Categories: Hosting

Bluehost Pricing: Which Plan Is Right For You?

Bluehost is one of the most popular hosting platforms on the market. It’s home to millions of users and websites, and it offers several types of hosting plans, including WordPress. However, if you’re working on your first website, you might have difficulty navigating Bluehost pricing and deciding which option is right for you.

Bluehost’s shared hosting and WP Pro plans offer the best value for most users. However, keep in mind that after renewal, Bluehost hosting prices multiply.

Knowing which hosting plan to choose can help you save money in the long run. Moreover, if you choose the right plan, you’ll get access to much better performance and features for your website.

In this article, we’ll talk about Bluehost and the different types of plans it offers, including prices, to help you pick the right one. Let’s get to it!

An Introduction to Bluehost

Bluehost is what we call an all-in-one hosting solution (and it’s available in multiple markets, including India). It offers various types of website hosting plans, domain registration and management services, and email hosting.

On top of that, Bluehost also provides professional marketing and WordPress development services (if you want a site created à la carte):

One of the main reasons behind Bluehost’s popularity is that it offers remarkably cheap starter options. Bluehost shared hosting plans start at $2.95 per month, which is below the average for the industry.

Keep in mind that, as with many web hosts, the promotional prices you see on Bluehost’s website apply to your initial subscription term. Once you renew the hosting contract, costs multiply by two or three times the original value.

In the following sections, we’ll go over every type of hosting plan that Bluehost offers and discuss who it’s suitable for!

How to Set Up WordPress on Bluehost: Understanding Bluehost Pricing

Looking to set up WordPress on Bluehost? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process, while also understanding Bluehost pricing to choose the best plan for your needs:

Sign Up for Bluehost:

  1. Visit the Bluehost website: Begin by heading to the Bluehost website.
  2. Choose a hosting plan: Review Bluehost pricing options and select a hosting plan that fits your needs and budget.
  3. Complete the registration: Fill out your personal and payment information to finalize your purchase.

Set Up Your Domain:

  • Register a domain: If you don’t have a domain yet, you can register one during the signup process.
  • Use an existing domain: If you already own a domain, simply enter it when prompted during the setup.

Install WordPress:

  1. Log in to your Bluehost dashboard: Once your account is active, access your dashboard.
  2. Create your site: In the “My Sites” section, click on “Create Site” and follow the instructions to install WordPress. You’ll also set up your site name and tagline at this stage.

Choose a Theme:

  • Select a WordPress theme: After installation, pick a free theme available on Bluehost or install a premium theme later on.

Customize Your Site:

  • Access your WordPress dashboard: Go to http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin to access your dashboard, where you can customize your theme, add plugins, and create content.

Additional Tips

  • Secure Your Site: Install a security plugin to protect your site from malware and hackers.
  • Optimize for Performance: Use caching plugins and a content delivery network (CDN) to boost your site’s loading speed.

By following these steps and keeping Bluehost pricing in mind, you’ll successfully set up WordPress on Bluehost and be ready to create and customize your website. Enjoy your new site!

Bluehost Pricing: A Breakdown of Different Types of Plans

Bluehost offers multiple tiers of plans for every hosting service it provides. Let’s explore all the different options!

Shared Hosting

Bluehost offers both regular shared hosting and WordPress shared hosting, which are priced the same and supported by the same underlying technology.

Shared hosting plans are the go-to options for most first-time website owners. They’re accessible, and if you choose the right web host, you’ll get decent performance and a good range of features:

In terms of pricing, the Basic plan offers the best deal. We recommend this option if you’re working on your first website and have no plans to launch another. The more expensive shared hosting plans are geared toward clients with a broader range of websites in their portfolios.

It’s important to understand that shared hosting doesn’t offer the best performance you can find. Your website might feel slow at times, depending on its configuration and how much traffic it gets. However, you can always upgrade your hosting plan down the road if you need more firepower.

Bluehost also offers a selection of WordPress-specific shared hosting plans under the WordPress > WordPress Hosting category. We categorize them as “basic” because, essentially, they’re shared hosting plans that come with WordPress pre-installed. These plans have the same names, prices, and resources as the regular shared hosting options.

If you intend on using WordPress, it makes sense to opt for these plans over the basic shared hosting options. On top of coming with WordPress pre-installed, Bluehost also offers a decent range of custom themes:

The more expensive Choice Plus and Pro options also provide curated collections of plugins, staging functionality, and client billing tools. These features could be helpful if you’re a web developer, but they’re generally unnecessary for a personal website.

