Bluehost Review: Hosting Designed for WordPress Success

A Closer Look at Bluehost

For over two decades, this company has been a leading player in the shared hosting market. Their primary audience is beginners, small business owners, bloggers, and growing brands seeking hosting that is both simple to manage and reliable.

They’ve maintained a strong relationship with Automatic, the parent company of WordPress.com, and are officially recommended by WordPress.org. This connection has shaped their hosting solutions, which include shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting with a strong focus on managed WordPress hosting. Their platform gives you Bluehost account access with built-in WordPress tools, a clean dashboard, and complimentary SSL certificates.

In 2010, Bluehost was acquired by Endurance International Group (now Newfold Digital), joining other well-known hosting brands under the same umbrella. This move expanded their infrastructure and improved their global reach.

Over the years, they’ve earned a reputation for being beginner-friendly and WordPress-focused. While they aren’t BBB accredited, they consistently appear in top hosting lists alongside HostGator, DreamHost, Hostinger, and GoDaddy, and remain one of the most recognizable providers in the industry.

What Hosting Options Can You Choose From

Bluehost offers several hosting options to match different website goals and growth stages:

• Shared Hosting – A cost-effective option best for personal sites, blogs, and small businesses. It’s easy to set up and gives you everything you need to get started without a significant investment
• Managed WordPress Hosting – Designed specifically for WordPress users. It includes automatic updates, built-in security, and tools that simplify running and maintaining your website
• VPS Hosting – Ideal for websites that have outgrown shared hosting. It provides more resources, better performance, and greater control, making it a strong choice for growing projects
• Dedicated Hosting – Ideal for large websites and businesses with high traffic volumes. You get complete server control, top-tier performance, and advanced security options
• Cloud Hosting – Uses multiple servers to deliver better uptime, stability, and speed. It’s a smart option if your website sees unpredictable traffic spikes
• WooCommerce Hosting – Tailored for WooCommerce stores. It includes built-in eCommerce tools, secure payment options, and everything needed to run and manage an online shop

Key Features & Services

Bluehost’s hosting plans include a comprehensive set of tools designed to help users build, manage, and grow their websites confidently. These features cover everything from performance and security to marketing and eCommerce, making it easy for both beginners and experienced users to scale their online presence.

Hosting features

• Free domain name for the first year – When you sign up for a hosting plan, Bluehost covers the cost of your domain name for the first year. This helps lower your initial expenses and lets you start building your brand immediately without having to buy a domain separately
• Free SSL certificate – Every plan includes an SSL certificate at no extra cost. This adds a layer of security to your website by encrypting data between your visitors and your server. It also improves trust and can help boost your search engine ranking
• Free CDN – A content delivery network (CDN) distributes your website’s files across multiple servers worldwide. This reduces loading times and improves site performance for visitors, no matter where they’re located
• Multiple website support – Depending on your plan, you can host anywhere from 10 to 100 websites under a single account. This makes it easy to manage various projects, blogs, or business sites in one place without paying for separate hosting
• High traffic capacity – Bluehost’s plans can handle anywhere from 15,000 to 400,000 visits per month. This gives your website plenty of room to grow and ensures that performance remains stable as your audience increases
• NVMe storage – With faster NVMe SSD storage ranging from 10 GB on basic plans to up to 3,000 GB on dedicated hosting, your site loads faster and handles data more efficiently. This improves user experience and helps reduce bounce rates
• Upgraded CPU power – Higher-tier plans provide additional CPU resources, allowing your site to handle more visitors and complex processes without slowing down. This is especially useful for busy online stores or growing websites
• Professional email – Most plans include a free trial of professional email services. You can set up domain-based email addresses (like yourname@yourwebsite.com), which adds credibility to your business and keeps communication organized

Website features

• Free WordPress migration tool – If you already have a WordPress website hosted elsewhere, Bluehost’s migration tool helps you transfer it without extra cost or complicated steps. It’s quick, secure, and doesn’t require technical knowledge
• Staging environment – This feature lets you create a private version of your site to test design changes, plugin updates, or new content before publishing them live. It’s a simple way to avoid breaking your site during updates
• Automatic updates – Bluehost keeps your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins up to date automatically. This saves time, reduces the risk of vulnerabilities, and ensures your site is always running smoothly

