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Top 10 Best Web Hosting Services & Companies 2024 - Keep Your Business Running Smoothly

Cameron Coward
Top 10 Best Web Hosting Services & Companies

To keep your business running, you need to find a way to catch many users' attention by creating a website that they want to interact with. That all starts with a web hosting service. 

With dozens of providers available, how do you pick one that matches your vision for your website? To help answer that question, we scoured the market to find the top 10 hosting brands. 

Our research examines factors such as product and pricing options, essential features, and important pros and cons, creating a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best web hosting service. 

Our Top 10 Best Web Hosting Services and Companies:

  • IONOS - Best affordable hosting plans
  • GoDaddy - Best for unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Bluehost - Best web hosting service overall
  • SiteGround - Small blogs, business owners, and ecom sites
  • Hostinger - Best website hosting service for long-term savings
  • HostGator - Best domain host for heavy email use
  • Namecheap - Small businesses managing multiple sites
  • DreamHost - Best for 100% guaranteed uptime
  • Scala - Best for VPS solutions
  • Web.com - Best for unlimited data transfer
Show more

The Best Hosting Services - An In-Depth Look

  • 1
    IONOS

    IONOS

    • Price per monthStarting at $1/month for 1 year
    • Money-back guarantee30 days
    • Uptime99.9%

    IONOS is ideal for small businesses that need an online presence. At $1/month for the first year on their Business plan, they have one of the most affordable web hosting offers on this list. They give you a lot for that low price: 99.9% uptime, unlimited bandwidth, 50GB of SSD (Solid State Drive) storage, five email addresses, and advanced security features like DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection and geo-redundancy.

    Web developer and HowExpert writer Liz Kazandzhy says in her book Freelance Web Developer 101, "For the sake of simplicity, I recommend 1&1, now known as IONOS. I've found that [their service] is affordable and fully satisfies my needs."

    Like the other web hosts on this list, IONOS has WordPress hosting plans. However, they also have options for standard web hosting, Drupal hosting, and even Joomla hosting. Although the Business plan's cost increases to $8/month after the first year, IONOS is still one of the best website hosting platforms on the market, thanks to how much they offer at this low price.

    Why we chose IONOS: We chose to include IONOS in this list, as the hosting service has one the most affordable pricing options of all the products we reviewed. This means that you don't need to spend a lot to get your presence started, which is an especially helpful boost for those with limited budgets or those trying out different hosting platforms. 

    Our experience: Our experience with IONOS hosting services has been positive, highlighting ease of use and helpful support. The custom control panel is intuitive and beginner-friendly, making it straightforward to manage domains and email settings. When reaching out to customer support representatives with some standard questions, we found answers from real people who are patient and solution-oriented, ensuring smooth transitions and addressing issues efficiently. Overall, IONOS provides a user-friendly platform with robust features for both novice and experienced users.

    Pros
    • Very affordable introductory price
    • Lots of storage space (50GB)
    • Business plan includes five email addresses
    Cons
    • Cost increases to $8 after the first year
    • High traffic reduces performance
  • 2
    GoDaddy

    GoDaddy

    • Price per monthStarting at $5.99/month for 3 years
    • Money-back guarantee30 days
    • Uptime99.9%

    While GoDaddy has gained widespread recognition due to extensive advertising efforts, its popularity can be attributed to factors beyond just marketing. A stellar security suite sets them apart from competitors and includes SSL certificates, automatic backups, DDoS protection, and active malware scanning.

    The company also has its website builder for WordPress, which means you don't have to hire an expensive designer to create a website. Instead, the GoDaddy Wizard gives you access to beginner-friendly tools to help build your site. GoDaddy also has design services available if you prefer to avoid site-building altogether.

    Recently, GoDaddy has made a significant leap into software technology with the introduction of GoDaddy Airo™, an AI-powered solution that revolutionizes the way small business owners establish their online presence. This groundbreaking tool simplifies the process of going from idea to online, promising an unparalleled experience that can set up a business's digital footprint in mere minutes. It's designed to save time and effort in winning new customers by providing quick, AI-driven solutions for creating and managing an online presence.

    Why we chose GoDaddy: As one of the most established and recognizable web hosting services, GoDaddy earned its spot at the web hosting table years ago. But what gives them staying power is their highly competitive plans, top-notch security features, and the innovative GoDaddy Airo™ platform. Their strong lineup of e-commerce tools and resources and the new AI-powered solutions provide extra support to strengthen and grow your business.

