HostGator Review 2022 – Pros, Cons & Performance

Overview of HostGator- On October 22, 2002, HostGator was founded by Brent Oxley. HostGator is one of the top listed company of web hosting providers all over the world.

This fame of the company due to its reliability and flexibility. It is one of the top Shared, Reseller, VPS, and Dedicated Web Hosting company. HostGator provides Free Domain for the first year and provides Basic Shared Hosting Plans with Unlimited Storage, Bandwidth, and a Free SSL certificate. HostGator has also good Customer Service, which helps through a Live chat instantly and answered each question within a few seconds.

HostGator provides a guarantee plan with an Uptime of 99.99%. If HostGator is downtime below that, then they will get back one month’s credit on your account. HostGator is one of the best web hosting services that’s simple to use and offers an array of useful plans for Users and Small Businesses.

HostGator is the top pick for Shared Web Hosting and beginners who wanted to start their first website. It is one of the best Web Hosts that has power and flexibility in multiple hosting categories.

HostGator’s generous hosting offerings are enough to win the PCMag Editors’ Choice designation in the Shared Web Hosting subcategory, and it’s an overall top pick for web hosting, too, along with DreamHost, Hostwinds, and the enterprise-friendly LiquidWeb.

HostGator is specifically topped when it comes to Web Hosting for beginners. In the HostGator Review, we will elaborately discuss the Pros and Cons of HostGator.

General Info & Hosting Overview

Pros Review of HostGator Hosting

In HostGator Review, you will find out lots of features include Solid Uptime Performance, Good Page Loading Time, Good Support with Quick Answers, Free Domain Name & Website Migration, Environment-Friendly, 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee, and Multiple High-Quality Server Locations. You also get to know about the pricing and plans of HostGator.

In HostGator Review, we are sharing all the details after purchasing it and tracking it for 12months.

1. Stable Uptime of 99.93%

Uptime is a very important factor when comes to choosing a web host. HostGator doesn’t deliver an excellent result over this factor but it’s also not the worst. The best part is, it has the feature uptime guarantee which means if their Uptime drop below 99.90% then you can receive one month of credit on the user’s account.

Looking at the graph below, however, we can see the result.

Last 12-month average uptime:

• May 2021: 100%
• April 2021: 99.99%
• March 2021: 99.99%
• February 2021: 99.97%
• January 2021: 99.97%
• December 2020: 100%
• November 2020: 99.99%
• October 2020: 99.99%
• September 2020: 99.50%
• August 2020: 99.99%
• July 2020: 99.98%
• June 2020: 99.99%

2. Decent Load Time 734 ms

Now to the most important performance indicator is speed. A faster website means good SEO rankings. If it takes 1sec to 3 seconds to load a website. That means, if a page takes a longer time to load, then there are more likely visitors will leave. And that’s the only way how speed can affect your website. For our detailed HostGator review, we did a test on speed to find out how fast HostGator is on the loading page.

HostGator delivered an average page loading time of 734 ms over the last 12 months. It has a decent speed to get a place in our pros section. And in recent times, HostGator has improved its page loading times quite a lot, so that a big thump up for this.

3. Free Site & cPanel Migrations

If your website is already hosted elsewhere, you will feel good to hear that HostGator can help users to transfer their website, Domain including emails.

You’ll get 30 days after sign-up to get in touch and to move any Site files, Databases, Scripts, and even a Domain name over for the user.

Even a full cPanel transfer is also included. It is used in case if the user has multiple sites installs.

HostGator’s shared hosting plans include a single site (or cPanel) migration. And in different plans, Resellers, for instance, will get access to more (up to 30).

4. HostGator Plans and Pricing

In our Hostgator Review, I found that HostGator introductory pricing comes with big discounts for the first term. A Free Domain name is also included in the first year which is common among web hosting (for years or longer plans).

However, once you used the basic shared Hatchling Plan duration, you can expect a level up in the rates. Such as $2.75/month is the cheapest plan and you register that but in the next period, the renewal price starts at $6.95 per month.

HostGator Hosting Plans vs Competitor Hosting Plans

For better understanding here is the hosting plan chart where we are comparing HostGator with other web hosting plans.

