

SiteGround

SiteGround started in 2004 and has built an outstanding reputation since then.

The company offers fast servers and stellar customer support, so millions of web admins use this service.

What Is SiteGround?

SiteGround is a hosting option for WordPress users.

The plans boast 99.99% uptime and quick loading times, ensuring your audience has uninterrupted access to your website.

You can use their free custom plugin to migrate your web content to SiteGround.

The company’s methods are easy for everyone to use, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced webmaster.

What Makes SiteGround Stand Out?

SiteGround has the best customer support out there.

You can call, email, or use the live chat option on their site.

Customer service is critical for beginners learning the web management ropes or professionals who hit a snag.

Special Offers

SiteGround often runs specials so that you can get a discounted plan.

You can get 80% off your package during select times, with the caveat that you pay a year in advance.

Paying annually saves money, so consider committing instead of spending more each month.

Pros of SiteGround

  • Unlimited websites and unmetered bandwidth
  • Free SSL certificate for top security
  • Plans include free email hosting
  • Offers staging sites so you can see your progress

Cons of SiteGround

  • Must pay for domain name separately
  • More expensive than DreamHost web hosting

Technical Specifications

  • Guaranteed 99.99% uptime
  • Loading time is less than two seconds
  • Five different plan options for all users

DreamHost

DreamHost has a few extra years of experience, as the company started in 1996.

Their plans are more affordable than SiteGround, but you’ll give up some key features, such as email addresses and accessible customer support.

Check out the following DreamHost review for more information.

What Is DreamHost?

DreamHost supports more than 1.5 million websites, so you know you’re getting quality service from this host.

It’s easy to create or migrate your website with the installer, making it easy for beginner web admins to share their content.

What Makes DreamHost Stand Out

DreamHost pricing makes it stand out from the crowd.

You won’t pay too much for your dedicated hosting plan even without a sale.

Buying a year in advance saves you money, but if you want the best price, you can buy a three-year deal.

Special Offers

Though DreamHost only offers three different plans, you can always save money by paying a year in advance.

When you do this, you get perks like a free domain name along with your savings.

The company also offers sales periodically so that you can save anywhere from 10% to 79% on your plan.

Pros of DreamHost

  • Unlimited websites and unmetered bandwidth
  • Free SSL certificate for top security
  • Annual plans include free domain name
  • Automatic WordPress updates for best functionality

Cons of DreamHost

  • You must pay extra for email addresses, depending on your plan
  • Best prices require three-year agreements

Technical Specifications

  • Guaranteed 100% uptime
  • Loading time is less than three seconds
  • Offers three different plans for users

SiteGround vs. DreamHost: Which Is Easier for Beginners?

It might seem like these plans have a lot in common, but when you pick them apart, you’ll see what stands out.

SiteGround Ease of Use

SiteGround makes it easy for new users to build a site.

You also get a free domain name and site migration, so you’re not paying extra for these necessities.

The company uses Weebly’s drag-and-drop website builder to let you create pages using a basic template and design elements.

With a SiteGround plan, you’ll become familiar with the cPanel dashboard, which many hosts use.

You can update and manage your site from this homepage, check analytics, and stage new pages.

If you eventually transition to a different web host, you’ll already know your way around the dashboard.

DreamHost Ease of Use

DreamHost uses a website builder called Remixer.

You don’t need to know code or programming.

With templates and images, you don’t even need any design skills.

The unique dashboard makes it simple for beginners to understand site management.

Beginners will want to pay for a year of DreamHost upfront to get a free domain name.

This method means you don’t have to migrate an existing domain name to your new site, which is a very advanced step.

You can migrate a current site to DreamHost, but you’ll have to pay extra unless you do it all yourself.

Conclusion

When it comes to web hosting for beginners, SiteGround wins.

DreamHost isn’t hard to use, and the custom dashboard is user-friendly, but SiteGround offers unique features.

When managing a website, getting a free domain name and site migration is a huge perk.

SiteGround vs. DreamHost: Which Web Host Offers More Features?

When you strip the hosts down to their framework, they’re both solid options.

But checking out the features can help you decide what you need for your website in terms of a SiteGround comparison.

You want to get as much as possible from your host so you won’t incur additional expenses from other plugins and tools.

vector graphic showing an illustration of siteground vs dreamhost - computer screens running logos of both companies on the screen with "vs" in the middle

SiteGround Features

SiteGround lets you stage a webpage to see how it looks for your audience.

They also offer more data centers and let you choose the best location for your site.

Their customer support is also a significant draw for people who don’t want to struggle to manage their web page.

DreamHost Features

DreamHost offers a 97-day money-back guarantee.

This feature gives you plenty of time to try a plan and get used to the dashboard before deciding if it’s right for you.

If you’re hung up on not getting free email, you can choose one of the more advanced plans that includes email.

Conclusion

SiteGround offers more features with their plans.

The ability to have free email and site migration with no additional fees makes it simple to buy a plan and get your page up and running.

SiteGround vs. DreamHost: Which Is More Secure?

Security is crucial for your website because you don’t want to be vulnerable to hackers.

If you run an eCommerce store, you also need to instill confidence in your customers so they’ll share payment data.

SiteGround Security

SiteGround offers SSL certificates, daily backup, DDoS protection, and 2-factor-authentication.

They use AI to restrict hacking attacks preemptively.

You can install a security plugin for more features.

DreamHost Security

DreamHost also offers SSL certificates and daily backups.

Beyond those features, you need to pay for a security plugin for better protection.

Conclusion

Though both DreamHost and SiteGround offer paid security plugins, SiteGround offers more advanced basic features.

Since you’re paying more for the plan, it only makes sense to get more for that money, including protection.

SiteGround vs. DreamHost: Which Is Faster?

Page speed is crucial because you don’t want to frustrate your viewers.

If they have to wait several minutes for your site to load, chances are they’ll click away and not come back.

SiteGround Speed

A web page hosted by SiteGround loads in 386 milliseconds on average.

Its longest loading time is two seconds.

The company has data centers on four continents, and you can choose which server you want to use.

This feature helps businesses ensure speed and uptime for customers.

SiteGround promises 99.99% uptime, but they’re setting a low bar with that guarantee.

Tracking data showed they’re up closer to 100% of the time.

So they’re either wanting to over-deliver or don’t want to promise something unrealistic with their original claim.

DreamHost Speed

Though DreamHost only has two data centers, site loading speeds average 328 milliseconds.

The longest loading time observed was less than three seconds, which is impressive for an image- and video-heavy web page.

DreamHost guarantees 100% uptime and will compensate you for downtime.

While you might wonder if the company can really promise constant uptime, it’s worth knowing you’ll get some extra hosting benefits if they can’t match that promise.

If your site is down for an hour, you get a free day of shared hosting.

Conclusion

Both hosts offer great speed and uptime, so you can’t go wrong with either option.

But DreamHost edges out SiteGround with its loading speed and uptime guarantee.

SiteGround vs. DreamHost: Which Hosting Offers Better Support?

Quality customer support can make the difference between a beginner webmaster developing something amazing or giving up in frustration.

Even professionals need help sometimes.

Knowing what customer support you get considering web hosting can significantly impact your decision.

SiteGround Customer Support

SiteGround offers impeccable 24/7 customer support.

They list a number on their homepage so you can call them for help.

You can log in and reach out to them from your dashboard if you already have an account.

This approach cuts down on time spent giving them your account information—you can get right to the problem.

You can also use live chat on their homepage.

Instead of having to play nice with a chatbot, you’ll get a customer service representative giving immediate responses.

You can ask for detailed information, and they’ll have an answer, which proves they have a knowledgeable staff.

Extensive help pages like their WordPress Tutorials and Knowledge Resources empower you to find solutions for simple problems and learn how to manage your site.

DreamHost Customer Support

DreamHost also has a Knowledge Base you can access to solve simple problems, but you might come to rely heavily on it.

Unfortunately, they don’t offer much support beyond live chat, which you can only use daily between 3 am and 9:30 pm.

Their live chat option takes a long time, and the results make you feel like you’re talking to a chatbot, not a real person.

You might end up waiting so long for a response that you have to ask them to email you a response.

Conclusion

SiteGround wins the customer support battle with no contest.

All webmasters will appreciate the accessibility and knowledge of the SiteGround professional team.

SiteGround vs. DreamHost: Which One Is Value for Money?

You’ll pay more for managed web hosting over shared, but there are differences in cost and value.

When comparing web hosting plans, you want to ensure the price fits into your budget and is worth the expense.

SiteGround and DreamHost have a lot to offer, but you can also consider other shared hosting options like InMotion Hosting and WP Engine.

SiteGround Cost

SiteGround costs more than DreamHost, but that’s only important when looking at the numbers.

When you consider value, more features come into play.

SiteGround plans include:

  • StartUp for $14.99 a month
  • GrowBig for $24.99 a month
  • GoGeek for $39.99 a month
screenshot of the siteground pricing table

The company often runs sales for as much as 80% off, so you can get your first year at a great discount.

You’re also getting 10 GB of web space, unmetered traffic, an email address, and impeccable customer support for the price.

It’s also more affordable than other options, like WP Engine.

DreamHost Cost

DreamHost hosting plans have more limits than what SiteGround offers.

You can choose:

  • Starter for $4.95 a month
  • DreamPress for $12.00 a month
  • VPS for $15.00 a month
screenshot of the dreamhost pricing table

When it comes to value, the monthly plans don’t offer much.

You have to buy your domain name, and emails on the Starter plan cost almost $2 each.

Paying for a year in advance offers a major discount, so you should consider taking advantage of that for the best deal.

You also get a free domain name with an annual shared hosting plan, saving you about $8 a year.

DreamHost also offers a three-year commitment.

It can feel strange to buy such an extended service, but you get the best discount with this plan, so it’s worth it.

Conclusion

 DreamHost
“Shared Starter”
SiteGround
“StartUp”
Price Per Month (starting at)$2.95$3.95
Plan Types AvailableMonthly, YearlyYearly
Number of Websites11
Suitable TrafficUnlimitedUp to 10,000 visits monthly
Storage TypeSSDSSD
Email AccountsNot IncludedIncluded, unlimited
SSLIncluded, Let’s EncryptIncluded, Let’s Encrypt

While SiteGround costs more than DreamHost, they offer many perks that increase the value.

If you can afford a SiteGround plan, it pays off.

But a three-year DreamHost plan is the most affordable if you need to save money.

Consider the expense of hosting through WordPress in your calculations, as WP Engine is much more expensive.

SiteGround vs. DreamHost: Which WordPress Provider Is Better?

As you can see from our reviews on each factor, it’s hard to choose between these web hosting options.

Both hosting plans offer quality features that can make web management easier for both beginners and professionals.

Which Host Should You Choose?

We think the best WordPress host is SiteGround.

The service has a lot to offer in terms of quality customer service available 24/7.

You get a free email address and can migrate a site to the platform for free.

You have to pay extra for all these things if you choose DreamHost.

Then again, DreamHost is more affordable than SiteGround, so you might have to do the math.

Add up everything you’d have to pay DreamHost and see if it’s more than a SiteGround plan.