    Our experience: While trying out GoDaddy, we enjoyed the fact that the service includes custom domain name registration and lets customers search for domains directly from the homepage. The introduction of GoDaddy Airo™ adds to the appeal, streamlining the process of establishing an online presence with AI-powered efficiency. We also found this service's numerous storefront and payment tool offerings very helpful, enhancing the overall user experience for business owners aiming to expand their digital footprint.

    Pros
    • Robust security
    • Website builder and site design services
    • Free one-click WordPress installation
    Cons
    • Introductory price is a little higher than others
    • Email addresses are only free for the first year
  • 3
    Bluehost

    Bluehost

    • Price per monthStarting at $2.75/month
    • Money-back guarantee30 days
    • Uptime99.99%

    Bluehost is one of the most popular web hosts to build a WordPress (WP) site, thanks to its one-click installation process, strong CMS (Content Management System) platform, and multiple hosting plans.

    While the company offers other services—including shared hosting, dedicated hosting, and VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting—Bluehost's reputation for being straightforward and easy to use may be their biggest benefit. They also deliver expedited setup of WooCommerce, a popular e-commerce plugin that runs on the WP engine. Security features like SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates and daily backups also add to their appeal.

    "I love Bluehost as a hosting platform," says web strategist and coach Wes Mcdowell. He also calls Bluehost "super reliable" and adds that "it's a snap to get [your site] up and running" with this service.

    Why we chose Bluehost: We chose to include Bluehost in this list as it's one of today's most versatile hosting providers. Bluehost features a beginner-friendly setup process and a range of affordable solutions. These offerings make them a good option for a variety of customers with diverse needs.

    Our experience: While trying out Bluehost, we especially liked their simple site design interface and navigation capabilities. These features gave us enough flexibility to build many different types of websites. The transparent pricing and product information also made sorting through plans easier and identify what best suits needs and budgets. 

    Pros
    • Quick WordPress installation and setup
    • WooCommerce online store hosting
    • Includes security features
    Cons
    • Limited disk space (10GB)
    • Email addresses not included
  • 4
    SiteGround

    SiteGround

    • Price per monthFrom $3.99/month
    • Money-back guaranteeYes, 30-day
    • Uptime99.99%

    SiteGround is a versatile web hosting company offering solutions for personal bloggers and business owners. Built on top-tier cloud infrastructure, it emphasizes security and speed with features like free SSL certificates, daily backups, and Cloudflare CDN integration. SiteGround's hosting plans, including Web, WordPress, and WooCommerce, cater to various website needs, ensuring reliable site performance and redundancy.

    Why we chose SiteGround: We chose to review SiteGround because of its robust offerings and excellent reputation. Its advanced speed technologies, such as Brotli compression and HTTP/2 protocol, significantly enhance page load times. The platform also stands out with its comprehensive security measures, making it an ideal choice for users seeking a reliable and secure hosting solution.

    Our experience: Our experience with SiteGround was positive, particularly the ease of transferring email accounts using the free email migrator tool. The user-friendly control panel and priority support on higher-tier plans further highlighted SiteGround's commitment to providing a seamless hosting experience.

    Pros
    • Free SSL certificates and daily backups.
    • Excellent customer support with 24/7 live chat.
    • Advanced speed technologies for faster load times.
    Cons
    • Higher renewal prices.
    • Priority support only on higher-tier plans.
  • 5
    Hostinger

    Hostinger

    • Price per monthStarting at $1.99/month for 4 years
    • Money-back guarantee30 days
    • Uptime99.9%

    Hostinger asks for the longest introductory offer commitment on this list, but its prices are very affordable. The first four years of service only cost $1.99/month, after which the price increases to a reasonable $3.99/month. Hostinger's 30-day money-back guarantee and 99.9% guaranteed uptime also ensure peace of mind.

    Although this offer doesn't include a free domain name, it does come with a single email address. Plus, users get 50GB of SSD storage and 100GB of bandwidth. Security features include SSL certificates, weekly backups, and DDoS protection.

    Why we chose Hostinger: Hostinger's budget-friendly four-year introductory price gives you access to high guaranteed uptime at a very affordable price. The user scores and experiences we reviewed on various user-review platforms and Hostinger's homepage confirm that customers find great value in the service they get.

