HostGator Review

 

Get HostGator if you're looking for a one-stop-shop. It provides cost-effective hosting plans for any kind of website. Despite the low cost, it provides high-quality services with a 99.99 percent uptime guarantee. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist users with their problems.

We assessed HostGator based on the following criteria when writing this review:

• performance 
• Security 
• Network uptime 
• Customer service

We also went over the most important features in detail. We didn't stop there, though. You will see how it stacks up against competitors including BlueHost, SiteGround, and GoDaddy.

Are you prepared? Let's get started.

What is HostGator?

HostGator has been in the web hosting business for a long time. The organization began operations in 2002 by providing low-cost shared plans. After a $225 million takeover, it became part of Endurance International Group a decade later. As a result, the host expanded its offerings to meet the ever-increasing demands of corporations. Despite the reforms, it remains committed to providing individuals and companies with cost-effective solutions.

It has a powerful website builder, as well as DDoS security and free domain registration. There are also developer plans open. Gaming, games, and large businesses all have dedicated servers. It is for this purpose that HostGator has over 800,000 customers worldwide.

HostGator Infrastructure and Network

In its data centers in Texas and Utah, HostGator has over 12,000 servers. For redundant electricity, each facility has UPS batteries and diesel generators. The setup allows this low-cost web hosting company to maintain a high level of uptime at all times.

This host aggregates connectivity from multiple suppliers when it comes to results. Comcast, Hurricane Electric, and Cogent Communications are among the companies involved. Gigabit rates and low latency are delivered through the network thanks to this combination. It also reduces downtime by redirecting traffic away from lines that are experiencing issues.

These facilities have excellent security as well. The networks are constantly monitored by HostGator's network administrators. This means that accidents are dealt with quickly in order to avoid outbreaks. To improve things, manned surveillance is in operation. At all points of entry, it requires CCTV surveillance, biometric locks, and access controls.

HostGator Features

Here are some of HostGator's best features:

Ease of use

It can be difficult to get started with any service. However, HostGator makes things easy with its user-friendly control panel. Its user interface is based on cPanel, which is widely used in the industry. The arrangement of features is noticeable. Configure domains, handle addresses, and update your database with ease.

For adding more features to your server, there is a separate marketplace. The best part is that you don't need to be an expert to do it. Plugins, scripts, and important apps can all be installed with a single click. You can uninstall any apps you like as well.

Paid add-ons were listed in several HostGator reviews. This includes resources such as website creation, graphic design, and search engine optimization (SEO). However, things improve. Users can use premium Google apps and Facebook Business for work in groups.

Tons of freebies

For the first year, HostGator provides domains at no discount. The cost of renewing the web address after this term expires is $15.00.

SSL certificates are also used in HostGator's billing. The best thing is that it will host an infinite number of websites. You may also have an unlimited number of subdomains on top of that. Unlike domains, which can be renewed, site encryption is permanent.

Onboarding is simple with HostGator for users who want to switch hosts. They offer a migration service that allows you to transfer your website to their servers. Furthermore, the company's team of experts will tailor anything to your specifications. You will not be charged any additional fees.

Website builder

A website builder is included with HostGator's hosting plans. It includes more than 100 free pre-built models for building any kind of website. To make customizations easier, you can use the drag-and-drop and live editor. On web pages, you can easily switch, reposition, and edit elements. It's also one of the biggest website builders for companies in the United Kingdom.

There are SEO tools available to help you improve your search engine visibility. Meta descriptions of posts, photographs, videos, and other media can all be edited by users. This adds to the schema markup, which aids in the display of rich snippets in search results.

This is how it works:

Text results are typically displayed by Google, Bing, and other search engines. When you use schema to add data like media files to the code of a website, search engines will show a nice overview of your site. Overall, implementing it will provide you with a lot of organic traffic.

Server management

HostGator offers more than just an easy-to-use control panel. You can choose between semi-managed and fully-managed plans. The first is for sophisticated users who are familiar with web hosting. It's perfect for downloading and using applications that aren't supported by the host. Aside from that, you can fine-tune the output of your server to its full potential.

If you're not one of them, you can go for the second choice. The technical staff at HostGator will be in charge of security and maintenance. Similarly, they'll optimize anything to give your guests a pleasant experience. As a result, you'll have more time to update your website.

Unmetered bandwidth

Some site hosting providers restrict resource use, but this provider does not. It provides users with unlimited bandwidth and the ability to serve millions of guests.

When we were writing this HostGator analysis, however, the terms of service left an unfavorable impression.

It notes that users are not allowed to use more than 25% of the system's resources for more than 90 seconds. You will be in breach of the contract if you do so. As a result of reaching this quota, your website will be temporarily unavailable.

However. Given the mutual nature of bandwidth, exceeding the limit would be difficult. Our website stayed put no matter how hard we tried in our success tests. Above all, we couldn't find any negative feedback about it.

👉 Also, you can read : Hostgator Hosting Review Is Hostgator Good

Enterprise security

The website hosting plans from HostGator include top-notch protection for your applications and websites. To begin, there's a powerful web application firewall (WAF). By filtering spam/suspicious traffic requests, it helps to keep bad guys at bay. Anti-DDoS security kicks in to shield you from large-scale cyberattacks.

