Bluehost Review 2024: Is it the best web hosting platform?

Bluehost is one of the best WordPress web hosting providers in the market. It has been providing services for over a decade and is one of the few web hosting solutions recommended by WordPress itself. 

It offers many unique features, such as marketing tools and a website builder. The performance and security measurements are also excellent. In short, it provides everything you want in a hosting package. 

But is Bluehost suitable for beginners? What about the ease of use? Do they have a knowledgeable customer support team and a live chat option? 

In this Bluehost review, I will discuss everything you need to know about this popular web hosting platform. With in-depth testing and knowledge, I will help you determine if it's the right hosting platform for you. 

What should you know about Bluehost?

During my college days, Bluehost was one of the best web hosting services. I could tell that every classmate of mine was eager to use Bluehost for their web development projects. Even I did, too, and won a silver medal from the college's annual fest. 

However, recently, Bluehost’s popularity and reliability have taken a huge dip. I was scrolling through a few trusted websites like G2 and found so many negative customer reviews. I admit I was pretty shocked to see the number of negative reviews from genuine users. 

Bluehost

• 24/7 free hosting
• 99.9% server uptime
• SSD Storage
• More reliable

Many Bluehost customers complained about the hidden pricing. But I still wanted to write an engaging Bluehost review because I know what it can do. 

I also found many positive reviews written recently. It seems like Bluehost is doing its best to regain its fame in this competitive market. 

Now, they provide different types of web hosting services, including Cloud Hosting, VPS Hosting, Web Hosting, WordPress Hosting, and Dedicated Hosting. What I like most is that there are different Bluehost plans for different needs. 

But what are the target demographics of the different hosting plans? Surely, there are major differences, especially when you have different needs. 

I have prepared a thorough guide that will help you understand these hosting plans and which are the most suitable. Let’s move forward. 

Bluehost performance test results

Here comes the main part. When you’re looking for a web hosting platform, what do you prioritize the most? The excellent features? The cost-effective pricing plans? Or the helpful customer service?

While these aspects are important, don’t overlook performance test results. I made this mistake once, and it was a complete nightmare. 

1. Bluehost speed test

The performance test alone is not sufficient for this Bluehost review blog. You need to know which testing you’re doing from your end. For example, for a speed test, you need to rely on GTMetrix, PingDom, and Google PageSpeed results. 

1.1. GTMetrix

First is the GTMetrix speed test results. I rely heavily on this tool to determine the speed of a web hosting platform. It is 99% accurate. 

That’s the response I received. I am simply amazed that the LCP is in milliseconds, not seconds, which is a massive deal. I also got a 100% performance score. 

1.2. Pingdom

The next is Pingdom. While GTMetrix is reliable, I always consider a second opinion. This is where Pingdom comes into play. 

Pingdom also gave me a grade A performance with a 99 overall score. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attach the screenshot as I ran out of free trial time before capturing it. 

2. Bluehost Uptime Test

After testing the speed, the next important factor to test is the uptime. This is where I made the mistake. I chose a web hosting company a few years ago without testing its uptime. 

The result? A completely devastating user experience with 30% downtime every time. From that incident on, I started using the UptimeRobot Tool. 

Here’s the score it gave me. As you can see, the server uptime is extremely high, with no issues for the last 30 days. So, thumbs up for that. 

Bluehost server response time

The server location always impacts the server response time. The closer you are to the IP addresses of your audiences, the better the loading speed you will get. 

Unlike some other web hosting platforms, Bluehost is super secretive about its server locations. I really don’t know what the point of hiding it is. You cannot choose a server location during the website configuration process. 

Nevertheless, I cannot disclose the server location either. My best guess is somewhere in the USA, as Bluehost works best there. 

But truthfully, you don’t need to worry so much about the server location. Bluehost provides a free Cloudflare CDN integration, ensuring your visitors get your webpage from the closest data centre. 

Core Features of Bluehost

Let’s get to the real business. The core features of Bluehost are worth the money. They are more than enough to get your website up and running flawlessly. 

As mentioned earlier, I have used Bluehost for a few times. So, I have hands-on experience trying out these features. Time to discuss them in detail. 

1. Get started easily

Launching your website with Bluehost is a hassle-free and economical option. Their entry-level service costs as little as $2.95 a month.

Bluehost is a great option for people and organizations looking to build an online presence without going over budget because of its affordable prices, easy-to-use features, and ability to grow with your website.

Depending on your website's size and complexity, you can get both dedicated server hosting and shared hosting plans at reasonable prices. Additionally, registering a domain name is free for a year, and you can transfer a domain from one location.

2. Install websites easily

Have you ever heard of 1-click website installation? Those who do know how convenient and time-saving the process can be. For those unfamiliar with it, it’s just a WordPress installation process. 

However, unlike the traditional WordPress installation, the 1-click installation is completely different. It saves time and effort. 

Fortunately, Bluehost offers 1-click WordPress installation. You don’t need to have advanced technical knowledge to set up your website. Even though I have coding knowledge, I still find it very helpful during WordPress installation. 

You can install and start your WordPress blog with just a few clicks—no hassle, no time-consuming difficulties. 

I also find the control panel user-friendly. The cPanel will help you streamline the website management process. Compared to the ScalaHosting cPanel, Bluehost is less cluttered. 

You can seamlessly navigate through different types of settings. You will also find what you’re looking for without losing your sweat, something that WPX hosting should learn. You can manage email accounts, install applications, and complete essential tasks related to your website. 

3. Free website migration

Migrating your website is a complete hassle. I tried it once and promised myself I would never do it alone. Not only is it full of technical difficulties, but one mistake can make your migration process history. 

I always liked Bluehost’s migration process. They always claimed that their migration process was free. I was fond of this feature until recently. 