    Our experience: We found that Hostinger's customer service is highly responsive. We had our sample questions answered within 10 minutes of posting them in Hostinger's live chat. The pleasant attitude really made us feel comfortable navigating more complicated topic connected to hosting. Best of all, we could tell that a real person was actually interacting with us, and trying their best to help.

    Pros
    • Affordable prices
    • Highly responsive customer support team
    • Included DDoS protection
    Cons
    • No free domain name
    • Limited bandwidth (100GB)
  • 6
    HostGator

    HostGator

    • Price per monthStarting at $2.75/month for 3 years
    • Money-back guarantee30 days
    • Uptime99%

    HostGator is a smart choice for larger organizations that need multiple email addresses. This web hosting company includes unlimited email addresses with the plans offered. They also guarantee at least 99% server uptime and unmetered bandwidth. 

    In his book WordPress in easy steps, Darryl Bartlett, freelance web developer and technical writer, explains that "[to] install WordPress, you are going to need some space online." He adds, "I recommend a company called HostGator. It is very well priced, has a 24-hour support team, and is very simple to set up WordPress on."

    The introductory $2.75/month plan requires a commitment of three years, but the price doesn't increase to the usual $7.99/month rate until after the introductory period ends. In addition to standard shared hosting, dedicated hosting, and VPS, HostGator also offers reseller hosting for those who want to provide their own hosting services.

    Why we chose HostGator: HostGator has won awards for everything from web hosting to customer service. Its unlimited email addresses, offered even with the most basic plans, impressed us. Organizations with a lot of personnel will particularly appreciate this feature, especially because you can set up your email preferences for optimal performance (e.g., capping at 500/hour to minimize IP blacklisting).

    Our experience: We appreciate that HostGator doesn't force you to pay for additional email addresses or use a third-party email provider. Instead, they keep business in-house. We also liked that they deliver some of the fastest and most affordable hosting options on the market.

    Pros
    • Unlimited email addresses
    • Long-term offers available
    • Award-winning customer service
    Cons
    • Only 10GB of server space
    • Best price requires three-year commitment
  • 7
    Namecheap

    Namecheap

    • Price per monthFrom $1.48 per month
    • Money-back guarantee30 days
    • Uptime99.9%

    Namecheap provides a range of hosting solutions designed to meet varying needs, from beginners to established businesses. Its affordable shared hosting plans offer a solid entry point for newcomers, while VPS and dedicated hosting plans cater to more complex needs. 

    Namecheap's user-friendly services simplify the process of establishing and managing an online presence. Overall, Namecheap is a versatile, cost-effective choice for web hosting with an emphasis on customer convenience and support.

    Why we chose Namecheap -  Namecheap offers a good balance of affordability, security, and reliability. Geared towards individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses, it provides a solid hosting environment.

    Our experience - We found Namecheap impressively straightforward to get started with. The dashboard was intuitive and we were able to quickly set up a basic WordPress website. 

    Pros
    • Competitive pricing
    • Reliable uptime
    • 24/7 live support and comprehensive knowledge base
    Cons
    • Free SSL limited to the 1st year only on shared hosting plans
    • Lacks phone support
  • 8
    DreamHost

    DreamHost

    • Price per monthStarting at $2.59/month for 3 years
    • Money-back guarantee97 days
    • Uptime100%

    DreamHost offers an extended 97-day money-back guarantee and 100% guaranteed uptime. This shows how confident they are in their service, which should put even the most risk-averse consumers at ease.

    The introductory plan includes a free domain name for one year but doesn't come with any email addresses. Bandwidth is unmetered, and there are no storage limits. There are various WordPress site options, too—from basic hosting to dedicated WordPress hosting and cloud hosting options for those looking to publish web apps.

    Why we chose DreamHost: DreamHost promises to deliver 100% uptime and compensate you for any downtime. Plus, with the 97-day money-back guarantee, you have the freedom to test their services and confirm if they can live up to their 100% uptime promise.

    Our experience: We liked that we could choose between two unmanaged shared plans, three managed shared plans, four VPS plans, and nine dedicated plans. DreamHost's wide selection of WordPress hosting plans may be confusing to some potential customers or new users, but we liked that they provide enough flexibility to host any type of website. 

