BlueHost vs. GoDaddy
After using BlueHost and GoDaddy the past few years, I’ve reached some conclusions. This is a comparison of each host to show which is better. The comparison will be between BlueHost’s Platinum Package and GoDaddy’s Deluxe Hosting.
My introduction to BlueHost
Believe it or not, the only reason I decided to try them was because of cj.com. Back in 2005, I was trying to figure out how to make money on the web. After reading a few webmaster forums, it appeared a lot of people were using affiliate programs. And, Linkshare and Commission Junction looked like the biggest ones.
After joining both, and learning web hosting was very lucrative for affiliates, I looked through CJ.com (since Linkshare is not big on web hosting) and examined the best performing web hosting companies. At the time, BlueHost was one of the best. So, I decided to buy a 1-year plan from them to see how good they were and eventually write a review.
The comparisons.
Well, two years later, I finally wrote a review. But, I didn’t compare them to the myriad of other hosts I have used over the years. So, to correct that, I will compare them to GoDaddy.
Pricing
BlueHost pricing is not competitive with GoDaddy. While GoDaddy charges you $6.99 and lets you pay month-to-month, BlueHost charges $9.95/month and you must commit to 3 months at a time.
Now, the hidden cost of GoDaddy is the toll free number. If you have any problems and need to call, the price savings over BlueHost can be eaten up fast. Because of this, when you look at total cost of hosting…
BlueHost and GoDaddy are tied.
Hosting Services
Over the years, there have not been any prolonged disruptions in service that I have noticed. While, each has had periods where a website was down, they were not long enough to dramatically impact earnings.
Added features.
BlueHost has a lot of free services you don’t get with GoDaddy. And, BlueHost makes them very easy to see and access. On the other hand, it seems GoDaddy goes out of its way to hide services in it’s interface. Plus, they seem ready to charge you for anything extra.
For an experienced webmaster, like myself, GoDaddy gives you the basics. You can add domains without too much problem. This is a big money saver when you need to host a lot of websites but aren’t ready for an individual package yet. BlueHost’s add-on domain feature is clumsy, by comparison.
To use BlueHost’s add-on domain feature, you have to CALL THEM and verify your account. It is a toll-free call, but still aggravating to wait on the phone to do something which could be done on the web. Because of this, I have not used this feature with BlueHost, which can’t be good for keeping customers.
BlueHost offers 50 databases while GoDaddy provides 25. This really makes no difference to me becuase it is dificult to use 10 DB’s (with multiple domains on the same account), let alone 25. It’s nice having extra DB space in case I need to add more features to my sites, but 25 or 50 makes little difference.
So, who provides better added hosting features? I think it depends on what you want. If you are looking for a lot of services, go with BlueHost. If you are looking to host multiple domains, use GoDaddy.
Once again, BlueHost and GoDaddy are equally matched.
Tech Support
This is the bread-and-butter for hosting companies. If you can’t talk to someone, you are essentially worthless as a web host. As stated earlier, my big consideration is a toll-free number. BlueHost has one and GoDaddy does not, which gives BlueHost an edge.
Wait time.
No one likes to wait on the phone for extended periods of time to get problems resolved. My experience with BlueHost is the response time is not great. But, then again, it is not good with GoDaddy either. The clincher is you are paying for all that dead time with GoDaddy. This gives BlueHost the advantage on wait time.
Knowledge.
When you finally reach someone, you want them to know what they are doing. I have gotten American, and non-American support from GoDaddy. Believe it or not, the American tech support can provide as aggravating an experience as non-American. But, all in all, GoDaddy was sufficient to get my problems solved.
BlueHost tech-support was always American, from my experience. They were no more effective than GoDaddy. So, if you need help with your website, billing, or domain, BlueHost and GoDaddy are even.
Overall, I give the edge to BlueHost for tech support. They have a toll-free number, compounded by wait times, and are even with GoDaddy on tech knowledge.
My choice.
Once it’s all said and done, I give the slight edge to BlueHost. And, I really do mean this is a slight edge. GoDaddy has the HUGE advantage with the add-on domain features (which directly transfers to earnings), but loses so much on tech support.
Instead of saying one is better than the other, I think it would be better to say BlueHost is better for the novice and GoDaddy is better for the experienced webmaster.
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Comments
Nice and objective review !
Living in China I found that websites on Godaddy were much quicker to upload compare to Blue Host. Not a criticism, just a fact…
I just left bluehost. Here is the bottom line, they lure customers with unethical tactics then treat them poorly. Just google for ‘best web hosters’ then check out a few that list Bluehost at the top. (like Top-10-web…),. Now, whois that domain and, voila, you’ll see it actually IS bluehost. They put up their own review sites, pay to get them top listing in google then write glowing reviews about themselves while trying to make you believe the review is objective. It’s unethical and just the tip of the iceberg. Only customers, like me, actually know the depths to which this company will go to steal a buck from you. My Advice is to stear clear of BlueHost or the many companies that masquerade as.
I cant see why toll free calling is a performance factor.
Vonage and Verizon have nationwide fixed fee plans
After 4 years with Bluehost, I’ve finally been burned. One of my domains – I have several on my account – was attacked by some sort of virus, unknown to me. My Bluehost account was suspended and support will do nothing to help me reactivate. The person I spoke with read to me from their computer screen, gave me incorrect information that didn’t agree with the email I received, and would not offer any useful info.
After asking to speak to a supervisor, I was transferred to a line that was never answered. Online chat support was rude and refused to listen. Now, I’m in the process of searching for a new host and hoping I can actually recover all of my files like the guy on the phone stated.
I am not at all happy with Bluehost.
I have a dozen or so domains with BlueHost.com for several years now. I experienced 4 other hosts prior to GH. BlueHost beats them all in every aspect. Tech support, knowledge base, price, domains, up-time, load-time, connection speed, server space, and Cpanel with scripts support.
Other providers have given me grief unimaginable.
I do not work for them. I am a happy customer, period.
Bluehost has unlimited add-on domains and I’ve never had to call them to add one. Am I missing something here? I have 3 or 4 with no problems.