VPS Hosting

With Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting, you’ll get access to isolated virtual servers. This setup guarantees better performance when compared to shared hosting since you’re not sharing resources with other users. With that in mind, VPS hosting tends to be more expensive:

Unlike other hosting plans, VPS options tell you exactly what hardware specs you’ll get access to. This can be overwhelming if you’re not sure what resources you need for a website. That makes VPS hosting an option more geared towards developers and other users with more experience running sites.

With VPS hosting, you won’t have a WordPress dashboard or another control panel to launch and manage websites. Instead, you’ll have root access to your VPS, where you can install software using the command line.

WP Pro

WP Pro is Bluehost’s line of managed WordPress hosting plans. They’re considerably more expensive than shared hosting options and cost the same as the VPS plans:

If you’re not familiar with managed hosting, these plans offer a more hands-on service from your web host. Typically, managed hosting plans provide better performance, security, and access to developer-friendly features. In other words, you pay extra, so you don’t have to micromanage a lot of day-to-day tasks for your website.

Just like Bluehost’s regular VPS plans, WP Pro offers support for unlimited websites and unmetered bandwidth. However, these plans also boast unlimited storage, whereas their VPS counterparts limit you depending on which tier you choose.

You’ll also get access to a lot of additional features designed to help you promote and grow your website:

In terms of pricing, Bluehost’s managed WordPress plans are in line with most competitors. In fact, if you take away the promotional pricing, you can find a lot of cheaper alternatives.

Dedicated Hosting

Bluehost also offers three Dedicated Hosting plans.

You’ll notice right off the bat that dedicated hosting tends to be a lot more expensive than the other plans Bluehost offers (and this applies to other providers as well). That’s because “dedicated” means you’ll have an entire physical server all for yourself:

Dedicated plans are not for first-time website owners. They offer top-of-the-line performance for existing websites. They’re ideal if you have a lot of traffic and need multiple resources to keep up and provide a great experience.

Typically, dedicated servers tend to be completely unmanaged. That means you have access to the server itself (remotely), and you can use it for anything you want, just like Bluehost’s VPS plans.

Since Bluehost’s dedicated plans are around triple the price of its VPS and WP Pro offerings, they’re overkill for most users. That is unless you’re absolutely sure your website needs the extra performance and you’ve outgrown other types of hosting.

Bluehost Pricing: What Are the Options for Dedicated Hosting?

When you need top-tier hosting performance, dedicated hosting plans from Bluehost are the ultimate choice. While they represent some of the most expensive options, the investment is justified as you gain access to the full resources of an entire machine, ensuring peak performance. Let’s explore the specifics of these plans and how they align with Bluehost pricing.

Bluehost Pricing Overview for Dedicated Hosting

Bluehost’s dedicated hosting plans typically start around $91.98 per month, but prices can escalate quickly depending on the features and resources you select.

Bluehost Plan Breakdown

Here’s a detailed comparison of three popular dedicated hosting plans offered by Bluehost:

Plan TypeStandardEnhancedPremium
Price$91.98/month$121.88/month$141.99/month
CPU4 cores8 cores8 cores
Storage1 TB2 TB HDD2 TB HDD
RAM8 GB16 GB30 GB
BandwidthUnmeteredUnmeteredUnmetered
IP Addresses345

Note: All plans include mirrored storage, which means your data is automatically backed up to a secondary drive.

Key Differences in Bluehost Dedicated Hosting Plans

The primary distinctions between these Bluehost plans lie in their resource allocations:

  • CPU Power: The Standard plan offers 4 cores, while the Enhanced and Premium plans feature 8 cores.
  • Storage and RAM: The Enhanced and Premium plans provide double the storage and significantly more RAM compared to the Standard plan.
  • Additional Features: The Enhanced and Premium plans include more IP addresses, which can be crucial for larger operations.

Bluehost Pricing: Performance vs. Cost

Choosing the right Bluehost plan often depends on your specific needs:

  • Standard Plan: Ideal for businesses that need dedicated resources without the necessity for maximum performance.
  • Enhanced Plan: Balances cost and performance, offering double the storage and RAM of the Standard plan, making it the best value for most users.
  • Premium Plan: Best for highly demanding applications requiring top-tier performance.

Bluehost Contract Flexibility

While committing to a long-term contract (e.g., three years) can reduce monthly rates (starting at $121.88 for the Enhanced plan), Bluehost also offers monthly contracts. However, these come at a higher price, with the Enhanced plan costing $211.99 per month without a long-term commitment.

