Finding a web hosting company offering web hosting services with free email service and possible a free domain is not something that’s easy to get.
It can definitely feel overwhelming trying to figure out hosting, especially when you’re just starting out. I get it – I remember when I first started my website years ago, I wish someone had just given me the lowdown on what hosting to use.
Now, I build websites for small businesses, and I’ve got a good handle on what works and what doesn’t. Here are some web hosting options that also offers email service that I recommend to my clients and friends who are creating their websites.
Here’s A Quick List of My Top Three Picks:
Best Overall For Businesses
- Free domain, SSL, and email
- Excellent customer support
- Free daily backups
- 100% Customer focused
- Plans starting at $2.99/month
Good Budget Friendly
- Free domain, SSL, and email
- Good customer support
- Free weekly backups
- Too many changes & upsells
- Plans starting at $2.99/month
Fair Third Option
- Free domain and SSL only
- Fair customer support
- No free backups available
- Chat support only at $2.95
- Plans starting at $2.95/month
SiteGround
Best For Small Businesses
Pros and Cons
- Excellent Support
- Free Domain
- Free Email
- Free SSL
- Daily Website Backups
- 30-Days Money-Back
- High Renewal Costs
- Database Size Limit
Why I Picked It
I chose SiteGround because they’re a very reliable web hosting company and their customer support is amazing. I use them to host this website. They’re a bit pricier than some other options, but totally worth it for the peace of mind!
Who It's For
SiteGround is great for small businesses or someone looking to create a website but do not have a lot of experience and need a dedicated customer support team ready to help them.
Features & Specs
- 10 GB SSD Storage
- Free Email Migrator
- Unlimited MySQL Databases
- Free CDN
- Enhanced Security
- Power & Hardware Redundancy
- Out-of-The-Box Caching
- Unlimited Subdomains
- Friendly Site Tools
- 100% Renewable Energy Match
- Transfer Websites to Clients
- The Ability To Add Collaborators To Help You
My SiteGround Experience
I use SiteGround for this website and have been using them for a couple of years now, and honestly, they’ve been fantastic.
One of the things I love about them is how fast my website loads. They have a really strong infrastructure, and that means visitors to my site don’t have to wait around for 10 seconds before they see text and images.
Plus, they take security seriously, which is a huge relief. You know how important that is these days!
But honestly, the best part about SiteGround is their customer support. Whenever I’ve had a question or a problem (and trust me, I’ve had a few!), their team has been incredibly helpful. This is great for any small business owner.
They’re super knowledgeable and always go above and beyond to make sure I’m taken care of. It really feels like they’re invested in my success, which is a great feeling.
Another thing I appreciate is that SiteGround keeps things simple. Their website is easy to use, and they don’t try to push a bunch of extra stuff on you that you don’t need.
I’ve tried a bunch of different hosting companies over the years, and SiteGround is the one I always recommend. They’re reliable, affordable, and they treat their customers like gold. If you’re looking for a great hosting service, definitely check them out!
You’ll be happy you did.
Hostinger
Best For Cheap Price
Pros and Cons
- Good Support
- Free Domain
- Free Email
- Free SSL
- Weekly Backups
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Higher Renewal Costs
- No Priority Support
- Too Many Website Changes
Why I Picked It
I like Hostinger because their prices are really hard to beat, especially if you’re just starting out. It’s a good way to get a website up without spending a fortune, even if it means you would have to deal with their frequent website changes.
Who It's For
Hostinger is a good option for beginners who want to create a website for themselves and if you’re on a tight budget, but keep in mind they change their website layout frequently, which can be frustrating.
If you value consistency, excellent customer support and a smooth user experience, you might want to consider spending a bit more for a different hosting provider. In my experience, I do not recommend Hostinger for small businesses.
Features & Specs
- 100 Websites
- 100 GB SSD Storage
- Free WHOIS Provacy
- Free CDN on More Expensive Plans
- Free DDOS Protection
- LiteSpeed Caching
My Hostinger Experience
I’ve had my own experiences with Hostinger, and it’s been a bit of a mixed bag. At first, I was really drawn to their low prices. I mean, who doesn’t love a good deal, right? But over time, I realized that sometimes, you really do get what you pay for.
One of the things that frustrated me most about Hostinger was their constant website overhauls. It felt like every few months, they were rearranging everything, making it a real challenge to find the features I needed. For busy folks like us, that kind of constant change can be a real time-waster.
Honestly, it made me feel like they weren’t putting the user experience first. A little consistency can go a long way, and in the end, the price difference wasn’t enough to justify the hassle. There are other hosting services out there that offer a smoother, more stable experience without breaking the bank.
So, while Hostinger might be tempting if you’re on a tight budget, I’d recommend proceeding with caution. Weigh the low cost against the potential for frustration.
