Looking for the best web hosting company for your small business website? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve reviewed dozens of the most highly regarded web hosts across an array of metrics from value for the price, speed, and reliability to unique features and user-friendliness to find which are really the best of the best for small businesses.
Here are the seven best web hosts for small businesses in 2021:
- DreamHost: Best overall web hosting company for small businesses
- HostGator: Best value for unmetered storage and bandwidth
- Bluehost: Best web hosting company for startups and bloggers
- A2 Hosting: Best for speed-focused businesses seeking a faster web hosting service
- IONOS: Ideal for security-focused businesses, such as those that handle sensitive data
- GreenGeeks: Best for companies looking for powerful web hosting with a purpose
- Hostinger: Best for businesses that want ultra-low-cost, long-term plans
How We Evaluated the Best Web Hosting Companies
In the digital age, every business needs a website to maintain an online presence, and to have a site online, you need web hosting. However, with so many hosting providers available, it can be difficult to determine which is right for you. That’s why we researched web hosting companies to find the best options based on the factors that matter most to small businesses, such as reliability, affordability, and money-saving extras.
After careful evaluation, we found out that DreamHost is the best overall web hosting option for small businesses. It is a reliable web hosting platform with terrific support and a beginner-friendly cPanel available at a very competitive price. Continue reading below to find out other web hosting companies made it to our list.
However, for more information on how we evaluated the best cheap web hosts click on the tabs below:
35% of Overall Score
The best plans not only give you the features and tools you need, but at a competitive price. In order to make our list, web hosting companies needed to not only offer low prices to meet the needs of businesses on a budget, but offer good value for the price.
40% of Overall Score
The best web hosting companies include a lot more than just storage and bandwidth. In addition, you’ll notice that plans come with all sorts of features and added inclusions. From freebies like a domain name, SSL certificates, and business email addresses to tools like one-click WordPress installation and WordPress migration services, there are plans that include the features you need.
10% of Overall Score
As much as support may not sound like a key feature, the availability and quality of support can make a world of difference. We sought web hosting companies that offer round-the-clock customer support in various mediums, from live chat to phone, so that should you have a problem or simply have a question, the help you need is always there for you.
15% of Overall Score
There’s only so much you can glean from provider websites and user reviews. Sometimes you have to test drive a web host to get a feel for how it really drives. So we did exactly that, and included our own expert opinion given our first-hand experience with the top web hosting companies.
Here are the seven best web hosting companies for small businesses in 2021:
DreamHost
PROS
- Low-cost plans for all contract lengths
- Includes everything you need to build a new business website (e.g., free domain, free SSL certificate)
- User-friendly cPanel is great for WordPress beginners
CONS
- Free domains are only available with long-term plans
- Unlimited storage is not included with the entry-level plan
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Support | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 3.88 | OUT OF | 5 |
DreamHost is an award-winning web host that offers reliable web hosting at ultra-competitive prices starting as low as $2.59 per month. Those looking for not just a low price but a great value will find DreamHost to be an ideal solution to those building a new small business website. Its plans come with everything you need to get started, from a free domain to one-click WordPress installation, and very helpful support that’s always there to assist you.
Pricing
- Standard, 12-month plans start at $3.95 per month
- Long-term, 36-month plans start at $2.59 per month
- Short-term, month-to-month plans start at $4.95 per month
Standout Features
- Various contract lengths from month-to-month to 36 months
- Entry-level shared hosting plan offers ample storage of 50GB
- Unlimited bandwidth comes standard across all plans
- Many freebies included (e.g., free domains, free SSL certificates, free business email)
- User-friendly cPanel interface is good for beginners
- Peace of mind with a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Top-rated customer support available 24/7
HostGator
PROS
- All plans include unlimited storage and bandwidth
- Free WordPress website transfer service
- Pricing does not increase upon renewal like other web hosting companies
CONS
- Backups are not automated
- Users report that server maintenance is occasionally unannounced
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.65 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Support | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 3.13 | OUT OF | 5 |
HostGator is a leading web hosting company that stands out for its inclusion of unmetered storage and bandwidth on all plans, starting at $3.95 per month for 12-month contracts, and as low as $2.75 per month with 36-month contracts. Plans also include extras, such as instant backups, one-click WordPress installation, and affordable dedicated IP address add-ons. It’s the best option for established businesses with media-heavy sites with high traffic volumes.
