BlueHost Review

flag All-in-one website platform
  • 300+ quick-start smart templates

  • 24/7 support and guidance

  • Free SSL certificate included

  • 1-click WordPress Access

Pros & Cons

  • Deep integration with WordPress
  • Inexpensive to get started
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Large collection of templates
  • No deep customization flexibility
  • Online store builder requires a few add-ons for optimal performance

Plans & Pricing

Bluehost offers a range of plans designed to fit various needs, from personal blogs to business websites. Each plan is packed with features that cater to different levels of website complexity and functionality, all while providing reliable hosting and user-friendly tools. Below, we break down the key features and pricing of each Bluehost plan. All plans come with a free domain for the first year.

Basic

The Basic plan is well-suited for those looking to create a simple website or blog without the need for extensive resources. Priced at just $1.99 per month initially, with a renewal rate of $7.99 per month, this plan offers a cost-effective solution for getting started online. It supports up to 10 websites and provides 10 GB of SSD storage, which is ideal for sites expecting up to 40,000 visits per month. Key features include AI site creation tools, a free domain for the first year, and a trial of professional email. Security is also a priority, with a free SSL certificate, Cloudflare CDN with Argo Routing, a web application firewall, and DDoS protection. Additionally, 24/7 chat support is available to assist with any questions or issues that arise.

Choice Plus

The Choice Plus plan is designed for users managing multiple websites that require ample storage, enhanced security, and regular backups. Priced at $3.99 per month initially, with a renewal rate of $13.99 per month, this plan offers substantial value for those with more demanding online needs. It supports up to 50 websites and provides 50 GB of SSD storage, making it suitable for sites expecting up to 200,000 visits per month with 500 concurrent visitors. The plan includes AI site creation tools, a free domain for the first year, and a trial of professional email. Security features are robust, with a free SSL certificate, Cloudflare CDN with Argo Routing, a web application firewall, and DDoS protection. In addition to 24/7 chat support, users also benefit from phone support and daily website backups for the first year at no additional cost. This plan is ideal for those who need a comprehensive, secure hosting solution with the flexibility to manage multiple sites efficiently.

Online Store

The Online Store plan is perfect for businesses focused on eCommerce, offering a full suite of tools to support online selling. For $7.45 per month initially, and $18.99 per month after, this plan includes support for 50 websites with 50 GB of SSD storage, handling up to 200,000 visits per month. It features AI site creation tools, WooCommerce auto-install, secure online payments, and advanced security measures like SSL, CDN, and automated backups. You’ll also get tools for shipping, product search, gift cards, and sales promotions, making it an ideal choice for managing a successful online store.

Pro

Initially priced at $9.99 per month, with a renewal rate of $20.99 per month, this plan supports up to 100 websites and offers 100 GB of SSD storage, accommodating up to 400,000 visits per month with 1,000 concurrent visitors. The Pro plan is designed for high-traffic websites requiring advanced storage, security, and backup features. It includes AI site creation tools, a free domain for the first year, and a trial of professional email. Security is enhanced with a free SSL certificate, Cloudflare CDN with Argo Routing, a web application firewall, and DDoS protection. The plan also provides daily website backups for the first year at no extra cost, along with 24/7 chat support and phone support. This plan is ideal for those managing multiple high-traffic sites that require robust performance and security.

Basic
$7.99/mo + free domain
Choice Plus
$13.99/mo + free domain
Online Store
$18.99/mo + free domain
Pro
$20.99/mo + free domain

Overview

Bluehost, a Newfold Digital company, is a trusted partner for WordPress users. It has been around for nearly two decades and has had its fair share of ups and downs. It serves small and medium businesses with its suite of tools, and in 2021, it launched a WordPress website builder. This allows site owners more customization options while still allowing them to use a CMS they’re familiar with.

