Best Web Hosting For Small Business | The Top 9 Reviewed and Tested

Our independent research projects and impartial reviews are funded in part by affiliate commissions, at no extra cost to our readers. Learn more

For small business website owners, picking a reliable shared hosting provider is vital. Your choice will have a large impact on revenue and customer satisfaction, and to ensure that those impacts are positive rather than negative, we’ve compiled this guide to the best web hosting for small businesses.

Our winner is HostGator, with an impressive score of 4.9 out of 5! Its affordable plans and 45-day money-back guarantee make it an ideal choice for small businesses who want to test the water first. HostGator is also our top hosting provider for help and support, thanks to its 24/7 phone and live chat features.

In second place, we have Bluehost, scoring 4.6 out of 5. It also performed well for help and support which is a real plus when you’re just starting to find your footing online, and its shared hosting plans are pretty on par with HostGator for price. Close behind, we have DreamHost with 4.5 out of 5. It comes third in our research for best price, and it’s good value for money which makes it a very accessible choice for small businesses on a budget.

Each review is based on the factors that matter, from pricing and features to server uptime. We’ll cover each provider in detail below – but first, the ranking:

The 9 Best Hosting Providers for Small Businesses

  1. HostGator Best overall shared hosting provider
  2. Bluehost Most trusted by users online
  3. DreamHost Longest money-back guarantee
  4. Hostinger Best value for money
  5. InMotion Robust security across the board
  6. GoDaddy Hosting Awesome help and support
  7. iPage Great performance on a budget
  8. A2 Hosting Free expert migrations
  9. IONOS Best for site speed and uptime

Compare the 9 Best Hosting Providers for Small Businesses

We’ve kicked off this chart with the top three hosts, but you can choose other providers using the arrow at the top. The chart lets you compare each host side-by-side on everything from pricing to key features.

Swipe right to see more
0 out of 0

HostGator

Bluehost

DreamHost

Hostinger

InMotion

GoDaddy

iPage

A2 Hosting

IONOS

Overall rating
4.9
Overall rating
4.6
Overall rating
4.5
Overall rating
4.4
Overall rating
4.2
Overall rating
4.2
Overall rating
4.2
Overall rating
4.1
Overall rating
4.1
Starting from

$4.95

Starting from

$2.95

Starting from

$2.95

Starting from

$2.99

$2.49 + 3 months free (with the 48-month plan)

Starting from

$3.49

Starting from

$6.99

Starting from

$1.99

Starting from

$2.99

Starting from

$0.50

Uptime

99.99%

Uptime

99.98%

Uptime

100%

Uptime

99.99%

Uptime

99.98%

Uptime

99.97%

Uptime

99.94%

Uptime

99.95%

Uptime

99.99%

Free backups
Free backups
Free backups
Free backups
Free backups
Free backups
Free backups
Free backups
Free backups
Storage space

Unmetered

Storage space

10GB – Unlimited

Storage space

50GB – Unlimited

Storage space

30GB – 200GB

Storage space

75GB – Unlimited

Storage space

25GB – 100GB

Storage space

Unlimited

Storage space

100GB – Unlimited

Storage space

25GB – Unlimited

Bandwidth

Unmetered

Bandwidth

Unmetered

Bandwidth

Unmetered

Bandwidth

100GB – Unmetered

Bandwidth

Unlimited

Bandwidth

Unmetered

Bandwidth

Unmetered

Bandwidth

Unmetered

Bandwidth

Unlimited

Visit HostGator Visit Bluehost Visit DreamHost Visit Hostinger Visit InMotion Visit GoDaddy Visit iPage Visit A2 Hosting Visit IONOS
We pride ourselves on our thorough research process – we want to provide you with expert knowledge and accurate information on topics that are important to you.

Every hosting provider has been tested and analyzed in various performance areas to calculate our ratings:

  • Price – Is the provider good value for money?
  • Performance – How dependable is the server? Good uptime?
  • Features – What add-ons and essentials are included?
  • Help and support – How easy is it to get assistance when you need it?
  • Market analysis – Has the provider made an impact in the market?

Each hosting provider in this article has earned a score for these separate focus areas, based on the data we’ve gathered. We then find the average to give an overall score.

But, how did we make our hosting research specific to small businesses?

We knew this ranking wouldn’t be complete unless we tailored our research approach to focus on the hosting elements that matter the most to small businesses. So, we tweaked our algorithm to emphasize the following:

  • Shared hosting – The hosting type that applies the most to small businesses
  • Pricing – The providers that offer the best value for money
  • Help and support – The providers that offer the most support for anyone new to hosting

Take a look at our article on how we conduct our hosting research if you want to find out more.

