HostGator is a web hosting company with the goal of making selecting a hosting company easy and affordable for their customers. They offer a variety of hosting services including web hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. You can also use HostGator to help you design a build a website or register a domain for your site.
There is a lot to love about HostGator, but in order to determine if it will be the right match for you, you'll need to learn more about the services you'll receive. To help understand all the HostGator has to offer and decide if it will be the right fit for you, we conducted an in-depth review. Read through our review below and you'll have all the information you need to make a decision about whether HostGator is right for you.
You can also get domains from Hostgator, but we will mainly cover the hosting side in the review.
Website Builder
With the tools offered by HostGator, you'll be able to easily design the perfect website to meet your needs. HostGator offers an easy-to-use drag and drop editor that will allow you to insert images and text, move items around, and control the overall look of your pages.
To help you get off to a good start with your designs, HostGator has developed numerous templates for you to choose from. You will be able to customize each aspect of the different templates, allowing you to create each webpage to your exact specifications and needs.
Each template is also mobile-friendly, so the visitors to your site will be able to view it clearly whether they are on a smart phone or a desktop computer.
HostGator has also developed various analytics tools that can help you evaluate the performance of your website. They also offer social media tools that can be used to integrate live videos from Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram on to your site.
If you choose the eCommerce plan for your online business, HostGator can help you create your online store. You'll be able to create coupons, manage your items, and sell your products to your customers.
Web Hosting
If you choose to use HostGator as your hosting company, you'll be able to get your site up and running in no time. HostGator uses their QuickInstall tool to offer you one-click installations. This can help you design the perfect type of website from blogs, to photo galleries, to eCommerce stores, and more.
All of HostGator's plans include unmetered bandwidth, unlimited sub domains, SSL certificates, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. You will also receive an unlimited number of POP3 email accounts, weekly backups, and access to more than 500 video tutorials. In addition to all of these features, HostGator has also thrown in some free deals including their website building, $100 credit for Bring Ads, and free website and domain transfer.
There are three web hosting plans you can choose from. The Hatchling Plan is the most basic and will allow you to set up one domain. The Baby Plan costs just a bit more, but with it, you'll be able to set up an unlimited number of domains.
If you are looking for extra features such as SEO tools or a dedicated IP address, then the Business Plan may be the best choice for you. This plan will also allow you to set up an unlimited number of domains and includes a free upgrade to positive SSL.
WordPress Hosting
If you use WordPress to create your website, HostGator can also provide hosting services for you. Since HostGator utilizes low-density services and has multiple caching layers, websites hosted on them load up to 2.5 times faster than some other side.
HostGator's WordPress hosting plans also include a cloud interface that is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward. The control panel will allow you to back up your website, scale it to handle changes in traffic, and access your email.
If you currently are hosting your WordPress site with another hosting company, HostGator will help you migrate it to their servers for free. If you choose one of the more comprehensive plans, you'll also receive consultation services to help you migrate your website and get started with HostGator.
If you are interested in using HostGator for WordPress hosting, there are three different plans you can choose from. The Starter Plan will allow you to receive hosting services for one website, will provide you with unmetered storage space, and 1GB of space for automatic daily backups. This plan is best for sites that have 100,000 visitors or fewer each month.
The Standard Plan is a good choice if you need to find hosting service for two websites or if your site sees up to 200,000 visitors each month. This plan provides you with 2GB of space for your daily backups and will also provide you with unmetered storage space and a $100 credit for Google Adwords.
If your websites see lots of traffic each month or you need to find hosting services for more websites, then the business plan will likely be the best option for you. This plan allows you to host up three websites and can support up to 500,000 visitors each month. It will also provide you with 3GB of storage space for the automatic daily backups.
VPS Hosting
VPS stands for virtual private server. Without paying for dedicated hosting, you'll be able to receive some of the same benefits. With VPS hosting, your files and data are more protected, you'll have access to more RAM, and you'll be able to make changes to the server applications.
HostGator offers three different VPS hosting plans: Snappy 2000, Snappy 4000, and Snappy 8000. Each of these plans will provide you with different amounts of RAM, disk space, bandwidth, and cores. You can choose the best plan based on your individual needs.
Dedicated Hosting
For larger companies or websites that see a lot of traffic, a dedicated hosting plan may be your best option. With dedicated hosting, you'll receive a managed server exclusively for your website.
HostGator's dedicated hosting plans also come with DDOS protection to keep your site secure and an IP-based firewall. The team at HostGator can also help you set up a custom server configuration to meet your specific needs.
There are three different dedicated hosting plans for you to consider. They are the Value Plan, the Power Plan, and the Enterprise plan. Each plan builds on what is offered in the other plans and will provide you with different amounts of core, RAM, and hard drive space.
Domain Registration
HostGator can help you register a domain for your website. You can use the search function to check if a particular domain name is available.
After entering in your preferred domain name, HostGator will let you know which top-level domain (TLD) is available. If you see a TLD (the ending section of a web address) that you like, you can add it to your cart to select it and get it registered.
If your website already has a registered domain name, you'll also be able to transfer it to HostGator. The different TLDs will cost varying amounts to transfer.
HostGator also offers other services related to domain names. You can lock your domain to prevent someone unauthorized from transferring it to another server. You can also pay a little extra to prevent any of your personal information showing up in the WHOIS database.
Support
If you encounter any issues accessing any of the features offer by HostGator, you'll be able to reach someone on the customer service team at any hours. You can get in touch with someone over the phone, by sending an email, or through the LiveChat feature.
If you sign up for either the Premium or eCommerce Plan, you will also receive priority support. This means your call, email, or chat conversationwill be moved to the front of the line to help you get a faster response.
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Final Verdict
HostGator can help you with all of your hosting needs. Plus, you'll be able to design functional and attractive websites using the tools they offer. Visit their website today to select the plan that is right for you.