Pricing
- Standard 12-month plans start at $3.95 per month ($8.95 per month upon renewal)
- Long-term, 36-month plans start at $2.75 per month ($6.95 per month upon renewal)
- Short-term, month-to-month plans start at $10.95 per month
Standout Features
- Unmetered storage and bandwidth come standard on all plans
- Instant backups included
- Affordable dedicated IP address add-on (optional)
- Longer than industry-average money-back guarantee of 45 days
- Free domain name and SSL certificate
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- 24/7 customer support available via live chat and phone
Debating between Bluehost and DreamHost? Get the comparison of Bluehost vs DreamHost.
Bluehost
PROS
- Low-cost plans starting at $2.95 per month
- Includes a free domain and SSL certificate
- Includes business email for free
CONS
- Month-to-month plans are not available
- Prices increase upon renewal
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.24 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Support | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.13 | OUT OF | 5 |
Bluehost is a well-known and fan-favorite web hosting company that offers low-cost web hosting plans packed with freebies. Plans at $4.95 per month on a 12-month contract, or as low as $2.95 per month with a long-term, 36-month contract. It’s best for those that are just starting out, such as a new blogger or startup that needs everything from a domain to business email in one place and for one low price.
Pricing
- Standard 12-month plans start at $4.95 per month ($9.99 upon renewal)
- Long-term, 36-month plans start at $2.95 per month ($8.99 upon renewal)
- Short-term, month-to-month plans are not available
Standout Features
- Low-cost introductory pricing
- Entry-level plan comes with 50GB of storage and unlimited bandwidth
- Lots of freebies (e.g., free domain, free SSL certificate, free business email, free content delivery network (CDN))
- Easy-to-use, one-click WordPress installation
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 support via phone and live chat
A2 Hosting
PROS
- One of the fastest hosting services on the market
- Four server locations to choose from across three continents
- Generous storage and unlimited bandwidth
CONS
- Prices jump up upon renewal
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.33 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.38 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Support | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 3.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
A2 Hosting is one of the industry’s fastest web hosting providers with the lowest page load times and prices as low as $2.49 per month. Its entry level-plan comes with a generous 100GB of storage, unlimited bandwidth, and a solid-state drive (SSD) for added site speed. On top of its quick loading speed, it also comes with a free WordPress website migration service, making it the best choice for businesses with a content-heavy site that needs to move to a faster web hosting service.
Wondering why SiteGround, the most well-known web hosting company for fast speeds, didn’t make the cut? A2 offers nearly the same load times but with 10X the storage limit at a lower price.
Pricing
- Standard 12-month plans start at $5.99 per month ($6.99 upon renewal)
- Long-term, 36-month plans start at $2.49 per month ($2.99 upon renewal)
- Short-term, month-to-month plans start at $9.99 per month ($10.99 upon renewal)
Standout Features
- Industry-leading load times
- Free SSD for fastest speeds
- Free site migration service
- Reliable hosting with high uptimes
- Risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Entry-level plan comes with 100GB of storage and unlimited bandwidth
- Built-in security features
IONOS
PROS
- Plans include daily site backups
- Built-in anti-spam protection
- Reliable with uptimes
CONS
- Pricing increases upon renewal
- The cPanel is not beginner-friendly
- Users report that support isn’t the best
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.24 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 2.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Support | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
IONOS by 1&1 is one of the leading web hosting companies that’s known for its ridiculously low introductory pricing, which starts at just $1 per month. Where it really stands out, though, isn’t its pricing, but because it includes extras like free daily site backups and built-in anti-spam protection. These functionalities make it a great choice for businesses that handle sensitive data and information, such as medical practices that accept online appointments or law firms.