Remember that you can catch great sales with either service, impacting your expense.

Conclusion

There’s much to consider regarding SiteGround vs. DreamHost because they’re evenly matched.

Your choice comes down to your specific needs.

Use SiteGround if:

  • You prefer 24/7 customer support
  • You have a site you want to migrate for free
  • You want a free email address
  • You can afford the expense

Use DreamHost if:

  • You won’t rely on customer service
  • You plan to migrate an existing site manually
  • You don’t need an email address or can pay extra for one
  • You want a more affordable plan for your website

Don’t put off building an engaging website—get a managed WordPress hosting plan from SiteGround or DreamHost today.

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15+ GoDaddy Alternatives For 2022: Cheaper, Faster, Better https://bloggingtips.com/godaddy-alternatives/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=godaddy-alternatives https://bloggingtips.com/godaddy-alternatives/#respond Thu, 26 May 2022 13:57:10 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?post_type=reviews&p=87818 Read more]]> For many years, GoDaddy has been the most recognized name for domain name registration.

It has since expanded to offer features like web hosting, WordPress compatibility, and more.

However, it’s not the only company available to those looking to register a domain or develop a website.

Many GoDaddy alternatives offer just as many features or more.

Whether you’re looking to register a domain, find a web host, or want to move your business away from GoDaddy, one of these GoDaddy alternatives may be a better fit.

Is GoDaddy the Best?

When it comes to domain registration, GoDaddy is almost synonymous with domain registration, so it only makes sense that so many people go there.

GoDaddy web hosting has some great features.

It’s easy to use, making it a good option for those just getting started with a website.

It also offers quite a few apps and some freebies, like Microsoft 365.

Best of all, you get a domain with a web hosting plan.

Why Look for GoDaddy Alternatives

However, GoDaddy isn’t the most affordable option on the market – it has quite a few upsells.

It may not be the best option for more advanced users or people running eCommerce sites.

There are many domain registrars and web hosting services out there, each with different pricing and features.

The key to looking for GoDaddy alternatives is finding the option that works best for your needs.

The Best GoDaddy Alternatives For 2022

Below are some of our favorite GoDaddy alternatives.

vector graphic showing a handful of godaddy alternatives company logos in white boxes next to a godaddy logo

1. Shopify

Our Pick
Shopify

Shopify is an eCommerce platform. It’s designed to help businesses create and manage an online store.

Shopify provides a solution for almost every step of the process.

Shopify is an eCommerce platform. It’s designed to help businesses create and manage an online store. Shopify provides a solution for almost every step of the process.

Best For

Shopify works well for businesses of all sizes, particularly medium to larger businesses because it has so many apps and features. It’s also a good option for those who are planning on scaling their businesses at some point.

Notable Features

  • A one-stop-shop for your online shop: Shopify lets you do everything you need for your online business all in one place. You can create a logo, build a professional-looking website, optimize for SEO, and manage sales without needing a lot of memberships.
  • Sell products through multiple channels: Shopify lets you sell your products in many places, not just from your website. You can list items on Google, Walmart.com, social media, and more.
  • Marketing: Shopify’s marketing tools make it easy to market your products through email, Facebook ads, and more. It also provides help with marketing automation.

Pros

  • Many themes: Shopify offers many different themes so you’ll be able to find one to fit your brand.
  • Over 3,000 apps: Shopify has an app or plugin for almost anything you need.
  • Excellent support: If you need help, the company offers 24/7 support.
  • Abandoned cart feature: Shopify offers an abandoned cart feature built into all its plans, while other companies charge a high fee.
  • Many payment options: Shopify supports over 100 different payment options, including their in-house option, Shopify Payments

Cons

  • Not as easily customizable: Shopify lets beginners create professional-looking websites through templates. However, if you want more customization, you’ll need to go with a platform like WordPress.
  • Transaction fees: Transaction fees can be high if you’re not using Shopify Payments.
  • Apps increase your cost: Shopify doesn’t have as many built-in apps, so you may wind up spending a lot more due to app purchases.

Is Shopify Hard To Use?

Shopify is harder to use than some of the simpler website builders and it lacks some intuitiveness. However, it’s pretty easy to learn if you need what it offers.

Pricing & Plans

Shopify offers three plans. All come with an online store and unlimited products:

  • Basic $29 monthly: two staff accounts, four inventory locations, 2% third-party transaction fees
  • Shopify $79 monthly: five staff accounts, five inventory locations, 1% third-party transaction fees
  • Advanced $299 monthly: 15 staff accounts, eight inventory locations, 0.5% third-party transaction fees

Our Take

If you have a large business or one that is likely to grow, Shopify can be a viable option. It’s especially great for brands that want every aspect of their online store in one place. Consider it if your main focus is eCommerce.

2. Domain.com

Runner Up
Domain.com

Domain.com is an all-in-one domain registrar, website builder, and web host.

This platform is best for individuals/brands looking to register a domain or build one or more websites, especially those who don’t have a large budget.

Domain.com is an all-in-one domain registrar, website builder, and web host.

Best For

This platform is best for individuals/brands looking to register a domain or build one or more websites, especially those who don’t have a large budget.

Notable Features

  • Many domain extensions: Domain.com offers over 300 domain extensions, many under $5.
  • Website development options: You can use their in-house website builder or if you want more customization, you can create with WordPress.
  • Security: The platform offers SSL certificates and other protections through third-party companies.

Pros

  • Affordable: Domain.com is one of the most affordable platforms for web hosting.
  • Guaranteed uptime: Domain.com has a 99.9% guaranteed uptime, so you don’t have to worry about your site going down.
  • Simple platform: It’s easy to use Domain.com, especially if you just need to find and purchase a domain.
  • Upfront pricing: Unlike many domain registrars and web hosts, Domain.com is upfront about what they charge.
  • Fast load times: Users report that their websites always load quickly.

Cons

  • No monthly plans: Domain.com requires you to register for an entire year, which can be frustrating if you want to change providers.
  • Lack of training: There’s no real onboarding process, so you have to figure things out as you go.
  • Add-ons cost extra: If you need more than the basics, you’ll have to pay for add-ons.

Is Domain.com Hard To Use?

Domain.com makes the domain registration process straightforward. It also guides you through the process of creating a website or downloading WordPress, but you can expect a lot of ads as you go.

Pricing & Plans

  • Domains: As low as $3.99/year, with .com starting at $9.99/year
  • Website builder: starts at $1.99/month for up to six pages. $6.99/month will get you unlimited pages. $12.99/month lets you open an eCommerce store. All plans include hosting.
  • Web hosting: starts at $3.75/month for one website. $6.75/month gets you unlimited websites and $13.75/month allows for heavier traffic. All plans come with a free domain for the first year.

Our Take

Domain.com is a good and affordable option for individuals and brands that are just starting. Their interface is simple. However, for those who want a lot of customization options, another host may be a better fit.

3. Network Solutions

Also Great
Network Solutions

Network Solutions is an all-in-one platform that offers domain registration, web hosting, site-building tools, and more.

Network Solutions is a good option for those who are looking for the basic features and don’t require a lot of extras.

Network Solutions is an all-in-one platform that offers domain registration, web hosting, site-building tools, and more.

Best For

Network Solutions is a good option for those who are looking for the basic features and don’t require a lot of extras.

Notable Features

  • Domain Registration: Network Solutions gives you access to a range of extensions and protect you from losing your domain.
  • Web Hosting / Site Building: The platform offers shared web hosting plans, ideal for individuals and small businesses. Their site-building tools let you make a professional-looking website or you can use WordPress.
  • Marketing: You can use DIY-marketing tools or work with one of Network Solutions’s marketing experts to improve SEO and pay-per-click advertising.

Pros

  • Web builder help: For those new to website creation, subscribing to the website builder gets you a free consultation with an expert, a value of $99.
  • Free domain: Network Solutions gives you a domain name free for the first year when you use their web hosting and/or website builder.
  • Over 99% uptime: You can count on your website always being available.
  • Easy for those just getting started: Network Solutions doesn’t offer as many features, which makes it less overwhelming than some of the other options.
  • Email and productivity features: Network Solutions offers add-ons for creating professional email addresses and lets you subscribe to Google Workspace.

Cons

  • Not as many features: Network Solutions doesn’t offer as many features as some other platforms, so it may not always fit your needs.
  • Shared hosting: While shared hosting is fine for a lot of websites, if you’re site is large or will grow, you may need dedicated hosting.
  • SSL is expensive: The SSL plan is only free with the most expensive hosting plan.

Is Network Solutions Hard to Use?

Network Solutions isn’t too challenging, but the interface isn’t the most intuitive. Both the control panel and dashboard could use some updating.

Pricing & Plans

  • Domain registration: Domains with the extension .com and .net are $9.99 for the first year. You can also buy premium domain names for higher prices.
  • Web hosting: Prices start at $3.79/month for the first year. The Starter plan gives you one site and 15 GB. For $9.96/month, you get three websites and 300 GB. Professional is $34.95/month for 10 websites and unlimited space. Premium offers you the same features and an SSL certificate for $40.78. All plans except for the starter include a domain name.
  • Website builder: $2.95/month. $3.95/month will get you access to the website builder and basic online marketing services. If you want to add eCommerce, it’s $74.80/month. WordPress hosting starts at $7.99/month.

Our Take

Network Solutions is a good option for individuals and small businesses who don’t need more than the basics. It doesn’t offer as many features as some of the options listed. If you’re planning to scale your business, it may not be the right fit for you.

4. NameCheap

NameCheap

NameCheap offers the standard domain registration, web hosting, and site-building services along with some great extra features.

NameCheap is great for those looking for affordable domains.

It’s also a good option for brands looking for web hosting or who’d like to migrate a site that already exists.

NameCheap offers the standard domain registration, web hosting, and site-building services along with some great extra features.

Best For

NameCheap is great for those looking for affordable domains. It’s also a good option for brands looking for web hosting or who’d like to migrate a site that already exists.

Notable Features

  • New Apps feature: NameCheap’s new Apps feature connects you with numerous integrations so you can get all the functionality you need.
  • Managed WordPress hosting: NameCheap makes it easy for you to create or migrate a WordPress site. Their load times are also top-notch.
  • Handshake domains: If you’re interested in a more decentralized web, you can purchase handshake domains built on blockchain technology. These domains are incredibly secure.

Pros

  • Longevity: NameCheap has been around for over 20 years, making it a trusted brand. It’s also accredited through ICANN.
  • Pricing: Both domains and web hosting are reasonably priced.
  • Whois privacy: NameCheap gives you free Whois privacy for your first year of service, something you won’t find on most platforms.
  • Customer service: NameCheap offers live chat if you need help. They also have many YouTube videos and a large knowledge base to help you with different procedures.
  • Uptime guaranteed: While it can be frustrating that NameCheap’s uptime isn’t always ideal, they do offer a money-back guarantee if their uptime sinks below 100%

Cons

  • Uptime scores: NameCheap’s uptime scores aren’t as high as much of the competition.
  • Not as many features: NameCheap doesn’t have a lot of upsells, which can be a pro for someone. However, if you need more features, you may need to find another platform.
  • Support isn’t always available: The knowledge base and videos are helpful, but it’s harder to speak to a person, even through live chat.

