Is Bluehost worth it? I spill the tea in 2024.

Is Bluehost Worth It? (Why is it marketed so well?)

If you Google “cheap WordPress hosting”, then you probably have heard of Bluehost Hosting. It claims to be “The best WordPress hosting for under $2/month”.

You also might find that a MILLION influencers and bloggers have web pages dedicated to marketing Bluehost, including many that have pages that are titled “How to start a blog.” Why do they all have the SAME web page content? (Here are some examples: here, here, here, and here.)

The answer is because Bluehost TELLS THEM TOO. I have literally been on a phone call with a Bluehost rep where she instructed me exactly how to build out that how-to guide in order to get good affiliate money.

How much do Bluehost affiliates make? Well as of right now in 2024 with the Impact affiliate network, affiliates earn between $65-$125 for each site referred to Bluehost. THAT IS A LOT PER SITE. In the world of affiliate marketing, that’s a huge finder’s fee.

So yeah, it’s worth it to market Bluehost.

But is Bluehost worth it to use as a host? Well, I think there are 2 very small scenarios where Bluehost is worth it. And I’ll outline those below.

But besides those – Nope. Bluehost is not worth it. Keep reading to learn why.

Bluehost Hosting Plans PROS

Bluehost hosting plans start at under $2/month. Right now in 2024, I’m seeing the pricing starting at $1.99/month.

Those are real number that I have tested. Yes, Bluehost can give you hosting that is under $2/month. There aren’t any strings to those numbers – Bluehost offers give website owners real cheap hosting options.

(To see how much it will cost you to build your website, check out this pricing breakdown here.)

I have user Bluehost shared hosting plans for years – and have also helped manage client’s accounts with Bluehost. Here are a few pros of Bluehost’s web host plans:

1. Bluehost pricing is cheap, and can help you start your website today for just a few dollars.
2. Bluehost hosting provider provides a scalable hosting platform. There is room to grow, and hosting plans for all sizes of websites.
3. Bluehost’s plans include 24/7 support. I’m not saying that it provides good support, but it does provide support around the clock.

Is Bluehost a good hosting plan for you?

Is Bluehost worth it? Bluehost might be right for you if…

• You have a one-page service WordPress site that doesn’t have a blog. This kind of website isn’t constantly growing. It just needs a basic platform for your service information.
• You have a simple website (under 5-10 pages) that offers information to a niche group, but isn’t updated often. (Think family reunion website or business website with a few landing pages.)
• You have a beginners website and don’t expect to grow much with your website. It’s first version will exist in it’s same form for awhile.

To see more about which type of site you need, see this guide here.

Bluehost Web Hosting Service CONS

The problem with Bluehost is that it hasn’t grown to offer competitive server services that compete with hosting providers like WP Engine, Flywheel, SiteGround, and Bigscoots.

Other large hosting providers have grown to offer STELLAR customer service, updated servers, and hands-on service. While Bluehost has continued to cut corners and offer the same stale customer service that it offered in 2003.

If you are thinking that Bluehost is beginner-friendly, and offers easy beginners plans that don’t require any knowledge on your part, you are partially right. Their plans and services are easy to get started. But Bluehost also expects you to be a beginner and not ask questions. They expect you to buy every package upgrade, and assume their customer support will steer you in the right direction. They expect you to be gullible – which you don’t have to be! Use the information in this website – Motherboard Mentor – and be smart about your website host!

Here are some cons that I have experienced with Bluehost:

1. Bluehost Customer Support will not go out of their way to help you. I have found that they give basic wrote responses to my inquiries. But when an actual issue arises that needs an actual solution, Bluehost is not willing to help. Many times I know more that Bluehost support, and I get no help from them.
2. Bluehost servers are FULL and if you use their shared servers, you will compete with larger sites, and get just a tiny percentage of their servers – leaving your sites Bluehost’s speed REALLY SLOW.
3. Bluehost does not update its servers or services. So what they started with in its first year 2003 – is what still exists in 2024.
4. If you decide to start with Bluehost, and eventually move to a larger hosting service when your site grows, I have found that the effort to switch hosts (ESPECIALLY if you purchase domain names from Bluehost), is not worth the money that you save initially with using Bluehost.

Bluehost Affordable Alternatives

If you are looking for a cheap alternative to Bluehost, let me guide you towards Bigscoots best web hosting services.

Bigscoots hosting offers Managed WordPress hosting, Managed Servers, Shared Web hosting, and WordPress Speed Optimization. I have worked with them with both their shared web hosting and their managed web hosting. And I have been equally impressed by both – despite the range of offerings. (Read about the difference here.)

Shared hosting starts at $6.95/month and has OUTSTANDING growth potential to scale your site and never have to change hosting platforms when you want dedicated hosting.

For only $5/month more than Bluehost’s basic plans, you can get this with Bigscoots:

• 24/7/365 EXCELLENT Human Support (no live chat, but their tickets get answered immediately)
• 99.99% Uptime Guarantee
• World-class data center facilities
• Industry partnerships with experts and service leaders
• Free site migrations
• 45-Day Money Back Guarantee

Read more about Bigscoots here.

(Both Bluehost and Bigscoots will provide you with a user dashboard, WordPress installer, web hosting resources, email accounts if wanted, automatic daily backups, and the services listed in the plan you choose.)