A Small Orange vs WestHost

A Small Orange launched in 2003 and became known for offering simple hosting plans designed for both beginners and growing businesses. They provided shared, VPS, reseller, and dedicated hosting, giving users flexible options based on site size and performance needs. Their shared hosting plans stood out for including cPanel, SSD storage, unlimited email accounts, and Weebly’s drag-and-drop builder, which helped users create and manage websites without technical experience. WordPress-optimized servers, one-click installs, and a wide app marketplace added convenience for personal and business sites. Security features were solid, with password-protected directories, spam filtering, hotlink protection, and daily backups included across plans. Developers also had access to multiple coding languages, MySQL databases, and custom error page tools. Customer support was available through 24/7 live chat and email, though some users found responses brief and missed having phone support. Pricing tended to run higher than many competitors, and users needed to buy SSL certificates separately, which increased total costs. While A Small Orange is no longer active, their review offers context for what customers valued and where the service fell short. Readers can use these insights to compare today’s hosting providers and choose an option that matches their budget and website goals.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Providence, Utah, WestHost is a long-established U.S. web hosting provider recognized for offering reliable, affordable hosting solutions for individuals and small to mid-sized businesses. They provide a wide range of services, including shared, WordPress, VPS, dedicated, and email hosting, supported by features such as free SSL certificates, automatic backups, built-in CDN optimization, and their intuitive StackCP control panel. Their infrastructure is housed in a U.S.-based data center, ensuring dependable uptime and consistent website performance for North American users. As part of The Hut Group (THG), they benefit from enterprise-level infrastructure and global support resources while maintaining a straightforward and customer-focused approach. Users often highlight their knowledgeable technical staff and quick data restoration assistance, though some have reported slower response times during peak support hours and notable price increases after initial terms. With a 4.1-star Trustpilot rating, they remain a reliable and accessible hosting provider known for their practical balance of scalability, performance, and ease of use.