Bluehost

A detailed review of Bluehost's website builder platform with pricing, comparisons to competitors, key information, and FAQs.

Updated on July 28th, 2023

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Bluehost is a website builder with additional web hosting and digital marketing services on offer. The platform is endorsed by WordPress.com and features a wide variety of tools to easily create a robust personal blog, website, or online store. Its key solutions include custom website themes, an online booking tool, malware scanning, and shipping labels.

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At-a-Glance:

Feature

Bluehost

Price

From $2.95 /mo. (billed annually).

Free version

x

Website analytics

Free domain hosting

Image library

x

Online bookings and appointments

Shipping labels

Additional digital marketing services

Customer support

Phone, email, and live chat.

Review:

As a WordPress.org recommended host, Bluehost features comprehensive website building, hosting, and digital marketing plans to suit a range of individual and business needs. The platform is competitively priced and all packages include free domain hosting, custom website themes, and 24/7 customer support.

Bluehost's online store plan is ideal for businesses looking to set up a ecommerce website and includes product search, secure online payments, and a booking tool. However, the platform does not offer many standout features like competitor GoDaddy, lacking SEO tools and inventory management.

Pros:

  • Bluehost offers discounted rates on its 36-month subscriptions.
  • The platform's packages are suited to users looking to create either a professional-looking personal blog or online store.
  • Users benefit from free domain hosting for a single year.
  • The platform offers robust website security features, such as domain privacy, malware scanning, and daily website backups.
  • The Online Store plan includes robust ecommerce tools, such as unlimited products, shipping labels, and gift cards.
  • There are custom WordPress website themes available.
  • Other services include online store analytics, multiple website hosting, paid digital marketing tools, and live chat support.
  • Users looking for a hands-off approach to their website can opt for the platform's professional website design services.
  • The platform is available in multiple countries, including Canada, Australia, and the U.K.

Cons:

  • Bluehost does not offer a free plan or a free trial of its services.
  • Plans are only billed in annual or 36-month increments, which limits users' flexibility.
  • Unlike some competitors, the platform lacks an image library, an AI-powered text generator, and unlimited web space.
  • Bluehost does not offer built-in SEO tools.

Reputation:

On Trustpilot, Bluehost has a 3.9-star rating based on more than 6,700 reviews. Many users cited its responsive customer support and beginner-friendly tools as highlights. However, several reviewers mentioned experiencing unexplained website outages and receiving subpar technical support.

On G2, the platform has a 3.6-star rating based on over 250 reviews, with some users praising its affordable plans, while one reviewer noted that its plans lack any standout features. On TrustRadius, more than 40 reviewers gave the site a 7.1-star rating, with several users mentioning its easy setup and helpful customer service.

Pricing:

Plan

Monthly Pricing*

Basic

$2.95

Choice Plus

$5.45

Online Store

$9.95

Pro

$12.95

*Plans are billed annually and users receive discounted rates on 36-month subscriptions.

Bluehost vs. GoDaddy
Bluehost vs. GoDaddy:

Bluehost and GoDaddy both offer domain hosting and basic ecommerce functionalities. Of the two, Bluehost stands out with additional website security features, including malware scanning. However, only GoDadday has built-in SEO and marketing tools. Bluehost's plans start at $2.95 per month, while GoDaddy charges $9.99 per month for its basic plans.

Comparison Between Bluehost and GoDaddy:

Feature

Bluehost

GoDaddy

Price

From $2.95 /mo. (billed annually).

From 9.99 /mo (billed annually).

Free version

x

Limited free trial only.

Free SSL certificate

Malware scanning

x

SEO tools

x

Booking and appointments tool

Customer support

Phone, email, and live chat.

Phone and live chat.

Bluehost vs. DreamHost
Bluehost vs. DreamHost:

Like Bluehost, DreamHost offers WordPress.com-endorsed website building services and has similar pricing, starting at $2.95 and $2.59 per month respectively. However, DreamHost is the more feature-rich choice, offering SEO, advanced website analytics, and domain privacy. However, only Bluehost has additional ecommerce tools.

Comparison Between Bluehost and DreamHost:

Feature

Bluehost

DreamHost

Price

From $2.95 /mo. (billed annually).

From $2.59 /mo. (billed annually).

Free version

x

x

DSD storage

Built-in caching

x

SEO tools

x

eCommerce functionalities

x

Customer support

Phone, email, and live chat.

Phone, email, and live chat.

Bluehost vs. Hostinger
Bluehost vs. Hostinger:

Bluehost and Hostinger are similarly priced at $2.95 and $2.99 per month respectively when billed annually. Comparatively, Hostinger offers more advanced website-building services, such as AI-powered logo and content creation, marketing tools, and site traffic analysis. However, only Bluehost has additional website security features.

Comparison Between Bluehost vs. Hostinger:

Feature

Bluehost

Hostinger

Price

From $2.95 /mo. (billed annually).

$2.99 /mo.

Free version

x

x

Free SSL certificate

Malware scanning

x

Marketing integrations

x

AI-powered logo maker

x

Customer support

Phone, email, and live chat.

Email and live chat.

Key Information:

Legal Name

bluehost inc.

Founder

Matt Heaton

Founding Date

Jan 01, 2003

Address

5335 Gate Pkwy., Jacksonville, FL 32256

Number of Employees

500

Number of Customers

2000000

Telephone

1 (888) 401-4678

Website

https://www.bluehost.com/

FAQs:

What does Bluehost do?

Bluehost provides users with beginner-friendly website-building features to create a personal blog, site, or online store with ease. The platform also offers domain hosting, site design, and professional marketing services.

Is Bluehost legit?

Yes, Bluehost is a legitimate website with a wide variety of third-party reviews.

Does Bluehost offer shared hosting?

Yes, Bluehost has shared hosting tools that are ideal for users that need a number of connected websites to reside on one web server.

What is the difference between Bluehost and Wix?

While Bluehost's main target market is users in search of robust web hosting services, such as domain privacy and storage space, Wix is more geared towards providing users with comprehensive website design services, including custom templates and drag-and-drop editing tools.

Their pricing also differs significantly, with Wix's plans starting at $4.50 per month, whereas Bluehost charges $2.95 per month (billed annually) for its basic plan.

What does Bluehost cost?

Bluehost's pricing starts at $2.95 per month (billed annually). Users receive discounted rates on 36-month subscriptions.

What are some alternatives to Bluehost?