Advanced users are not forgotten. Custom rules can be set up if required. Users can be geo-restricted and IPs can be blocked. Your resources are protected from network-wide accidents by data-center-level protection.

Malware attacks have been a significant threat to websites in recent years. CodeGuard, which warns you before viruses take over, will help you prevent this. With just one click, you can remove all malicious code from your website.

Aside from software-assisted projects, HostGator's team of experts keeps an eye on things. They make certain that all threats are detected and countered. In short, with this host, you're still in good hands.

Website backup

Backups are barely included in this host's feature list. Following up, we discovered the choice within the user control panel. You should back up the data manually. Please keep in mind that the amount of space available is restricted by your hosting contract.

We discovered via HostGator feedback that this activity can be automated using cron work. This form, however, is only for advanced users. You must use root access to program the servers.

If you don't know how to do that, you can pay for HostGator's CodeGuard service. You can protect your site to an offsite location for just $2.00 a month. Despite the fact that it operates on a regular basis, it only has 1GB of storage.

Backups are crucial in a variety of ways. In the event of a failed update or a hacking incident, you can restore your site. It's also a must-have if you choose to switch hosting providers. All you have to do now is build the archives and transfer them to a new server.

Free credit Google/Bing Ads

If you think creating a website from the ground up is difficult, try promoting it. The good news is that HostGator offers up to $200 in Google and Bing Ads credit. This is part of the company's strategy to entice potential clients with enticing deals. With this amount, you will advertise your website and immediately begin receiving traffic.

There is a catch because there is no such thing as a free launch. You must invest at least $25 on the networks listed by HostGator. After that, you'll be sent a coupon code to use to redeem the deal. On the downside, it's only valid for new Google/Bing ad accounts. If you already have one, simply re-register to take advantage of the discount.

HostGator Uptime

Clients should expect a 99.99 percent uptime guarantee from this host. If something goes wrong, you'll get a month's worth of credit as compensation. The good news is that it applies to all HostGator packages.

On paper, that appears to be a good idea. However, fine print specifics reveal a different tale. Some problems are not eligible for compensation due to the service level agreement (SLA). This involves uncontrollable repairs and technological problems.

Another point to keep in mind is that HostGator reserves the right to refund customers. This ensures that before accepting a refund, it must perform audits. This, however, should not be a cause for concern. There have been no network-wide problems in the nine months since 2020.

HostGator Speed

We ran a few checks to see if the company follows through with its promises. To do so, we built a website on a HostGator VPS trial account. The response time, as calculated by Fastorslow.com, was the first thing we looked at. This indicates how quickly the servers react to traffic requests. We were able to achieve an average of 350 milliseconds.

The period to the first byte was the next thing we looked at (TTFB). This is the time it takes for a website to respond to a visitor's request. We used Bytecheck.com for this one, and the results were excellent. We got 250ms from our setup, which is on the higher end.

DNS connectivity is also very fast. It's used to figure out how long it'll take for someone to locate your domain on the internet. According to Bytecheck.com, HostGator's average response time is 50ms. Your website will load in less than a second on average. To be honest, that was lightning fast.

Hosting Services

The following is a list of HostGator's hosting facilities, as well as a functioning preview.

HostGator shared hosting

Anyone who wants to build a website can use shared hosting to do so at a low cost. Unlike the competition, HostGator provides users with an unlimited amount of tools. Users can host an infinite number of pages with this in mind.

You'll find limitless bandwidth/storage, a dedicated IP address, and free SSL on the feature list. Aside from that, webmail services are also available. You should set up professional emails for your company and coworkers.

A website builder is one of the tools that can help you get started. It's easy to use and has drag-and-drop capabilities. A live editor is also available. You can make changes to your website when testing for device compatibility.

The service's resource use is a significant flaw. A single computing machine's CPU and RAM are shared by all users. The terms of use are strict to discourage violence. You'll have to update if your traffic requirements surpass the approved limits.

HostGator WordPress

HostGator's WordPress plans are a cost-effective way to get a website up and running. To assist you in getting started, all servers are preconfigured. Unlike the shared tier, resource use is fair. You'll get 100,000+ visitors guaranteed. If you go over this limit, your users' output will suffer slightly.

Platform support is one of the strongest features of the WordPress CMS. You'll have access to more than 50,000 free models. There are over 5,000 plugins available to help you customize your site; our favorites are Beaver and Elementor. You will get your site up and running in under 30 minutes if you work together.

Users get a free domain and email hosting as part of the package. Additionally, top-of-the-line protection is included. You may use CodeGuard to perform backups and restores as well as malware removal. Bots, spam traffic, and intruders are all blocked by Site Lock.

Website migrations are free of charge. It can be used to quickly sever connections with a bad host. To get it done, all you have to do is request a help ticket.

HostGator VPS

VPS (virtual private server) hosting is designed for advanced users who need greater power. It has a wealth of tools for supporting any website or application. While bandwidth use is unrestricted, the terms of service still apply. Space is minimal, as opposed to shared plans.

