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10 Best Web Hosting Platforms for Small Businesses

Christina Joshy

October 27, 2023

Before you begin your digital journey, it is necessary to establish a solid presence online. This is where web hosting platforms come in, they provide you with the necessary infrastructure and support to bring your platform to life and make it appear visually and functionally pleasing.

While it was unheard of for a small business to use a web hosting platform earlier, today, most of them invest in an efficient web hosting platform to maintain and sort out their consistent online presence without any hassle.

We have taken it upon ourselves to narrow down the best web hosting platforms for your daily digital needs and our analysis is based on the platform’s user interface, ease of use, subscriptions offered and features. Why don’t we delve in and see what web hosting platforms have to offer clients.

How did we pick our top favourites?

We left no digital stone unturned in our quest to identify the champions of the hosting world, especially for small businesses. So, how did we separate the wheat from the chaff?

We used a few tried-and-tested combination of criteria to identify our favorite platforms:

• Customer review and feedback
• Performance tests
• Speed and lag
• User interface
• Security offered

Our Top Picks

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Top 10 Web Hosting Platforms for Small Businesses

Web hosting platforms have truly revolutionised the way in which small businesses present themselves online. With their all-inclusive features and website-building capabilities, they have eased the hassle and the daunting fear out of carving a small and dedicated niche on the internet.

1. Hostinger

Founded in 2011, Hostinger is a web hosting platform dedicated to simplifying the hosting experience for developers. With a commitment to constantly upgrading server technology, improving customer support, and optimizing their home-designed hPanel, Hostinger strives to make website management easier.

As the fastest-growing hosting brand of 2020, based in Kaunas, Lithuania, Hostinger offers seamless management tools for web professionals and beginners alike. They also have a free migration service, with a special focus on WordPress optimization, security features like in-house designed WAF, and a user-friendly control panel available in 15 languages.

Why did we pick it?

• Even the most basic plan of Hostinger includes free SSL, about 50 GB of storage and 100GB of bandwidth, making it the most cost-effective solution on the list.
• Hostinger is particularly effective for WordPress due to their LiteSpeed-powered servers and custom build site optimisation tools.
• With their Premium and Business plans, Hostinger also provides users with a personal and customised website application firewall to keep your website away from cyber threats.

Who should use it?

Of all the platforms on the list, Hostinger most likely offers the greatest number of features for the lowest cost. However, most of the solutions offered by the platform are basic, thus, it is best suited for businesses and individuals beginning their web hosting journeys.

2. HostGator

HostGator is often identified by its infamous mascot, the blue gator, is a web hosting platform with an impressive track record of empowering businesses online. They have over two decades of experience and a customer base of a million faithful users.

HostGator’s DNA revolves around their commitment to customer satisfaction, technical expertise, and innovation. They offer a wide range of hosting solutions, including shared, VPS, and dedicated servers, catering to businesses of all sizes. HostGator’s exceptional uptime, robust security measures, and 24/7 customer support ensure a seamless online experience.

Why did we pick it?

• The platform offers unlimited storage and unmetered bandwidth with an uptime guarantee and a 30-day money back guarantee.
• In India, HostGator has a partnership with GPX that allows for local hosting. Ideally, that also corresponds to 30x times less latency and lag and quick load time.
• This, one of the leading web hosting platforms also introduced local payment gateways in association with PayTM, one of India’s largest mobile commerce platforms to ensure that that no additional foreign exchange rates are charged from users.

Who should use it?

We recommend that businesses who have high-traffic rates on their websites or content-heavy digital infrastructure can benefit best from the unlimited storage and bandwidth offered by HostGator.

3. BlueHost

With a wide range of offerings tailored to bloggers, small businesses, web designers, and developers, Bluehost equips users with essential tools for creating a strong online presence. From domain hosting to marketing tools, recommended SEO keywords, and analytics dashboards, Bluehost provides an affordable solution that fits within the budget of small businesses.