Marketing features

• Yoast SEO (free version) – Yoast SEO is a popular tool that helps optimize your website’s content to rank better on search engines. It provides real-time feedback on keyword usage, readability, and metadata to help boost visibility
• Email marketing tools – Bluehost gives you access to built-in email marketing features that allow you to create campaigns, manage subscribers, and track performance directly from your hosting dashboard. It’s a practical way to connect with your audience without third-party services

Security features

• Malware scanning – Bluehost continuously scans your website for suspicious activity or infected files. This proactive approach helps identify issues early and prevents downtime or security breaches
• Malware detection and removal – If malware is found, Bluehost helps remove it to keep your site safe and operational. This is especially valuable for websites that handle sensitive information or online payments
• Domain privacy – Your domain registration information is kept private for the first year, protecting your personal data from being exposed in public WHOIS databases and reducing spam or phishing attempts
• Weekly and daily backups – Bluehost automatically backs up your website, depending on your plan. If something goes wrong—like a bad update or accidental deletion—you can restore your site with just a few clicks
• Web Application Firewall (WAF) – A WAF filters incoming traffic and blocks harmful requests before they reach your site. It adds an extra layer of protection against hackers and bots
• DDoS protection – Distributed denial-of-service attacks can overwhelm websites. Bluehost’s built-in DDoS protection helps absorb and filter out this traffic, keeping your site online even during large-scale attacks

Pro tools

• Multi-site management – If you’re running more than one website, you can manage them all from a single dashboard. This saves time and eliminates the need to log in to multiple accounts
• Seamless updates – Automatic system and plugin updates reduce the manual work needed to keep your website secure and up to date
• Plugin management – Install, activate, update, or deactivate plugins with just a few clicks. This is especially useful for WordPress users who want to keep their sites clean and efficient
• Performance monitoring – Bluehost provides performance insights that help track uptime, speed, and server response times so you can address any issues quickly
• 1-click staging/cloning – You can easily clone your website or create a staging copy for development, redesign, or testing purposes without disrupting your live site

WooCommerce features

• Pre-installed WooCommerce – Your online store comes ready to use, with WooCommerce already set up and configured. This saves time and simplifies the process of launching a shop
• Secure payments – SSL encryption and trusted payment integrations give your customers a safe checkout experience
• Unlimited products – You can list and sell as many products as you want, making it easy to scale your store as your business grows
• Shipping labels and gift cards – Built-in features help you manage orders, print shipping labels, and offer gift card options without using extra plugins
• Customer accounts – Shoppers can create accounts, track orders, and manage their information, which improves the overall buying experience
• Product search and filtering – Makes it easy for visitors to find the products they want quickly, which can lead to more sales
• Appointment bookings – An excellent option for businesses that offer services, classes, or consultations
• Multi-channel inventory management – Helps you keep your product listings updated across different sales channels from one place

Support

• 24/7 live chat – Reach out to support any time of day through live chat for fast answers to common questions or issues
• Phone support – Available daily between 7 AM and midnight EST, giving you direct access to a support agent for more complex needs
• Priority support on higher plans – Premium plans come with faster response times and priority routing to experienced agents
• Knowledge base and tutorials – A library of step-by-step guides, videos, and articles helps users solve problems on their own and learn more about hosting tools

Hosting Plans & Pricing

Bluehost offers users a range of hosting options with transparent pricing tiers. The lowest rates are available on 36-month terms, while shorter 12-month terms incur a slightly higher cost. Month-to-month pricing is also available, but comes at a premium. Renewal rates are higher than the introductory prices, so it’s worth considering this before committing to a plan.

Standard plans

Bluehost’s Standard hosting is best suited for personal websites, blogs, and small businesses that want reliable performance at a low entry cost. It includes everything needed to get a site online without incurring additional expenses for advanced extras.

Starter plan

This plan is ideal for one website or a small personal project.

• $4.99/month (12 months) — renews at $11.99/month
• $3.99/month (36 months) — renews at $9.99/month

Business plan

This plan is ideal for small businesses that want extra privacy and security features.

