Selecting a hosting service can be a daunting task given the plethora of options available in the market. Differentiating between the various hosts and understanding their pros and cons can be quite challenging. Many reviews are biased as they aim to promote products or services through affiliate links, which may not provide a complete picture of the service.
It is crucial to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision on hosting, as making the right choice initially is more practical and cost-effective than switching hosts later on.
That’s where Hosting Facts comes into play. Hosting Facts is a review service that conducts thorough testing of hosting providers by subscribing to their plans at their own expense and setting up a test website. They refrain from using affiliate links for these hosts to maintain objectivity.
Let’s delve into how Hosting Facts assists in selecting the best hosting provider for your needs.
Features of Hosting Facts
Hosting Facts delivers high-quality reviews based on real experiences and data. They follow a structured process that encompasses six key steps:
They utilize Pingdom.com to track metrics such as speed and uptime data for hosting companies, aiding users in assessing the value of a host.
Now that you understand the role of Hosting Facts, let’s explore how to utilize it to its fullest potential.
Utilizing Hosting Facts
Host information is presented via easy-to-follow charts. In case of any confusion, detailed instructions are provided to comprehend each aspect and interpret the charts.
The charts feature the company logo, name, pricing details, uptime, and page-load speed information. Additionally, graphical representations with four circle charts indicate individual metric scores, followed by an overall score section and links to the review and host’s website.
The hosts are listed from highest to lowest rated and can be sorted based on overall score, uptime, speed, price, and support, enabling readers to choose a hosting provider that aligns with their priorities. Once a suitable host is identified, readers can access the review or the host’s website with a simple click.
Reviews
The reviews feature a structured layout with bullet points and charts for easy navigation. The content is reader-friendly and includes ranking numbers, founding year, chart metrics, and customer support analysis.
Reviews provide an overview of the host’s plans, their test site setup, and a link to the test site. The hosting plans are rigorously tested over approximately six months, with scores ranging from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).
Moreover, customer reviews are included, with Hosting Facts paying for these reviews. Customers are encouraged to share both positive and negative experiences, with reviews ranging from 50 to 200 words and providing an overall score.
Here are the summaries of three reviews for your perusal.
Bluehost
Bluehost secures the 8th position with an overall score of 7.5. Impressive features include a 99.99% uptime over six months and a 964ms average load time. However, support received a lower rating due to a 43-minute wait time. The review was last updated in December 2015.
Customer reviews revealed an average score of 9.6, praising aspects such as pricing, interface, performance, and support.
It’s worth noting discrepancies in the article rankings compared to the charts, possibly stemming from updates to the scores. Additionally, contrary statements exist regarding Bluehost’s load-time performance.
Hostgator
Hostgator holds the 20th position, though the summary indicates 19th place. With an overall score of 6.8, Hostgator showcases an average uptime of 99.95% and a load time of 938ms. Positive feedback was received for a 16-minute wait time during peak support hours. The review was last updated in December 2015.
Customer reviews reflected an average score of 9.25, emphasizing its suitability for beginners and small websites, with a recommendation for plan upgrades as traffic increases.
However, the review contained unprofessional language and misleading statements, claiming a top ten position for Hostgator when it stood at 19 in the charts.
Siteground
Siteground ranks 5th according to the article, though the summary lists it at 4th place. With an overall rating of 8.0, Siteground boasts a 99.95% uptime and a load time of 631ms. Notably, the support is highly praised for its 11-second response time. The review was last updated in December 2015.
Customer feedback of 9.4 highlighted positives such as pricing, uptime, support, and WordPress ease of use, with a mention of occasional difficulties in eliciting responses. All reviews were from December 2015.
Despite minor discrepancies between articles and charts, Siteground’s performance speaks to its reliability.
Documentation & Support
Hosting Facts offers a range of tools, guides, and tutorials for documentation. These resources cover host types, website optimization, and security measures. They also feature an uptime/downtime calculator and tutorials on data centers and website performance impact on revenue, accompanied by well-crafted infographics.
For assistance, users can reach out through the provided Contact Form.
Pricing – Is There a Cost?
Hosting Facts provides its services free of charge.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Hosting Facts stands out for its detailed and insightful reviews, making it a valuable resource for evaluating hosting options. While some popular hosts may be missing from their listings, Hosting Facts offers unbiased and reliable reviews.
The reviews are detailed yet easy to grasp, with charts simplifying the host comparison process. Despite discrepancies in scores between articles and charts, the clarity of chart displays aids in deciphering the true rankings and performances.
What are your views on review sites like Hosting Facts? Have you utilized Hosting Facts or similar platforms before? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.