    Pros
    • Generous guarantees
    • Several WordPress hosting options
    • Cloud hosting
    Cons
    • No included email
    • Potentially confusing plan options
  • 9
    Scala

    Scala

    • Price per monthFrom $2.95 per month
    • Money-back guarantee30 days
    • Uptime99.99%

    ScalaHosting has firmly established itself as a go-to provider for managed VPS hosting, balancing cost and functionality. Even the budget shared-hosting plans provide features such as daily backups, anti-malware security scanning, and free SSL certificates—which often cost extra with competing hosting companies.

    ScalaHosting has a fantastic reputation for its ethical approach to business practices, and even though there is no phone support option, customer support is excellent. This is reflected in its five-star Trustpilot rating, where customers often praise the service they receive. 

    Why we chose ScalaHosting - Its exceptional VPS services offer a seamless scaling experience for businesses and great value for money.

    Our experience - ScalaHosting deserves its reputation as a customer-centric hosting provider. We found the management tools user-friendly and the customer support quick to provide knowledgeable answers. 

    Pros
    • Top-notch VPS hosting
    • Good value for money
    • A+ BBB rating and highly rated by customers
    Cons
    • No dedicated server hosting
    • Shared hosting performance could be better
  • 10
    Web.com

    Web.com

    • Price per monthStarting at $2.75/month for 3 years
    • Money-back guaranteeNo
    • Uptime99.9%

    Web.com is a no-frills service provider offering shared hosting for WordPress and custom sites. Although they don't have dedicated hosting, VPS hosting, or reseller hosting plans, they do provide a website builder for anyone not using WordPress.

    The basic plan includes a free domain name for the first year and one business email, with additional email addresses at an extra fee. Web.com also claims to have a 99.9% uptime record but doesn't guarantee it. Plans come with unmetered bandwidth and an SSL certificate, malware scanning, and daily backup service for security.

    Why we chose Web.com: This web hosting solution is a stable, well-rounded option with unmetered hosting. They give users free access to a drag-and-drop website builder and promise load speeds up to 70% faster than their competitors.

    Our experience: We like Web.com's website builder and design options, which come with one hour of free web design support and predesigned building blocks. We were a little frustrated by the lack of technical details available about their plans.

    Pros
    • Includes one business email
    • Free domain for the first year
    • Free drag-and-drop website builder available
    Cons
    • Email addresses cost extra
    • Lack of detailed technical information


How to Compare the Best Hosting Services

To help you better understand the features of the best web hosts, we captured a few key details to consider in the comparison chart below. 

While evaluating each host provider's details, keep in mind that direct comparisons aren't always possible. The features listed here apply to the lowest-cost plan from each hosting service, but higher-tier plans may include better features. For example, some hosts may provide a free domain name with higher-cost plans but not with the basic plans listed in the chart. Be sure to visit each web hosting service's website for specific details on their other offers.


Provider
Best For
Starting Price
Moneyback Guarantee
Uptime
Storage
Bandwidth
Bluehost
Overall web hosting service
From $2.75/month
30 days
99.99%
Limited (10GB)
Unmetered
Hostinger
Long-term savings
From $1.99/month for 4 years
30 days
99.9%
50GB SSD
100GB
GoDaddy
Unlimited storage and bandwidth
From $5.99/month for 3 years
30 days
99.9%
Unlimited
Unlimited
IONOS
Affordable hosting plans
From $1/month for 1 year
30 days
99.9%
50GB SSD
Unlimited
HostGator
Heavy email use
From $2.75/month for 3 years
30 days
99%
Unlimited
Unmetered
DreamHost
Guaranteed uptime
From $2.59/month for 3 years
97 days
100%
Unlimited
Unmetered
Web.com
Unlimited data transfer
From $2.75/month for 3 years
No
99.9%
Unlimited
Unmetered
Network Solutions
24/7 chat support
From $5.69/month for 1 year
No
99.9%
15GB
Not specified
HostPapa
Small to medium-sized businesses
From $3.95 per month
30 days
99.9%
Ample
Unlimited
A2 Hosting
Lots of server space
From $2.99/month for 1 year
30 days
99.9%
100GB SSD
Unlimited


Our  Hosting Experts

Top10.com's content is developed and reviewed by an elite team of tech writers and web development specialists who review articles to provide unbiased opinions.

What Are Web Hosting Services?

Web hosting services are like the real estate where your website resides. If you have a website, it needs a place on the internet to live, and these hosting services act as landlords, ensuring your site is up and running so customers can access it by typing in your URL.