5. Types of Hosting

• Domain names: If we compare HostGator Review with others, not the cheapest domain name registrar but you can purchase domain names for the website directly from Hostgator. The first-year a .com domain costs $12.95, but upon renewal, you’ll be charged $17.99 – there are indeed cheaper options like Namecheap.
• Shared hosting: If you are not managing a really large project or you need to geek around with your server’s configuration then in that case a shared hosting plan is best for you. The Introductory offer price range goes from $2.75 to $5.25 per month. 
• WordPress hosting: HostGator has a hosting service that goes well on WordPress. It mainly effective use for WordPress sites and comes with several advantages like a Staging area (Temporary URL). It is quite expensive than shared plans as it starts at $5.95 per month renews at $9.95 per month.
• VPS hosting: A Virtual Private Server is not as expensive as Dedicated Hosting, and still good for large business sites that need to level up. This type of hosting is recommended for those who will share a server with other clients, but there’s a virtual wall between your projects. At that time Hostgator is perfect to get needing special server configurations starting at $19.95 per month.
• Dedicated servers: Ideal for those websites that generate huge traffic and/or need a top-performing server. Dedicated hosting plans start at $89.98 per month which is the most expensive.
• Cloud hosting: This hosting is the upgrade version of the Shared hosting plan. It serves multiple cloud servers and allows your website to automatically move to a different server in case of a hardware failure or high traffic. At HostGator Cloud hosting starts at $4.95 a month.
• All above these, they also offer a Website builder at $3.84/m called Gator for users who are looking for such tools to create their own website easily – no technical knowledge required.

6. Reseller Hosting Plan

HostGator also has Reseller Hosting Plans. It has 3 types of plans, ranging from $19.95 to $24.95 per month:

• Aluminum plan: $19.95, renews at $34.95 per month. You get 60 GB disk space and 600 GB bandwidth.
• Copper plan: $24.95, renews at $48.95 per month. You get 90 GB disk space and 900 GB bandwidth.
• Silver plan: $24.95, renews at $69.95 per month. You get 140 GB disk space and 1400 GB bandwidth.

7. Customer Service

Customer service is another big element of the HostGator. In my Hostgator Review, I tested out the HostGators’ live chat and within a minute I was connected to a customer service agent, who then answered responding to my questions.

HostGator’ customer service agents also have an extensive knowledge base where users get quick answers to their questions.

Not only that but also HostGator has a ton of different article categories and subcategories, including Sales Questions, General Hosting, Reseller Hosting, VPS Hosting, Billing Questions, Video Tutorials, and much more.

Cons Review of HostGator Hosting

In HostGator Review, there are two main disadvantages of using HostGator which we face while testing them out, now we’ll discuss all those in this section

1. Lots of Extra Fees for ‘True’ Backups, Gmail, and Malware

HostGator’s Shared hosting plans are cheap, starting at only $2.75/month (for 36 months). Their cheapest plan (“Hatchling”) comes with a Single Domain Name, One-Click installations of popular apps like WordPress, Joomla, and more, Unmetered Bandwidth, Unlimited Storage, and a Free SSL Certificate. All of the core features you need for a complete website.

However, once you used the initial plan duration, you can expect a level up in the rates. Such as $2.75/month is the cheapest plan and you register that but in the next period, the renewal price starts at $6.95 per month. Also, they will charge you for ‘EXTRA Stuff‘, like Site Backups, Gmail Access, SiteLock Monitoring, and SEO tools when it’s time to check out.

Gmail is the standard $5/month or $60/year per user, then SiteLock will cost $19.99/year and CodeGuard (to back up your sites) will cost $23.95/year.

But good news is that you are not bound to buy these Extra Stuff. These are optional.

2. Industry-Standard Pricing ‘Tricks’

Now after additional fee HostGator pulls two pricing tricks that are pretty common in the industry.

The first is advertising a low rate Introductory offer price like $2.75/month, only for user to realize that it requires them to prepay for a full three years to actually get it. Otherwise, the user is looking at $10.95/month for an actual single months’ worth of service.

Then on top of that comes HostGator’s renewal pricing after your initial plan expires.

Hostgator Coupons

Get Up to 50% OFF on WordPress Hosting in India

Get Up to 50% OFF on WordPress Hosting in India

Rs.249Rs.499 Buy this item

Reveal coupon

6640 days left

Flat 30% OFF on Cloud Hosting in India

Flat 30% OFF on Cloud Hosting in India

Rs.479Rs.799 Buy this item

Reveal coupon

6640 days left

Flat 60% OFF on Web Hosting Plan in USA

Flat 60% OFF on Web Hosting Plan in USA

Buy this item

Conclusion

HostGator is one of the top Shared, Reseller, VPS, and Dedicated web hosting company with good customer service. Having a special feature of HostGator is if downtime below that, then we will get back one month credit on your account makes it wonderful. HostGator offers an array of useful plans for consumers and small businesses. It has power and flexibility in multiple hosting categories. Probably a good option for value for money.

HostGator Alternatives

Up to now if you’ve probably realized that HostGator isn’t your favourite provider. Then here are a few alternatives:

• Bluehost or DreamHost are reliable, cheap providers.
• The best support is offered by DreamHost, GreenGeeks and InMotion.
• DreamHost and GreenGeeks performed the best in my tests.
• One of my favorite shared hosting providers for WordPress is GreenGeeks. They just have more features than the rest: staging, built-in caching system and advanced speed optimization options.