• $7.99/month (12 months) — renews at $15.99/month
• $6.99/month (36 months) — renews at $13.99/month

eCommerce Essentials plan

This plan is ideal for online stores that want essential selling tools built in.

$16.99/month (12 months) — renews at $24.99/month
$14.99/month (36 months) — renews at $21.99/month

High Performance plans

Bluehost’s High Performance hosting is designed for businesses and projects that need extra speed, storage, and flexibility. These plans are well-suited for growing websites, resource-intensive apps, and brands seeking more control and power.

Pro plan

This plan is ideal for growing companies seeking greater flexibility and reliable performance.

• $10.99/month (12 months) — renews at $18.99/month
• $9.99/month (36 months) — renews at $16.99/month

Premium plan

This plan is ideal for sites and apps that need better storage capacity and CPU performance.

• $14.99/month (12 months) — renews at $22.99/month
• $13.99/month (36 months) — renews at $20.99/month

Enhanced plan

This plan is ideal for demanding websites and apps that require powerful tools and more storage.

• $18.99/month (12 months) — renews at $27.99/month
• $16.99/month (36 months) — renews at $24.99/month

Elite plan

This plan is ideal for brands that need enterprise-grade performance and infrastructure.

$23.99/month (12 months) — renews at $32.99/month
$19.99/month (36 months) — renews at $28.99/month

Commerce plans

Bluehost’s Commerce plans are built for online stores and businesses that want integrated eCommerce tools. They come with everything needed to set up and manage an online shop, making them ideal for sellers of all sizes.

eCommerce Essentials plan

This plan is ideal for small online stores that require simple, built-in tools to get started selling.

• $16.99/month (12 months) — renews at $24.99/month
• $14.99/month (36 months) — renews at $21.99/month

eCommerce Premium plan

This plan is ideal for businesses that need more advanced eCommerce tools and flexibility.

$24.99/month (12 months) — renews at $33.99/month
$21.99/month (36 months) — renews at $30.99/month

VPS plans

Bluehost’s VPS hosting is designed for users who require more control, dedicated resources, and improved performance compared to shared hosting. These plans are ideal for growing businesses, developers, and websites with higher traffic demands.

Standard NVMe 4 plan

This plan is ideal for users who want to get started with their own virtual server.

• $56.99/month (12 months) — renews at $66.99/month
• $46.99/month (36 months) — renews at $65.99/month

Enhanced NVMe 8 plan

This plan is ideal for projects that need more storage and customization options.

• $70.99/month (12 months) — renews at $97.99/month
• $65.99/month (36 months) — renews at $95.99/month

Ultimate NVMe 16 plan

This plan is ideal for businesses that need more power and server resources.

• $101.99/month (12 months) — renews at $143.99/month
• $94.99/month (36 months) — renews at $140.99/month

Dedicated hosting plans

Bluehost’s Dedicated hosting is built for large projects, high-traffic websites, and businesses that need maximum performance and complete server control. These plans offer dedicated resources, making them ideal for mission-critical operations.

Standard NVMe 32 plan

This plan is ideal for users who want high performance with dedicated server resources.

• $154.79/month (12 months) — renews at $192.32/month
• $154.79/month (36 months) — renews at $192.32/month

Enhanced NVMe 64 plan

This plan is ideal for businesses that need more storage and higher capacity.

• $238.79/month (12 months) — renews at $276.37/month
• $238.79/month (36 months) — renews at $276.37/month

Premium NVMe 128 plan

This plan is ideal for enterprise-level projects that require maximum power and flexibility.

• $343.79/month (12 months) — renews at $398.77/month
• $343.79/month (36 months) — renews at $398.77/month

Cloud hosting plans

Bluehost’s Cloud hosting is designed for websites that need fast performance, advanced security, and strong uptime. Unlike other hosting options, these plans are only available with a 12-month term. They’re ideal for high-traffic businesses and growing platforms that need extra stability and speed.

Cloud 10 plan

This plan is ideal for small to medium websites that want reliable cloud performance.

• $75.00/month (12 months)

Cloud 25 plan

This plan is ideal for growing websites and businesses that need more storage and power.

• $155.00/month (12 months)

Cloud 50 plan

This plan is ideal for high-traffic sites and businesses that need maximum performance.