Discover the best hosting plan for your website in one minute – just answer six questions.

What kind of website(s) do you have?

Find Your Hosting Provider

#1. HostGator

Best Overall Shared Hosting Provider

Shared Hosting: $2.75–$17.95/month

Editor's Choice

HostGator

Best overall shared hosting provider

Excellent

4.9

out of 5
  • Excellent site speed
  • Powerful features
  • Best help and support

Paid Plans: $3.95 - $159.99 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg Unlimited storage
  • icon yes svg Unmetered bandwidth
  • icon yes svg Free email marketing tools

Cons

  • icon no svg Poor server response time
  • icon no svg Single website on cheapest plan
  • icon no svg Not the best value for money
Read Review

Overview

HostGator is our top recommended hosting provider for small businesses, scoring an impressive 4.9 out of 5 in our research overall. This is a huge leap from its previous third place position in our pre-2023 rankings when it scored 4.3! It’s a beginner-friendly, feature-rich service with a reliable uptime of 99.99%.

HostGator’s plans are relatively cheap, and they come with a 45-day money-back guarantee, so small businesses can test out the water without risking precious savings. It’s also worth mentioning that HostGator has the highest help and support score of any hosting provider we tested – across all categories, not just small businesses!

Price: 3.7/5

When it comes to HostGator’s pricing, there’s plenty for you to sink your teeth into. The three shared packages are:

  • Hatchling – from $2.75/month. Entry-level, and great value for money.
  • Baby – from $3.50/month. Offers more help for those growing a small business.
  • Business – from $5.25/month. Best for businesses that are already growing fast.

We highly recommend shared hosting plans for small businesses. They don’t cost a lot of money, and you get a lot of bang for your buck. Plus, the 45-day money-back guarantee is a low-risk way of trying it out for yourself before making a decision.

Help and Support: 4.8/5

HostGator’s help and support is the best of the best, and it’s a key reason why this hosting provider is our number one choice for small businesses.

The knowledge base is truly a treasure trove of helpful information, and if you can’t find an answer to your problem there, HostGator’s support team is on hand 24/7 via phone and live chat. It’s easy to see why HostGator scored so highly in the category!

Features: 4.1/5

Along with its impressive help and support, HostGator’s shared plans offer a whole host of top-tier features, including:

  • Free domain for 1st year
  • Unmetered bandwidth
  • Unlimited storage
  • Free SSL certification
  • One-click WordPress installation

And, when it comes to web hosting for small businesses in particular, HostGator’s standout feature is its integration with Constant Contact, the premium email marketing software. On any shared plan, you can access Constant Contact’s resources for free for the first three months (after which you can either cancel the integration or start paying $20/month).

We definitely recommend making use of your free three months, at least – you’ll be able to keep in touch with existing customers, and attract new ones, through personalized newsletters and automated email campaigns.

Performance: 4.2/5

HostGator’s uptime rate is 99.99% – in a world where 100% uptime is impossible to truly guarantee, HostGator’s figures are basically as good as it gets! And, if HostGator falls short of this uptime promise, you’re entitled to one month of credit in return.

hostgator logo

Interested in Our Number One Pick for Small Business Hosting?

HostGator scores highly across the board, from help and support to performance. It’s our top choice for a reason – with a rating of 4.9 out of 5!

Further Information

#2. Bluehost

Most Trusted by Users Online

Shared Hosting: $2.95–$28.99/month

People's Choice

Bluehost

Most trusted by users online

Excellent

4.6

out of 5
  • Consistently reliable
  • Affordable plans
  • Great support

Paid Plans: $1.99 - $119.99 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg 99.98% uptime
  • icon yes svg Stays cheap after initial discounts
  • icon yes svg Generous features

Cons

  • icon no svg Not the most storage space
  • icon no svg Watch for additional costs
  • icon no svg Average performance
Read Review

Overview

While HostGator tops the charts, Bluehost certainly makes a compelling case in second.

Bluehost has remained consistent, with its score staying at 4.6 out of 5 since our pre-2023 research. However, in that time, Bluehost has dropped into second place from its previous position at the top of the list. That being said, in our market analysis testing, Bluehost remains victorious with an impressive 4.9 out of 5, making it our most trusted hosting provider with users, even vs HostGator. With comprehensive features, excellent customer service, and affordable shared hosting plans, it continues to be a solid choice for small businesses.