But, if you still want to use HostGator, remember that you can try HostGator for free for 45 days.

*Related Content: Bluehost Web Hosting Review

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION – Hostgator Review 2022

1. How to transfer the domain to HostGator?

If you are known already with the Domain Transfer process then Go to the Request a Transfer option at https://hostgator.com/transfer. If you are transferring a domain between two different HostGator billing accounts then contact Hostgator support via phone or live chat.

Follow these instructions to transfer your Domain to Hostgator :-

1. Is your domain unlocked?
If your domain is lock then you will contact your current registrar and request to unblock your domain.

2. Is Domain Privacy disabled?
If your domain privacy is not disabled then you will have to verify your ownership. This option is available by your current registrar.

3. Is the Domain older than 60 days?
As per ICANN policy, if your Domain is older than 60 days then you can transfer your Domain to Hostgator. If it is a new Domain then you can’t transfer it.

4. Has the administrator’s email been validated?
Initially, HostGator verifies the ownership of the Domain with an email by WHOIS. After verification of email then go to the admin email.

If verification is not done by WHOIS then:

Click the How-To Fix button then a popup box will appear, click the button to send a confirmation email to the administrator email from WHOIS information.

In an email, you will receive a confirmation code and link. Click on the link or enter the confirmation code and click Confirm.

5. Does HostGator support this domain type?
After checking the domain type hosted by HostGator. 

6. Is this Domain far enough from expiration?
Some registrars are not allowing an expired domain to be transferred.

7. Is this Domain not currently in redemption?
Once a domain is in fiber liberation status a domain will be unable to be transferred.

After following these instructions then you will have to follow some steps: –

• Click the button labelled Continue to Checkout.
• After the checkout process, you will have to log in with an existing HostGator account or create a new account.
• In the Order section, you are able to review all of the domains. In this section, you will also be able to set the Domain Name Servers.
• After setting the domain, you have to click on the Continue to Checkout button to proceed to the payment section.
• Now, click on the next checkbox to accept the HostGator Terms of Service, Domain Registration Agreement, and Privacy Policy.
• Now you will receive a Domain Transfer verification mail from the WHOIS Registrant email.  
• Now, you will have to approve the verification email for the Domain Transfer. This email will also allow you to enter the EPP key that is required for the Domain Transfer process.  

Now, you can transfer the domain.

2. How to install WordPress in HostGator?

At the purchase time of HostGator, we can install WordPress with one click. If you are an existing customer of Hostgator then you can use Softaculous and install WordPress manually.

Just follow some simple steps to install WordPress manually :-

1. Install WordPress via Softaculous

• Go to HostGator.com
• login account at HostGator by using email and password
• Go to Control panel and Softaculous app installer
• Now you will see WordPress in the window
• Click the button on WordPress

2. Install WordPress Manually

• Download WordPress
• Upload WordPress to Hosting Account
• Create MySQL Database and User
• Configure wp-config.php
• Run the Installation
• Complete the Installation

3. Where is HostGator located?

At the present time, HostGator is one of the top listed companies of hosting providers all over the world. This fame of the company due to its reliability and flexibility. Offices in four locations: Houston and Austin, Texas; Florianopolis and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Data centers: Houston, Texas, and Provo, Utah, America (U.S.). 

4. Is HostGator good or bad?

HostGator is one of the biggest and oldest web hosting companies in the industry. HostGator is one of the best web hosting services that’s simple to use and offers an array of useful plans for users and Small Businesses.

Its uptime, customer support, and shared plan features are the good and top pick of the users. 

5. Who owns HostGator?

From 21 June 2012, Endurance International Group (EIG) is the owner of HostGator. On October 22, 2002, HostGator was founded by Brent Oxley.  

After a long struggle, the company had achieved a big success. In 2003, Hostgator had more than 100 customers. After this successful journey, the company started international setups. On July 13, 2012, HostGator was sold to Endurance International Group (EIG). At that time selling price was $299.8 million. At present, the company is one of the top listed company of hosting providers all over the world. This fame of the company due to its reliability and flexibility.

6. Is HostGator safe?

HostGator provides a guarantee plan with an uptime of 99.99%. If HostGator downtime below that, then they will get back one month’s credit on your account.

HostGator provides a generous moneyback guarantee: HostGator offers 45 days moneyback guarantee. Normally, web hosting companies do not offer a moneyback guarantee beyond 30 days.

HostGator provides the best services for its users.

Hemant Kumar

Hemant Kumar who own StartaWebsiteHub.com, is a full time blogger, SEO expert and affiliate marketer who has been helping users to create a money making blogs.

Related Articles

Rocket.net Hosting Review 2022: Pros and Cons

Hostens Review 2022 – Is it the Best Web Hosting for you?

Stablehost Review 2022

eUKhost Review 2022 – Is this web hosting good for your Site