HostGator is a web hosting company that provides several advantages to its users. From reliable uptime to affordable beginner plans, HostGator has a lot to offer. Let’s take a closer look at the features that make HostGator a promising host.
1. Reliable Uptime
Like many web hosts, HostGator promises a 99.9% uptime guarantee to its customers. Throughout the year 2022, HostGator only failed to meet its uptime guarantee twice, which is a commendable performance. We found HostGator’s average uptime in 2022 to be 99.90%, just good enough to meet its own guarantee.
HostGator grants one month of credit to its respective hosting package users whenever it fails to fulfil its uptime guarantee. However, this uptime guarantee only applies to its shared and reseller web hosting accounts. Also, downtime due to any planned maintenance doesn’t come under the uptime guarantee.
2. Above-Average Server Response Times
HostGator delivers above-average server response times. The average response time for the year 2022 was 663 ms. This response time places HostGator’s performance in the middle of the pack with hosts like Bluehost.
Though HostGator’s performance is much better than DreamHost, it lags behind hosts like A2 Hosting and InMotion Hosting.
3. Beginner-Friendly Website Builder
HostGator provides Gator website builder that automatically builds a website and gets it up and running easily. The tool is perfect for those with limited experience designing or hosting a website. It’s intuitive and easy to understand. The website design process is greatly simplified with the Gator builder.
4. Great Security Add-Ons
All HostGator plans have enhanced security features that protect your websites from hackers and data thieves. Each plan includes a free SSL certificate that protects your website domains and encrypts any communication. You can also add SiteLock Security to your hosting plan which costs an additional $5.99/month to scan your website daily for any potential breaches or hacks.
5. Unmetered Bandwidth
Each HostGator’s shared hosting plan comes with unmetered bandwidth. This means you don’t have to pay for how much bandwidth you use as long as you operate within reasonable limits. Unmetered bandwidth must not exceed 25% of system resources on shared or reseller servers for longer than 90 seconds. If that happens, certain restrictions may be placed on the offending account.
6. Customer Support
HostGator offers many ways for assistance with its products like live chat, phone, email, and even Twitter account. HostGator support has an informative YouTube channel covering many topics.
7. Affordable Starting Price
To get started with HostGator, the Hatchling Plan starts at $2.75/month if prepaid for 36 months. The shared hosting package includes a single website domain, one-click WordPress installs, unlimited email accounts, unmetered bandwidth, an auto-renewed SSL certificate, and free domain name registration for one year.
However, there are certain disadvantages of HostGator’s web hosting service that customers should keep in mind before making their final choice:
1. Confusing Pricing
HostGator can have a confusing pricing strategy for potential customers as each plan has its own dedicated page. You have to flip back and forth between pages to compare prices and features.
Moreover, HostGator only lists the discounted prices for its plans on the main page, making it difficult to know the renewal price.
2. Important Add-Ons Cost Extra
Several must-have features are not standard in all Host