So, what changed my mind? Their alternations in migration services. Now, Bluehost has a “Migration done by agents” service. If your website fulfils certain requirements, you’re eligible for free migration. 

But how can you know you’re eligible for the free migration? In short, you can’t. You need to contact their customer service, who will inform you of your eligibility. 

You can install any WordPress plugin if you want to complete the migration process for free. But the free ones won’t be effective. 

Bluehost offers a single WordPress website migration exclusively to customers buying a hosting account from them. Within 30 days after purchasing your Bluehost account, you can complete the migration process for free.

Personally, I think that a single free migration is a little restrictive. Bluehost should offer up to five free migrations, particularly for their more expensive hosting packages.

Bluehost also provides a free domain name for a year. For the first year, you can register a free com/net/org/info/EU domain.

It also saves you an additional $10 to $20 and spares you the headaches associated with DNS setup.

4. Security measurements

Security is one of the most important aspects of your website. Bluehost is aware of that and provides top-notch security services. You don’t need to worry about having any website vulnerabilities. 

Before discussing the security aspects of Bluehost, there’s one important thing you need to know. Make sure you don’t install any malware or untrustworthy plugins. If you do that, it will become the worst regret in your life. 

Bluehost will protect your website 24/7. Some of the most eye-catching features:

These security features might seem unnecessary, but they are extremely important. Bluehost will protect your site from malicious activities. 

5. Free CDN and SSL certificate

Bluehost provides a free CDN with its hosting services. Thus, you don’t need to purchase it from other third-party sources. This bundle will boost the loading speed and performance of your website. 

You will also receive a free “Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate.” This certificate ensures that the data transferred between your visitors and the website remains safe and secure, and hackers cannot exploit it. 

I really admire Bluehost's SSL certificates. I have seen many people use them and have never heard of any complaints or bad reviews regarding data protection. 

Here’s another great part: You don’t need to be tech-savvy like me to use the SSL certificates and the CDN. The installation process is also easy, and it can be done in a matter of clicks. 

6. 24/7 customer support

Bluehost used to have reliable and fast customer support. Back in my days, the Bluehost support team could solve any problem you threw at them. Their knowledge base and capabilities of going the extra mile were indeed great. 

However, things have changed in the last couple of years. If you look at the online reviews, you will see most negative reviews are about their customer support. 

Many people complained that the customer support team was hard to reach and did not offer phone support. Some also complained that they needed to make improvements. Bluehost should consider what its customers are saying. 

But, if you find customer support unhelpful, you can look at the guides and articles. You will also find countless how-to videos and YouTube channels related to Bluehost. They can resolve your issues pretty quickly. 

7. Daily automated backups

Some users raised their voices about the lack of a daily backup option. Bluehost understood the severity of this situation and later introduced it. The “Daily Automated Backups” are available everywhere except the basic plan. 

You will get this feature for free for the first year. Then, you can purchase the backup option from CodeGuard for an additional $2.99 monthly. 

While the pricing is cost-effective, I am somewhat speculative about the backup options. I haven’t tried it personally, but I have read user reviews. 

If you have concerns about website backup, I recommend going for third-party backup software. They might be slightly expensive, but they are extremely effective at protecting your website from data loss. 

Bluehost Review: Pros and cons

Let's discuss the pros and cons of the Bluehost web hosting platform. 

While I don't like the customer service of Bluehost, the features are undoubtedly intriguing. Moreover, they are trying to improve their services and offerings.

Bluehost pricing structure

Bluehost pricing depends on the hosting plan you choose. Now, if you’re new to the web hosting world, the pricing structure may seem slightly complicated. 

I will discuss the amount you need to pay for each of the web hosting services to break down the pricing structure. Remember that some plans are identical, so I will also highlight them to ensure you have no confusion. 

1. WordPress Hosting

Bluehost's shared WordPress plans are the most popular ones. They are cost-effective and capable of helping you host your website without any problem. 

The Basic plan is perfect for simple websites, whereas the Choice Plus is perfect for multiple websites that need backups and storage securities. 

The Online Store is perfect for eCommerce businesses. However, the Cloud plan will prove perfect if you have a high-traffic website. 

2. Cloud Hosting

The Cloud Hosting plan will prove a little expensive. But it’s worth the price, given that you’re getting top-tier performance. 

Apart from the number of websites, the SSD storage will also vary from one Cloud Hosting plan to another. The higher the plan you choose, the better computing power you get. 

3. WooCommerce

The WooCommerce plans are perfect for online businesses. If you own an eCommerce business and are looking for the perfect web hosting, you’re in for a treat. 

The Online Store plan comes with a free SSL certificate, free domain registration, Yoast SEO, and a professional email. The latter plan provides additional multi-channel inventory management. These will also ensure safety of your WooCommerce site.

4. VPS Hosting

If you want power combined with optimizations, you should choose the VPS hosting plan. Let’s examine its pricing structure.  

Despite the plan you choose, you will get unmetered bandwidth. I really like this feature as it will guarantee the overall performance of your managed WordPress site. 

5. Dedicated Hosting

With Dedicated Hosting, you can customize and optimize your resources. You will also have full control over the servers. 

While the Standard Plan comes with 1TB SSD, you can upgrade it if you choose a higher plan. Hence, choose carefully. 

Ready to use Bluehost web hosting?

After reviewing Bluehost in-depth, I can confidently say that it’s perfect for beginners and professionals alike. It’s the perfect place to find relevant resources with higher performance aspects. 

Moreover, the technical hurdles will not cause trouble. From backup to WordPress installation, you can easily automate everything. 

So, that’s all you need to know about this Bluehost hosting review. What are your thoughts? Make sure you let me know in the comments below. 

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