• $250.00/month (12 months)

Advantages of Using Bluehost

• Official WordPress.org recommendation: Bluehost is one of only a few hosts officially recommended by WordPress.org. This endorsement reflects their long-standing partnership with the platform and their ability to provide a smooth, reliable WordPress experience. For anyone building on WordPress, it’s a trusted and beginner-friendly option
• Beginner-friendly setup and onboarding: Their dashboard is clean, easy to use, and built with first-time users in mind. You can launch a site with just a few clicks, thanks to their one-click WordPress installation. This simplicity makes them especially appealing to small business owners and individuals who don’t have a technical background
• Free domain and SSL certificate: All plans include a free domain and SSL certificate for the first year, reducing your initial setup costs. The SSL secures your website, improves trust with visitors, and can even help with SEO. This is a great benefit for users who want to get online quickly without extra purchases
• Global CDN integration: Bluehost includes a content delivery network to help your site load faster for visitors worldwide. This means improved site speed, reduced downtime during traffic spikes, and a more seamless user experience. It’s a valuable feature for websites with international visitors or growing traffic
• NVMe storage and upgraded CPU resources: Faster NVMe SSD storage and enhanced CPU performance result in improved load times and stable performance, even under high load. This gives your site the power to grow without compromising speed. It’s especially valuable for users running resource-heavy websites or online stores
• Reliable uptime: With a 99.9% uptime guarantee, Bluehost aims to keep your website online and accessible around the clock. This level of reliability is crucial for any website, particularly for businesses that rely on consistent visibility. It gives users peace of mind knowing their site won’t constantly go down
• Strong security features: Bluehost includes built-in protection, such as malware scanning, domain privacy, and DDoS mitigation. These features reduce the risk of data breaches and protect your website from common online threats. It’s a practical layer of defense that benefits businesses of all sizes
• Free site migration tool: Moving a website can be complicated, but their free migration tool makes it easy. You can transfer your WordPress site without incurring extra fees or navigating technical steps. This is a big plus if you’re switching from another hosting provider
• WooCommerce-ready hosting: Bluehost offers dedicated WooCommerce hosting, complete with pre-installed tools to help you get your store up and running quickly. You can accept payments, manage products, and set up shipping without needing third-party plugins. It’s a solid solution for anyone planning to sell online
• Scalable hosting options: Whether you start on shared hosting or need more power later, Bluehost offers clear upgrade paths to VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting. This flexibility enables your hosting to grow in tandem with your business. You won’t need to switch providers as your website expands
• 24/7 customer support: Their support team is available 24/7 through live chat and phone. If something goes wrong, you can get help quickly without having to wait for business hours to be open. For many users, this level of accessibility is a significant relief
• Marketing tools included: Bluehost integrates tools like Yoast SEO and built-in email marketing features. These help you expand your site’s reach without requiring additional subscriptions or complex setups. It’s a convenient way to manage both your website and marketing from one place
• Staging environment and automatic updates: The staging feature allows you to test changes in a secure environment before publishing them live. Meanwhile, automatic updates keep your WordPress site, themes, and plugins secure without extra work. This reduces errors, downtime, and security risks
• WooCommerce features for eCommerce growth: With features like secure payments, unlimited products, and shipping label integration, Bluehost makes online selling simpler. Customers can easily browse, buy, and track their orders. It’s an efficient way to build a store that can scale with your business

Disadvantages to Consider

• Renewal rates increase after the initial term: Bluehost’s introductory prices are attractive, but they rise significantly once the first term ends. This can come as a surprise to users who are unaware of the renewal rates. It’s important to factor in the long-term cost when choosing a plan
• Backups are limited on basic plans: While some backup features are included, they’re not as comprehensive on lower-tier plans. Users who require daily or automated backups often need to pay extra or manually manage them. This adds a step for those who expect built-in protection
• Upselling for add-ons like extra security or backups: Several features, such as advanced security and premium backups, are sold separately. This can increase the total cost of your hosting plan if you need these tools. It may also feel less straightforward for users who expected them to be included
• No monthly billing on entry plans: Bluehost doesn’t offer month-to-month billing on its basic hosting plans. Users must commit to at least 12 months, which isn’t ideal for those who prefer short-term flexibility. This can make testing the service less appealing for some users
• Mixed support experiences during busy times: While their support is available 24/7, response times and quality can vary depending on when you contact them. Some users report long wait times or less helpful responses during peak hours. This inconsistency can be frustrating when urgent help is needed