There are various types of hosting services tailored to different business needs. Some web hosting companies offer comprehensive packages, including website building, marketing, and sales, while others provide just the space, infrastructure, technical support, and equipment for you to create your website independently.

Your choice of a hosting company will depend on your business model and size. By understanding the key terms and features, you can compare options and select the service that best fits your company's needs.



What are the different types of web hosting?

Shared Web Hosting: Affordability and Simplicity

Shared web hosting is the basic package that services offer. 

Your website sits on the same server along with many other websites, so you're sharing the server, and any other resources, such as memory or CPU. Shared hosting is good for basic website needs such as email sending, file sharing, and base level e-commerce sites. Shared web host plans are the cheapest and, therefore, smartest option for smaller or startup businesses.

VPS Hosting: Balancing Power and Flexibility

A virtual private server (VPS) provides you with a dedicated portion of a server, giving you more control and resources compared to a shared hosting plan. While you might still be sharing the physical server with others, your virtual server operates independently.

This means you have your own allocated resources, such as memory, storage, and processing power, which aren't affected by other users. VPS hosting offers a safer and more reliable option, keeping your site separate from others, while still being affordable.

Dedicated Web Hosting: Maximum Control and Performance

Dedicated web hosting takes your website hosting to the next level by providing you with an entire server exclusively for your use. This means you have full administrative control, allowing you to configure the server exactly as you need.

With dedicated hosting, you get a comprehensive suite of features, including enhanced security, higher performance, and the ability to handle large volumes of traffic. This level of hosting is ideal for businesses with high resource demands or those requiring specialized server configurations that aren't possible with shared or VPS hosting. However, the extensive features and capabilities may not be necessary for all types of businesses, particularly smaller ones with more modest needs.

WordPress Hosting: Optimized for WordPress Websites

WordPress hosting offers specialized shared hosting plans tailored specifically for WordPress websites. These servers are optimized to enhance performance, providing benefits such as faster load times, easy WordPress installation, and security features designed specifically for WordPress sites. Additionally, WordPress hosting includes automatic updates to keep your site secure and up-to-date.

This type of hosting is particularly useful for businesses that use WordPress to create and manage their websites, as it ensures compatibility and smooth operation, making it easier to maintain and improve site performance.

Cloud Hosting: Great for Diverse Workloads

Cloud hosting uses a network of virtual servers to host websites, ensuring high reliability and scalability. Instead of relying on a single physical server, resources are distributed across multiple servers, allowing for flexible resource allocation and improved performance. This makes cloud hosting ideal for websites with varying traffic levels. The flexibility of cloud hosting supports diverse applications and workloads, making it suitable for various business needs. Additionally, its cost-efficiency with pay-as-you-go pricing models helps in better budget management.



What Is Included With a Web Hosting Service?

With a web hosting service, here are just some of the features you'll get:

  • Storage space
  • Bandwidth 
  • Security features
  • Control panel
  • Domain name registration
  • Website builders
  • Blogging and eCommerce functions 
  • Email marketing
  • Analytics & reporting

Web hosts centralize everything into one service that will let you launch your site online, maintain its smooth running status, and store data securely.




How Much Does Web Hosting Cost? 

Web hosting plans cost between $1 and $6.99 per month. The price depends on your chosen web host service and the features included. 

Here, you can find a quick comparison of our Top 10 Hosting Sites based on our research, from least to most expensive: 

Platform
IONOS
Hostinger    
DreamHost
Bluehost
HostGator

Web.com

A2 Hosting

HostPapa

Network Solutions

GoDaddy
Pricing
From $1/month    

From $1.99/month 

From $2.59/month

From $2.75/month

From $2.75/month 

From $2.75/month 

From $2.99/month

From $3.95 /month

From $5.69/month

From $5.99/month


While you should certainly consider pricing, the best providers offer plans for every budget, and in some cases, signing up for longer subscriptions (rather than paying month to month) will qualify you for extra discounts.

Also, leave some room to grow. Choosing a web hosting plan that meets your website's current needs is great. But with any luck, your site will grow and expand, and your needs may change. Since switching to a new web hosting provider is a major hassle, consider one that offers a wide range of scalable plans. 