Is NameCheap Hard To Use?

NameCheap is one of the easier platforms to use. While it doesn’t have as many features, its interface is intuitive and makes it easy to move through tasks.

Pricing & Plans

  • Domain names: range from $5.98/year for .com to $8.68/year for .org to $9.98 .net. Some of the newer extensions can be more expensive.
  • Web hosting: starts at $1.88/month and gets you three websites and access to the site builder. $2.98/month gets you unlimited websites. $4.98 includes all of the above along with cloud storage.
  • Dedicated hosting: starts at $47.88/month and goes up to $295.88/month.
  • WordPress hosting: begins at $4.88/month and includes 50,000 visitors. The Premium package is $13.88/month and includes 500,000 visitors along with guaranteed 99.9% uptime.

Our Take

NameCheap is a great option for brands looking for affordable web hosting, ease of use, and a reasonable amount of extras.

5. BlueHost

BlueHost

BlueHost is a popular web hosting platform, particularly for users who work with WordPress.

It also offers domain registration, eCommerce, and more.

BlueHost is great for people who are new to WordPress but don’t want to use a different site builder.

BlueHost is a popular web hosting platform, particularly for users who work with WordPress. It also offers domain registration, eCommerce, and more.

Best For

BlueHost is great for people who are new to WordPress but don’t want to use a different site builder.

Notable Features

  • Website builder: BlueHost’s website builder is one of its newest features. It lets you build a drag-and-drop WordPress page, taking a lot of the guesswork out of using WordPress.
  • WooCommerce: BlueHost is compatible with WooCommerce and lets users set up an online store through the platform.
  • Professional services: If you’d rather not do the work yourself, Bluehost offers professional services to help you build or migrate a website, optimize for SEO, and market your site.

Pros

  • Security: BlueHost offers great security features, including monitoring and backup, for affordable prices. Premium plans come with even more security measures. All plans come with a free SSL certificate.
  • Shared, Dedicated, and VPS hosting: BlueHost makes it easy for you to scale your site. You can start with shared hosting and move to dedicated and VPS without having to switch your web hosting company.
  • Hosts over two million sites: BlueHost is the most popular web host, meaning they offer great service and features.
  • Free domain: You’ll get a free domain for the first year when you sign up for web hosting.
  • Excellent customer service: BlueHost offers round-the-clock customer service and has a large knowledge base.

Cons

  • Site migration is costly: While some web hosting companies offer free site migration, BlueHost charges $149 for up to five sites.
  • Pricing: BlueHost offers great prices, but these prices increase after the first year.
  • Storage: If you purchase the basic plan, you won’t get as much storage as with some of the other GoDaddy alternatives on this list.

Is BlueHost Hard To Use?

BlueHost is one of the easiest platforms to use. When you sign up, you’ll go through a quick onboarding procedure that will help you master the basics.

Pricing & Plans

  • Domain names: start as low as $3.99/year.
  • The Basic web hosting package: includes one website and ten GB for $2.95/month. The Plus plan comes with unlimited sites and storage and Office 365 for $5.45/month.
  • Choice: $5.45/month for the first 12 months and comes with free domain privacy and automated backup.
  • The Pro plan: $3.95/month and includes a free dedicated IP.
  • The website builder: ranges from $2.95/month to $24.95/month. It includes free hosting.

Our Take

BlueHost is great for beginners who want to get their site online quickly. It helps you create a secure site with fast response times and great uptime.

6. SiteGround

SiteGround

SiteGround is an established web host designed to work with WordPress.

Serving over 2.8 million customers, the platform also offers eCommerce features, including WooCommerce.

SiteGround is a good option for those who run or plan to run their site on WordPress and expect their business to scale in the future.

SiteGround is an established web host designed to work with WordPress. Serving over 2.8 million customers, the platform also offers eCommerce features, including WooCommerce.

Best For

SiteGround is a good option for those who run or plan to run their site on WordPress and expect their business to scale in the future.

Notable Features

  • Staging tool: Some plans feature a staging tool, which lets you try new things on your website before taking it live.
  • Cloud hosting: Cloud hosting is ideal for websites that are already getting a moderate amount of traffic and are expecting growth.
  • WordPress starter wizard: WordPress is automatically downloaded. The starter wizard helps you get a basic site up and running in minutes.

Pros

  • Managed WordPress host: SiteGround is one of only three web hosts recommended by WordPress.
  • Worldwide servers: SiteGround has servers in six countries, guaranteeing speed and uptime for your site.
  • Excellent customer service: SiteGround offers 24/7 phone support so you can get help when you need it.
  • Free SSL certificate: Where many other web hosts charge, SiteGround offers free SSL certificates.
  • Daily backups and restores: All plans include free daily backups and restores.

Cons

  • Upper-level plans are required for some features: While SiteGround offers a lot of great web hosting features, many of them require subscriptions to the GrowBig or GoGeek plans.
  • No Windows servers: The web hosting service only offers Linux servers.
  • No advertising credits: While many web hosts offer advertising credits, SiteGround doesn’t.

Is SiteGround Hard To Use?

SiteGround has an intuitive interface and control panel. All of your added features are seamlessly integrated.

Pricing & Plans

  • Web hosting: starts at $3.99/month for one website with ten GB storage and up to 10,000 monthly visitors.
  • The GrowBig plan: $6.69/mo and gives you unlimited websites, 20 GB storage, and up to 100,000 monthly visitors.
  • The GoGeek plan: starts at $10.69/month and gets you unlimited websites, 40 GB of space, and 400,000 monthly visitors.

Our Take

SiteGround and BlueHost have nearly identical features, making it a close call between the two. SiteGround edges out BlueHost slightly on page speed, uptime, and scaling capabilities. It’s a good option for new users who are looking to grow.

7. HostGator

HostGator

HostGator is a web host that offers site-building features and domain registration for those who run smaller and larger websites.

HostGator is easy enough for new website owners and bloggers but is also robust enough for larger sites.

HostGator is a web host that offers site-building features and domain registration for those who run smaller and larger websites.

Best For

HostGator is easy enough for new website owners and bloggers but is also robust enough for larger sites.

Notable Features

  • PRO Hosting: HostGator offers dedicated VPS servers for larger websites with a lot of traffic.
  • Managed WordPress hosting: HostGator lets you easily download WordPress and their site builder lets you get a site up easily and quickly.
  • Unlimited storage: All shared hosting plans come with unlimited web space for growing sites.

Pros

  • Plan options: HostGator offers a variety of plan options with different features and subscription lengths.
  • Programming options: HostGator supports several programming languages like Ruby on Rails, PHP, Python, Perl, and more.
  • Unlimited bandwidth: Your site can get unlimited traffic.
  • Guaranteed uptime: HostGator promised 99.9% uptime.
  • cPanel: cPanel is open source and is a better option than an in-house manager.

Cons

  • Only US-based servers: This is a good option for entirely US-based websites, but not great for international sites.
  • Expensive renewals: At first glance, HostGator’s prices seem great, but upon one-year renewal, there’s a drastic price increase.
  • No staging area: You can’t work on your site without affecting the actual site.

Is HostGator Hard To Use?

HostGator has a one-click WordPress install. Their onboarding process takes you through the basic steps to using the platform.

Pricing & Plans

  • Shared hosting: the Hatchling plan starts at $2.75/month for one website. The Baby plan starts at $3.50/month and includes unlimited websites. The Business plan starts at $5.25/month. It also offers SEO services and a free dedicated IP.
  • HostGator’s website builder: starts at $3.84/month, with other tiers starting at $5.99/month and $9.22/month. The lowest tier gives you three email campaigns/month and a store with three products. The middle tier offers five campaigns and ten products. The highest tier has ten campaigns and unlimited products.
  • WordPress hosting: starts at $5.95/month for one site. Two sites are $7.95/month and three sites are $9.95/month.

Our Take

Despite a few flaws, HostGator is a trusted name in web hosting. It offers a variety of plans to suit almost any website’s needs. With unlimited space and bandwidth, it’s a solid option for growing sites and brands.

8. Web.com

Web.com

Web.com aims to be an all-in-one resource for individuals and businesses in need of a website. They offer domain registration, hosting, site-building, marketing tools, and more.

Web.com is best for those who want to build an eCommerce site with affordable web hosting and a solid, but basic site builder.

Web.com aims to be an all-in-one resource for individuals and businesses in need of a website. They offer domain registration, hosting, site-building, marketing tools, and more.

Best For

Web.com is best for those who want to build an eCommerce site with affordable web hosting and a solid, but basic site builder.

Notable Features

  • New website builder: Web.com recently updated its site builder, making it easier for you to drag and drop all of the elements you need.
  • Marketing: You can do some DIY marketing with on-page SEO tools or hire one of Web.com’s experts to help you.
  • eCommerce builder: This feature allows you to quickly and easily build an online store.

Pros

  • Simple interface: The drag and drop site builder is short on features, but with fewer choices, it’s easier to use.
  • Great for industry-specific needs: Web.com offers resources to customize your site based on your industry, making your site useful for visitors.
  • Templates: Web.com has a variety of templates for both multi-page and single-page sites.
  • Expert site-building: If you’d prefer to be completely hands-off, the platform lets you pay one of their experts to create a site for you.
  • Low initial cost: For $1.95 for the first month, you can affordably try out the platform.

Cons

  • Limited customization: Web.com doesn’t offer as many customization options as some other web hosts, but if you have programming skills, you can make more customizations.
  • Prices: Web.com’s prices are on the higher end, making them a poor fit for individuals.
  • Sitebuilder: Web.com’s site builder isn’t as easy to use or as robust as other platform’s site builders.

Is Web.com Hard To Use?

Web.com is straightforward. While you have fewer choices, it’s easier to get a professional-looking site online quickly.

Pricing & Plans

Web.com offers four site-building packages:

  • Website essentials: $4.95/month for one website
  • Business essentials: $7.95/month for one website and marketing tools
  • eCommerce essentials: $13.95/month for a basic eCommerce site
  • Comprehensive eCommerce: $19.95/month for extra features made for larger sites

Web hosting packages / WordPress hosting:

  • Basic: $2.95/month for one website and ten GB
  • Plus: $4.95/month for five websites and 20 GB
  • Premium: $6.95/month for ten websites and 40 GB

Our Take

While Web.com doesn’t offer a lot of features and can be a little pricey, it is a simple interface and a drag-and-drop web builder that takes the stress off users. If you don’t need a lot of options and prefer to keep things basic, it’s a good choice.

9. DreamHost

DreamHost

DreamHost is a full-featured platform with everything you need to get a site up and running, including domain registration, web hosting, site building, email, and more.

It’s been voted PCMag’s editor’s choice for five years running.

DreamHost is a large, well-established company, making it a good option for beginners and more experienced users. It can support smaller and larger websites.

DreamHost is a full-featured platform with everything you need to get a site up and running, including domain registration, web hosting, site building, email, and more. It’s been voted PCMag’s editor’s choice for five years running.