Which Bluehost Plan Should You Choose?

For most demanding users, the Enhanced plan offers the best value. It provides a significant resource upgrade over the Standard plan without the steep cost of the Premium plan. With these options and a clear understanding of Bluehost pricing, you can make an informed decision about which plan best suits your needs, ensuring optimal performance for your web hosting requirements.

Exploring Bluehost Cloud Hosting Plans: Pricing and Features

When choosing cloud hosting for WordPress, Bluehost offers a variety of plans designed to meet different needs and budgets. Here’s a detailed look at the available cloud hosting plans from Bluehost, highlighting their features and pricing.

Bluehost Cloud Hosting Plans Overview

Cloud 1 Plan

  • Price: $29.99 per month
  • Websites: 1
  • Storage: 10GB SSD
  • Network Uptime: 100%
  • Compute Power: 2vCPU
  • Support: 24/7 cloud hosting support
  • Additional Features: Automatic updates and automated protection

Cloud 10 Plan

  • Price: $49.99 per month
  • Websites: 10
  • Storage: 125GB SSD
  • Network Uptime: 100%
  • Compute Power: 20vCPU
  • Support: 24/7 cloud hosting support
  • Additional Features: Automatic updates and automated protection

Cloud 25 Plan

  • Price: $89.99 per month
  • Websites: 25
  • Storage: 175GB SSD
  • Network Uptime: 100%
  • Compute Power: 75vCPU
  • Support: 24/7 cloud hosting support
  • Additional Features: Automatic updates and automated protection

Cloud 50 Plan

  • Price: $109.99 per month
  • Websites: 50
  • Storage: 225GB SSD
  • Network Uptime: 100%
  • Compute Power: 150vCPU
  • Support: 24/7 cloud hosting support
  • Additional Features: Automatic updates and automated protection

Choosing the Right Bluehost Cloud Hosting Plan

For Solo Projects: The Cloud 1 plan is ideal for users managing a single website. It provides sufficient storage and compute power for small to medium traffic sites, making it a robust and affordable choice.

For Small Businesses and Developers: The Cloud 10 plan offers an excellent balance of cost and resources. At $49.99 per month, this plan supports up to 10 websites with substantial 125GB SSD storage and 20vCPU compute power, making it a cost-effective solution for growing needs.

For Growing Businesses: The Cloud 25 plan caters to more extensive multi-site setups and higher traffic volumes. It provides enhanced resources, making it suitable for businesses experiencing growth.

For Large Enterprises: The Cloud 50 plan delivers top-tier resources, including 225GB SSD storage and 150vCPU compute power. This plan is designed for large-scale operations that require exceptional performance and reliability.

Our Recommendation

For most small businesses and developers, the Cloud 10 plan strikes the best balance between cost and capability. Priced at $49.99 per month, it offers ample storage, robust compute power, and reliable uptime, making it a practical choice for managing multiple websites efficiently.

By selecting a plan that aligns with your workload and budget, you can ensure optimal performance and reliability for your WordPress sites with Bluehost’s cloud hosting solutions.

Bluehost Pricing: How Does Cloud Hosting Differ from Other Hosting Plans?

While traditional WordPress hosting plans offer essential features, Bluehost’s cloud hosting provides a fully managed experience with enhanced functionalities. Cloud hosting is distinguished by its scalability, performance, and additional benefits tailored specifically for high-traffic websites.

Key Features of Cloud Hosting

Here’s a closer look at the notable features that make cloud hosting distinct:

  • High Scalability: Cloud hosting allows you to effortlessly scale resources up or down based on your website’s needs. This flexibility is ideal for websites with variable traffic patterns.
  • Enhanced Performance: With cloud hosting, you enjoy faster page load times due to efficient load balancing and modern infrastructure that distributes resources effectively.
  • Guaranteed Uptime: While standard plans typically offer an uptime guarantee, cloud hosting takes it a step further with 100% network uptime, ensuring your site remains accessible at all times.
  • Robust Storage and CPU Power: Cloud hosting plans offer substantial storage space and high CPU power. For instance, advanced plans can provide up to 225GB of SSD storage and 150vCPU compute power.

Bluehost Pricing Structure for Cloud Hosting

Here’s a look at the Bluehost pricing for cloud hosting:

PlanMonthly CostWebsites SupportedSSD StorageCompute Power
Cloud 1$29.99110GB2vCPU
Cloud 10$49.9910125GB20vCPU
Cloud 25$89.9925175GB75vCPU
Cloud 50$109.9950225GB150vCPU

Each plan includes automatic updates, 24/7 support, and automated protection to ensure your website is always running smoothly and securely.

