Uptown Downtown Gal

Bluehost – #1 Host for Beginner Bloggers

Although there are many website hosts to choose from, Bluehost is the #1, and most popular, site endorsed by WordPress.

March 13, 2021

Disclosure/Disclaimer: This post/page contains affiliate links, including Bluehost. I earn commissions if you click on the links and make a purchase. This is at no additional cost to you. In fact, you may receive a special discounted price through my affiliate link. All opinions remain my own. For more information click here.

Hi friend. I’m assuming you’re one of my fellow bloggers or you've been thinking about starting your own blog. Either way, I’m glad you’re here.

Bluehost for Beginner Bloggers

If you’re a beginner blogger or you’ve been researching what it takes to start a blog, you probably already realized it’s not as easy as you originally thought. Of Course, It’s Not! If it was, then everyone and their sista would be doing it! But, don’t fret, I share all my secrets and strategies for the best resources, tools, and social media groups to join. As a result, you will get the benefit of avoiding the mistakes that I made.

Bluehost Review - 1

One of my favorite things to do is help others, especially my fellow bloggers. I remember when I first started blogging, there was so much information out on the “www” I didn’t know what to believe or where to begin. So, because of that, today I am going to tell you about Bluehost. Bluehost is the #1 host provider for beginners. Although this is my opinion, from experience, it is also the opinion of many other bloggers.

Through the years, I have used many website/blog hosting companies. Some were good, some were OK, and some were horrible! With that to say, I was, then, introduced to Bluehost. Bluehost is AWESOME! Every Blogger should know about Bluehost. In fact, I plan to use Bluehost again, in the near future, for my next site.

Bluehost is the #1 hosting company for beginner bloggers because of their introductory prices and all the great features they offer.

Why Choose Bluehost…

Because your hosting company is THE #1 most important investment you will make, you need to choose wisely.

Your blog hosting company is where all your blog files are stored. All your content, articles, and pictures on your blog are stored on the servers owned by your hosting company. Because your host is essentially where your blog “lives” and all your important files are kept, having an amazing hosting company is extremely important.

Although there are many hosting companies to choose from, Bluehost is one of the few web hosting companies, and the most popular, recommended by WordPress. They are also one of the oldest web hosting companies around. Bluehost has definitely stood the “test of time”!

Bluehost hosting packages come with unmetered bandwidth, free global CDN and SSL certificates, and free daily, weekly and monthly backups. If you don’t know what all this stuff is (I didn’t know in the beginning either) trust me, it’s great!

You also want to choose a host with fantastic customer service. In other words, a company that is available 24/7 and allows for live chat, telephone, and email communications. This is exactly what Bluehost offers.

In addition to their great packages and customer service, Bluehost also has a portal where you can find extensive how-to guides, video tutorials, FAQs, and articles on just about any web hosting topic.

How To Start Your Blog with Bluehost

Bluehost Plans and Other Features

The Bluehost Basic Package offers an Introductory Special rate for just a few dollars/month. It’s usually $3.95, but can be as little as $2.75 depending on promotional specials at any given time. But, even at $3.95, it’s a great deal. In fact, I doubt you can find a plan cheaper than Bluehost.

Although these are special prices for signing up for the 3 year plan, they also have a special deal for the 2 year plan of $4.95/mo and the 1 year plan of $5.95/mo. These are AWESOME deals too!

Bluehost Packages

I personally signed up for the 3 year plan. Why?

In my heart of hearts, I knew I was committed to creating a successful blog. And, I love a GREAT deal! (Bluehost has the cheapest plans for starting a blog)

A few extra great features included in these deals are:

  • Easy to use control panel – it may look intimidating at first, but once you start navigating around it, it’s simple
  • Dozens of site tool add-ons – such as Microsoft 365, Domain Privacy (I highly recommend), SiteLock, SEO Tools, and CodeGuard
  • Free website builder – just like the control panel, it may look intimidating at first, but once you start navigating around it, it’s easy peasy
  • Free domain for the first year – keeps your start-up costs down
  • Free domain-specific email addresses – adds to the professional look of your site
  • 99.96% uptime – can’t get much better
  • Technology support for fast page load times – a definite “must”
  • Above average security features – another definite “must”

Bluehost Is Compatible With Many WordPress Plugins

Plugins are software that add extra functionality to your website. They make it easier to add new features to your site without having to know a single line of code. There are thousands of WordPress plugins available for FREE.

Aside from the free plugins, there are also tons of amazing plugins you can purchase from third party companies and developers. Hence, I currently use 15 plugins on UptownDowntownGal.com – some free and some paid for.

