Choosing the right web hosting provider is crucial for the success of your online venture. With the plethora of options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which hosting company is the best fit for your needs. One huge rivalry in this space, Bluehost vs GoDaddy, has long been big debate among website owners. In this article, we will conduct a comprehensive comparison of Bluehost and GoDaddy web hosting services, examining various aspects to help you make an informed decision.
Founded in 2003, Bluehost has been a prominent player in the web hosting industry for nearly two decades. Based in Utah, USA, Bluehost has established itself as a reliable and feature-rich hosting provider. The company prides itself on offering user-friendly hosting solutions and has become particularly popular for hosting WordPress sites.
Founded in 1997, GoDaddy is one of the oldest and most well-known web hosting companies worldwide. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, GoDaddy has amassed a massive customer base, thanks in part to its aggressive marketing campaigns. Apart from hosting, GoDaddy also offers domain registration and website building tools.
Pricing and Plans
Comparing pricing and plans is essential to ensure you get the best value for your money.
Here’s a comparison of their different hosting plans:
(It’s worth noting that GoDaddy’s pricing must be paid annually)
Shared Hosting Pricing
Bluehost
Shared Hosting
Pricing: Starting from $2.75 per month (£2.19)
Features:
– 10 GB SSD Storage
– Free CDN
– 1 Website
– Free Domain 1st Year
– Free SSL – 1st Year
GoDaddy
Shared Hosting
Pricing: Starting from $5.99 per month (£2.99)
Features:
– 25GB Storage
– 1 Website
– Free Domain 1st Year
– 10 Databases
– Free SSL – 1st Year ($99 per year thereafter)
– 2 free Office 365 mailboxes
Ok so there’s a pretty significant difference here with GoDaddy being double the monthly price, but let’s break it down.
Firstly the storage. Although it may seem here that GoDaddy is providing incredible value with 25GB, you’re very very unlikely to ever use this amount of storage for a website. As an example, we currently host 7 e-commerce websites and they occupy 14GB.
Secondly, the SSL. If you’re not familiar with SSLs, they’re vital components of any site, to keep them secure. Most Hosting Providers provide this for free and so do GoDaddy, but just in the first year where they’ll charge a whopping $99 per year thereafter.
Thirdly, the Office 365 Mailbox. Unless you’re very comfortable with Office, in which case you’ll probably already have an Office subscription, you’ll not need this. There are plenty of free or cheaper mail alternatives.
WordPress Hosting
WordPress Hosting
Pricing: Starting from $4.95 per month (£3.92 ex VAT)
Features:
– 10 GB SSD Storage
– Free CDN
– 1 Website
– Free Domain 1st Year
– Custom WP Themes
– Free SSL – 1st Year
WordPress Hosting
Pricing: Starting from $8.99 per month (£3.99)
Features:
– 1 website
– 5 GB SSD storage
– Free SSL Certificate for duration of hosting*
– 2 free Microsoft 365 mailboxes
– Free Domain
– WordPress, plugins, PHP — automatically updated
– Cloudflare CDN
Once again, a stark difference between the two with Bluehost coming in significantly cheaper.
As we mentioned before for the shared hosting, there are quite a few features in GoDaddy’s package that are free now but will be very expensive in year 2.
Also the Cloudflare CDN has a free package anyway, it’s funny how they add that in.
One thing we would say is the automatic updates GoDaddy provides could be quite useful assuming they check for compatibility errors etc, which is one of the big dangers of automatic plugin updates.
WordPress additional packages
Both Bluehost and GoDaddy have tiered WordPress packages, with the most basic of both being shown above. We’ll not dive deeper into each of these plans as each is quite different. Bluehost’s plans for example allow for multiple websites in the same package and GoDaddy give you access to their own payment portal (it’s cheaper to use Stripe though).
Additonal WordPress Plans
- Basic (Shown above)
- Choice Plus – $7.45
- Online Store – $12.95
- Pro – $18.95
Additonal WordPress Plans
- Basic (Shown above)
- Deluxe – $11.99
- Ultimate – $18.99
- WooCommerce Stores – $19.99
Performance and Reliability
When it comes to website hosting, performance and reliability are paramount. Slow-loading websites or frequent downtime can lead to a loss of visitors and potential customers.