Why Choose Cloud Hosting?

  • Performance Reliability: With its high compute power and guaranteed uptime, cloud hosting ensures that even under peak traffic, your website performs optimally.
  • Advanced Security: Cloud hosting includes automated protection and frequent updates, reducing vulnerabilities and maintaining data integrity.
  • Support: Around-the-clock support guarantees that help is available whenever you need it.

For most users managing multiple websites but not exceeding 10, the Cloud 10 plan is a compelling choice. At $49.99 per month, it offers an excellent balance of cost, ample 125GB SSD storage, and robust 20vCPU compute power, making it ideal for small businesses or developers.

Conclusion

Cloud hosting differs from other hosting types by providing a scalable, performant, and secure environment optimized for high-traffic and resource-intensive websites. While the Bluehost pricing for cloud hosting may be higher, the advanced features and robust infrastructure offer better peace of mind and operational efficiency.

Bluehost Pricing: What Features Are Included in Bluehost’s Cloud Hosting Plans?

When exploring Bluehost Pricing for cloud hosting plans, you’ll discover a comprehensive set of features aimed at boosting website performance and reliability.

Key Features

  • Managed WordPress Hosting: Enjoy a hassle-free experience with fully managed WordPress hosting, including automatic updates to keep your website secure and up-to-date.
  • Fast Page Load Times: Benefit from lightning-fast load times, thanks to high-performance servers and SSD storage. This ensures a smooth user experience and can enhance your search engine rankings.
  • 100% Network Uptime: Eliminate downtime concerns with Bluehost’s guarantee of continuous availability, supported by robust infrastructure and multi-regional fault tolerance.
  • Scalability: Easily adjust resources to meet the demands of your website or your clients’ websites. Whether expanding your online presence or handling fluctuating traffic, Bluehost’s system adapts seamlessly.

Specific Plan Features

For those managing fewer websites, the Cloud 10 plan offers significant benefits:

  • Cost-Effective Pricing: At $49.99, this plan provides an affordable entry into powerful cloud hosting solutions.
  • Substantial Storage: Enjoy 125GB of SSD storage, ensuring fast data access and improved site performance.
  • High Compute Power: With 20vCPU compute power, your websites can efficiently manage traffic spikes while maintaining optimal performance.
  • 24/7 Support: Access professional assistance anytime to quickly resolve any issues that may arise.

Additional Advantages

  • Automatic Updates: Keep your site secure with automatic updates for your software and plugins.
  • 24/7 Support: Round-the-clock expert support is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter.

These features, paired with competitive Bluehost Pricing, make Bluehost’s cloud hosting plans a reliable and efficient choice for businesses and developers, whether you’re managing a single site or multiple websites.

WooCommerce Hosting Plans by Bluehost: A Comprehensive Overview

Bluehost’s WooCommerce hosting plans are crafted to cater to diverse online store requirements, offering competitive pricing and essential features for eCommerce success. Here’s a detailed look at the main WooCommerce hosting options available:

1. Online Store Plan

  • Price: Starting at $7.45 per month
  • Storage: 40 GB SSD storage
  • Theme: Includes the Wonder Theme by YITH, pre-installed
  • Security: Comes with a free SSL certificate for secure transactions
  • Inventory Management: Single-channel inventory management
  • Customer Features: Allows for customer account creation
  • Product Features: Includes product search and filtering capabilities
  • Support: 24/7 eCommerce support via phone or chat
  • Backups: Automatic backups to ensure data protection

2. Online Store + Marketplace Plan

  • Price: Starting at $12.95 per month
  • Storage: 100 GB SSD storage
  • Theme: Features the Wonder Theme by YITH, pre-installed
  • Security: Free SSL certificate to secure your transactions
  • Inventory Management: Multi-channel inventory management
  • Customer Features: Supports customer account creation
  • Product Features: Advanced product search and filtering options
  • Support: 24/7 eCommerce support via phone or chat
  • Backups: Automatic backups to protect your data

Key Features Comparison

  • Storage: 40 GB vs. 100 GB SSD
  • Inventory Management: Single-channel vs. Multi-channel
  • Price: $7.45/month vs. $12.95/month

Bluehost’s WooCommerce hosting plans offer tailored solutions to suit various online store needs, from basic single-store setups to more complex multi-channel management. With features like ample storage, robust security, comprehensive customer management, and reliable support, Bluehost provides a solid foundation for your eCommerce venture. Choose the plan that best aligns with your business goals and leverage Bluehost’s specialized WooCommerce hosting features for success.