Trusted by millions worldwide, Bluehost has been a reliable web hosting provider since 2003, continuously revolutionizing the website creation experience. As a top recommended WordPress hosting provider, Bluehost optimizes websites for speed, performance, and design.

Why did we pick it?

• BlueHost offers approximately 10GB of data and unmetered bandwidth as well as a free domain for the first year of use.
• The platform is particularly recommended for its WordPress hosting as it provides automatic plug-in updates, data backups, security and quick website speed with CDN and caching.
• The platform is often commended for its secure payment gateways, customisable online stores and excellent email, chat and phone-based customer support.

Who should use it?

Since the platform offers a free domain and many other features, it is perfectly suitable for small businesses and new websites to start their digital journey. Once they have established themselves, they can consider moving to a premium plan or a different hosting platform.

4. TMDHosting

TMDHosting is a leading web hosting with N+1 redundancy and high availability, TMD Cloud ensures a secure and uninterrupted online presence for your website. Their experienced engineers provide round-the-clock monitoring to deliver unmatched uptime. Leveraging their vast expertise, the TMD team excels in optimizing websites for speed and reliability, ensuring fast page loads.

By incorporating advanced technologies like LiteSpeed, TMDHosting guarantees exceptional performance and resilience. Their user-friendly TMD Portal equips you with tools to effortlessly manage hosting needs, deploy solutions, install SSL certificates, and request expert assistance.

Why did we pick it?

• TMD Hosting offers unlimited SSD storage and bandwidth along with a 60-day money back guarantee to all customers regardless of their package.
• It is a premium web hosting platform that uses three layers of caching (APC, OPCache and Varnish), thus making it almost 16 times faster than most of the other platforms.
• In terms of features, customers are assured military-level security, a free domain, automatic daily back-up and access to Weebly Sitebuilder.

Who should use it?

Since TDMHosting is a premium service, we recommend it for small businesses who are seeking to scale up or expand their current web-based platforms.  The three-level caching can also become important for businesses with a high website traffic ratio.

5. DreamHost

DreamHost is a web hosting platform that prioritizes user privacy and control over their data. With an open platform, DreamHost ensures that your dreams, whether they are words, photos, or creations, remain yours and not used for marketing purposes.

Hosting over 1.5 million websites, including WordPress blogs and applications, DreamHost is trusted by designers, developers, small businesses, and more. As supporters of open-source technology, they contribute to the improvement of WordPress and provide expert-level support. Currently, DreamHost has over 400,000 happy customers across 100+ countries and 750,000 WordPress installations.

Why did we pick it?

• DreamHost has a modern and easy-to-use user interface which offers a free domain. It also has a one-click WordPress installation feature, thus making it simple to use without any prior experience with web hosting.
• The platform also provides designated automatic SSL certificates to businesses as well as promotional pricing options.
• Most of their plans are cheap, affordable and their 97-day use and money-back guarantee plan compensates for their simple and basic design

Who should use it?

DreamHost is a wonderful choice for anyone interested in hosting a website. It is both beginner friendly and offers most of the features that have the capacity to scale up as well as help in building, launching and maintaining a platform.

6. IONOS

With a vast portfolio of solutions for digital space, IONOS is a leading web hosting and cloud partner catering to small and medium-sized businesses. They particularly specialize in Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). As the largest hosting company in Europe, IONOS manages over 8 million customer contracts and hosts more than 12 million domains in their own data centers across the US and Europe.

Their comprehensive product range caters to entrepreneurs, business owners, and large companies, providing best-in-class apps, servers, and services for building online presence, migrating to the cloud, or managing container clusters.

Why did we pick it?

• IONOS offers 12-month contracts to all users at a very nominal rate while also being capable of easy flexibility and scalability.
• All of their plans include 10GB of storage and unlimited traffic as well as a free domain.
• It’s WordPress hosting solution insures three times faster SSD and caching as compared to other web hosting platforms and ensures that all updates, customisations and backups are automated and subject to recovery.

Who should use it?

We recommend IONOS to startups, small businesses and entrepreneurs who are looking for short-term web hosting requirements and want to build a basic, yet functional platform.

