Web hosting services provide the essential infrastructure you need to run your small business website—storage space for files, bandwidth for web traffic, and security against malware and hackers. It’s easy to be overwhelmed when choosing web hosts from the seemingly countless options, but this guide simplifies the process.
Here are the best web hosting services for small business owners.
What is a website hosting services provider?
A web hosting services provider is a company that enables your website to be visible via the internet. Fundamental for any ecommerce small business owner, website hosts provide the hardware necessary for your site to function. Web hosting services also provide storage space, bandwidth for web traffic, custom domains, a trusted SSL certificate for encrypted traffic, a content management system (CMS), and automatic backups of your web store needs.
A web hosting provider offers these essentials and other critical services to keep your business online, an ideal option for small businesses. Because you pay the web hosting company to handle the technical details for you, you don’t need to buy and manage a web server yourself.
How to evaluate web hosting services
On your hunt for the best web hosting services, you’ll want to establish a key set of criteria based on your specific needs. For example, if you need web hosting for your ecommerce store, you’ll likely want to pick an ecommerce hosting provider. Or, if you’re a small business with a low budget, low-fee web hosting services might be most appealing.
Before you jump in, choose the top factors (outlined below) that matter most to you. This will steer you through what can be a dizzying process.
Testing methodology
This guide evaluates 11 web hosting services based on feature set, cost, customer support, uptime commitment, security protection, usage and market share, reviews, and site speed.
Tools used to conduct research include:
- Google Page Speed Insights to determine Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) loading time
- G2 star ratings to determine overall sentiment and functionality
- Web Technology Surveys to determine market share and usage
Factors to consider when choosing a website hosting services provider
- Uptime
- Network performance
- Scalability
- Support
- Security
- Cost
- Contract length and renewal pricing
- Ease of use
Finding the best web hosting services provider for your small business website is no easy task. It’s a crowded field and there are numerous factors to consider. Here are the criteria to choose the best web hosting company for your needs:
Uptime
Uptime is the amount of time a hosting service is operational and accessible without interruptions. A reliable hosting service should have 99% uptime or higher.
Ask questions like:
- How often are there service disruptions?
- What measures are in place to monitor downtime and respond quickly when something goes wrong?
- Does the hosting service implement redundant servers and automatic backups to recover quickly?
- Is there a guaranteed uptime rate?
Before you pick a host, get clear answers to these crucial questions.
Network performance
Network performance is the efficiency with which your site responds to user requests. Find out what infrastructure and bandwidth features are in place to ensure fast, responsive load times. Additionally, a high-quality host uses SSD storage (fast, solid-state data storage), data caching (temporary data storage for efficiency), and content delivery networks (CDNs) to boost performance and bring content closer to users.
Scalability
Switching web hosting can be cumbersome, so confirm the web host can scale as the small business grows. Is it easy to upgrade and allocate more resources as needed? Do hosting plans include unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth, and unlimited email accounts? Is it easy to change a domain name?
Support
Running an online store can be tricky and you may need occasional assistance. Choose a host that offers 24/7 reliable customer support with chat and phone availability. Ask how easy it is to reach a real human being when you need help.
Security
Ecommerce requires airtight security measures that protect data and customer information from intruders. Most web hosts take security seriously, but features can vary at different price points. Check whether SSL certificates, malware, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) protection are included in the service package. Is the host compliant with industry-standard security protocols and regulations like Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) and PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)?
Cost
Consider your budget. You want the most you can get for your investment. Compare web hosting plans to discover which one offers the best features for the lowest hosting costs, and take a look at the best free website hosting tools. Are there introductory incentives that can save you money? Is the pricing info clear to prevent sticker shock after the introductory period runs out?
📚Read more: How Much Does a Website Cost in 2025? A Complete Guide
Contract length and renewal pricing
Many web hosting companies offer competitive promotional pricing that’s quite a bit lower than renewal rates. It’s essential to pay attention to what renewal pricing actually is, and whether you’re comfortable with it after the initial promotional term ends. Some promotional pricing is good for three years; others only a month.
As you’re evaluating different hosting options, consider: the upfront promotional pricing, the promotional pricing term length, how long you’d like to commit to a new provider upfront, and exact renewal pricing. All services should provide all of this information.
Ease of use
Look for a web host that offers a user-friendly control panel to manage settings, install applications, and monitor performance. Many host services also include a drag-and-drop website builder with customizable templates that makes it easy to create a website. It’s also helpful to know whether automatic free site migration is available if you’re migrating from another host.