Best For

DreamHost is a large, well-established company, making it a good option for beginners and more experienced users. It can support smaller and larger websites.

Notable Features

  • Three levels of WordPress hosting: DreamHost offers a basic plan along with advanced plans offering more features and support. There’s also a WooCommerce plan for online stores.
  • PRO services: You can hire DreamHost professionals to build your website, manage SEO, marketing, management, and more.
  • One-stop shop: DreamHost aims to be a one-stop-shop so that you can get everything you need for your website in one place.

Pros

  • Unlimited data and bandwidth: Most basic sites give you plenty of room to grow and attract new visitors.
  • Monthly plans: Unlike some hosts who make you commit to an annual plan, DreamHost lets you purchase by the month.
  • 97-day money-back guarantee: DreamHost gives you 97 days to try their product, much longer than most other sites.
  • WordPress endorsement: DreamHost is one of the few web hosts that comes with an official endorsement from WordPress.
  • WP Website Builder: DreamHost offers a site builder that makes it easy for inexperienced users to create a WordPress site.

Cons

  • Upsells: A lot of features you’ll likely want are available as upsells or only in the higher-tier plans.
  • US-based servers: DreamHost only has US-based servers, which can be a problem for international sites.
  • Less than stellar support: DreamHost offers limited live chat support times. They also don’t have a call-in feature, so all support is done over chat or email.

Is DreamHost Hard To Use?

DreamHost doesn’t use the cPanel, but their in-house dashboard is intuitive and easy to use.

Pricing & Plans

WordPress Hosting:

  • Basic: $1.99/month – includes a starter plan for one website and an unlimited plan for many sites
  • DreamPress: $12/month – offers many more features, like a free CDN, automated migration, and JetPack professional
  • VPS WordPress: $27.50/month

Hosting

  • Plans: start at $2.59/month for shared hosting
  • Cloud hosting: starts at $4.50/month
  • Dedicated server hosting: starts at $149/month

Our Take

With so many users and WordPress’s seal of approval, DreamHost is one of the best web hosting services on the market. They offer a lot of support for WordPress users. Their pricing is also affordable for those on a budget.

10. WP Engine

WP Engine

As its name suggests, WP Engine aims to be the top WordPress managed hosting solution. It offers everything a business needs to build a WordPress site.

WP Engine is aimed primarily at any size business that has at least a moderate budget for web hosting.

As its name suggests, WP Engine aims to be the top WordPress managed hosting solution. It offers everything a business needs to build a WordPress site.

Best For

WP Engine is aimed primarily at any size business that has at least a moderate budget for web hosting.

Notable Features

  • Automated migration: If you already have a WordPress site and want to transfer to WP Engine, its automated migration feature makes it easy, even if you have little technical know-how.
  • Billing transfer: If you’re a designer and create sites for businesses, billing transfer lets you create the site while your client pays for WP Engine’s services.
  • Site staging and copying: Site staging allows you to try out changes to your site without affecting the site itself. Site copying lets you make a copy of a site if you’d like to use the design for another domain.

Pros

  • Guaranteed 99.99% uptime: If your uptime drops below 99.99%, WP Engine will refund you part of your fees.
  • Resources and support: WP Engine offers a large resource database and offers 24/7 support.
  • Fast load times: WP Engine hosting ensures that your pages load at lightning speed.
  • Backups and updates: WP Engines offers daily backups and updates for plugins.
  • Optimized for WordPress: Everything is built around WordPress to give you the best possible integration.

Cons

  • WordPress only: WP Engine does support any platforms other than WordPress.
  • Expensive: Even the starter plans are much more expensive than other hosting sites. WP Engine isn’t for individuals running small sites.
  • No email: You’ll have to go to another platform to get professional emails linked to your domain.

Is WP Engine Hard to Use?

WordPress can be challenging to use. Since WP Engine focuses solely on WordPress, they make it easy to use. Their WordPress experts are also helpful.

Pricing & Plans

WordPress Hosting:

  • Managed WordPress: $20/month, one site, 25,000 monthly visitors, ten GB
  • eCommerce Solutions: $50/month, three sites, 75,000 monthly visitors, 15 GB
  • Advanced Solutions: call for a quote, offers solutions for enterprise-level businesses that need advanced security and hosting

Our Take

If your business wants a dedicated WordPress host, then WP Engine is for you. Even though their prices are a little higher, they offer features and solutions most businesses need.

11. InMotion

InMotion

InMotion hosting offers a variety of options for individuals to larger businesses in need of hosting solutions along with WordPress and site-building support.

With so many plan options, InMotion can meet the needs of just about anyone running a website.

InMotion hosting offers a variety of options for individuals to larger businesses in need of hosting solutions along with WordPress and site-building support.

Best For

With so many plan options, InMotion can meet the needs of just about anyone running a website.

Notable Features

  • Unlimited bandwidth: Your website will load quickly and can handle many visitors at once.
  • Website builder: InMotion’s site builder lets you create a WordPress site primarily through drag and drop designing.
  • Over 500,000 WordPress installations: The many installations InMotion provides allow you to create a fully customized site.

Pros

  • Over 300 free applications: While many plans charge for almost every additional feature, InMotion provides users with over 300 for free.
  • 335 ms page load: High page load speeds keep visitors on your site longer.
  • BoldGrid site builder: InMotion’s included site builder is much more functional and feature-rich than most web hosts’ in-house site builders.
  • Great customer support: You’ll get lots of help, including a few hours of free help with getting things up and running.
  • 90-day money-back guarantee: InMotion will give you a full refund if you aren’t happy with their services.

Cons

  • Backups aren’t free: While many hosts provide free backups, InMotion charges an extra fee.
  • Need more advanced features: While there are some advanced features, InMotion is missing some important features like a staging area.
  • Expert support isn’t free: Some support needs will come with a cost if you need an expert.

Is InMotion Hard To Use?

Many users find InMotion’s control panel to be a little outdated, but think that it’s mostly easy to use.

Pricing & Plans

Shared hosting:

  • Core: $2.29/month – two websites, two times speed and performance, ten emails
  • Launch: $4.99/month – unlimited websites, six times UltraStack speed and performance, unlimited emails
  • Power: $4.99/month – 12 times UltraStack speed and performance, advanced caching
  • Pro: $12.99/month – 20 times UltraStack speed and performance, marketing tools, security suite

WordPress Hosting:

  • WP Core: $3.49/month – two websites, ten times WP performance, ten emails
  • WP Launch: $6.99/month – unlimited websites, 20 times WP performance, unlimited emails
  • WP Power: $6.99/month – 30 times WP performance
  • WP Pro: $14.99/month – 40 times WP performance, JetPack Professional

Our Take

InMotion is one of the oldest and largest web hosts. It offers fast page speeds and solid performance. It’s a good option for anyone who wants to build a website.

12. A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting offers web hosting, WordPress hosting, a site builder, domain registration, and more, along with a claim to be 20 times faster than the competition.

A2 Hosting is best for businesses and individuals who put speed as their top priority.

A2 Hosting offers web hosting, WordPress hosting, a site builder, domain registration, and more, along with a claim to be 20 times faster than the competition.

Best For

A2 Hosting is best for businesses and individuals who put speed as their top priority.

Notable Features

  • A2 SiteBuilder: The brand’s proprietary web builder allows you to create a professional-looking website using one of their templates.
  • Turbo servers: A2 Hosting’s Turbo servers offer their fastest speeds.
  • A2 Optimized: A2 Optimized will optimize your website to make it as fast as possible while still keeping your site secure.

Pros

  • International servers: A2 has servers in the US, Asia, and Europe so you can choose the one that works for your location.
  • Fast load speeds: A2 Hosting’s load speeds live up to the hype at 279 ms.
  • Free SSL certificate: SSL certificates come free with plans.
  • Staging tools: You can stage your website before taking it live.
  • Green hosting: A2 is passionate about helping the environment. They have a green hosting program that helps to offset some of their carbon emissions.

Cons

  • Backups are an upcharge: You’ll have to pay extra if you want automated backups.
  • Lots of upsells: A2 makes the checkout process confusing as it continues to push upsells while you’re trying to checkout.
  • Premium plans are required for faster hosting: If you want the fast speeds offered with hosting, you’ll have to pay for one of the premium plans.

Is A2 Hosting Hard to Use?

A2 Hosting is a little confusing while you’re trying to get everything set up, but once you’re all set, it’s relatively easy.

Pricing & Plans

Web hosting:

  • Startup: $2.99/month – one site, 100 GB
  • Drive: $5.99/month – unlimited websites and storage
  • Turbo Boost: $6.99/month – free automatic backups, 20 times faster Turbo feature
  • Turbo Max: $12.99/month – five times more resources

WordPress hosting:

  • Run: $11.99/month – one site, 50 GB, Turbo speeds
  • Jump: $18.99/month – five sites, 250 GB
  • Fly: $28.99/month – unlimited websites and storage
  • Sell: $41.99/month – Premium RapidSSL, traffic surge protection

Our Take

A2 Hosting isn’t one of the biggest web hosts and it mostly flies under the radar. It still offers a wide variety of plans at affordable prices. It’s definitely worth your consideration.

13. HostPapa

HostPapa

HostPapa is a small but full-service web hosting provider based out of Canada.

HostPapa markets itself to small businesses and most of its plans are designed with small businesses in mind.

HostPapa is a small but full-service web hosting provider based out of Canada.

Best For

HostPapa markets itself to small businesses and most of its plans are designed with small businesses in mind.

Notable Features

  • 400+ apps: HostPapa plans come with over 400 apps so you can customize your site.
  • Free domain transfer and site migration: HostPapa makes it easy for you to switch to their hosting with free domain transfer and site migration.
  • Easy-to-use site builder: HostPapa’s site builder makes it easy for new website owners to design a website.

Pros

  • Free domain: You’ll get a free domain for a year with the purchase of a hosting plan.
  • cPanel: HostPapa uses the cPanel interface, which is the industry standard and is open-source.
  • Green business: HostPapa uses renewable energy to power its servers.
  • Migration: A HostPapa employee will migrate your site to their server for free.
  • Security features: All plans have at least standard security features.

Cons

  • Site backups aren’t available with all plans: You’ll need to purchase the Business plans for automated site backups.
  • Expensive: HostPapa costs a bit more than some of the other hosts, especially when the plans renew.
  • Email: Only higher-priced plans include email. You can still get it, but you’ll have to pay for it as an add-on.

Is HostPapa Hard To Use?

HostPapa uses the cPanel, which is easy to use. They also migrate your site for you, so you don’t have to do a lot of technical things.

Pricing & Plans

Web hosting:

  • Starter: $3.95/month – one website, 100 GB
  • Business: $3.95/month – unlimited websites, storage, and emails, advanced features
  • Business Pro: $12.95/month – Wildcard SSL certificate, six times performance and speed, enhanced security suite

Managed WordPress hosting (all plans included one fully managed site):

  • Launch: $19.95/month – 25 GB, 100,000 monthly visitors
  • Launch plus: $39.95/month – 50 GB, 250,000 monthly visitors
  • Launch pro: $69.95/month – 100 GB, 1,000,000 monthly visitors

Our Take

HostPapa is a solid option for small businesses, but some may prefer the speed and functionality offered by other plans. It is relatively easy to use. Its customer support is there to help with tasks like migrating your current site.