7. Hostwinds

Hostwinds is a web hosting platform that stands out by owning and controlling all of its infrastructures, including servers, systems, and structures. This allows them to provide affordable hosting solutions without compromising on quality. Unlike many other hosting companies, Hostwinds operates its services directly.

They eliminate the need for intermediaries and ensure efficient and reliable hosting for their customers. The platform prides itself on its redundancy measures, building infrastructure to 2N redundancy standards to ensure uninterrupted service even in the event of a failure.

Why did we pick it?

• Hostwinds offers 24/7 website monitoring functionalities which ensures that any issues that arise with the platform’s performances will be immediately recorded and solved.
• It also ensures that backups are completed daily through automated services to prevent the loss of valuable data.
• All of Hostwinds’ plans come with unlimited bandwidth, disk space, free SSL certificates, website builder and optimised migration facilities to other platforms.

Who should use it?

Hostwinds is well suited for any business who has high-traffic and content requirements as the customer support and maintenance for the platform is swift and hassle-free.

8. GoDaddy

GoDaddy serves as a comprehensive services hub for entrepreneurs worldwide. They have a customer base of over 20 million and are dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary tools and support to thrive in the online space.

From helping entrepreneurs choose a suitable domain name and create a compelling brand to building attractive websites and implementing effective digital and social marketing strategies, GoDaddy offers a wide range of services tailored to their customers’ needs. Recognizing that personal guidance is sometimes essential, GoDaddy goes beyond tools and offers direct one-on-one support, establishing a human connection to assist entrepreneurs on their journey to success.

Why did we pick it?

• GoDaddy is dedicated to ensuring the visitor trust through the provision of free SSL certificates and the one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Business Email simply sweeten the deal.
• It provides support for unlimited websites and databases as well as an unmetered bandwidth and 10GB worth of storage.
• Their in-built website builder is easy to use and has all the features required to make a kick-ass a website without depending on WordPress.

Who should use it?

While the platform is not as features rich as other web hosting platforms, it is extremely easy to use and approach. It’s not only perfect for small businesses or those learning website development, but big organisations can also find use with the platform. For those seeking cost-effective hosting solutions, there’s an added advantage. By leveraging GoDaddy coupons available online, businesses, both small and large, can unlock budget-friendly hosting plans, ensuring that financial resources are wisely allocated while enjoying the benefits of GoDaddy’s user-friendly platform.

9. iPage

iPage is not just a web hosting platform; it puts a strong emphasis on the human element, prioritizing the best possible experience for customers. Whether it’s helping you design your website, creating email addresses, or providing support when you’re ready to publish, iPage ensures a seamless process.

With over 19 years of experience, the platform has built a strong reputation and offers competitive pricing, a free domain name, unlimited email accounts, and ample bandwidth and disk space. iPage hosting can easily take your business or idea online at an affordable price.

Why did we pick it?

• iPage includes a one-click WordPress installation feature that allows users to create a website within minutes depending on their requirements.
• It offers unlimited websites to be hosted from one account as well as unlimited storage.
• Along with the free domain for a year feature, their SSL certificate ensures the security of the data that is stored on the website.

Who should use it?

iPage is suitable for both beginners and experienced website developers and brands. However, their unlimited storage and bandwidth can be of particular importance to content-heavy, high-traffic organisations.

10. A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting was founded in 2001 by CEO Bryan Muthig with a vision to make online success more accessible. Conceived in a small house in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company has grown into a global hosting provider with a team of over 200 experts and data centers around the world. A2 Hosting remains committed to its roots and helps individuals and businesses bring their digital visions to life.

The platform offers fast and reliable hosting solutions, including turbo plans with advanced performance enhancements. Additionally, the company is dedicated to environmental sustainability through green hosting practices and partnerships with organizations fighting climate change.

Why did we pick it?