Let’s take a deeper look at what Bluehost has to offer.

Price: 3.5/5

Save Up to 70% On Selected Plans In Bluehost’s Exclusive Sale!

You can now save up to 70% on Bluehost’s plans, meaning you can get its cheapest shared plan for just $2.95 per month for a 12-month subscription. Don’t miss out!

Bluehost’s pricing for shared ranges from $2.95–$28.99, making them a cost-effective choice for any new or small business. Its four plans – Basic, Plus, Choice Plus, and Pro – all come with cheap introductory fees to help you get started. Here’s what a 12-month subscription looks like:

  • Basic: from $2.95/month
  • Plus: from $5.45/month
  • Choice Plus: from $5.45/month
  • Pro: from $13.95/month

Bluehost’s hosting plans also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re not completely happy with the service you receive, you’ll get a full refund.

Help and Support: 4.6/5

With a score of 4.6 out of 5, just missing out on the number one spot, Bluehost still comes second in our help and support testing for small businesses. So, how can the hosting provider help you?

  • 24/7 live chat
  • 24/7 phone support
  • Knowledge center

Features: 3.4/5

Bluehost scored a fairly average 3.4 out of 5 for its features, and that’s partly due to the limitations of the shared hosting plans offered. Storage space is more restricted than Bluehost alternatives, and automated backups aren’t included in the two cheapest plans. That being said, there are plenty of other features on offer.

So, what do you get with Bluehost? Its key features include:

  • Free domain for your first year
  • 10GB–100GB storage
  • Free SSL certificate
  • Unmetered bandwidth

One of the big reasons why Bluehost is so popular is its easy integration with WordPress – in fact, it’s the provider we recommend most for WordPress users due to its carefully tailored features. The one-click installation is a joy, and means even the least technical user can launch their site with both WordPress and Bluehost. Watch our video tutorial if you don’t believe us!

Performance: 3.3/5

Our research found Bluehost’s server speed and uptime to be underwhelming considering the popularity of the provider. Its 99.98% uptime guarantee is pretty much on par with HostGator, but HostGator has a much faster and more reliable site speed according to our testing.

bluehost logo

Looking for a Trustworthy Hosting Provider?

Bluehost performed consistently well in our research. Its reliability, affordable plans, and wealth of features are hard to resist!

Further Information

#3. DreamHost

Longest Money-Back Guarantee

Shared Hosting: $2.59–$8.95/month

DreamHost

Longest money-back guarantee

Excellent

4.5

out of 5
  • Cheap plans
  • Quality features
  • Impressive storage space

Paid Plans: $2.95 - $379 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg 97-day money-back guarantee
  • icon yes svg Pre-installed WordPress
  • icon yes svg 24/7 live chat

Cons

  • icon no svg No direct phone support
  • icon no svg Limited Starter plan
  • icon no svg No free email addresses on Starter plan
Read Review

Overview

With its quality features and immense storage space, DreamHost is great value for money for any small business that has plenty of content to host – plus there’s room to grow! WordPress comes pre-installed, and you get automated daily backups, free domain privacy, as well as advanced features like Shell access – all at a cheap price.

Price: 4.1/5

For a three-year contract, DreamHost’s pricing start at these affordable introductory prices:

  • Shared Starter: $2.59/month
  • Shared Unlimited: $3.95/month

It’s worth noting that you can get the Unlimited plan for the same price as the Starter if you lock in for one year only!

While it isn’t top of our research for price, it scores well thanks to the partnership between price and all of its other wonderful features. You get a lot for your money!

One of the biggest standout features for DreamHost is its excellent 97-day money-back guarantee, which means you can try it totally risk-free and get a full refund if you find it’s not the right fit for you.

Help and Support: 3.5/5

DreamHost doesn’t offer direct phone support, unlike vs HostGator, which is a major drawback of this provider. That said, you can request a callback, so you’ll still be able to speak to a person over the phone if it’s a priority for you.

Alternatively, DreamHost’s live chat support is available for the majority of the day, or you can submit a general ticket which is a 24/7 service.

Features: 4/5

We were very impressed by DreamHost’s shared hosting plan features, and it performs well overall in our research. With each package, you’ll get access to:

  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • Daily backups
  • Free SSL
  • Custom-built control panel

However, you’ll need to upgrade to the Shared Unlimited plan if you want, you guessed it, more unlimited features. Unlimited websites, email accounts tailored to your domain, and storage, are all a part of the higher-tier plan, so keep that in mind when considering which one to go for.