14. Hostinger

Hostinger

Hostinger got its start as a free web host but has since morphed into a shared and cloud-based host with quite a few features.

Almost anyone can use Hostinger.

It’s great for people who are looking for quality service at an affordable price.

Hostinger got its start as a free web host but has since morphed into a shared and cloud-based host with quite a few features.

Best For

Almost anyone can use Hostinger. It’s great for people who are looking for quality service at an affordable price.

Notable Features

  • Variety of hosting: Hostinger offers several types of hosting to meet almost anyone’s needs.
  • Email hosting: Hostinger provides email hosting for Google Workspace and Titan.
  • Minecraft Hosting: Hostinger offers hosting for Minecraft servers to completely customize your gaming experience.

Pros

  • Servers on four continents: You can choose from servers in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
  • Affordable: Plans start at $1.99 and even the higher tiers are still affordable.
  • Great onboarding: Hostinger makes the onboarding process easy, even for inexperienced users.
  • Highly scalable: You can start with a small site and scale as you go.
  • Large knowledgebase: Hostinger has many resources to help you learn everything you need to know.

Cons

  • Lack of daily backup: You can only get a daily automated backup for an extra fee or with the business plan.
  • No cPanel: Hostinger has an in-house panel. While it’s easy to use, you may not like it if you’re used to using the cPanel.
  • WordPress staging is not available on all plans: You can only get WordPress staging on the Business plan.

Is Hostinger Hard To Use?

Hostinger is aimed at beginners, so its interface is easy and intuitive. They also give you plenty of training to help you learn your way around.

Pricing & Plans

Shared hosting:

  • Single: $1.99/month – one website, 30 GB, 10,000 monthly visitors
  • Premium: $2.99/month – 100 websites, 100 GB, 25,000 monthly visitors, free domain
  • Business: $4.99/month – 200 GB, 100,000 monthly visitors, unlimited backups

WordPress hosting:

  • Single: $1.99/month – one website, 30 GB, 10,000 monthly visitors
  • Starter: $3.99/month – 100 websites, 100 GB, 25,000 monthly visitors, free domain, WordPress Multisite
  • Business: $6.99/month – 200 GB, 100,000 monthly visitors, daily backups
  • Pro: $11.59/month – 300 websites, 200,000 monthly visitors

Our Take

Hostinger is a great GoDaddy alternative because it’s affordable and offers plenty of features for new users. It’s great for scaling your website so you don’t have to spend too much until you need to. Its service is quick and reliable.

15. GreenGeeks

GreenGeeks

GreenGeeks provides solid web hosting while also being eco-friendly.

GreenGeeks is great for small businesses that are concerned with helping the environment.

GreenGeeks provides solid web hosting while also being eco-friendly.

Best For

GreenGeeks is great for small businesses that are concerned with helping the environment.

Notable Features

  • Unmetered transfer: You can use as much bandwidth as you need, even with entry-level plans.
  • Several types of hosting: GreenGeeks offers WordPress, shared, VPS, and reseller hosting.
  • Environmentally friendly: GreenGeeks pays to offset the energy they use plus enough to offset the power used by two other companies.

Pros

  • Free domain: You’ll get a free domain for your first year of service, even with the basic plan.
  • Affordable: GreenGeeks’ prices are budget-friendly, even though they put a lot of money back into being eco-friendly.
  • Nightly backup: Nightly backup comes standard on all plans.
  • Three data centers: GreenGeeks has data centers in the US, Canada, and the Netherlands.
  • Optimizations: Optimizations like Powercacher and LiteSpeed Cache help your site load even faster.

Cons

  • Higher renewal fees: Monthly costs go up significantly after the first year of service.
  • Isn’t exactly unlimited: While GreenGeeks says that you get unlimited bandwidth, your site may temporarily be slowed down if it uses excessive resources.
  • Some hidden expenses: To get the best rates, you’ll need to choose the longest contract. After the first year, you may find domain renewal to be expensive.

Is GreenGeeks Hard To Use?

GreenGeeks is easy to use. If you’re new to website creation, their in-house site builder has over 100 templates that you can customize to your liking.

Pricing & Plans

Shared and WordPress hosting:

  • Lite: $2.95 – one website, 50 GB, 50 email accounts
  • Pro: $5.95 – unlimited websites, unlimited webspace, unlimited email accounts, WordPress Repair
  • Premium: $10.95 – AlphaSSL, dedicated IP

Our Take

GreenGeeks is a solid option with great prices and fast page loads. Their Lite plan offers features you typically find on higher-tier plans, like unlimited bandwidth. They even plant a tree with every plan purchased.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have more questions about GoDaddy alternatives? We have answers!

Who is GoDaddy owned by?

Bob Parsons, a businessman, founded GoDaddy in 1997, although it then went by the name Jomax Technologies.

He sold the majority of his company to the equity firms Silver Lake Partners, KKR & Co, and Technology Crossover Ventures in 2011.

In 2018, Parsons sold the rest of the company and left the board. He no longer owns any of the company.

How do I get rid of GoDaddy?

For most GoDaddy products, you’ll go to your account and find the appropriate product or service.

Then, you’ll either cancel the renewal or delete it.

Note that if you’re under contract, you may not receive a refund for the period you’ve already paid.

Is GoDaddy out of business?

GoDaddy isn’t going out of business, but there have been several times users have called for boycotts of the company, such as when founder Bob Parsons killed an elephant in Zimbabwe.

However, there have been a couple of times when internet hacking group Anonymous has disrupted the company’s services, causing many to believe that GoDaddy was going out of business.

Parting Thoughts

While GoDaddy may still be the go-to site for domain registration and web hosting for many people, there are now many products on the market that get the job done even better.

Each of these GoDaddy alternatives has something to offer and deserves your consideration.

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Squarespace vs GoDaddy GoCentral: A Blogger’s Guide to the Best Website Builder https://bloggingtips.com/squarespace-vs-godaddy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=squarespace-vs-godaddy Thu, 13 Sep 2018 08:00:39 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?p=1507 Read more]]> It’s never been easier to start a blog.

With the help of online website builders you can have a website up in hours without the need to learn coding or pay for web hosting.

These web-based tools also mean that you’re not limited by your technology, so whether you’re a Windows or Mac user you can create a stunning website from home.

In this guide we compare Squarespace and GoDaddy’s GoCentral, two popular website builders, to see how they shape up.

Once you’ve created a website with a builder like GoCentral or Squarespace it isn’t always easy to move it to another platform, so it’s a great idea to research them first to decide on the right one.

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Editor’s Note:

We reviewed Squarespace and it’s website builder. Check out that post if you’re considering Squarespace. You’ll find out what we liked and didn’t like about the service.
[/su_note]

Key Features

Let’s explore some of the key features of a website builder to see how Squarespace and GoDaddy GoCentral compare, including pricing, templates, integrationscustomer support, and more.

Pricing Plans

Like most website builders, GoCentral and Squarespace are both available on a subscription basis.

Although there’s no free version available, you can get a free trial of GoCentral for 30 days and Squarespace for 14 days — with no requirement to enter your credit card details.

At the time of publication, GoCentral plans start at $5.99 per month for their Personal plan, rising to $19.99 per month for their Online Store plan with fully-fledged ecommerce functionality.

These plans don’t include a free custom domain name, but you can buy one at a low cost from Bluehost.

Squarespace offers two blogging plans — Personal at $16 per month and Business at $26 per month which, like the GoCentral plan, is built with ecommerce in mind.

They also offer two plans specific to ecommerce, priced at $30 per month and $46 per month.

All annual plans include a free domain.

GoCentral plans are billed on an annual basis, which can mean a bigger upfront cost than you expect.

You can choose to pay for your Squarespace plan either monthly or annually, with a discount if you pay annually in advance.

To keep this comparison fair, we’ll compare GoDaddy’s Business Plus plan with Squarespace’s Personal plan.

Both plans offer similar features including built-in SEO customization options, SSL, and social media integration.

If you paid annually, your upfront investment would be $178.88 with GoCentral or $192 with Squarespace.

To reduce your initial costs, you could opt for a more basic plan with GoCentral, or pay for your Squarespace plan monthly instead.

Themes and Templates

The beauty of online website builders is that they allow you to create professional-looking websites with ease, and both GoCentral and Squarespace offer a number of templates to allow you to do just that.
Squarespace vs GoDaddy GoCentral: A Blogger’s Guide to the Best Website Builder - godaddy gocentral templates
GoCentral offers the largest selection of templates to choose from, with hundreds available.

These are split into categories based on industry, so that you can find a template with the functionality to meet your needs.

GoCentral is focused on small businesses, with templates and a design style to match.

Once you’ve chosen a template you can make various changes and customizations with the easy drag-and-drop editor.
Squarespace vs GoDaddy GoCentral: A Blogger’s Guide to the Best Website Builder - squarespace
While Squarespace doesn’t offer quite as many templates, the styles they do offer are modern, fresh, and designed with a clean aesthetic in mind.

It’s a website builder that’s popular with creatives and bloggers, with a look and feel that appeals to people who need a portfolio, blog, or online store.

Like GoCentral, Squarespace allows you to customize the look and feel of your website within its framework.

If you are technically skilled, you can also add your own CSS styling and customize further with their Developer Tools.

Both website builders recognize the importance of being user friendly on mobile devices, with templates that have a mobile version (GoCentral) or are fully mobile responsive (Squarespace).

Blogging

For bloggers, one of the most important considerations when choosing a website builder is how easy it is to start and grow a blog.

GoCentral has recently launched a new blog feature within their plans, so you can add a blog to your website at no extra cost.

While this is functional, it’s not our favorite blogging system and is better suited to business owners who may want a blog as an addition to their service’s website or online store.

Squarespace offers a much better blogging experience.

The blog interface makes it easy to write posts, set categories and tags, and design your blog posts in a way that shows off your content at its best.

Combined with the minimalistic templates, this can result in a professional-looking blog that feels like it’s at the heart of your website — instead of something that’s been added on as an extra.

Both blogging systems allow you to create and publish posts, manage images, and access integrated stock photos for easy publishing.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

If you want to attract readers to your blog through search engines, effective search engine optimization (SEO) is a must-have.

While online website builders like GoCentral and Squarespace lack the customization and support that you’d find in a WordPress plugin like Yoast SEO, they do offer some SEO functionality.

GoCentral provides SEO support on all its plans from Business upwards, including the ability to automatically add keywords and tags based on your content.

You can also access tools and reports designed to help you rank on search engines.

Squarespace also has built-in SEO, including the ability to set search descriptions, customize URLs, and add alt text to images.

While there’s no SEO reporting tool, you can access all your analytics — including search traffic — from your dashboard.

Data Security

Now that web browsers warn users if a website they visit is unsecured, an SSL certificate for your blog has never been more important.

We are all much more conscious of data security these days, so moving your blog from “HTTP” to “HTTPS” should be a priority.