Types of web hosting platforms
Many great hosting companies have budget-friendly hosting plans alongside pricier elite packages. Choosing the best web hosting for small businesses involves finding the right balance of affordability, features, and performance. Common web hosting options include:
- Shared hosting. On a shared host, multiple websites share the resources of a single server.
- Dedicated hosting. Dedicated hosting provides an entire physical server for your website, offering exclusive use of its resources and maximum control.
- Cloud hosting. Cloud hosting leverages many virtual servers to store your website’s data;this increases reliability and stability.
- Virtual private server (VPS) hosting. VPS partitions a physical server into virtual machines, offering dedicated resources and more control than shared hosting at a lower cost than dedicated hosting.
- Managed WordPress hosting. Handles WordPress server maintenance and security for you.
- Unmanaged WordPress hosting. Gives you full control over WordPress but requires you to manage those aspects yourself.
Quick comparison: Best web hosting services at a glance
Here’s a comparison table of 11 providers to quickly help you find the best web hosting service for your needs:
| Name of web hosting service | Who it’s for | Types of hosting offered | Standout features | Load time (LCP for desktop) | Uptime commitment | Market share | G2 rating | Renewal pricing starting at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Businesses of all sizes looking for managed ecommerce hosting | Managed commerce cloud hosting | PCI Level 1 compliance, CDN, unlimited bandwidth, Shopify Magic assisted AI, integrated Shopify payments, over 8000 apps, POS integration | 🟢 1.0 seconds | N/A (cloud-based) | 4.9% | 4.4 | $29/month (Basic) |
| Hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting) | Best for WordPress users wanting easy setup and speed | WordPress hosting, managed WordPress hosting, shared hosting, cPanel servers, reseller hosting | Free migration, built-in security, TurboPush acceleration, cPanel and optimized servers | 🟢 2.0 seconds | 99.9% | 0.7% | 4.4 | $11.99/mo (after first-year promo of $1.99) |
| DreamHost | Beginners interested in starting WordPress sites | Web hosting, WordPress hosting, high-performance hosting, VPS hosting | Free domain, one-click WP install, custom control panel, auto SSL, easy site builder | 🟡 4.3 seconds | 100.0% | 0.4% | 4.0 | $10.95/mo (after $2.99 promo) |
| IONOS | Business owners needing affordable, high-performance, eco-friendly hosting | Web hosting, ASP.NET hosting, cheap VPS, domain hosting, WordPress hosting, Joomla hosting, managed hosting | 100% green-energy hosting, free domain for one year, daily backups | 🟢 1.3 seconds | 99.9% | N/A | 3.5 | $6/month (after intro discount) |
| Bluehost | SMBs and existing WordPress users | WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, WooCommerce hosting, managed hosting, shared hosting, domain hosting | AI site builder, free domain for 1 year, 30-day refund | 🟢 2.8 seconds | Varies by plan | 1.0% | 4.1 | $11.99/mo (after $2.95 promo) |
| GoDaddy | SMBs needing simple websites and long-term value | Shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, managed hosting | AI builder, unmetered bandwidth, free domain (12 mo), 30-day refund | 🟡 3.6 seconds | 99.9% | 5.9% | 4.2 | $10.99/mo (after $5.99 first-year promo) |
| Hostinger | Users prioritizing speed, budget, and flexibility | Self-assembled stack hosting, shared hosting, WordPress hosting, cloud hosting, VPS hosting, Windows hosting, agency hosting | AI builder, free CDN, DDoS protection, dedicated IP | 🟡 1.6 seconds | 99.9% | 4.1% | 4.4 | $1.99–$11.99/mo (first-month promo) |
| Hostwinds | SMBs needing reliable uptime and unmanaged infrastructure | Web hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, dedicated servers | Owns all hardware, 24/7 monitoring, unlimited subdomains and email | 🟢 1.3 seconds | 99.999% | <0.1% | 4.9 | $6.99/mo (after $1.75 promo) |
| InMotion | SMBs growing from basic to performance-focused hosting | Shared hosting, VPS hosting, reseller hosting, dedicated hosting, WordPress hosting | NVMe speed, unmetered bandwidth, WebSSH access, free migration | 🟢 1.6 seconds | 99.95% | 0.3% | 4.3 | $11.99/mo (after promo) |
| InterServer | SMBs migrating existing sites on a budget | Web hosting, ASP.NET, reseller hosting, cloud VPS | Unlimited email and storage, InterShield security, SitePad builder | 🟢 2.4 seconds | N/A (stated) | 0.1% | 4.0 | $2.50/month (flat) |
| HostGator | SMBs wanting simple setup and long-term value | Shared hosting, WordPress hosting, website builder hosting, dedicated hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting | Free migration, unlimited bandwidth, 30-day refund | 🟢 1.3 seconds | 99.9% | N/A | 3.6 | $10.95/mo (after $2.75–$3.75 promo) |
11 best website hosting services for small businesses
- Shopify
- Hosting.com
- DreamHost
- IONOS
- Bluehost
- GoDaddy
- Hostinger
- Hostwinds
- InMotion
- InterServer
- HostGator
1. Shopify
Shopify, a dedicated ecommerce platform with its own hosting infrastructure, is ideal if you want to avoid the hassle of setting up web hosting and third-party ecommerce applications on your own time.