What Customers Are Saying About Bluehost

On Trustpilot, Bluehost holds a rating of 4.6 out of 5. Customers often highlight their ease of use and WordPress integration as major positives. On the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Bluehost is not BBB-accredited and currently holds a 1.03 out of 5 star rating. Most complaints focus on billing issues, difficulty reaching support, and slow response times to problems. A smaller number of reviews mention satisfactory resolutions after escalation. Many people only leave reviews online when they have a bad experience, so these ratings don’t always reflect the full picture of customer satisfaction.

Positive feedback

Many long-time customers highlight their consistent experience with Bluehost, praising its reliability for both single and multiple websites. Many say they only noticed how dependable it was after switching to other providers, pointing to its strong mix of ease of use and performance. Customer support often stands out too, with users appreciating fast live chat and phone responses and noting that agents handle problems efficiently. Beginners especially value this level of help.

The dashboard and one-click WordPress installation are also frequently praised, making setup simple even for first-timers. Affordable introductory pricing, along with perks like a free domain, SSL, and CDN, adds to the appeal. Users also mention stable uptime and solid performance for small to medium websites, supported by strong WordPress integration and official recommendation from WordPress.org. Overall, many see Bluehost as a reliable, beginner-friendly option that scales as their websites grow.

Critical feedback

Some users report performance issues when their websites experience high traffic, noting slower load times and occasional downtime during peak periods. Others have expressed frustration with customer service, describing delayed responses or difficulty getting clear solutions to their problems.

A few users also note that the user interface can feel clunky and less intuitive compared to other providers, particularly for beginners. There have also been complaints about unreliable back-end performance for WordPress sites, which can make site management more frustrating.

Several reviewers mention problems when attempting to cancel their services, such as charges being applied after cancellation requests or delays in processing their requests. While the company responds to many reviews, these concerns suggest that some customers have faced challenges in resolving billing and technical issues smoothly.

Customer Support

Bluehost offers several support options to ensure users can get help whenever they need it. Their support team is available 24/7 through live chat, phone, and email ticketing, making it easy to reach someone at any time of day. This accessibility is beneficial for users managing websites across different time zones or those who need fast solutions.

• Live chat: Users can connect with an agent directly through the Bluehost live chat for quick responses to common issues
• Phone support: U.S. customers can call (888) 401-4678 for direct assistance, while international users can reach +1 (801) 765-9400
• Email support: For more complex or follow-up inquiries, Bluehost also provides email ticketing through its support portal

Beyond direct support, Bluehost offers a comprehensive knowledge base featuring blogs, how-to guides, and troubleshooting tips on a wide range of topics, from WordPress setup to DNS configuration. They also maintain a YouTube channel and a collection of step-by-step tutorials that walk users through shared hosting and website management tasks. These resources enable users to resolve issues independently or acquire new skills at their own pace.

Final Thoughts

Bluehost stands out for its beginner-friendly approach, strong WordPress integration, and a wide range of hosting options designed to support users at different stages of growth. From shared and WooCommerce hosting to VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting, they offer flexibility and scalability that make it easy to start small and grow without needing to switch providers. Their free domain, SSL certificate, built-in CDN, and WordPress tools help simplify the setup process, making them a practical choice for personal sites, small businesses, and online stores.

Their biggest strengths lie in their ease of use, reliable uptime, and responsive customer support. Features such as one-click WordPress installation, automatic updates, staging environments, and WooCommerce integrations provide a seamless experience for both beginners and more experienced users. On the other hand, concerns include renewal rate increases, limited backups on lower-tier plans, and the potential for upselling security add-ons.

For many website owners, Bluehost strikes a solid balance between simplicity and performance; however, it may not be the perfect fit for everyone—especially those who require more advanced features out of the box. If you’re still weighing your options, check out our hosting reviews and comparisons to see how different providers stack up, and explore our hosting blog for expert insights to help you make the best choice for your website.