Pricing
- Standard 12-month plans start at $1 per month ($6 to $10 upon renewal)
- Long-term, 36-month plans start at $4 per month ($6 upon renewal)
- Short-term, month-to-month plans start at $6 per month
Standout Features
- The entry-level plan comes with a generous storage limit of 10GB
- Daily backups for added site security
- Includes built-in spam protection
- High average uptime of 99.8%
- 30-day money-back guarantee
GreenGeeks
PROS
- Eco-friendly web hosting company
- Fast and reliable with a high average uptime of over 99.9%
- Free website migration service
CONS
- It’s not the cheapest web hosting company
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.88 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 2.88 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Support | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 1.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
GreenGeeks is a fairly new web hosting company that has quickly become one of the best web hosting companies for small businesses, and even more so, those that are on a mission to help the planet. As the name infers, GreenGeeks is an environmentally friendly web host that uses an energy-efficient platform, but it also promises to offset the energy used to power your site by 300% by purchasing wind energy credits. Pretty cool!
Pricing
- Standard 12-month plans start at $4.95 per month ($6.99 upon renewal)
- Long-term, 36-month plans start at $2.95 per month ($2.99 upon renewal)
- Short-term, month-to-month plans start at $9.95 per month ($9.99 upon renewal)
Standout Features
- Environmentally-friendly web hosting company
- Fast and reliable web hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Free domain name
- Free website migration service for those looking to switch from a different provider
- Free automated backups
- Built-in security features
- Helpful customer support
Hostinger
PROS
- Very competitively priced long-term plans
- Free domain name, SSL certificate, and daily backups
- Fast in the U.S. and U.K.
CONS
- One-click WordPress installation is not included with the shared plan
- Bandwidth is not unlimited
- It doesn’t come with a free business email
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 2.38 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Support | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 2.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
Hostinger is hands-down one of the cheapest web hosting companies on the market. However, it’s not just its insanely low price tag of under $1 that earns it the title of best web host for small business. What makes it stand out is its value for the price, which comes with extras like a free domain, a free SSL certificate, and daily backups. It also goes above and beyond when it comes to performance transparency, as its one of the few hosts that publicly monitors its servers.
Pricing
- Standard 12-month plans start at $2.99 per month ($5.99 upon renewal)
- Long-term, 36-month plans start at $1.59 per month ($0.99 upon renewal)
- Short-term, month-to-month plans start at $9.99 per month
Standout Features
- Some of the cheapest plans on the market
- Despite the low price, it comes with extras like a free domain and free SSL certificate
- Free daily backups
- Publicly monitors its own server performance
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- 24/7 customer support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get free web hosting?
There are a number of providers that offer free web hosting. However, there is a reason why most businesses opt for paid hosting services, as they tend to provide a lot more value in terms of storage, bandwidth, speed, security, and reliability. Get the full breakdown of the best free hosting providers.
Which is better: Bluehost or GoDaddy?
When it comes to Bluehost vs GoDaddy, it can be difficult to choose which offers better web hosting services as they each offer very similar plans. A couple of key differences are that Bluehost is cheaper with long-term plans, and GoDaddy offers a drag-and-drop site builder, making it best for those who need an easy way to launch a site in little to no time. Learn more about Bluehost vs GoDaddy.
Can I use Bluehost with Squarespace?
No. Squarespace is an all-in-one site builder that comes with everything you need to build a new website, including web hosting. This means there’s no need to get third-party web hosting from providers such as Bluehost if you’re building a site with Squarespace. If you’re on the fence between building a site with WordPress (using Bluehost) or Squarespace, get the complete breakdown of Bluehost vs Squarespace.
You Might Also Like…
- Building your first website? Learn more about creating a small business website.
- Before buying a domain, get expert advice on how to choose a domain name.
- After securing web hosting, learn how to easily make a WordPress website.
Sunil Gupta
The comparison looks nice with industry-top companies, offering multiple products and services globally.
However, there are lots of web hosting companies and many of them offer sometimes even better products and services if you compare with their prices and
technical support.
E.g. India based web hosting provider Domain & Server (domainandserver.com/) has many great features starting from beginners in the web industry and ending for high end online Business projects.
I’d suggest to check them and many other small but reputable hosting providers, which are best with their services.
Thank you.
Amanda Norman
Hi Sunil,
Thank you for the suggestion! We typically review and update our guides approximately once per year and can take a look at it before the next update.
You’re right that there are numerous options out there for web hosting; we even have an article listing free web hosting options.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Mandy, Moderator