Shopify employs a content delivery network (CDN), which is a large network of servers worldwide, to ensure fast load times, regardless of location. Bandwidth is unlimited, so it can handle high traffic. If you buy your domain through Shopify, you’re entitled to unlimited email addresses, and it supports forwarding to your personal email account.
Who it’s for
Shopify is for businesses of all sizes looking for ecommerce hosts to power their online store. Shopify is the best web hosting platform with the highest usage percentage out of all web hosting services.
Features
- Types of hosting offered: Managed ecommerce cloud hosting
- Security: Customer data is Level 1 PCI compliant, which is the most stringent set of security requirements outlined by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
- AI tools: Use Shopify Magic to streamline your store design process and create landing pages and product listings, then tap Sidekick as your always-on business consultant
- Integrated payment processing:Shopify Payments is an integrated payment gateway that accepts all major payment methods, with more than 100 compatible third-party payment providers
- Extensive app store: Access the Shopify App Store for more than 8,000 integrations
- Shopify POS: Integrate with physical retail through Shopify POS, blending online and offline sales channels
- Advanced customization and API access: Tailor your storefront and back-end systems to meet your unique needs with extensive customization options and API support (no coding required)
- 24/7 customer support: Enjoy round-the-clock support via email, live chat, and phone
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🟢1 second
- Market share: Ranked first out of web hosting providers, with 4.9% of websites using it for hosting
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.4
Plans and pricing
Shopify offers a wide range of plans to support businesses of all sizes:
- Starter: $5 per month
- Basic: $29 per month
- Grow: $79 per month
- Advanced: $299 per month
Start your Shopify free trial, no credit card required. Get three days free, then the first three months for $1/month.
2. Hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting)
Hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting) is a global hosting service that offers TurboHub — a WordPress control panel with performance dashboards, one-click site management, and AI-powered optimization features.
Who it’s for
Hosting.com is best for WordPress hosting, with a dedicated dashboard for site management.
Features
- Standout features: Free website migration, built-in security, fast performance, money-back guarantee
- Types of hosting offered: WordPress hosting, managed WordPress hosting, shared hosting, cPanel hosting, reseller hosting
- Security: SSL certificates, DDoS protection, malware scanning, defense against brute force
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🟢2 seconds
- Uptime commitment: 99.9%
- Support: 24/7, 365 days per year
- Market share: 0.7%
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.4
Plans and pricing
Annually billed plans start at $1.99 per month for the first year, then renew at $11.99 per month. Mid-range tiers are available, with the highest tier priced at $8.99 per month for the first year, renewing at $27.99 per month.
3. DreamHost
DreamHost has a variety of hosting options. Most notably, it offers two tiers of WordPress hosting: standard or high-performance. When tested, DreamHost had the slowest page loading time out of all other platforms. And, the platform only offers support via email and chat––there’s no phone support option.
Who it’s for
DreamHost is for those who are interested in WordPress but haven’t built a site yet.
Features
- Standout features: Shared hosting plans include domain registration, auto-installed security certificates, a custom control panel, a user-friendly site builder, and one-click WordPress installation
- Types of hosting offered: web hosting, WordPress hosting, high-performance WordPress hosting, VPS hosting
- Security: SSL certificates, DDoS protection
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🔴4.3 seconds
- Uptime commitment: 100%
- Support: 24/7 in-house
- Market share: 0.4%
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.0
Plans and pricing
$2.99 to $9.99 per month for the first year, with prices increasing to $10.99 to $25.99 per year afterward.
4. IONOS
IONOS is a web hosting and cloud services company. It calls out environmental and social responsibility as key value-drivers, and its data centers run on 100% green energy. It’s a good option for those looking to save money on web hosting.
Who it’s for
IONOS is for business owners looking for a greener option and for cheap web hosting.