Performance: 3.6/5

DreamHost’s performance is fairly middle of the road, despite its 100% uptime guarantee, but it still fulfills its job well enough to rank third in our list. It also excelled in our site speed testing, with the second best score of any of our hosting providers!

dreamhost logo

Want To Get Great Value for Money?

DreamHost’s feature-rich plans and low prices combine to offer a budget-friendly and high-quality option.

Further Information

#4. Hostinger

Best Value for Money

Shared Hosting: $1.99–$15.99/month

Hostinger

Best value for money

Very Good

4.4

out of 5
  • Affordable plans
  • Wide variety of features
  • 24/7 live chat support

Paid Plans: $2.99 - $109.99 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg Renewal prices are cheap
  • icon yes svg Multilingual support team
  • icon yes svg 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • icon no svg No phone support
  • icon no svg Poor performance
  • icon no svg Limited cheaper plans
Read Review

Overview

Hostinger combines affordable prices with a huge range of features – an impressive value score of 4.6 out of 5 makes it one of the best cheap web hosting providers. With discounted prices starting at just $1.99 per month, and with three shared plans to choose from, Hostinger has a lot to offer. But, its main downfall is its lack of help and support options, as well as its overall performance.

Price: 4.6/5

With the highest score for price out of any provider on this list, it’s no surprise that Hostinger’s pricing has a cheap introductory rate, especially for its longest 48-month subscription:

  • Single: from $1.99/month
  • Premium: from $2.99/month
  • Business: from $3.99/month

Hostinger’s discounted plans are a real steal, but don’t worry if you’re not ready to commit just yet! Hostinger promises a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can fully test the waters first.

Help and Support: 3.1/5

Our research found Hostinger’s help and support to be fairly average. There’s prompt email support, 24/7 live chat, and a searchable knowledge base on hand for any queries that pop up. Plus, Hostinger’s support team is multilingual, with offices around the world ready to field questions.

However, Hostinger doesn’t offer phone support, which could be a dealbreaker for some customers.

Features: 4.1/5

Despite its low prices, Hostinger has a good amount of features considering the cost. They’re spread across three shared hosting plans: Single, Premium, and Business. Its cheapest shared plan – Single – includes free SSL, 50GB storage, and 100GB bandwidth. On the other end of the spectrum, its most feature-rich shared plan – Business – goes a bit further, including:

  • 200GB storage
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • Free daily backups
  • Up to 100 email accounts @ your domain

Hostinger’s features are decent for getting started, and it might be a good fit for your business needs.

Performance: 2.4/5

Hostinger’s performance score is the lowest of all the providers on this list. It has an advertised uptime of 99.9%, which is monitored all day by a team of experts and engineers, but it seemed to struggle in our testing. And, its server response time lags in comparison to speedier providers such as IONOS.

hostinger logo

Want To Save Money With Hostinger?

If affordability and features matter more to you than uptime and support options, then Hostinger has all the tools your site will need for success.

Further Information

#5. InMotion

Robust Security Across the Board

Shared Hosting: $2.49–$27.99/month

InMotion

Robust security across the board

Very Good

4.2

out of 5
  • Strong shared plans
  • Excellent security
  • Good value for money

Paid Plans: $3.49 - $539.99 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg Unlimited storage space
  • icon yes svg Free SSL
  • icon yes svg Quality support team

Cons

  • icon no svg Not the cheapest provider
  • icon no svg More limited in cheaper plans
  • icon no svg Poor site speed and uptime
Read Review

Overview

InMotion isn’t the cheapest option on the list, but you get access to a lot of great features with each plan – the security, support, and storage space on offer are excellent. It’s also got its own website builder, just in case you still need to build your business website. With a score of 4.2 out of 5, InMotion sits comfortably in the middle of the pack, but it’s in the features, and help and support categories, where this provider really shines.

Price: 3/5

When it comes to shared hosting, InMotion is pretty good value for money. There are four plans to consider, and its 36-month contracts have the best deals:

  • Core: from $2.49/month
  • Launch: from $4.99/month
  • Power: from $4.99/month
  • Pro: from $12.99/month

No matter which plan you choose, InMotion has a generous 90-day money-back guarantee, so don’t sweat it!

Help and Support: 4.5/5

InMotion has a quality support team, with phone and live chat services, which is why it scores so highly in our testing – even vs Bluehost. The support staff is US-based and available 24/7, and they’re ready to answer any questions you might have.

In fact, InMotion’s website claims its support staff goes through over 80 hours of training to ensure users have the best customer experience, so you know you’re in good hands!