Factors that Influence Website Hosting Cost

  • Type of hosting plan: Shared, VPS, Dedicated, or Cloud Hosting. Dedicated hosting usually ends up being more expensive than VPS or shared hosting. 
  • Storage: The amount of data storage your hosting plan provides. Larger data storage capabilities usually come at a steeper price point. 
  • Bandwidth: The volume of traffic your website can handle without interruption or slowdowns. High traffic sites require more expansive plans.
  • Number of Websites: Some plans allow you to host multiple websites under one account.
  • IP Addresses: Costs may vary if you require a static IP address.
  • SSL Certificate: Ensures website security; some plans include it for free, while others may charge extra.
  • Customer Support: Availability and quality of support; some offer 24/7 service, while others may charge for premium or dedicated assistance.
  • Customization Options: Plans allowing for additional features like databases or web servers typically cost more.
  • Scalability: Ability to upgrade or scale resources as needed.
  • Security Features: Advanced security measures like DDoS protection.
  • Contract Length: Monthly vs. annual billing and any discounts for longer-term commitments.




Essential Web Hosting Features You Need

When choosing a web hosting service, several key features can significantly impact your website's performance and reliability. Here are some of the most important factors to consider:

Uptime Guarantee: Ensuring Reliable Website Availability

When researching web hosting services, you'll often hear about uptime guarantees, and for good reason. Uptime refers to the percentage of time that a hosting service is operational. Companies usually guarantee a certain uptime percentage, ensuring that your website is always available. A high uptime percentage, such as 99% or higher, means your site will be accessible to your customers almost always, preventing loss of traffic and business. Top providers like InMotion Hosting, HostGator, and Bluehost offer excellent uptime guarantees.

Load Time Optimization: Speeding Up Your Website

Load time is crucial for retaining visitors. Studies show that users have short attention spans, so if your website takes too long to load, you risk losing potential customers. Ensure your hosting service provides fast load times. For example, A2Hosting boasts industry-leading load times of around 360 milliseconds, helping keep your audience engaged.

Customer Support: Reliable Assistance When You Need It

Reliable customer support is essential for resolving any issues that may arise with your website. Look for hosting providers that offer knowledgeable, responsive, and easy-to-access support. This ensures that you can quickly get help when you need it, minimizing downtime and keeping your website running smoothly.

Server Location: Choosing the Right Geographical Server

The number and location of servers play a significant role in your website's speed and performance. More servers generally mean better performance, but their geographic location is also crucial. Choose servers located close to your target audience to reduce load times and improve user experience. Depending on your location, look for servers in key areas like the UK or the US.

Email Hosting: Managing Email Accounts with Your Hosting

Email hosting can enhance your business's online presence by providing professional email addresses for your employees. Many web hosts offer email hosting tools that allow you to manage accounts and communications efficiently from one place, helping you maintain a professional image and streamline internal communication.



Security Features to Look for in a Hosting Package

There is plenty that small business owners can do to ensure the safety of their accounts. Check if your hosting provider offers any of the following security tools:

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Strengthening Account Security

Also known as multi-factor authentication (MFA), 2FA adds an extra layer of security to the login process. This is especially important for managed hosting plans that use cPanel, as unauthorized access to cPanel can be particularly damaging. Hosting providers offering 2FA for cPanel logins can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and enhance overall security.

Free SSL Certificates: Securing Data Transmission

For businesses operating multiple domain names, free SSL certificates provided by the hosting package are highly beneficial. An SSL certificate, issued by a Certificate Authority (CA), ensures that data transmitted between your website and its visitors is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS). This is indicated by "https://" in the URL. Encrypted data transmission protects your customers' information and secures your digital infrastructure from potential breaches.

DKIM, SPF, DMARC: Enhancing Email Security

Email spoofing poses a significant threat to small businesses. To combat this, look for a hosting provider that offers three key email authentication tools: Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM), Sender Policy Framework (SPF), and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC). These tools, configured as DNS records in cPanel, authenticate emails sent from your domain, preventing fraudsters from impersonating your organization.

Easy Update Manager: Streamlining Software Updates

Popular web-hosted scripts, like the WordPress Content Management System (CMS), are common targets for hackers due to their widespread use. An easy update manager allows for one-click script installation and automatic updates. This feature ensures that your web-hosted programs are regularly updated with the latest security patches, reducing vulnerabilities and maintaining site security without needing constant IT intervention.

By ensuring your hosting package includes these security features, you can significantly enhance the protection of your website and customer data.



Other Website Setup Considerations

While providing the basics like bandwidth and disk space are a given, good web hosting plans will also have at least a few extras. 

