HostGator
Written by
hadark
About the brand
Based in Houston, with a presence in Austin, HostGator covers a range of hosting solutions from shared to dedicated servers. Beyond hosting, HostGator includes valuable extras like unmetered bandwidth, allowing sites to handle any traffic volume seamlessly. Domain registration and SSL certificates are also part of the package, ensuring a secure and professional online presence. Setup is made easy with one-click installs, simplifying app integration in seconds. HostGator’s s...upport is available 24/7, ensuring help is there whenever needed. With HostGator’s Website Builder, users get 100+ mobile-friendly templates, drag-and-drop tools, and built-in SEO features. It also supports eCommerce with a shopping cart, inventory management, and Google Analytics tracking. For a complete and user-friendly hosting experience, HostGator is an excellent choice for building anything from blogs to business sites and online stores.
9.5
Price
9.0
Ease of use
8.0
Features
9.0
Service
8.9
Overall
Our Verdict
HostGator brings together ease of use, flexibility, and reliable support, making it a well-rounded option for website builders and hosting users. Its drag-and-drop editor, combined with a wide range of mobile-friendly templates, means even beginners can create a professional-looking site without hassle. For those looking to grow an online business, HostGator’s eCommerce features, including inventory management and payment processing, cover all the essentials.
The platform also stands out for its support options, from 24/7 assistance and live chat to a wealth of resources like tutorials, a blog, and a community on Facebook. HostGator’s free features—unmetered bandwidth, SSL, and a first-year domain—add value, though users should consider renewal rates and storage limits on basic plans. Overall, HostGator is a versatile choice, catering to everyone from casual bloggers to online entrepreneurs looking for dependable, straightforward hosting.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop editor and 100+ mobile-friendly templates
- Unmetered bandwidth, SSL, domain, and malware scanning
- 24/7 help, tutorials, blog, and Facebook community
- Business plan supports carts, inventory, and payments
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Low initial prices but higher renewal costs
- Lower plans have restricted storage
Products & Pricing
Hatchling Plan
Starting at just $2.75/month (renewing at $10.99/month), the Hatchling Plan is ideal for getting started with hosting. It supports up to 10 websites and includes 10GB of SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth, and a free domain for the first year. You’ll also get chat support, a free SSL certificate, WordPress pre-installed, and malware scanning to keep your site secure. Pro email is available on a free trial basis to help streamline communications.
Baby Plan
For $3.50/month (renewing at $16.49/month), the Baby Plan allows for up to 20 websites and doubles the SSD storage to 20GB. Alongside unmetered bandwidth and a free domain for the first year, this plan also offers both phone and chat support, WordPress pre-installed, and a Cloudflare CDN for enhanced performance. Pro email (free trial), a free SSL certificate, and malware scanning are also included, making it a strong mid-tier choice.
Business Plan
The Business Plan, priced at $5.25/month (renewing at $21.99/month), is perfect for those with growing demands. Supporting up to 50 websites with 50GB SSD storage, this plan includes all the features from the previous plans, plus a few notable upgrades: daily website backups free for the first year and domain privacy protection, ensuring extra peace of mind.
In-depth review
Features & Functionality
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Not satisfied? HostGator offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring confidence in your hosting experience right from the start.
24/7/365 Support
HostGator’s support team is available around the clock, ready to assist whenever you need it—day or night.
99% Uptime Guarantee
With a focus on keeping your site accessible, HostGator maintains a 99% uptime guarantee so your visitors can always reach you.
eCommerce Tools
Build and manage an online store effortlessly with tools designed for selling goods and services, making it easy to run your business.
cPanel Access
For those who know their way around coding, HostGator provides full cPanel access, letting you customize your hosting environment to suit your skills.
Unmetered Bandwidth
With unmetered bandwidth, there are no limits on traffic—HostGator allows your site to grow without restrictions.
Domain Registration
Get your domain registered and secure your online identity. HostGator includes a free domain for the first year on eligible plans.
Free SSL Certificate
SSL certification is included, so visitors can trust the security of your site, essential for both SEO and customer confidence.
One-Click Installs
Quickly integrate apps with one-click installs, simplifying the process of adding new functionalities to your website.
SiteLock Security
In partnership with SiteLock, HostGator protects your site from malware and ensures it’s clean and safe for visitors.
Professional Email
Gain access to professional email, available with a free trial, to keep your communication polished and professional.
Automatic Backups
Enjoy the security of automatic backups, safeguarding your site data so you can restore your site if needed.
Design & Templates
100+ Mobile-Friendly Templates
HostGator’s Website Builder comes with over 100 professionally crafted templates, ensuring that your website looks polished and engaging from the start. Each template is mobile-friendly, so your site will look fantastic on both desktop and mobile devices.
Flexible Customization
HostGator makes it easy to tailor your site to your brand’s unique style. With the ability to edit mobile and desktop content independently, you can ensure an optimal experience on any device. This flexibility means your site will deliver a smooth and visually appealing experience for every visitor.
User-Friendly Drag-and-Drop Editor
No need for design expertise—HostGator’s drag-and-drop editor lets you quickly add, rearrange, and customize sections to create the look and layout you want. Whether you’re building a blog, business site, or eCommerce store, the editor provides all the tools needed to bring your vision to life effortlessly.
Ease of Use
I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use this website builder and hosting service.
The setup process is intuitive—after picking a template, the drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to customize each section without fuss. Rearranging content, adding new elements, or changing styles is quick, and there’s no need to worry about breaking the layout.
One feature that stands out is the ability to edit mobile and desktop versions separately. This small detail makes a big difference, ensuring that the site looks great on any device without the usual guesswork. Adding eCommerce features, setting up Google Analytics, and even integrating Facebook are all managed from the same dashboard, streamlining the process. With 24/7 support on standby, any questions that come up are addressed fast.
Overall, HostGator’s builder doesn’t overwhelm with options but provides just the right mix of control and simplicity. It’s designed for users who want an easy, effective way to bring their website ideas to life.
Customer Service
One thing I really appreciate about HostGator is how easy it is to find information on their site. Everything is centralized in their contact center, making it simple to access the help you need. Whether I’m looking for the toll-free number (866-964-2867), starting a live chat, or finding the email address (support@gator.com), it’s all in one convenient place. The knowledge base and blog are also right there, packed with answers and helpful tips. Plus, if video is more your style, HostGator’s YouTube tutorials cover everything step-by-step, and there’s even a supportive Facebook community to swap advice with other users. Having all these resources organized and easy to find makes a big difference when I need a hand or want to learn something new.
Phone Support
Call toll-free at 866-964-2867 for direct assistance.
Live Online Chat
Available on the HostGator website.
Reach out via support@gator.com for assistance with any issues or questions.
User Reviews
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Write a reviewWe 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.
9.5
Price
9.0
Ease of use
8.0
Features
9.0
Service
8.9
Overall
Thank you!
I need something really easy to use. Is HostGator good or should I use a different builder?
Will my HostGator website be optimized for mobile? Is it automatic or do I need to do something?
Does HostGator come with SSL certificate?