Squarespace makes it easy to activate their SSL, whether you’ve purchased a domain through them or through another source like Bluehost.

This is included free within all their plans, so you can provide your readers with greater confidence that their data is secure.
GoCentral also offers SSL, but this isn’t available in their Personal plan.

Like their search engine optimization tools, you’ll need to upgrade to their Business plan to make use of this.
Squarespace vs GoDaddy GoCentral: A Blogger’s Guide to the Best Website Builder

Ecommerce

As a blogger most of your attention will be focused on your content, but there might come a time where you have plans to launch a product, service, or online store.

If that’s the case, a strong ecommerce service can make the transition easier.

GoCentral offers a plan that’s designed with ecommerce in mind.

Their “Online Store” plan includes a fully featured online store with checkout, payment integrations, discounts and promotions, inventory management, and product reviews.

Reviews can offer powerful social proof, so it’s a welcome addition to any online store.

Squarespace also offers a plan specifically for online stores, which includes similar features such as an integrated checkout, inventory, coupons, and label printing.

Their plans offer some additional features that we love, like integrated accounting with Xero, and real time carrier shipping (on the Advanced plan).

Email Marketing

If you don’t already have an email list, it’s time to start one.

Email can be a powerful marketing tool for bloggers, so if your email marketing solution integrates with your website, that’s a bonus.

GoCentral offers email marketing within its Business plan and higher, which provides you with the tools to capture emails and run marketing campaigns.

Unfortunately GoCentral doesn’t currently offer any integration with popular email marketing tools like MailChimp or Convertkit, and doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility and customization either.

Squarespace has recently introduced Email Campaigns, their integrated email marketing solution.

This allows you to create marketing campaigns from within your website and access direct analytics, which is helpful if you want to keep everything contained in one place.

They also offer a MailChimp integration, as well as the ability to use Convertkit and other email marketing tools easily through custom code blocks.

Social Media

Blogging goes far beyond your written content — there are now mini ecosystems on social media, especially Instagram.

With this in mind, you want to make it as easy as possible for people to find you on social media and share your content.

GoCentral offers social media integration in its Business Plus and Online Store plans.

With these plans you can add links to your social media, including Twitter feeds, within minutes.

For lower tier plans, you could manually create links to your social media pages using HTML and CSS code — but it’s a less professional-looking approach.

Squarespace makes it easy for you to embed links to your social media profiles, and this is included in all plans.

here’s a section within the dashboard for you to add your links and these will automatically display in your header and within designated blocks.

You can also enable icons at the bottom of your blog posts which prompt readers to share your content on social media.

Integrations

One of the limitations with subscription-based website builders is the lack of customization options and functionality.

A way around this is to make use of integrations, which allow you to connect services together to create a streamlined process or experience for your readers or customers.

Squarespace and GoCentral both offer a number of integrations, so you can build a website and blog that meet your needs.

The most popular integrations for GoCentral include:

  • Google Calendar, iCal, Outlook, and Office 365 for calendar syncing
  • Google Analytics for website analytics
  • Square, PayPal, and Stripe for payment processing
  • SurveyMonkey for surveys and quizzes
  • Etsy for online retail
  • Eventbrite for event management

Some of these integrations are only available in the Business Plus and Online Store plans.
Some of our favorite Squarespace integrations include:

  • G Suite for email addresses
  • Google Analytics for website analytics
  • MailChimp for email marketing
  • Apple Pay, PayPal, and Stripe for payment processing
  • FedEx, UPS, and USPS for integrated shipping calculation
  • Acuity and OpenTable for online bookings
  • Zapier to connect your forms to over 1,000 services

You can also use elements known as “blocks” to quickly integrate features like a gallery of your Instagram photos or a YouTube video.

User Experience

Online website builders can make starting a website or blog more simple, as they can be used by anyone without the need for technical skills.

This means that user experience is crucial.

Both GoCentral and Squarespace offer a dashboard and admin system that’s intuitive, easy to use, and well explained.

It’s easy to create and edit pages, blogs, and images, and then customize your website with both.

Although GoCentral is equally simple to use, we appreciate the design-led touches from Squarespace — the minimal styling means that it’s easier to focus on your content and not get distracted.

Another key aspect of user experience is how easy it is to solve a problem.

If you run into difficulty, you can access support quickly and easily with both website builders.

GoCentral is part of GoDaddy, which offers 24/7/365 support including email and phone support, with live chat available Monday through Friday.

Squarespace also offers email support 24/7, as well as live chat between 4:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. EST.

Both website builders also have a comprehensive knowledge base.
Squarespace vs GoDaddy GoCentral

Customer Service

One of the most important things to consider when signing up for a blogging platform with third-party domains is the reach of their technical support.

There are bound to be tremendous challenges for any blogger you could face when working on your site.

It is important to consider business hours and business days and the process of accessing their support team.

Let’s review the list of features of both GoDaddy and Squarespace’s technical support.

GoDaddy

There are three main avenues to get help with your platform via GoDaddy.

You can join the community forums, reach out to their team using a localized phone number, or visit the help center.

With the community forums, you’ll be able to discuss your issue in detail with other users as well as GoDaddy administrators.

We recommend contacting the company via phone to speak directly with an associate for more serious and immediate issues.

Alternatively, browsing through their help center can be pretty beneficial for standard questions.

In the help center, you’ll find essential information about administrative control, domain settings, DNS settings, and more.

Squarespace

Squarespace is structured similarly when it comes to reaching their customer support team.

You’ll find a couple of avenues for contact depending on the issue you’re presented with.

For example, you can manage technical issues through your Squarespace login by contacting their support team.

You’ll also find a help center structured around the most common questions users might have.

By visiting the customer support page, you can select from a dropdown list of inquiries, including:

  • Dealing with subscription costs
  • How to get relief from subscription costs
  • Questions about active subscriptions
  • Managing domain registration

One of the more unique and essential features of Squarespace’s support team is that they also work with security issues.

It helps report suspicious activity or if you’re experiencing a security vulnerability yourself.

One of the primary reasons users prefer Squarespace customer support is how seriously they take security concerns.

With that said, there are submission criteria to consider when reporting vulnerabilities, and you’ll need to be a part of HackerOne.

HackerOne is a security risk management company that Squarespace works with to ensure its protective measures are upheld.

Cancellation Policies

Cancellation policies are significant to note with both GoDaddy and Squarespace.

There are many instances where you might need to consider canceling your account and domain.

For example, if you’re managing an account for a deceased user and need to cancel their billing.

Fortunately, both companies have comprehensive cancellations for domain owners, those with privacy concerns, and even a deceased person.

Let’s review the basics of how you can cancel your account with both GoDaddy and Squarespace.

GoDaddy

Canceling your account with GoDaddy is simple through the account management panel.

However, when it comes to refunds, the type of service you’re looking to get a rebate for will matter.

You’ll need to review their guidelines to determine whether your services are applicable to be refunded.

A few examples include:

  • IT Services: If IT services are already performed, they are non-refundable.
  • Hosting Services: Unused hosting services can be refunded within 30 days of the transaction date.
  • SEO Services: All SEO plans can be canceled within 48 hours of the transaction date for a full refund.
  • Domain Registration (New): Can be refunded within five days or 120 hours.
  • Domain Renewal (One-Year): Can be refunded within 45 days or 1080 hours.
  • Domain Renewal (Multi-Year): Can be refunded within five days or 120 hours.

Squarespace

Similar to GoDaddy, Squarespace has an assortment of refund and cancellation policies by service.

Once you cancel your product, you’ll receive a confirmation code with any further information.

According to the company, users can cancel their subscriptions at any time.

For a domain refund, you’ll first have to look at your domains panel to see which you want to cancel.

Once you’ve confirmed via your domains panel, you can then cancel within five days of registering.

If you don’t cancel, your domain will be set to auto-renew and is subject to new policies, including:

  • Newly registered domains aren’t refundable after five days
  • Users receive a confirmation email about payment 15 days before renewal
  • Users can cancel their auto-renew policy on their panel before being charged

Another critical thing to consider with your panel is the type of domain you own.

Some domains have exceptions, which is something to consider before domain forwarding.

For example, .co.uk, .com.au, .de, and .uk domains don’t have a refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Is Better GoDaddy or Squarespace?

Squarespace has a significant leg up when it comes to being a better alternative to GoDaddy.

It appears to be the most versatile legacy platform, with plenty of popular guides to help you navigate.

You’ll also find it has some of the most efficient code to help you effortlessly create a flawless and professional aesthetic.

With the help of onboarding specialists, you can learn more about the ins and outs of the platform.

Not to mention the majority of their features are specifically designed for those with limited experience with code.

Another significant benefit of the platform is their support team, which assists with anything from a tax exemption certificate to closing your account.

Using Squarespace as a business exempt from US taxes is another massive advantage over other platforms.

By contacting their technical team, you can submit a request to obtain an exemption from sales tax.

Ensure you have all of the adequate documentation beforehand for your business and location.

2. Can You Use Squarespace With GoDaddy?

Users can connect their GoDaddy domain to their Squarespace website by following six easy steps, namely:

Relinking your domain

Logging in to your GoDaddy account

Adding your first and second CNAME

You’ll then need to manage your DNS settings and wait for the connection to go through.

3. Do Professionals Use Squarespace?

Professional companies and individuals use Squarespace for many reasons, which is why it’s so popular.

You’ll find affluent celebrities such as Keanu Reeves, for example, who have used the services in the past.

4. Do I Own My Squarespace Domain?

As long as you continue to pay for your domain, users will own their domains through Squarespace.

You can opt to pay for it manually or have the convenience of auto-renewals, ensuring it always stays in your name.

5. Does Squarespace Own My Content?

Fortunately, you will continue to own the content you upload to Squarespace through your website.

However, when you upload content, you’re giving the company permission to use it as necessary.

For example, Squarespace can use hosted content to improve their websites, promote their site, or protect their services.

With that said, there is the opportunity to request about exemption from this service.

For example, if you’re uploading pictures and don’t want them used for promotional purposes, you can opt out.

6. Can I Transfer My Domain Name To Squarespace?

One of the benefits of Squarespace is that it’s easy to use in an assortment of ways, even when transferring domains.

There are several steps you’ll have to go through, but the process is relatively simple.

Some of the steps include:

Unlocking the domain

Obtaining an authorization code

Reviewing registration details

Setting up new payment plans

Our Recommendation

Throughout this guide we’ve compared these two popular website builders against each other on elements which are essential for bloggers like design, blogging functionality, and email marketing.

The clear leader is Squarespace.

Its modern aesthetic, feature-rich plans, and excellent blog and content options make it the best option for bloggers — especially if you’re in a creative niche or want to display a portfolio or online store alongside your blog.

.GoDaddy’s GoCentral website builder is better suited to more traditional service-based or product-based businesses, so it wouldn’t be our go-to for bloggers who want to create a successful, thriving blog.

Alternative Platforms for Bloggers

Squarespace is a popular platform for bloggers, especially travel bloggers, fashion bloggers, and bloggers who also run a business — but it’s not for everyone.