Features
- Standout features: Affordable hosting solutions, free domain registration for a year, global data centers run on 100% green energy
- Types of hosting offered: Web hosting, ASP.NET hosting, deploy now, VPS hosting, Jamstack hosting, and Joomla! hosting
- Security: SSL wildcard certificate, daily backups
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🟢1.3 seconds
- Uptime commitment: 99.99%
- Support: Known for great 24/7 customer support
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 3.5
Plans and pricing
Introductory discounted rates for the first month. Then, pricing ranges from $6 to $15 per month.
5. Bluehost
Bluehost is a well-known name in web hosting, but scores the lowest on this list on G2. Critical reviews cite poor customer service, technical issues, and email issues.
Who it’s for
Bluehost accommodates the needs of small businesses creating a new website, but its biggest appeal is for existing WordPress users.
Features
- Standout features: 30-day money back guarantee, AI website creation, free domain name for the first year
- Types of hosting offered: While WordPress hosting is Bluehost’s specialty, they also offer VPS, dedicated hosting, and a new cloud hosting service
- Security: SSL certificates, malware scanning, web app firewall, DDoS protection, weekly backups
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🟠2.8 seconds
- Uptime commitment: Based on hosting type
- Support: 24/7 chat support for all plans; phone support accessible through highest tier plans
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 3.4
Plans and pricing
Standard hosting plans range from $4.99 to $16.99 per month for a 12-month term for the first year. Then, prices go up to $11.99 to $24.99 per month for a 12-month term. Lower per month rates are available for 36-month terms.
Other pricing and plan options apply for cloud hosting, commerce, high performance, VPS, and dedicated hosting.
6. GoDaddy
GoDaddy originally gained recognition as a domain name registrar but has become a leader among hosting services. You must pay for more sophisticated website security features, and support isn’t offered 24/7.
Who it’s for
GoDaddy is for small businesses and beginners.
Features
- Standout features: All plans include unmetered bandwidth, which allows you to transfer unlimited data without incurring extra charges, 30-day money-back guarantee, free domain name (with a 12-month plan or longer), free trial of a custom email address, multiple servers with NVMe SSDs, global data centers
- Types of hosting offered: Shared web hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting
- Security: SSL certificates, automatic daily backups; other website security features (like CDN and WAF offered as a free trial with automatic paid renewal)
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🟠3.6 seconds
- Uptime commitment: 99.9%
- Support: Support team is available via phone, chat, email, or SMS
- Market share: 2.4%
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.0
Plans and pricing
Prices for standard performance hosting plans range from $5.99 to $12.99 per month with a 36-month term. High performance web hosting packages range from $17.99 to $54.99 per month with a 36-month term.
7. Hostinger
Hostinger is a web hosting provider with 99.9% uptime and data centers worldwide to ensure fast loading speeds for global visitors. Even its basic plans come with more robust security features, and it also offers an AI website builder for site creation.
Who it’s for
Hostinger is for those looking for a web hosting platform that excels in loading time tests or anyone looking for a self-hosted solution.
Features
- Standout features: 30-day money-back guarantee, free website migration, single easy-to-use dashboard, AI builder tools for web pages, free CDN, dedicated IP address
- Types of hosting offered: Self-hosted n8n, VPS plans, managed hosting for WordPress and WooCommerce, cloud hosting, agency hosting
- Security: SSL certificates, weekly backups, DDoS protection, web application firewall, malware scanner, Cloudflare DNS firewall, secure access for each hosting account
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🟢1.6 seconds
- Uptime commitment: 99.9%
- Support: 24/7 support with a response time of under two minutes
- Market share: 4.4%
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.4
Plans and pricing
Hostinger offers one month, 12-month, 24-month, and 36-month terms. Pricing varies based on term length. For a month-to-month term, it ranges from $11.99 to $27.99.
8. Hostwinds
As one of the few web hosting providers that owns all its infrastructure (servers, systems, equipment, etc.), Hostwinds avoids third-party dependence, ensuring better control and resource allocation. Its 24/7 website monitoring service also promptly reports issues.
Who it’s for
Hostwinds is for those looking for a platform with reliable uptime and small business owners without IT staff.
Features
- Standout features: Shared web hosting plans include unlimited subdomains, unlimited email, Weebly site builder, SSDs, and unlimited databases
- Types of hosting offered: Web hosting, VPS, cloud hosting, dedicated servers
- Security: SSL certificates, nightly backups
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🟢1.3 seconds
- Uptime commitment: 99.9999%
- Support: 24/7 technical support and automated support ticketing
- Market share: Less than 0.1%
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.9
Plans and pricing
Promotional pricing ranges from $1.75 to$2.75 per month. After the first billing cycle, pricing increases to $6.99 to $10.99 per month.