Features: 4.2/5

As we’ve said, InMotion has four shared hosting plans, and its most basic – Core – provides you with:

  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • 100GB storage
  • Free SSL
  • Free email account @ your domain

If you upgrade from the Core plan to Launch or above, you’ll also get unlimited websites, storage, and email addresses, as well as a free domain name!

We were particularly impressed by InMotion’s security features, too. All plans come with hack and malware protection, access to a backup manager, SSH access, and spam experts.

Performance: 3.5/5

Our research found InMotion to have a fairly poor site speed and uptime, which is a real let down when you want your website to be reliable and fast. InMotion does allow its users to choose from multiple data centers around the world – 46 locations to be exact – so you can try to host your website in the fastest zone possible!

inmotion logo

Interested in InMotion’s Shared Hosting?

InMotion is a strong all-rounder with great features on its shared plans. It also boasts some of the best security measures of any provider!

Further Information

#6. GoDaddy Hosting

Awesome Help and Support

Shared Hosting: $6.99–$21.99/month

GoDaddy

Awesome help and support

Very Good

4.2

out of 5
  • More expensive plans
  • Good server response time
  • Strong support

Paid Plans: $6.99 - $469.99 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg 24/7 phone and live chat
  • icon yes svg Free SSL certificate
  • icon yes svg Global data centers

Cons

  • icon no svg Poor site speed
  • icon no svg Less affordable than other providers
  • icon no svg Mediocre performance score
Read Review

Overview

GoDaddy’s shared hosting plans aren’t as brilliant as HostGator, but it’s a fairly well-rounded hosting provider with consistently good scores for help and support. The major negative of GoDaddy Hosting is its expensive price point, and mediocre performance. Interestingly, it’s our second best hosting provider for server response time, but struggles when it comes to site speed – if GoDaddy could remedy the issue, they’d be in a much better position.

Price: 3.7/5

GoDaddy has four shared hosting plans, starting with Economy and going up to the Maximum plan. Its three year subscription has the cheapest introductory prices, so if you’re up for locking in long term then they’re worth checking out for a better deal.

In the meantime, here’s GoDaddy’s shared hosting 12-month terms:

  • Economy: from $6.99/month
  • Deluxe: from $11.99/month
  • Ultimate: from $14.99/month
  • Maximum: from $21.99/month

All of these include a free domain and free SSL. As you can see, GoDaddy’s Hosting plans are pretty pricey in comparison to other alternatives for web hosting on this list, and we know that cost can be an important factor for small businesses.

Help and Support: 4/5

The help and support features are a real highlight of GoDaddy Hosting. It secured itself a solid 4 out of 5 in our research and consistently scored highly in our analysis. The 24/7 phone and live chat support are a real asset, and GoDaddy makes sure its support services are accessible worldwide. So, you never have to worry about being caught out without the helpful resource!

Features: 4.3/5

Though its cost and performance is nothing to shout home about, GoDaddy Hosting has some excellent features to keep it in consideration. All of its shared plans come with the following built-in:

  • Unmetered bandwidth
  • Daily backups
  • Free 1-click WordPress installation
  • Free domain
  • Free SSL certificate

It’s worth highlighting that a range of features like storage space and the number of websites allowed will fluctuate between plans, so make sure to check out each plan in full to find the right fit for you.

Performance: 3.2/5

GoDaddy ranks second in our server response time testing, but is at a disadvantage due to its poor site speed. So, if reliability is important to you, you might want to consider Hostinger instead with its impressive performance score of 4.2 out of 5!

godaddy logo

Is Help and Support a Priority?

GoDaddy Hosting is a little more expensive than other plans, and it doesn’t perform as well overall, but you’re paying for quality features and support. Try it for yourself!

Further Information

#7. iPage

Great Performance on a Budget

Shared Hosting: $1.99–$2.99/month

iPage

Great performance on a budget

Very Good

4.2

out of 5
  • Affordable plan
  • Good for site speed
  • 24/7 support

Paid Plans: $2.99 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg Enhanced security suite
  • icon yes svg Unlimited domain names
  • icon yes svg 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • icon no svg Limited scalability
  • icon no svg No email support
  • icon no svg Steeper renewal prices
Read Review

Overview

In seventh place, we have iPage, scoring a strong 4.2 out of 5 in our small business hosting research. Despite its placement in the list, we still think it’s a decent provider and would recommend it as a good affordable alternative to some of our pricier options like GoDaddy Hosting. It’s also the only provider on the list that offers one shared hosting plan, so you don’t need to worry about choosing the right package because everything’s in one place!