When choosing a plugin:

  • Search for it within your Bluehost dashboard
  • Check out when it was Last Updated – it should be within the last couple months
  • Check out the Star Ratings
  • Check out the number of Active Installations

Bluehost Email

If you plan to create a business with your blog, you will want a domain-related email address. The basic plan allows you to create 5 email accounts. As a beginner blogger, that is more than enough when starting a blog.

Bluehost Security and Backups

Most importantly, your hosting company should provide security and backups.

Bluehost uses SiteLock to scan your website daily for malware and viruses. They also perform 24/7 monitoring on the company’s network servers. Bluehost plans offer complimentary backups on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. However, I still recommend getting your own backup provider. Because you are just starting out, there are some great FREE plugins that you can use for now, such as UpdraftPlus.

One of the best indicators of a secure website is an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate lets users know that any information shared on your site will be safe. Bluehost includes the SSL certificate with their introductory plans. These certificates are indicated by a padlock icon and “https” at the beginning of your URL in the browser search field.

How To Start Your Blog with Bluehost

Money Back Guarantee

Bluehost also offers a money back guarantee. You can cancel your plan at any time during the first 30 days and get a full refund.

Now is a good time to PIN this post, so you can refer back to it at any time. Choose your Pin Image below.

Bluehost Review #1 Host
Bluehost Review for Beginner Bloggers
Bluehost Review - my experience

In Conclusion, Why use Bluehost?

In short, Bluehost is the best choice for starting a blog. If you aren’t convinced yet, go back and reread this article again. Take note of the cheap introductory prices and all the features it has to offer.

Let me know how these tips work for you in the comment section below.

 I invite you to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest. If you find this information useful, please share with your family and friends.

Your Girlfriend,

Bluehost Review Signature

23 Comments

  1. Lindsey

    I use Bluehost too. It's great for starting a blog.

    Reply
    • Uptown Downtown Gal

      You're so right Lindsey, especially for beginners.

  2. Ekta

    Very honest review. I'm also using Bluehost and for 2nd year too. I really appreciate their customer service. They are genuinely very helpful and friendly.

    Reply
    • Uptown Downtown Gal

      I am very impressed with their customer service too.

  3. Hydia

    I currently use blue host also ! I’m a new blogger and I appreciate you sharing your opinion !

    Reply
    • Uptown Downtown Gal

      I love sharing useful info with new bloggers. I think you will be so happy you chose them for your host.

  4. Gareth

    Thanks for the information, share and insight.

    Reply
    • Uptown Downtown Gal

      You're so right!

  5. Jill DeMasi

    I have used Bluehost for years and am satisfied with it. Their customer service is really great.

    Reply
  6. Heather Jandrue

    I love the ease of Bluehost. There are so many other things to worry about with a blog, it is nice to have something that I don't.

    Reply
    • Uptown Downtown Gal

      I know what you mean!

  7. Sandra Whitmore

    I use Bluehost and have never had a problem or had to contact them.

    Reply
  8. Alexis Farmer

    I’ve only used Bluehost but I dig it!

    Reply
  9. Marianne

    I have had really great experience with the customer service at Bluehost. I would recommend them for sure.

    Reply
  10. Tricia Snow

    I stay with BH because I appreciate their customer service. I have heard some stories about other hosts so I appreciate the care i get from BH.

    Reply
  11. Sarah

    This is great information. Bluehost is who I currently use. You brought up some really great things about them I didn't even know!

    Reply
  12. Kristen W Allred

    I haven't tried Bluehost, but I know it's popular with bloggers for the reasons you list.

    Reply
  13. Barbara

    I completely agree and use bluehost too!

    Reply
  14. Emily

    I use bluehost as well, their customer service has been great!

    Reply
  15. Angela

    I use bluehost too and love it.

    Reply
  16. Sabrina DeWalt

    I have been with Bluehost since the beginning and have been happy with their service. Customer service was amazing the two times I needed them. I'm curious how much it will be when my three-year deal is up.

    Reply
    • Uptown Downtown Gal

      It automatically renews at the regular price. You can continue to get good a deal if you renew during one of their promotions. Bluehost is planning to offer the $2.95/mo deal for all long term packages on March 29th & 30th. During your 3rd year look for the promos and take advantage of it. They usually offer something during Black Friday each year and a few other times throughout the year.

  17. Cindy Moore

    Excellent info for new bloggers!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Allison,
a Lifestyle Blogger
and a Southern Gal
who grew up in a small
town on the coast of
South Carolina.
The beaches, rivers,
creeks, and salt marshes
full of pluff mud were
my backyard. I wouldn’t
trade it for the world!
How To Start Your Blog with Bluehost
Bloggin' Away with Bluehost
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