  • Website Builders: For easy website creation, choose a host with a website builder. These tools offer templates that you can customize without coding, making it simple to design your site.
  • SEO tools and plugins: SEO features provided through a web host plan can significantly enhance your website's visibility and ranking on search engines.
  • Ecommerce solutions: If you're running an online store, look for providers that offer Ecommerce solutions. Ensure they support content management systems for easy updates and provide access to site statistics.
  • Environmental friendliness: Consider a web host's eco-friendliness. Some providers use green technology to run their data centers, reducing their environmental impact.
  • Customer service: Reliable customer service is crucial. Ensure your provider offers 24/7 support through multiple channels like phone, email, and online chat. Look for clear money-back guarantees and check online reviews from actual customers to gauge the provider's reputation.




10 Most Popular & Biggest Web Hosting Services for September

In addition to our picks for the Top 10 best web hosting providers list, we also wanted to check and rank web hosting providers by their website visitors, to determine exactly which ones are the largest.

So, we examined the top 20 most popular websites and narrowed it down to the top 10 websites with the most website visitors in the USA as of May 2024:

Most visited web hosting providers infographic

The web traffic can be an interesting set of data to go off of when choosing a web hosting provider, as it may correlate with the size and popularity of the hosting company. Organic traffic indicates how many visitors find the company's website through search engines, which can be a proxy for brand visibility and interest. By analyzing this data, you can better understand which hosting companies are the biggest and most popular, and how their organic traffic correlates with their overall market position. 

Source: ahrefs



More Web Hosting Services We Reviewed

We have some good news for you if you feel like your web host search isn't over. Our web host experts went beyond the 10 brands featured and reviewed on this page. 

Check out these additional brands to get a better idea about all your web host options:




You May Also Like These Articles

We have you covered, whether you're new to web hosting or are trying to find streamlined ways to improve your existing site setup

All things considered, take a look at these articles our hosting experts wrote and find the best ways to manage your site online.




Bottom Line: Make an Informed Decision for Your Web Hosting Needs

Our picks for the top 10 best web hosting services are Bluehost, IONOS, HostGator, Hostinger, DreamHost, A2 Hosting, Web.com, Network Solutions, rocket.net, and InMotion. As tempting as it may be to choose a web hosting provider quickly and get on with your business plans, it's undeniably better to take your time. In doing so, you'll be able to find a provider you can stick with for the long haul.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does web hosting include a website builder?+-

Yes, some web hosting services do include a website builder, but not all of them. The hosts listed in this review, however, have WordPress hosting plans. WordPress is a CMS (an application used to create, edit and publish websites) with hundreds of free templates available so that anyone can easily build their own site.

Does it make a difference which web hosting service I use?+-

Yes, for most people, the web hosting service does make a difference. If you only need a few static pages (or simple "coming soon" placeholder pages), any web hosting service will work. But if you want a more modern, dynamic website, consider the features provided by the top hosting services outlined in this article.

Can I publish a website on the internet without using a web hosting service?+-

While it's arguably possible to do so, self-hosting a website requires technical expertise, hardware, and server space. Even with these, a self-hosted site won't deliver the performance or resiliency of one that's hosted by a professional service. For example, if you get a lot of visitors or your internet connection fails, your website will be unavailable.

What's the difference between a web host and a web builder?+-

A web host is a company that provides the servers your website lives in, so visitors can access it through their internet connection. A web builder is an online internet application that helps you create a website, which you then upload to a hosting server when it's ready to "go live" online. Some web hosts include web builders, but you don't need to use them. Experienced web developers can build their own websites, while others may choose a CMS like WordPress.

How many types of web hosting services are there?+-

There are generally four major types of hosting services: shared, dedicated, VPS, and cloud. Most providers offer shared and dedicated hosting plans for both WordPress and custom sites. Others include additional hosting services, like managed hosting, cloud hosting, VPS, and reseller hosting.

What are the most secure web hosting companies?+-

Our research determined that GoDaddy, IONOS, A2 Hosting, and Rocket.net offer the most robust security. Look at secure web hosting from two perspectives: the host's own security, and the security tools they provide for you to use. The first is difficult to compare, as hosts generally don't publish information on the security measures they have in place at their data centers. But the second can be explored by looking at what hosts include in their plans.

Cameron Coward
Cameron Coward writes for Top10.com and is a former mechanical designer, tech enthusiast, writer and published author. His experience as a tech writer spans 15 years, during which time he has written thousands of articles for a number of leading publications.