Price: 3.5/5

iPage’s one payment plan – Go Plan – keeps things simple and cheap. You don’t need to worry about upgrading or knowing which features come with which plan, and it’s a very affordable option for small businesses on a budget. Take a look at its 36-month subscription:

  • Go Plan: from $1.99/month

However, the lack of range with no additional shared hosting plans means you might feel a little restricted compared to the best ecommerce hosting providers. But, it can be a good starting point at least.

Don’t forget to consider renewal prices too. The $1.99 deal for a 36-month term sounds unbeatable, but when you renew, it’ll jump to $7.99.

Help and Support: 3.7/5

iPage’s support team is available via live chat 24/7 to handle any problems you face, or you can give them a call between 7am and 12am each day. So, they’re pretty easy to reach should you need to!

iPage’s website also has a helpful Knowledge Base, so you might be able to find a solution by yourself with a quick search of its help center.

Features: 3.3/5

iPage’s single shared hosting plan comes with an expected amount of features, but nothing that makes it stand out amongst the crowd. The main features you’ll find include:

  • Unlimited websites
  • Unlimited storage
  • Free SSL certificate
  • Free domain for a year
  • 1-click WordPress installation

Performance: 4.2/5

iPage came joint third with HostGator for site speed in our overall testing, which is a really great positive if you want a fast-loading site. It was also joint first for performance in our small business research, so you know you’re getting a reliable service with iPage.

ipage logo

Looking for an Affordable Alternative to the Top Providers?

iPage could be for you! Its simple and cheap payment plan makes it a great option for small businesses on a budget.

Further Information

#8. A2 Hosting

Free Expert Migrations

Shared Hosting: $2.99–$25.99/month

A2 Hosting

Free expert migrations

Very Good

4.1

out of 5
  • Quality support team
  • Less affordable
  • Free migration

Paid Plans: $6.59 - $529.99 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg 30-day money-back guarantee
  • icon yes svg Global server locations
  • icon yes svg Free SSL certificate

Cons

  • icon no svg Average prices
  • icon no svg Poor performance score
  • icon no svg Limited basic plan
Read Review

Overview

A2 Hosting has dropped quite significantly since our last analysis of small business hosting, falling from fourth position in our pre-2023 rankings to eighth with a new score of 4.1 out of 5. Its shared hosting plans are more expensive than others, and it has a weak performance score. That being said, we do think its library of features and responsive support team add value to A2 Hosting.

Price: 3.2/5

A2 Hosting’s shared plans lean towards being more expensive than others. For example, its cheapest option starts at $2.99 for 36 months, or $10.99 for one month, and the most expensive begins at $12.99 for 36 months, or $22.09 for a one month trial. But, A2 Hosting’s shared hosting plans have a real range of pricing, so you can find one that fits your budget.

You get a cheaper deal the longer you commit, and in A2 Hosting’s case, that’s a three-year contract. Take a look at the fees for each plan:

  • Startup: from $2.99/month
  • Drive: from $5.99/month
  • Turbo Boost: from $6.99/month
  • Turbo Max: from $12.99/month

One major plus, though, is that A2 has an 30-day money-back guarantee policy in place which gives you plenty of time to test out its services. That means if, for whatever reason, you’re not satisfied with the service you’re receiving, you can get a full refund within that window.

Help and Support: 3.5/5

Despite the middle-of-the-road score of 3.5 out of 5, A2 Hosting does offer a good range of support services via its Guru Crew Support team. You can reach out to them via global phone lines, live chat, help tickets, or browse A2 Hosting’s help center yourself. The best part? The customer service team is available 24/7!

However, without any email or community center support, it can’t really hope to win in the help and support vs Bluehost.

Features: 4.4/5

As we’ve mentioned already, A2 Hosting has four shared hosting plans – Startup, Drive, Turbo Boost, and Turbo Max. With each plan, the features grow and improve, so it really depends on what your small business needs from your hosting provider. You might feel limited by A2 Hosting’s most basic plan, but the Drive, Turbo Boost, and Turbo Max plans are some of the best shared hosting services, all offering:

  • Unlimited websites
  • Unlimited storage
  • Free SSL certificate
  • Automated backups
  • Global server locations

Performance: 3.6/5

A2 Hosting guarantees 99.9% uptime, but our testing found it to be solidly average. In general, A2 Hosting’s performance could be better. So, if performance is an important factor for you, we’d suggest considering another hosting provider like our top choice, HostGator.

a2 hosting logo

Want To See More of A2 Hosting?