• A2 Hosting offers a 30-day money back guarantee and assured uptime to all their users, making it cost effective and worth the cost.
• It provides users with a free SSL certificate and has a library of features with a supportive maintenance team to address any concerns that may arise during the web hosting stage.
• Their platform is accessible from all global server hosting locations thus increasing its reliability.

Who should use it?

A2 Hosting is perfect for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs who do not have access to a large number of tools to build a coherent website.

Solutions Offered by the Best Web Hosting Platforms 

How to Use Web Hosting Platforms?

Web hosting platforms are an important requirement for individuals and businesses looking to establish an online presence. They provide all the necessary conditions for a platform’s growth such as infrastructure and tools to host the website.

There are some important points all new developers and business owners need to keep in mind when attempting to host a website online:

Choosing the right web hosting platform:

• Determine your website’s requirements, such as the expected traffic, storage needs, and technical capabilities.
• Consider factors like uptime guarantees, customer support quality, and scalability options.

Setting up your hosting account:

• Sign up for a hosting plan that suits your needs and budget.
• Pick a relevant domain name or transfer an existing one to your hosting provider.
• Complete the registration process and verify your account details.

Managing your website files:

• Access the hosting platform’s control panel or use FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to upload your website files.
• Organize your files into directories and ensure they are properly structured for easy navigation.
• Set appropriate file permissions to secure your website.

Configuring email accounts and databases:

• Create professional email accounts associated with your domain name for better branding.
• Set up databases if your website requires dynamic content or uses a content management system (CMS).

Installing and managing applications:

• Use one-click installers provided by the hosting platform to quickly install popular applications like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal.
• Stay up to date with application updates and security patches to protect your website.

Optimizing performance and security:

• Enable caching mechanisms to improve website loading speed.
• Implement SSL certificates to secure your website and enable HTTPS.
• Regularly back up your website files and databases to prevent data loss.

Monitoring and analyzing website performance:

• Utilise built-in analytics tools or third-party solutions to monitor website traffic, user behaviour, and conversion rates.
• Identify and address performance bottlenecks, such as slow page load times or broken links.

Scaling your hosting resources:

• Evaluate your website’s growth and consider upgrading your hosting plan to accommodate increased traffic and resource demands.
• Explore options for cloud hosting or virtual private servers (VPS) if you require more control and scalability.

The bottom line,

If you are trying to establish a solid online presence for your small business, choosing the right web hosting platform can make all the difference. After thorough research and meticulous evaluation, we have uncovered the best web hosting platforms tailored to meet the unique needs of small businesses.

Undoubtedly, one platform that shines above the rest is HostGator. With its impeccable uptime, lightning-fast loading speeds, and a plethora of features, HostGator proves to be a reliable and robust choice for businesses of all sizes.  For small businesses mindful of their budgets, we have found Hostinger to be the most cost-effective solution. It strikes the perfect balance between performance and affordability.

Remember, selecting the best web hosting platform is a critical investment in your small business’s digital success. Take into account your specific requirements, growth plans, and budgetary considerations before making a final decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is HostGator suitable for small businesses?
Yes, the platform is small-business friendly. HostGator offers a range of hosting plans, including shared hosting and dedicated servers, perfect for small businesses. With reliable uptime, fast loading speeds, and excellent customer support, HostGator provides the necessary foundation for your online presence.

2. Why is Hostinger considered cost-effective for small businesses?
Hostinger stands out as a cost-effective option due to its affordable pricing plans without compromising performance. Their feature-rich hosting packagesges, well-planned security measures and scalable infrastructure, make it an ideal choice for small businesses looking to maximize their budget.

3. What sets Bluehost apart for small businesses?
Bluehost caters to small businesses with its user-friendly interface and seamless WordPress integration. Their optimized hosting environment ensures faster load times and superior performance.

4. Can DreamHost handle the scalability needs of growing small businesses?
DreamHost offers scalable hosting solutions that can grow with your business. Whether you start with shared hosting or opt for a dedicated server later, DreamHost provides the flexibility and resources needed to accommodate increased traffic and evolving business demands. Their reliable performance and responsive support make it a strong contender for small businesses on the rise.