Web hosting is an essential item for any small business that is starting a new website. It’s what enables your site to go live.
While the decision to get a web host may be a no-brainer, choosing the right service provider can become a challenge.
How do you know which one to choose when so many options are available? It can be understandably confusing between the similar features, pricing and industry jargon.
Below will provide you with the best website hosting options for small businesses. That way, you can take the guesswork out of choosing.
1. Bluehost
Bluehost is one of the best website hosting providers for small businesses because it provides top-notch customer support and comprehensive features. In addition, it offers a great-valued service for the cost.
One of the main reasons this web hosting provider is so popular is its seamless integration with WordPress. You’ll enjoy the one-click installation and the many other features it provides, such as:
- Free SSL certificate
- Unmetered bandwidth
- cPanel control
- 100% uptime guaranteed
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and phone
Bluehost starts at $2.95 per month for shared plans, which are basic hosting and perfect for beginner sites. However, they offer different hosting packages for your business’s needs.
2. DreamHost
DreamHost is best for you if you have lots of content you need to host. For example, its smallest storage includes 50GB on its cheapest shared plan. Although it’s not Bluehost, you still get lots from this hosting service that provides free domain privacy and automated daily backups.
Additionally, WordPress comes pre-installed. Plus, it includes free WordPress migrations and one-click installation.
One downside is uptime, which amounts to approximately 4.5 hours of downtime annually. However, DreamHost’s plans offer plenty of great features for the price, including:
- 97-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 50GB to Unlimited storage
- Free SSL certificate
- Live chat support
DreamHost’s plans start at $4.50 per month and you’re only billed for the number of resources you use — a cost-effective method for your small business.
3. SiteGround
While SiteGround isn’t the cheapest service provider, it does offer high-quality service. For instance, you get free daily backups, one-click installation across various content management systems and free email accounts.
Additionally, its customer service is stellar. SiteGround offers 24/7 live chat and phone support. They also provide a comprehensive knowledge center for solving problems on your own time.
Some of the most impressive features you get with SiteGround include:
- Free SSL certificate
- 99.98% guaranteed uptime
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited email accounts
- 100% renewable energy match
SiteGround’s shared hosting plan starts at $6.99 per month. However, they’re currently offering 80% off their services, starting at $2.99 per month.
4. A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting is one of the few hosts that offers Windows and Linux hosting. With Windows hosting, you get additional features, including:
- Free site migrations
- One-click installation across different content management systems
- Plesk Onyx 17.8 control panel
- Free SSL certificate
- 100GB to Unlimited storage
As far as it goes for the best website hosting for small businesses, A2 Hosting makes a sound choice for cloud plans. This service provider’s cloud hosting offers scalability and flexibility, ideal if you experience fluctuations in traffic and performance.
A2 Hosting’s uptime falls short when compared to Bluehost. Yet, it still guarantees under 4.5 hours of downtime each year, which is still a good factor.
The cheapest shared hosting plan starts at $2.99 per month, while other plans are relatively expensive. However, they do have an anytime money-back guarantee policy if you’re not satisfied with the service you’re receiving.
5. InMotion
InMotion may not be the cheapest option, but it offers excellent service for your small business. For instance, InMotion has high-quality support, security and storage space for all your content needs. In addition, it features a website builder if you decide to build your own business website.
Some of the features InMotion offers include:
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Free email account for your domain
- Free SSL certificate
- Guaranteed uptime of fewer than three hours of downtime per year
- 90-day money-back guarantee
InMotion offers other unique features that most web hosting companies don’t provide. For example, if you upgrade to the Launch shared plan, you get up to two sites for hosting and ten email addresses. In normal circumstances, you’re limited to one website on a cheap package.
Additionally, you might like the fact that they offer free advertising credits and visitor statistics. Their support staff is highly knowledgeable and available to answer any questions. The only downfall about their support is you might wait a while before getting connected to a representative.
Choosing the Best Website Hosting for Small Business
You can see there are various options for choosing the best website hosting for your small business. However, the best service for your business is known when you learn what you need for your site.
Consider what your budget allows and what type of platform you need to make the most of your site. Once you understand your needs, keep an eye on the prices, customer support and add-on solutions to help you feel confident in making the right decision.
About The Author
Eleanor Hecks is the Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine, an online publication dedicated to providing in-depth content from the design and marketing industries. When she's not designing or writing code, you can find her exploring the outdoors with her husband and dog in their RV, burning calories at a local Zumba class, or curled up with a good book with her cats Gem and Cali.
You can find more of Eleanor's work at www.eleanorhecks.com.