If you think A2 Hosting might be the perfect match for you, take a look at what it has to offer – from generous features to 24/7 support.

Further Information

#9. IONOS

Best for Site Speed and Uptime

Shared Hosting: $0.50–$8/month

IONOS

Best for site speed and uptime

Very Good

4.1

out of 5
  • Best site speed + uptime
  • Unlimited storage
  • Free SSL certificate

Paid Plans: $0.5 - $35 / month

Pros

  • icon yes svg 24/7 phone support
  • icon yes svg Automated daily backups
  • icon yes svg Free domain for one year

Cons

  • icon no svg Be wary of additional charges
  • icon no svg Poor help and support
  • icon no svg Limited Starter plan
Read Review

Overview

IONOS is quite erratic in its scoring across our small business hosting research. It has a very low score in help and support, but a pretty impressive reach in the price and features category. It’s also our top choice for site speed and uptime. Though pricing and support are considerable factors for small businesses, reliable speed and avoidance of downtime are beneficial for any website to have.

Let’s take a deeper look at IONOS!

Price: 4.5/5

IONOS scores really well for price, with an impressive 4.5 out of 5 – second only to Hostinger in our research. For a three-year term, plans range from $0.50 per month to $8 per month. Check out the introductory prices for yourself:

  • Essential: $4/month (renews at $6)
  • Business (most popular): $0.50/month (renews at $10)
  • Expert: $8/month (renews at $16)

The Starter plan is a good foundation if you’re just starting out, but we’d recommend choosing the Plus or Ultimate plan for your small business if you want to enjoy a greater range of features.

Help and Support: 2.8/5

IONOS is really let down by its help and support score of 2.8 – this is the lowest support score out of all the small business hosts we tested, putting it right at the bottom of the pack in our research for support.

You can contact IONOS via phone 24/7, or submit a form online, but there’s no live chat service or email support to use.

We know that good support is a critical factor for small businesses that need a helping hand, so it’s a shame IONOS isn’t better equipped to deal with issues.

Features: 4.5/5

IONOS’ features are one of its strongest areas. All three shared hosting plans include:

  • Daily backups
  • Free domain for 1 year
  • Free SSL certificate
  • Free email @ your domain

However, you’ll need to upgrade to the Plus or Ultimate plan if you want greater benefits such as unlimited websites, storage, and databases.

Performance: 3.7/5

Now, IONOS is best for site speed and uptime in our overall testing, and that’s across all of our research on hosting providers. It’s a pretty impressive highlight for small businesses, because you want your site to be as fast and reliable as possible – both for boosting SEO and providing great user experience. While performance may not be at the front of your mind when getting your small business set up online, the load time statistics show that fast loading times are worth it, and IONOS sets you up for success from day one.

1&1 IONOS logo

Is Site Speed a Key Feature for You?

IONOS can’t be matched! Our research found it to be the best hosting provider for site speed and uptime, so why not give it a go?

Further Information

How Do You Choose a Small Business Hosting Provider?

You now know the nine best web hosting services for small businesses. We’ve also shown you who each hosting provider is best for.

At this point, it’s time to discuss how to pick the right provider for you in a bit more depth. After all, no two businesses are the same, right?

When considering a web hosting service, ask yourself:

  • How tech-savvy are you? The less skilled you are with computers, the more support you might need. Remember, HostGator came out on top in our research for help and support!
  • What’s your budget? This will depend on the size and scale of your business. Shared hosting plans are generally affordable and will cater to your technical needs without blowing your budget completely.
  • How much traffic do you expect to get? The rule of thumb is that the more traffic you receive, the better hosting plan you need. Check out the range of shared plans each provider has to offer, and see what works best for your business.

Shared hosting is the ideal option for small businesses, especially if you’re just starting out. Obviously, if you outgrow your plan, you can transition to a dedicated or VPS hosting package, but shared hosting has everything a small business could need at a fraction of the price.

Further Information

  • Do you need FTP hosting for file transfers? Check out our comparison of the Best FTP Hosting Providers to find your perfect match!

Best Web Hosting for Small Business: Conclusion

With so many hosting providers out there, it’s difficult to know where to start. But, let’s begin with a recap of the final rankings.