If you want more flexibility and customization options, our content management system of choice is WordPress.

WordPress is an industry-leading blogging platform that offers you total control and flexibility over the design and functionality of your website.

Through third-party plugins (similar to integrations) and themes, you can customize your blog in minutes.

To help you compare these two platforms, take a look at our guide on Squarespace vs. WordPress.

If you want to stick with a website builder but don’t think Squarespace or GoCentral is right for you, other popular options include Wix and Weebly.

You could also try WordPress’s free option, WordPress.com.

Alternative ecommerce solutions include Shopify and Etsy.

Design a Blog Today

We hope you’ve found this comparison guide on Squarespace vs GoDaddy helpful.

Website builders can be a great way to start a blog, as they allow you to create a website quickly and easily.

Has our guide inspired you to start a blog today?

If so, you’ll find plenty of tips and advice in our How to Blog section — including how to come up with a name for your blog.

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Bluehost vs GoDaddy: Which Is Better for Your Blog? https://bloggingtips.com/bluehost-vs-godaddy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bluehost-vs-godaddy Tue, 28 Aug 2018 13:50:55 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?p=1431 Read more]]> If you’re starting your own blog, we highly recommend that you host your own site with a domain you own.

It will allow you to have much more control over the design of your blog, as well as make your site look much more professional and easier to discuss.

You don’t want to tell your friends, family, or colleagues that you have a blog, only to have to then give them an awkward URL such as “mysupercoolblog.wordpress.com.”

When you’re choosing hosting, however, the options can be overwhelming.

There are lots of hosting providers out there, all of whom claim to have the best combination of price, features, speed, and customer support.

How are you supposed to choose if you’re just getting started creating your website?

To help you spend less time researching hosting services and more time creating your blog, we’ve done the comparison for you.

In this post, we’ll look at two of the most popular hosting options out there: Bluehost and GoDaddy. We’ll compare both based on the following metrics:

  1. Features
  2. Price
  3. Speed and Reliability
  4. Customer Support

From there, we’ll then be able to give you an overall recommendation of which option to choose for your blog.

Bluehost and GoDaddy Hosting Features Compared

In this and subsequent sections, we’ll be looking at the cheapest, most basic hosting packages you can get for each hosting provider.

While you’ll likely end up upgrading your plan as your site grows, there’s no reason to pay more than you have to when you’re getting started.

A basic hosting plan will give you everything you need to learn how to set up your website, as well as provide a foundation for growing your blog’s traffic.

By the time you’re ready to upgrade to a higher plan, you’ll have the necessary knowledge to manage that transition.

With that being said, how do Bluehost and GoDaddy compare based on features?

When you choose Bluehost’s introductory plan, you get the following features:

  • Hosting for one website.
  • Free domain — Choose any available domain name with an extension such as “.com.”
  • Free SSL — SSL is a form of encryption that makes your site secure when processing payments or handling other sensitive user data.
    Even if you don’t plan to handle any payment info or other private user information, adding SSL makes your site more trustworthy to search engines such as Google and Bing.
  • One-click WordPress install — Install popular blogging platform WordPress on your site without having to know any coding.
  • 100 MB email storage per account, with up to five email accounts allowed.

With GoDaddy, the features are quite similar, including the following:

  • Hosting for one website.
  • Free domain (as long as you choose the annual plan).
  • One-click installations of WordPress website and other popular blogging platforms.
  • Free business email for the first year — Get one Office 365 Outlook mailbox with 5 GB of dedicated storage for email, contacts, and shared online calendar free for the first year.

The main key differences, then, are that Bluehost offers free SSL, while GoDaddy offers a better introductory deal on business email.

Realistically, however, business email isn’t going to be that important when you’re starting a blog, and you may not want to use Outlook, anyway.

Therefore, we think that Bluehost wins in terms of features due to the inclusion of free SSL. It’s a close race, however.

Bluehost and GoDaddy Prices Compared

When it comes to price, the difference between the most basic Bluehost and GoDaddy plans is straightforward.

Bluehost currently costs $2.95 per month (billed annually) when you sign up using our special offer.

After you renew your plan for another year, you’ll still only pay $7.99 per month, which is still a great deal.

You can pay this in a variety of ways, with a credit or debit card and PayPal being the most popular options.

If you prefer to use a different method, however, Bluehost also allows payment via checks (U.S. only), money orders (USD only), and purchase orders.

GoDaddy, meanwhile, is currently running a special on its Economy plan, bringing the price down to $2.49 per month (billed annually).

This is the price you’ll pay for the first year.

After that, it’s $7.99 per month (the same as Bluehost).

Therefore, GoDaddy does win as being slightly cheaper, though the lack of free SSL could make it more expensive if you want to add on that feature.

GoDaddy SSL certificates currently start at $59.99 per year for one site.

Again, if you’re not going to be processing payments, you don’t strictly need to have SSL.

However, it can be a good thing in terms of making your site look more trustworthy to visitors.

If you don’t have it, users of browsers such as Google Chrome may see a message that says “Not Secure” next to your URL when they visit your site.

You should also know that both hosting companies offer a 30-day money back guarantee on their products.

These guarantees apply no matter which plan you choose, and they’re a good way to mitigate the risk of choosing a hosting company.

With such a guarantee in place, you can try both products and see which you prefer.

Bluehost vs GoDaddy Speed and Reliability

Price and features are important to consider when choosing a hosting provider, but both of those are meaningless if your site isn’t fast and reliable.

How do Bluehost and GoDaddy stack up when it comes to things like page load time and the potential for downtime?

To understand how we made this evaluation, you need to understand a couple key terms.

The first is page speed.

This is a measure of how long it takes for a given page on your site to load.

It’s essential to have a fast site.

Not only does it affect the experience users have when they visit, but it also factors into your ranking in search engines like Google or Bing.

If you have a slow site, then users will likely click back to search results when they visit.

Search engines take note of this, and over time, it can drop the ranking of your site.

The second term is uptime. This refers to the percentage of time that your site is live.

If your site is down, then it means that visitors to your site can’t access your content.

There are a variety of things that could cause your site to go down, some of which are in your control.

For instance, incorrectly editing a file in your site’s code could cause it to be unavailable.

What we’re concerned with, however, are problems that occur on your site’s server.

For example, if one of Bluehost or GoDaddy’s servers crashes or has another technical problem, it could lead to visitors receiving an error message when they visit your site.

Once again, this not only leads to a poor user experience, but it can also hurt your search engine rankings.

According to data from Down.com, which tests factors such as page speed and reliability for various web hosting providers, GoDaddy and Bluehost are comparable overall.

Here’s a comparison of the average web page load times for both platforms:

And here’s a comparison of uptimes:

GoDaddy is the winner in both of the above, but only by a small margin.

In practice, it’s not something that will be that noticeable, though the faster average page load times of GoDaddy is something to take seriously given how important page speed is for search engine rankings.

It’s also worth noting that GoDaddy has a 99.9% uptime guarantee for all its sites, showing the company has confidence in the reliability that Down.com has reported.

Bluehost and GoDaddy Customer Support Compared

For our final point of comparison, let’s look at the support that Bluehost and GoDaddy offer when you have a question or things go wrong.

If you have a customer support issue, the first thing you should do is see if you can find an answer to your question in your webhost’s help center.

Both companies have help centers that are pretty easy to use.

Bluehost, for instance, has a Help Center where you can search for answers based on keywords or whole questions.

You can also browse the Help Center to view tutorials related to the following topics:

  • WordPress
  • Email
  • Domains
  • Account
  • Control Panel

If you do need support, then Bluehost offers customers 24/7 support via phone, live chat, and email.

There are different options available for prospective customers, new customers, enterprise level clients, and more.

If you’re trying to figure out which hosting plan is best for you, then calling their general sales line at +1 (855) 803-8158 would be a good place to start.

GoDaddy’s offerings are similar.

They have a Help Center with answers to common questions about the following topics:

  • Domains
  • Linux Hosting
  • Windows Hosting
  • SSL Certificates
  • Office 365 from GoDaddy
  • Email
  • Account Management

In notable contrast to Bluehost, GoDaddy does not offer email support.

They do have 24/7 phone and live chat support available, however.

Support team members are available to speak a variety of language in dozens of different countries, helping you get support no matter where in the world you might be.

For customers in the United States, call (480) 505-8877 to get started speaking with a support representative.

What’s the actual experience of dealing with customer support like?

To find out, we looked at hosting reviews from Web Hosting Geeks, a site where users can describe their experience with web hosting platforms.

GoDaddy did not perform well with regards to customer service.

The average rating of its support was 1.5 out of 5 stars, based on 993 reviews:

Bluehost only slightly better, earning 2 out of 5 stars for its customer support, based on 778 reviews:

Overall, then Bluehost and GoDaddy are equal when it comes to customer support.

Unfortunately, it appears they are equally bad.

That being said, your individual experience will vary.

GoDaddy vs Bluehost: Overall Assessment

In the end, which hosting platform is better for your needs as a blogger and small business owner?

In terms of features, the only real difference between GoDaddy and Bluehost is the inclusion of a free SSL certificate with Bluehost sites.

GoDaddy narrowly wins on base price, as well as speed and reliability.

And both platforms are almost equal when it comes to their customer support, with Bluehost being a bit better on average.

In sum, then, the two platforms are effectively equal.

Particularly when you’re starting out, the platform you choose for hosting doesn’t matter all that much.

It’s far more important to get your site live to begin with.

You can worry about other details later, and you can always transfer your site to a different host if you want.

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HostMonster VS BlueHost – Time To Choose Today And Get Discount https://bloggingtips.com/hostmonster-vs-bluehost/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hostmonster-vs-bluehost https://bloggingtips.com/hostmonster-vs-bluehost/#respond Thu, 17 Nov 2016 19:17:59 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?p=5494 Read more]]> When selecting a website host it is important that you consider several important factors

Not all host providers are alike and while one may offer a good price for hosting, another may offer better customer service or more reliability.
It becomes important to compare different hosts to see which one offers the specific services and cost that you need.

When it comes to HostMonster vs BlueHost, both hosting companies offer a number of key benefits.

The Pros of HostMonster vs BlueHost

One of the most important things to do when choosing dedicated hosting is to compare each platform’s features.

Both HostMonster and BlueHost guarantee a significant number of hosting plan options to meet your every need.

Let’s compare the pros of each to help you take advantage of the benefits of official hosting.

Advantages of Using HostMonster

First, let’s look at the advantages HostMonster brings to your site.

There is plenty to consider, from their customer support to their extensive security options.

You’ll find their percentages of uptime to be particularly interesting, too, especially for the simplest website management experience.

Reliable Uptime

On average, HostMonster has an uptime of 99.94%, even with a basic plan that is impressive compared to the industry average uptime (99.93%).

When discussing uptime, you’ll need to ensure the dedicated hosting package you choose keeps your business website running.

After all, every time you experience a loss of connection, you’re also missing out on potential sales and readers.

Adequate Customer Support

If it’s your first time owning a domain, customer support is essential for hosting services.

Especially if you’re paying higher prices for a better hosting plan, accessing tech support should be effortless.