VPS helps you to install custom apps in addition to the host's offerings. You'll have more control over performance optimization and security this way. Datacenter-level security is also available to users. This lowers the risk of experiencing downtime as a result of a hacking incident.

HostGator offers managed services to assist inexperienced users. The host is in charge of software and server upgrades under this arrangement. This leaves you with the simple task of creating website material.

HostGator dedicated server

Dedicated hosting gives users their own server on which to create powerful apps and websites. This strategy is somewhat different from VPS. Customers in the above option share the same services. You're given a physical computing machine to use for yourself on this one.

Developers can choose between working in a Linux or Windows environment. The CPU/RAM allocation impressed us while writing this HostGator analysis. Custom software may be deployed to satisfy any hosting needs.

The storage area is extremely interesting. It starts at 120GB and can go all the way up to 2TB. On the downside, there are no customizable choices. It would be ideal to order a server that isn't on the website's list.

Reseller Plans

Reseller plans are available from this top-rated hosting service for companies and freelancers. It enables you to function as a host without having to invest in any infrastructure. Users are entitled to free maintenance and technical assistance.

This plan allows you to host an infinite number of domains. Users may provide their clients with a control panel provided by cPanel L.L.C. Aside from that, you should rebrand all of your offerings to match your company's identity. This involves changing HostGator's name servers to your domain's name servers.

To help you handle your clients, you'll get a free copy of the WHMCS app. Billing can be automated, goods can be organized, and inactive accounts can be added or suspended. A separate dashboard for resource use management is included.

Not all is fine. You may add an unlimited number of users, but storage and bandwidth are restricted. In a nutshell, when the server is overloaded, the level of service for clients suffers. You may be asked to move to a higher plan to fix this.

Customer Support

Issues may be addressed across a variety of networks. One of them is a knowledge base that can be used to troubleshoot common problems. Users praise HostGator for having a lot of useful material, according to user feedback. We counted over 1000 papers and video tutorials based on our observations.

Customer service is available via live chat, phone, and email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We spoke with them about a few issues and considered the support representative to be helpful and polite.

Depending on the user's location, the host provides localized assistance. Users can get help from dedicated sites based on their location. India, Brazil, Turkey, China, among others are notable examples.

HostGator vs Bluehost

Bluehost and HostGator are two of the best website hosting companies. They have low-cost plans and outstanding customer service. However, there are several key places where these hosts' product and service delivery vary. One of the most prominent is pricing. The former has monthly tiers, while the latter only has annual plans.

HostGator's pricing is also open and straightforward. When we compared the two, we discovered that Bluehost had a lot of secret add-ons. In order to receive discounts, the host also allows users to sign long-term contracts. This might put off potential customers.

In terms of resource distribution, HostGator comes out on top. In some contracts, you get unrestricted bandwidth and storage. All are constrained in the face of competition. There are benefits to it, as horrible as it sounds. It allows the host to provide better service by preventing resource misuse. According to our analyses, Bluehost outperformed its competitor by 15%.

HostGator vs SiteGround

Another strong competitor in the hosting industry is SiteGround. It provides a variety of services, including shared, WordPress, and cloud hosting. However, unlike HostGator, it does not offer VPS or reseller plans.

SiteGround's prices are also on the higher end of the spectrum. Its cheapest rate, at $6.99/Month, is more than twice as much as the competition. On the plus side, there are no traffic lights. However, this comes at the cost of storage space. You can get up to 120GB of SSD space even on cloud plans.

This is less than HostGator's 120GB+ offering. Regardless, it makes up for the loss by providing free CDN to all customers. It improves the user experience by reducing the time it takes for a webpage to load.

GoDaddy vs HostGator

In the web hosting industry, GoDaddy is a well-known name. You're already familiar with them because of their unbeatable domain deals. They do, however, have some appealing plans for users who want to build websites or applications. The prices are comparable to those of HostGator.

On the resource front, HostGator and GoDaddy are almost identical. For millions of visitors, they have unrestricted storage and bandwidth. There are some options available to assist you in getting on board. One-click software downloads, a website builder, and priority customer service are only a few of the features available.

When it comes to eCommerce, however, GoDaddy outperforms its competitors. It has strategies specifically designed to assist online businesses. WooCommerce is used to manage items in your store. For processing customer orders, a payment gateway is also included.

HostGator Pricing

The following is HostGator's pricing:

• $2.75/month for shared hosting
• VPS server – $19.95/month
•  WordPress – $5.95/month
•  Dedicated – $89.98/month

While there is no free edition, the host offers a 45-day money-back guarantee. This is more than enough time for them to put their goods to the test. If you're not satisfied, simply offer a refund.

Verdict

HostGator is one of the most well-known full-service web hosting providers. It provides cost-effective solutions for all kinds of websites and applications. You'll find a variety of helpful features to get you started. One of the best website builders available. You have a choice of over 100 different models to use.

Another point worth mentioning is bandwidth, which is limitless. You won't have to worry about running out of money while serving millions of users.

HostGator reviews compliment the business and the solution in general. We're no different. The host has a lot of exciting stuff in store for his guests. Why don't you go take a look for yourself?