9. InMotion
InMotion supports popular ecommerce platforms and offers an easy drag-and-drop website builder for beginners. For higher-level website management tasks, it includes tools like Python, Node.JS, and Ruby, GIT version control, and SSH access.
Who it’s for
With unlimited SSD storage, InMotion hosting is for small- to mid-sized businesses looking for enhanced performance as they outgrow smaller hosts.
Features
- Standout features: Speed powered by NVMe, fast setup, unmetered bandwidth, free domain, free website migration
- Types of hosting offered: Shared hosting, VPS hosting, reseller hosting, dedicated hosting, enterprise hosting, WordPress hosting
- Security: Free SSL, DDoS and malware protection, web firewall application
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🟢1.6 seconds
- Uptime commitment: 99.99%
- Support: 24/7 human support
- Market share: 0.3%
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.3
Plans and pricing
InMotion offers premium and starter plans for VPS hosting, dedicated servers, hosting for WordPress, shared hosting, and reseller hosting. Starter pricing for shared hosting plans ranges from $11.99 –to $14.99 per month, with promotional pricing for the first month.
10. InterServer
InterServer uses a Cloudflare CDN to boost network performance and the cPanel dashboard, a web hosting control panel that allows users to manage website files, databases, email accounts, and security settings. It also includes a SitePad website builder and install scripts for popular content management systems like WordPress, Joomla, Typo, and Drupal.
Who it’s for
InterServer is a good choice for a small business owner who needs to migrate an existing website or those who are looking for cheap web hosting.
Features
- Standout features: Free website migration, unlimited email, unlimited SSD storage space, 30-day money-back guarantee
- Types of hosting offered: Web hosting, ASP.NET, reseller hosting, cloud VPS
- Security: Users benefit from InterShield security, (the security solution developed by InterServer), SSL certificates, weekly backups
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🟢2.4 seconds
- Uptime commitment: None provided
- Support: Live help 24/7
- Market share: 0.1%
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.0
Plans and pricing
Pay $2.50 per month for “all in” web hosting.
11. HostGator
HostGator is an affordable option for those ready to commit to a web hosting provider for a 36-month term upfront. It offers ample ways to contact support, but certain methods (like phone support) are limited to higher plans.
Who it’s for
HostGator is for small businesses who want an easy website-building interface and unmetered bandwidth.
Features
- Standout features: Free site migration tool, free domain for the first year, unmetered bandwidth, unlimited disk space, and a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Types of hosting offered: Shared, WordPress, dedicated, ecommerce, reseller, and VPS hosting
- Security: SSL, malware scanning, web application firewall, DDoS protection
- LCP loading time for desktop: 🟢1.3 seconds
- Uptime commitment: 99%
- Support: 24/7 customer support via phone, live chat, X; knowledge base and educational blog posts available
- G2 ⭐️ rating: 3.6
Plans and pricing
Pricing ranges from $3.75 to $13.95 per month for a 36-month term. Renewal rates range from $10.99 to $29.69 per month.
Website hosting services FAQ
How much does web hosting usually cost?
At the low-cost level, shared hosting can run you around $10 per month. For a more active, bigger ecommerce site, expect to pay around $30 per month. A dedicated server is the most expensive option, at $100 or more per month. Managed dedicated server hosting is a lot more, or upward of $1,000 per month.
Which type of hosting is best for beginners?
Affordable shared hosting plans are ideal for small businesses because of the low cost of entry and easy upgrade options as website traffic rises.
Do you need a web hosting service to have a business website?
Yes. Unless you purchase and operate your own hardware web server, a web hosting service is essential. A web host stores your website’s files and makes sure they’re safe and available online; it is the foundation of your small business’s online presence.
What does a web hosting service do?
Hosting providers are what make sites available and accessible online. Fundamental for any ecommerce small business owner, website hosts provide the hardware necessary for your site to function. Web hosting services also provide storage space, bandwidth for web traffic, custom domains, a trusted SSL certificate for encrypted traffic, a content management system (CMS), and automatic backups of your web store needs.
What’s the best website hosting service?
Shopify has a website hosting service that is better than other hosting companies. Its cloud-based web hosting service was the first to leverage a Content Delivery Network (CDN), offers unlimited bandwidth, and Level 1 PCI compliance.
What are the types of web hosting?
The different types of web hosting include:
- Shared hosting
- Dedicated hosting
- Cloud hosting
- Reseller hosting
- ASP.NET
- Virtual private server (VPS) hosting
- Managed WordPress hosting
- Unmanaged WordPress hosting