Fortunately, HostMonster has three avenues to talk to a support agent, either via email, live chat, or phone.

Unlike other dedicated server hosting platforms, you don’t need a specific tier to access certain types of support.

Every user has the guarantee that they can get immediate assistance with anything, from bandwidth to overall performance.

Impressive Security Options

Your site’s protection is one of the most important factors to consider.

Without adequate protection, you and your subscribers are open to attacks from anywhere worldwide.

With HostMonster’s level of tech, you have a security guarantee to prevent harmful attacks with their various security features.

The security features they offer include:

  • SSH access
  • SSL support
  • Spam protection
  • Hotlink protection
  • Site backups

Easy Setup

When managing your domain, you’ll want to ensure its installation is straightforward and quick.

Fortunately, this platform provides faster setups than other hosting options.

You’ll be able to get your server ready in seconds, as you don’t need to bother with domain registration verification.

If you already own a WordPress site, this platform, like Bluehost, allows you to migrate your site once for free.

However, your marketing site needs to meet specific criteria before migrating.

Alternatively, you can use the intuitive control panel to begin creating a marketing site from scratch.

The technology built into the site editor is essential for implementing e-commerce features, even with a basic plan.

You don’t even need prior coding knowledge to make the most of your new domain.

Image Source: www.bluehost.com

Advantages of Using Bluehost

There are a few key advantages to choosing Bluehost as one of your hosting options.

It’s also regarded as a popular hosting provider due to its lower initial monthly cost.

Let’s get into some of the top benefits you’ll experience while creating your online space.

Lower Priced First Terms

When you initially sign up for a plan through Bluehost, the hosting cost will be less than with their competitors.

This benefit is significant for first-time site owners looking for a straightforward payment process.

With that said, the prices are bound to increase when you renew your site.

Unmetered Bandwidth

Regardless if you sign up for a shared hosting plan or cloud hosting, you’ll have unmetered bandwidth.

Bandwidth is a significant facet of owning any marketing site, as it affects the load time of your space.

If you want to be one of the best in the market, you’ll need to consider unlimited bandwidth.

Exceptional Storage

Although you won’t obtain unlimited storage with this platform, you’ll have plenty of space for your site.

Depending on the type of package you choose, you could have dedicated server hosting with four to 16 GB of RAM.

The least expensive option at $79.99/month provides four GB, while the most costly is 16 GB at $119.99/month.

To truly set this provider apart, it would be beneficial to have unlimited disk storage for all of your files.

This feature would also significantly benefit loading speeds for an assortment of industries, including video streaming services.

Also, it would help to reduce your CPU usage over an extended period.

Privacy and Protection

Bluehost ensures that with their instant account setup, you’re also able to choose from advanced security measures.

Like many of their other features, the security you receive is dependent on the package you choose.

One of the more unique security upgrades they offer is SiteLock security, which defends your site against malware and attacks.

Every marketing service should consider upgraded security, especially as you rank higher on Google.

Choosing your security package is a simple process, even if you’re the owner of unlimited domains.

Money-Back Guarantee

When testing new hosts, it’s important to know that if you’re dissatisfied, you can get your money back.

After you’ve tested the loading times, hotlink protection, and other features, Bluehost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee period for users.

You’ll have the ability to cancel within 30 days to be refunded your hosting service.

However, this guarantee doesn’t apply to add-ons, such as domains.

SEO Report Tools

Whether you have cloud hosting or dedicated hosting, SEO is vital to consider.

The SEO report tools available through this platform are particularly notable due to their functionality.

You’ll be able to manage your search optimization on Google as well as review your visitors, content, and search engine submissions.

According to Bluehost’s user forum, SEO tools are some of the best on the market to improve your site’s traction.

Reliable Uptime

As earlier discussed with HostMonster, uptime is one of the most essential features to consider with a hosting platform.

Bluehost performs quite well, offering good uptime tests throughout the year and at any time of day.

On average, they had an uptime of 99.96%, which is still above the industry average.

Regardless of the type of package you’ve signed up for, you can guarantee your site performance will be close to perfect.

However, there are a few other alternative options with better uptimes, such as WP Engine, DreamHost, and Cloudways.

Image Source: business.com

HostMonster vs BlueHost

Again, not all hosts are alike so while both of these hosting companies may provide similar features, reliability and cost, there is a difference between the two.

Price

When it comes to choosing the cheapest hosting company, BlueHost and HostMonster both offer the save advantage.

Both have packages beginning at $6.95 per month but offer savings if you purchase more than one year of hosting at a time.

You can get 12 months of hosting from either company for an average of $4.95 per month or twenty-four to thirty-six months for just $3.95 per month.

When it comes to pricing, both HostMonster and BlueHost offer great savings over many other companies.

Features

Both hosting companies offer key features and benefits like unlimited disk space, unlimited hosted domains and transfers, unlimited subdomains and a number of free website builders and site management tools.

HostMonster also gives you unlimited emails while BlueHost gives you up to 2,500 emails.

You also receive free shopping carts, customer support, merchant accounts and other features with both hosts.

Reliability

HostMonster vs BlueHost both offer a 99.9 percent uptime guarantee.

HostMonster gives you unlimited FTP accounts as well.

BlueHost offers only 1000 FTP accounts but if this is not a deal breaker, both come in along the same lines where reliability is concerned.

HostMonster allows up to 100 MySQL as well as PostgreSQL databases and BlueHost gives you only 50 of each but again, this is not a major issue with most site owners.

When it comes right down to it, these two companies are virtually one in the same.

They offer the same pricing structure and the same features and reliability assurance.

It really may simply come down to which name you prefer to host your site.

BlueHost offers only 2500 email accounts while you do get unlimited accounts with HostMonster but if you are not going to need more than 2500 email accounts, the two are virtually the same.

Customer Support

HostMonster is recognized widely for their customer support.

They give you several ways to contact them and offer technical support around the clock.

You can get a hold of customer service through email, web chat or telephone and they have an extensive library of self-help video tutorials and articles.

BlueHost also offers excellent customer service with a ticketing system just like HostMonster as well as various other forms of contact.

They offer limited wait times for telephone support and normally have someone on web chat around the clock.

Which Is the Better Choice?

Again, when it comes right down to it, you would think that BlueHost and HostMonster were the same hosting company.

They both offer very affordable monthly hosting packages, provided you purchase at least twelve months at a time.

Their two and three year plans are among the cheapest hosting available and with 99.9 percent uptime guarantees, you simply cannot beat a $3.95 per month hosting fee.

HostMonster vs BlueHost offer website builders and excellent management systems to keep your site running smoothly.

They offer fast site loading capabilities and many other features that go a bit beyond the basics for web hosting.

The real choice may simply come down to which host you prefer based on the looks of their own website.

If you need unlimited email accounts then HostMonster may be your best bet.

If you require more than 1000 FTP accounts then again, you may want to go with HostMonster.

However, if neither of these things are deal breakers and you simply want affordable web hosting with a good uptime reliability, great site features and various other benefits, either would be a good choice.

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HostMonster VS iPage – Who Is The Leader Today https://bloggingtips.com/hostmonster-vs-ipage/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hostmonster-vs-ipage https://bloggingtips.com/hostmonster-vs-ipage/#respond Thu, 17 Nov 2016 18:24:11 +0000 https://bloggingtips.com/?p=5488 Read more]]> Both of these two – HostMonster vs iPage offer similar hosting features.

The most common features of both hosts include unlimited disk space, unlimited hosting domains and email accounts, unlimited data transfer, free marketing credits, free customer support and free domain names.

They also offer PHO, MySQL databases and Simple Scripts.

Because of these similarities, many website owners find it very difficult to determine just which host will be most beneficial and better meet their specific needs.

Cost

Cost is a major determining factor when it comes to choosing the best web host.

While HostMonster and iPage both offer about the same when it comes to hosting features, their costs are just a bit different.

HostMonster offers all of the above web hosting features for a cost of around $3.95 each month.

iPage offer the same core hosting features at just $3.50 per month – not a grand difference.

Again, both come in at about the same in both features and cost.

Site Builders

It may help to look at the website builders that are offered with each host. iPage gives their users a choice three different website builder .

With HostMonster VS iPage you will see the
breakdown on why we think one id better then the other.

When it comes to choosing the best host for your website, there are many things to consider.

Determining which hosting service offers the most benefit will depend, at least in part, on your specific needs.

HostMonster vs iPage are two of the most popular hosts today and choosing from the two involves looking at what each offers and comparing that to what you really need from your host.

Here is a breakdown of the two and the benefits offered by each:

Features

WebSite Creator by CM4all, Weebly and Design Suite are all offered by iPage.

Design Suite is a premium template based builder that has a value of about $50.

All of these are drag and drop builders which makes it easy for you to design and create your site.

HostMonster on the other hand, offers only one site builder.

Concrete5 is the builder offered by this host and is a very commonly chosen open source CMS.

It also offers the drag and drop ease of site building and is very user friendly.

If you are looking for options when it comes to building your site, iPage offers more but if you simply want a site builder that is easy to use, you could benefit from either host.

Ecommerce Features

Ecommerce features are vitally important in a web host if your site sells products.

HostMonster gives you an SSL Secure server and offers a free generated security certificate.

They also provide you with various marketing resources like ShopSite which gives you more than five open source shopping carts.

You get free submission to search engines and a variety of tools for creating an effective SEO campaign.

Advertising credits with Google, Yahoo and other search engines are also offered. iPage also gives you a secure server as well as Security Suite and SiteLock Security to keep your customers safe when purchasing.

A free SSL certificate is provided and will be displayed so that your customers can easily see it.

You also get ShopSite with iPage as well as the various shopping cart choices, marketing guides, WebMaster Tools from Google and 60 days free on RatePoint.

iPage also gives you Marketing Suite with free yellow page listings, site analytics and PPC credits for major search engines.

Additional Resources

iPage gives you a user friendly control panel with features like Install Central.

This program allows you to easily set up web scripts and gives you access to more than 20 of the most popular.

Scripts include blogs, ecommerce, wikis, forums, CMS and various photo galleries so you can design, build and manage your website with ease.

HostMonster provides SimpleScripts which affords you more than 70 various applications to make designing and managing your website a breeze.

You get all of the various options for your forums, blogs, wikis, photo galleries, social networking sites and much more.

Support

A good web host has to offer great technical support and you get free assistance with iPage.

Assistance is offered around the clock via live chat, email and phone and hold times with iPage are normally under 2 minutes each time.

You also get an online database filled with information about various technical problems and how to solve them as well as a money back guarantee.

HostMonster also gives you free assistance around the clock by email or phone and hold times average less than 2 minutes as well.

They offer an online help center that gives you video assistance, forums and tutorials.

Comparisons between HostMonster and iPage hosting seem to be very close.

Both offer free assistance around the clock, money back guarantees and a variety of hosting resources and tools.

If you are looking for the lowest in cost, iPage comes in at just a few cents lower but overall, the two are very similar and offer similar benefits.

Please let us know what your thoughts and feeling are on this amazing HostMonster VS iPage review.

We would love your feed back and opinion.

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