Bluehost
Best For Your First Blog
Pros and Cons
- Free Domain
- Free SSL
- Cheap Renewal Costs
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Free Email - 1st Year ONLY
- Basic Customer Support
- No Free Website Backup
Why I Picked It
I like Bluehost because they’re beginner-friendly and easy on the wallet, which was perfect when I was just starting out. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of their customer service, so I eventually switched to a different host.
Who It's For
Bluehost is a good starting point for beginners creating their first blogs and looking for an affordable and easy way to do it.
However, they might not be the best option long-term because their customer support and billing practices aren’t the greatest.
Features & Specs
- 10 GB SSD Storage
- cPanel Access
- Free CDN
- DDos Security Protection
- Free WordPress Staging Site
- Free Malware Scanner
My Bluehost Experience
You might have heard of Bluehost. They’re a popular name, and honestly, they were who I created my first website with.
I liked how easy they were to use, especially for a beginner like me back then. Plus, they were pretty budget-friendly, which is always a win, right?
But here’s the thing: as my business grew, I started to see some cracks in the Bluehost experience. Their customer support wasn’t as helpful as I hoped, and I felt like just another number. You know, that feeling of not being valued as a customer? Yeah, not cool.
I remember once trying to get help with an issue, and it was like navigating a maze! And when I finally decided to switch providers, it felt like pulling teeth. Honestly, it shouldn’t be that hard. I’ve found other hosts that make managing your services easier.
On top of that, I’ve heard whispers about unexpected charges and billing issues with Bluehost. That lack of transparency is a dealbreaker for me. You deserve clear communication and a company that has your back.
So, while Bluehost might be a decent starting point for some, I wouldn’t put them at the top of my list anymore. There are other options out there that offer a better overall experience and support.
Namecheap
Best For Low-Cost Shared Hosting
Pros and Cons
- Free Domain
- Free Email
- Free SSL
- Cheap Renewal Costs
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Free Domain is Not a.com Domain
- Good Customer Support
Why I Picked It
I like Namecheap website hosting because they’re affordable and I already buy my domain names from them. Their cPanel is a little tricky to figure out at first, but overall they’re a good host to create a website with, if you’re on a really tight budget.
Who It's For
Namecheap is a great option for people who are new to creating websites and are looking for affordable web hosting, especially to keep costs down.
Just a heads up, they use cPanel, which can be a bit tricky to navigate at first, but if you don’t mind that you’re all good. If you’re looking for web hosting for small businesses I recommend SiteGround instead of Namecheap.
Features & Specs
- 20 GB SSD Storage
- cPanel Access
- Free CDN
- Apache/Litespeed Server
- MySQL Databases
- PHP MyAdmin
- Free WHOIS Domain Privacy
My Namecheap Experience
You might know Namecheap for their domain names, but they also offer web hosting, and it’s actually pretty good, especially for the price. If you’re just starting your business and don’t have a lot of money to spend on hosting and email, they’re worth a shot.
I’ve tried them out myself, and my website ran smoothly with no problems. The one thing I noticed is that they use cPanel, which is a standard tool for managing your hosting, but it can be a bit tricky to learn at first.
If you’re a complete beginner, you might find it a bit confusing compared to some other hosting providers that have simpler dashboards.
But if you’re familiar with cPanel or willing to spend a little time learning how it works, Namecheap is definitely worth considering.
HostGator
Best For Beginners and Bloggers
Pros and Cons
- Free Domain
- Free SSL
- Cheap Renewal Costs
- 30-Days Money-Back
- Free Email Trial - 1 Month ONLY
- Basic Customer Support
- No Free Website Backup
- No Free CDN
- No Free Website Transfer
Why I Picked It
I like HostGator because their plans are pretty straightforward, even though they’re not the absolute best and definitely not my first choice (SiteGround). I figured it’s a good starting point for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on web hosting.
Who It's For
HostGator is a good option for someone who is just starting out and need a simple website up and running. They’re owned by the same company as Bluehost, so their pricing and plans are pretty similar.
Features & Specs
- 10 GB SSD Storage
- cPanel Access
- MySQL databases
- phpMyAdmin access
- Free Malware Scanner
My HostGator Experience
HostGator is like that reliable, old car you have. It gets you where you need to go most of the time, but it might not have all the bells and whistles of a newer model. And every now and then, it might sputter a bit.
One thing that’s important to me is customer support. You want someone who’s got your back if something goes wrong, right?
While HostGator’s support is helpful, it’s not the best I’ve seen. Sometimes, you just want that extra bit of care, and they don’t always go the extra mile. Plus, on one of their plans, they only offer support through chat, which can be a bit limiting.
Another thing to keep in mind is that HostGator isn’t super upfront about how much traffic or bandwidth their plans can handle.
It’s like having a gas tank without a gauge – you don’t really know how far you can go before you need to refuel. This can be a bit of a pain, especially if your business starts growing and your website gets more popular.
Which Email and Web Hosting Would I Use?
As a small business owner myself, the email and web hosting service that I would use is SiteGround.
I believe and have experienced that they are way ahead of everyone else on this list because of their customer service and how well they have prioritize helping their customers succeed.