What Additional Features Are Included in Bluehost’s WooCommerce Hosting Plans?

Bluehost’s WooCommerce hosting plans offer a comprehensive set of features designed to streamline the setup and management of your online store. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits included:

  • Free Domain and SSL Certificate: Secure your WooCommerce store with a free domain and an SSL certificate for the first year, ensuring both protection and credibility.
  • Pre-Installed WooCommerce: Enjoy a hassle-free setup with WooCommerce pre-installed, allowing you to launch your store quickly and efficiently.
  • Storefront Design: Access the Storefront theme, specifically designed for WooCommerce, to give your online store a professional and attractive look.
  • Automated Backups: Benefit from automated backups that regularly save your data, ensuring that you can recover information if needed and maintain your store’s integrity.
  • Payment Gateways: Integrated payment options like PayPal and Stripe simplify the process of accepting payments, providing a seamless checkout experience for your customers.
  • Marketing Credits: Leverage marketing credits to promote your new WooCommerce store effectively and reach a wider audience, boosting your store’s visibility and growth.
  • Customer Support: Receive 24/7 support from a dedicated team of WooCommerce experts, ready to assist you with any issues or questions that arise.

In addition to these core features, Bluehost’s WooCommerce hosting plans often include extra benefits such as enhanced security measures, faster loading times, and scalability options. These additional features are designed to make managing your e-commerce site more efficient and to support your business as it expands.

Do Bluehost Hosting Plans Offer Monthly Payment Options?

If you’re seeking flexibility in your hosting plan, it’s important to understand whether Bluehost offers monthly payment options. Unfortunately, Bluehost hosting plans do not include a monthly payment option for their shared hosting services.

Most Bluehost hosting plans require a commitment to longer-term payment structures, generally on an annual or multi-year basis. This pricing model is designed to provide better value over the long term but may not be ideal for users needing a month-to-month payment schedule.

Summary:

  • Monthly Payments: Not available for Bluehost shared hosting plans.
  • Payment Terms: Annual or multi-year commitments are required.

If you need monthly payment options, you may need to consider alternative hosting providers.

Exploring Cheaper and Better Alternatives to High-Cost Hosting Providers

When it comes to hosting your WordPress site, finding a balance between cost and quality is essential. While many high-cost hosting providers promise premium features, they often come with a price tag that’s hard to justify for small businesses or individual site owners.

Fortunately, there are cheaper and better alternatives available that offer exceptional performance without breaking the bank. GigaPress, for example, not only provides all the essential features you need—speed, security, and scalability—at a fraction of the cost of traditional hosting providers. But also offers done-for-you solutions, setting it apart from competitors.

GigaPress is a robust hosting provider designed specifically for WordPress users who need reliable performance without the hefty price tag. What truly differentiates GigaPress is its comprehensive “done-for-you” services, such as building websites from scratch and performing ongoing changes and updates for your WordPress site. Unlike other hosting providers that offer just the basics, GigaPress goes the extra mile by handling technical tasks. So you can focus on growing your business.

With a range of scalable plans, GigaPress ensures that you can find the perfect hosting solution tailored to your needs, all while keeping your costs in check. Whether you’re running a small blog or managing a high-traffic e-commerce site, GigaPress delivers not only top-notch hosting features but also personalized support to help your WordPress site thrive without the hassle of managing it all on your own.

Conclusion: Bluehost Pricing

Bluehost’s reputation for great budget prices only applies if you sign up for one of its regular or WordPress shared hosting plans. These plans can offer you amazing deals if you’re willing to pay for one year or more. However, when renewing your hosting contract, be prepared for prices to rise significantly.

Each type of Bluehost hosting plan is geared toward a different kind of user. Here’s what we recommend according to your budget and needs:

  1. Regular shared hosting and WordPress shared hosting: Stick with the cheapest plans if you only need access to basic hosting functionality and avoid paying for the extras that Bluehost offers.
  2. VPS hosting: This plan is the next step once you’ve outgrown shared hosting and want complete control over your server.
  3. WP Pro: If you’re running a WordPress website and you want better performance than what shared hosting can offer, this is your best bet.
  4. Dedicated hosting: These are top-of-the-line hosting options, and you should only be paying for them if you’re absolutely sure that you need the resources.

Do you have any questions about which Bluehost plan to choose? Let’s talk about them in the comments section below!

Will Morris

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