Rating

  • "Price"
    10 /10
  • "Features"
    6 /10
  • "Ease of Use"
    9 /10
  • "Help and Support"
    9 /10

Features & Functionality

Bluehost comes with a large collection of features. Some of them are expected while others can be considered unique to the platform. These include subscription forms to capture email subscribers, a large collection of stock photos to help design a website, built-in call-to-action buttons to guide visitors to specific pages, and support for custom CSS/HTML to further take control of your design.

Email Marketing

The Bluehost WordPress Website Builder has email marketing tools that are integrated with the platform. Capture email addresses from visitors and keeps them engaged by sending out a regular newsletter that gets them back to your site.

Seamless WordPress Access

The website builder is designed to enhance WordPress so the company has made it possible to switch back and forth between WordPress and the site builder with a single click. This makes it easier to edit content and build unique pages.

Unlimited eCommerce Products

Many eCommerce solutions limit the number of products you can upload or charge an additional fee. Bluehost doesn’t limit customers and makes it possible to upload and sell an unlimited number of products on your website.

Appointment Booking

Along with the eCommerce tools, you can create a booking page on your site. Visitors can visit the page, see availability, and book a time that works for them. From there, the appointment booking app handles coordinating between you and the client (emails, confirmations, reminders, etc.).

Design & Templates

One thing that the Bluehost WordPress website builder has going for it is a large collection of templates which number over three hundred. These are designed to serve as a starting point for you based on the kind of website you’d like to build. They’re divided across multiple categories with special templates for the online store builder.

You may not find something that will blow you away but they’re functional and will help you present a professional-looking website to the world. There’s a good amount of customization available but the drag and drop editor can be rigid – especially when you need pixel-perfect positioning of elements on the page. Unfortunately, themes cannot be changed once selected but they can be customized to look like a new theme.

Ease of Use

The Bluehost website builder is a basic site editor built on top of WordPress.The Bluehost WordPress website builder is a tool that helps webmasters, especially newer ones, get online quickly. Because of this, it’s straightforward to use for most people who are familiar with website builders. Even if you aren’t, the most important features can be learned daily. There are multiple help documents to move you along if you get stuck and the positioning of elements on the page makes it easy to find what you need.

Of course, like with any software, learning and establishing your workflow takes a bit of time. After that, you should be able to design your pages quickly. That said, the emphasis on ease of use has made it a bit less flexible regarding design customization.

Customer Support

As an established company, Bluehost has many support options for customers. They’re available 24/7, and the frontline support reps can help you with the most common problems. If it’s a core technical issue, you’ll likely have to wait for the second-line tech support to email you.

  • 24/7 Help & Support
    Round-the-clock support is available via multiple channels
  • Phone Support
    Phone support is available for all customers 24/7.
  • Live Online Chat
    Live chat is also available for all customers 24/7.
  • Email
    Email support is available for all customers and is responsive.
  • FAQ
    FAQ sections are placed around the website to answer pressing questions and there is a detailed knowledgebase customers can access.
  • Blog
    The blog deals with company updates, design and marketing tips, as well as customer spotlights.

Final Word

Bluehost is an established player in the hosting space and it has delivered a solid website builder that’s designed for people who need more ease-of-use than design flexibility. The builder is built on top of WordPress so if you’re a WordPress user or are thinking about using it then this website builder was designed for you. It comes with hundreds of templates, is fairly priced, and helps users make the most of WordPress. Features like email marketing, unlimited eCommerce products, and appointment booking take it to the next level. It’s important to note that you may not be able to get pixel-perfect designs but your website will still look professional.

The pricing of the plans for the first year makes this an almost no-brainer if you want to spin up a site quickly. In addition to that, there is support at all hours of the day, robust knowledgebase, and additional marketing features to help a site grow. Bluehost is the best place to start and grow a successful WordPress website

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Daniel Ndukwu>
Daniel Ndukwu
author

Daniel is a small business owner at large helping his peers navigate the challenges they experience on a day to day basis. His philosophy is simple, if it isn’t broken you can still make it better.

We make the best effort to present up-to-date information; however, the terms of each offer can be revised according to the service provider’s discretion. The above shall not be considered as an expert or professional advice for any matter.

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