Bluehost Performance
Bluehost takes performance seriously, boasting impressive loading times and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. They have invested in advanced server infrastructure and utilize SSD storage to ensure faster data retrieval. Additionally, Bluehost’s partnership with Cloudflare, a content delivery network, further enhances the loading speed of websites across the globe.
GoDaddy Performance
GoDaddy also offers a robust hosting infrastructure with an emphasis on performance and also guarantee an uptime of 99.9%. GoDaddy has data centers in various locations, enabling them to deliver content efficiently.
Bluehost Features and Ease of Use
Bluehost offers a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it ideal for beginners. They provide a one-click installation for popular content management systems like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, streamlining the process of setting up a website. Bluehost’s cPanel integration further simplifies managing files, domains, and databases.
In terms of features, Bluehost includes unlimited bandwidth, a free SSL certificate, domain email accounts, and a free domain name for the first year with most plans.
GoDaddy Features and Ease of Use
GoDaddy also offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to get started. Their custom control panel, while not as popular as cPanel, is designed to be intuitive and accessible. They provide a wide range of website building tools and templates, allowing users to create attractive websites without advanced technical skills.
GoDaddy’s features include a free domain name with annual plans, unmetered bandwidth, and access to a vast library of third-party applications to enhance website functionality.
Customer Support
Efficient and responsive customer support is vital in the web hosting industry, especially for those who may encounter technical issues.
Bluehost Customer Support
Bluehost offers 24/7 customer support through various channels, including live chat, phone, and email. They have a reputation for providing helpful and knowledgeable support representatives. Bluehost also maintains an extensive knowledge base and community forums where users can find answers to common questions and troubleshoot issues independently.
GoDaddy Customer Support
GoDaddy also provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and phone. They offer a similar level of customer service as Bluehost, with experienced staff ready to assist customers. Additionally, GoDaddy’s knowledge base and community forums are valuable resources for users seeking self-help solutions.
Security
Website security is crucial in today’s digital landscape, with cyber threats becoming more sophisticated.
Bluehost Security
Bluehost takes security seriously and provides robust measures to protect websites from potential threats. They offer free SSL certificates with all hosting plans, encrypting data transmitted between the user and the server. Additionally, Bluehost includes features like SiteLock, which scans for malware and vulnerabilities, and CodeGuard, a website backup solution.
GoDaddy Security
Similarly, GoDaddy prioritizes website security and offers free SSL certificates to secure online transactions. They also provide automatic daily backups, protecting user data in case of emergencies. GoDaddy’s security suite includes features like Website Security, a tool that scans for malware and removes malicious code.
Bluehost Reviews
To gain insights into the user experience and satisfaction levels, let’s take a look at what Bluehost customers have to say:
Positive Reviews: Many Bluehost users commend the company for its reliable uptime, excellent customer support, and user-friendly interface. They appreciate the ease of setting up a website, the robust features provided, and the overall value for money.
- Rated 4.9/5 and rated #1 in web hosting for small businesses on WPBeginner (June 2023)
- Rated 4/5 on TechRadar
Constructive Criticism: Some users have expressed concerns about occasional delays in customer support response times during peak hours.
GoDaddy Reviews
Positive Reviews: GoDaddy customers give GoDaddy credit for their huge range of products and features.
- Rated 4/5 on TechRadar (Same as Bluehost)
- 4.6/5 on WPBeginner (0.3 less that Bluehost)
Constructive Criticism: Expensive in almost all regards, from basic packages up to the most expensive.
Conclusion
Bluehost vs GoDaddy – Which is better?
In the Bluehost vs GoDaddy web hosting comparison, both companies offer reliable services with competitive pricing and customer support. The choice ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences. If you prioritise a hosting provider with a strong emphasis on WordPress hosting and performance, Bluehost might be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you are looking for a user-friendly platform with a wide range of products and services, GoDaddy could be the better fit.
When selecting a web hosting provider, it’s essential to consider factors such as performance, features, customer support, security, and pricing. By thoroughly assessing your website’s requirements and comparing them with what each company has to offer, you can make an informed decision that ensures a seamless and successful online presence. Remember, investing time in research now can save you headaches and resources in the future.