The 9 Best Hosting Providers for Small Businesses

  1. HostGator Best overall shared hosting provider
  2. Bluehost Most trusted by users online
  3. DreamHost Longest money-back guarantee
  4. Hostinger Best value for money
  5. InMotion Robust security across the board
  6. GoDaddy Hosting Awesome help and support
  7. iPage Great performance on a budget
  8. A2 Hosting Free expert migrations
  9. IONOS Best for site speed and uptime

All of our nine web hosts for small businesses are at the top of the market. HostGator, Bluehost, and DreamHost are all tightly packed in at the top when it comes to quality of plans and value for money.

Your decision really boils down to your own personal needs. You need to consider the size of your business website, and how many resources you’ll need.

This should give you a clearer idea of what type of hosting you need and, from there, you can pick the best provider for that particular job.

Generally speaking, though, HostGator offers the most comprehensive all-around package. Its plans are reasonably priced and include powerful features, and HostGator offers excellent site speed. HostGator is also the best choice for help and support, so, if that all sounds good to you, give HostGator’s shared plans a go and let us know what you think!

hostgator logo

Is HostGator the Perfect Match for Your Small Business?

HostGator is the best small business web host – but is it right for you? If it’s ticking your boxes, don’t hesitate – take a look today!

Further Information

FAQs

Web hosting is how your website or web page gets live on the internet. You essentially purchase space online to house all the files that make up your website. Hosting providers like HostGator and Bluehost handle the technical side of things and supply the servers to keep your site running smoothly.
Our top hosting service for small businesses is HostGator! It’s super affordable, full of helpful features, and has the best support services.
Depending on the length of time you’re willing to commit for, web hosting can cost businesses as little as $1.99/month. For small businesses, we recommend opting for shared hosting packages, which come at cheap promotional rates.
Aside from scanning uptime rates, you’ll also want to be clued up on the support and security on offer. One-click installation is another important feature, so if you need hosting for a certain CMS, make sure this is available.
Hostinger and iPage offer the cheapest shared hosting plans, starting at $1.99 per month. Out of the two, Hostinger offers better value on its plans, combining cheap prices with better features than iPage.
Generally, there are two payment options: monthly or annually. Paying annually will usually shave a few bucks off the monthly fee as you’re committing to the provider for the year. On the flipside, you get more flexibility by paying monthly and it’s easier to switch providers down the line.
Web hosting is a lot more technical than simply building a website, and it can seem daunting at first. Luckily, website builders like Wix and Squarespace come with their own hosting included. If you’re an absolute beginner, we recommend this option.

If you’re planning to build a website with WordPress then we recommend Bluehost. It has seamless integration with WordPress and even comes with help and support guides for how to run a successful WordPress site.

Typically, most hosting providers will include shared hosting, VPS, and dedicated hosting to make sure they can accommodate sites of all sizes.

Shared hosting is primarily for smaller sites and essentially has you renting out space in the server. Think of it like having a room in an apartment building.

VPS (Virtual Private Server), is the next step up and is a great middle-ground for those wanting more small sites with better performance or medium to larger sites, depending on the plan. Instead of a room, you’re now getting the whole apartment.

Dedicated hosting is the most expensive kind of hosting and only for the largest of sites. You basically have the entire apartment complex at your disposal.

Written by:
headshot of Sam Jagger
Being a Writer for Website Builder Expert isn’t just typing words on a laptop. Each day, I’m finding new and innovative ways to help you get online in a mode you feel comfortable with. And it’s a task I do with enthusiasm and gusto. Not only do I have experience building with all the providers we talk about - creating websites such as this Strikingly demo - but we also have our wonderful, constantly updated research fielded by our researchers, so you can be reassured that what we say is an honest reflection of our professional opinions. I’ve written articles and featured guest posts for apps like UXPin on web design in the modern age, as well as answered over 100 user comments on the site and delved into the world of choosing a domain name and adding Bitcoin payments to your site in my own pitched articles. All of this is to say that when I want to get you online - I mean it! Outside the office, I have attended the eCommerce Expo and built up a ton of industry knowledge through talks, workshops, and guided learning sessions with noted experts. The internet is made for everyone, so come online and let us help you get there.
Researched by:
natasha_willett
I love to understand human behavior and the cognitive biases that drive us to do what we do. For over nine years I have worked as a mixed method researcher – research using a mix of numerical data and personal experiences – across a range of sectors, from insurance and policy development to finally arriving at Website Builder Expert five years ago. Fascinated by consumer decision-making, I meticulously built our leading ranking methodology to explore where providers like Wix sit within a competitive industry and what value they truly bring to our audience.
As a member of the Market Research Society, I’m an advocate for high ethical, commercial, and methodological best practices. All of this combines to give you the most ethical recommendations based on real data.

19 comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *