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Website Software Reviews: Grow Your Website With The Right Tools

Choosing the right infrastructure for your website is critical. It's the foundation you'll use to build your business - whether it's an online store or personal project.

But choosing the right option is tough.

Because there is no such thing as an overall "best" option for everyone. There is no "best web hosting" or "best ecommerce website platform" - there is only the best option for you based on your goals, expertise, resources & situation.

Here's an overview of the types of reviews I've written based on my experience as either a customer or consultant.

Web Hosting Reviews

Your website has to "live" somewhere. And that somewhere is a server that "hosts" your website. I've been able to look at a wide range of web hosts and break them down based on pros & cons, or compare them to each other based on set of criteria.

My most popular web hosting review looks at the two of the industry's top brands - Bluehost vs. GoDaddy. My post on InMotion and 1&1 Hosting are also popular.

If you're getting frustrated reading about all the options, I also have a BuzzFeed-style quiz that can help you figure out the best web hosting options for you.

Find all my web hosting reviews here.

Ecommerce Hosting Reviews

There are some types of websites that need a core set of features. For ecommerce, that means a shopping cart, payment processing and inventory management. For some, it makes sense to provide those features as part of an integrated platform. My most popular ecommerce hosting review looks at Shopify. I've also written a guide to building your own ecommerce site with WordPress.

If you're getting frustrated reading about all the options, I also have a BuzzFeed-style quiz that can help you figure out the best ecommerce hosting options for you.

Find all my ecommerce hosting reviews here.

Domain & Business Software Reviews

But your business doesn't start and end with hosting - below, you'll also find reviews of domain name registrars, website builders & more. And I have quizzes on choosing domain registrars & choosing website builders too, and a full list of my favorite resources here.

Background on Ratings

I generally hate stars. They do not provide the nuance that I like to know when choosing a service. And yet, stars are a thing. We all expect stars on reviews, so my reviews have stars.

Here's what star ratings on my site mean.

1 Star - if you need the service, stop researching this company and move on. You will certainly find someone better.

2 Star - For what it's worth, this company is fine...but you'll probably be able to find a better service provider regardless of your goals.

3 Star - if there is a specific pro or feature that speaks to you - then you should feel good about using this company. Their cons or disadvantages are not especially bad across the board.

4 Star - unless there is a specific con or disadvantage that turns you off - then they are a good choice. Their pros are great across the board, but you should still keep an eye out for disadvantages that apply to your goals.

5 Star - if you need the service, stop looking and use them. I've never given a full 5 star even though Ahrefs comes super close.

Explore onwards - you'll find all my reviews listed below!

Avast SecureLine VPN Review: Pros & Cons of Using Avast

Nate Shivar Updated April 3, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Avast SecureLine VPN Review_ Pros & Cons of Using Avast

Avast SecureLine VPN is a basic VPN service that works with other Avast security products, like its antivirus and internet security tools.

See Avast’s Current Plans & Pricing

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, keeps your information protected at home, at your place of business, or when you’re traveling. In a world with an uncertain future of internet privacy, it’s more important than ever to keep sensitive data under wraps with a VPN, which acts as a personal bubble between your information and the vast world of the internet.

Avast SecureLine VPN Background

After years of foolishly running my online business via public WiFi (though more secure now than then), I decided to start using a VPN to mask some of my communications and access a bit of out of market sporting events while traveling.

But I found out that – similar to web hosting – there is no such thing as a “best VPN provider”. In fact, it’s like a whole world of confusing information because even trustworthy information is near-useless since it’s so complex.

This Avast SecureLine VPN review is my notes from trying them out for my own purposes as a privacy-aware, traveling, US-based businessperson who needs good usability and good pricing. I am not a political activist or someone who regularly travels to firewalled countries.

Here’s a good explainer as to whether you actually need a VPN at all…

Whether you are looking for a VPN for privacy on public networks, for website access, for avoiding geotargeting, for masking communications or all the above, hopefully, this Avast SecureLine VPN review will be useful.

What is Avast SecureLine VPN?

Avast SecureLine VPN is another security tool from Avast Software, a worldwide security company based in the Czech Republic. Since 1988, Avast has been a leader in the development of applications created to computers, devices, files, and personal information safe. You Probably know them best from their antivirus and computer cleanup utilities.

Avast SecureLine VPN offers all the standard features of a VPN with a focus on bundling with the rest of their security suite. They have a large marketshare in the VPN market, primarily from their large marketshare in the antivirus market.

Is Avast SecureLine VPN Safe?

Yes, ExpressVPN is safe*. They are owned by a large, growing company with a straightforward and open business model (aka, the customer pays money for a service) and audited services & financial records. They’ve been around for a while and have high standards of disclosure from many non-profit industry watchdogs.

*The asterisk here is that the company does log usage for performance and improvement. This does mean that there is user data available for subpoena and hacking. Now – that doesn’t mean Avast is unsafe, but it does mean that they are vulnerable in ways that competitors are not. Additionally, all commercial VPNs suffer from the same group of risks outlined by the US National Institutes of Technology’s Empirical Analysis in 2018.

Is Avast SecureLine VPN Good?

Yes, Avast SecureLine VPN is a pretty good VPN if you are using it for specific purposes. They have tradeoffs for sure, and they aren’t right for many VPN users. But they offer everything many customers want in a VPN at with an well-priced security bundle that many customers value.

So here’s the rest of my Avast SecureLine VPN review – structured with pros & cons based on my experience as a customer so you can figure out if Avast SecureLine VPN is a good fit for you, or if you want an alternative paid VPN.

[Read more…] about Avast SecureLine VPN Review: Pros & Cons of Using Avast
Avast SecureLine VPN

Avast SecureLine VPN is a VPN product from a well-known, Czech-based computer security company. Alright for a general VPN. For the price of its license, Avast VPN should give users more features to customize their Internet experience.

Price: 5.33

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

HostGator Hosting Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives

Nate Shivar Updated April 2, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

HostGator Review_ Pros & Negatives for WordPress Hosting

HostGator is one of the most well-known brands in the hosting world. They are one of the two flagship brands of Endurance International, the world’s largest web services corporation.

HostGator was the first shared hosting company that I ever used – I signed up back when they were still privately owned. They’ve changed a lot over the years in both product focus and lineup.

See HostGator’s Current Plans & Pricing

And yet – I’m still a customer after all these years (I have several micro-sites on a single shared hosting account). They are an incredible fit for a certain type of customer. But it pays to know their pros, cons, advantages. and complaints so that you can find the best host for your specific situation.

So let’s dive into my HostGator review. They aren’t the best fit for everyone, but here’s what I’ve liked/disliked as a customer.

[Read more…] about HostGator Hosting Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives
HostGator

HostGator is one of Endurance International's flagship brands specializing in entry-level hosting services. Great all-around value for the entry-level end of hosting. Great support, features, and price. They could improve on on a few things - though much of the cons are the same no matter who the hosting company is.

Price: 2.75

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Web Hosting

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Hosting Reviews

CyberGhost VPN Review: Pros & Cons of Using CyberGhost

Nate Shivar Updated April 2, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

CyberGhost VPN Review_ Pros & Cons of Using CyberGhost

CyberGhost VPN is a Romanian-based VPN provider founded in 2011. They are one of the most rapidly growing VPNs in the industry with a strong focus on server selection, value pricing, and usability.

See CyberGhost’s Current Plans & Pricing

CyberGhost offers a network of 5800+ servers across 89+ countries via a range of devices including Android, iPhone, Mac & Desktop. They allow up to 7 device connections with a limited anonymous logging policy (for server usage & balancing).

CyberGhost Background

After years of foolishly running my online business via public WiFi (though more secure now than then), I decided to start using a VPN to mask some of my communications and access a bit of out of market sporting events while traveling.

But I found out that – similar to web hosting – there is no such thing as a “best VPN provider”. In fact, it’s like a whole world of confusing information because even trustworthy information is near-useless since it’s so complex.

This CyberGhost VPN review is my notes from trying them out for my own purposes as a privacy-aware, traveling, US-based businessperson who needs good usability and good pricing. I am not a political activist or someone who regularly travels to firewalled countries.

Here’s a good explainer as to whether you actually need a VPN at all…

Whether you are looking for a VPN for privacy on public networks, for website access, for avoiding geotargeting, for masking communications or all the above, hopefully, this CyberGhost review will be useful.

What is CyberGhost VPN?

CyberGhost is a commercial Virtual Private Network (VPN) currently owned by Kape Technologies, a publicly traded technology company on the London Stock Exchange. They own a range of VPN & tech brands including Private Internet Access and ZenMate. CyberGhost allows you to route all your Internet traffic through their network so that you can mask your destinations, locations, and other characteristics that show up with your Internet connection.

CyberGhost offers all the standard features of a VPN with a focus on high performance, low pricing, and a large server network. They have a large marketshare in the VPN market.

Is CyberGhost VPN Safe?

Yes, CyberGhost VPN is safe*. They are owned by a large, publicly-owned company with a straightforward and open business model (aka, the customer pays money for a service) and audited services & financial records.

*The asterisk here is that CyberGhost’s parent company started life as a pretty sketchy Israeli surveillance firm associated with malware. Once they were acquired by Reimage and then by Kape, they’ve been assiduously focused on reassuring customers and building a paid business model (rather than free ad-supported model). By most audits & VPN standards, they are safe. However, note that all commercial VPNs suffer from the same group of risks outlined by the US National Institutes of Technology’s Empirical Analysis in 2018.

Is CyberGhost Good?

Yes, CyberGhost VPN is a solid VPN for their price point. They have tradeoffs for sure, and they aren’t right for everyone. But they offer everything most customers want in a VPN with a focus on usability and speed that some VPNs can’t match.

So here’s the rest of my CyberGhost VPN review – structured with pros & cons based on my experience as a customer so you can figure out if CyberGhost VPN is a good fit for you, or if you want an alternative paid VPN.

[Read more…] about CyberGhost VPN Review: Pros & Cons of Using CyberGhost
CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost is a Romanian-based provider of VPN services with more than 20 million users. Affordable pricing options, good usability, good security and excellent server selection. Limited support options.

Price: 12.99

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

Porkbun Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives

Nate Shivar Updated March 30, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Porkbun Review

Porkbun is an ICANN-accredited domain registrar based out of Portland, Oregon. Their primary pitch is making the domain registration process easy, enjoyable, and affordable.

See Porkbun’s Current Prices & Selection

They are one of the myriad smaller domain registrars that have a dedicated but smaller following than the big brands like GoDaddy.

Does Porkbun hold up to their mission of being an “amazingly awesome” domain registrar? We recently tried them out. Here’s our full PorkBun review with pros, cons, and alternatives.

[Read more…] about Porkbun Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives
Porkbun

Porkbun is a great independent registrar with a seamless, wonderful purchase experience. They do lack complementary products though.

Operating System: All

Application Category: Domain Registration

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Domain Registrar Reviews

When Should Someone Not Use WordPress?

Nate Shivar Updated March 30, 2020 By ShivarWeb Staff

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

When Should Someone Not Use WordPress_

You’re probably here because you’ve heard the buzz about WordPress (Alignable’s SMB Index says WordPress is the most trusted software for small business), but are wondering if there are situations in which someone should not use WordPress for their business website.

WordPress is an incredibly versatile website platform — I won’t hide my enthusiasm for it. But there is no such thing as a “best website platform”. There’s only the best choice based on your goals, resources and preferences.

Most website platforms promote with features and price. But like buying a house – price and features don’t tell the whole story. They don’t tell you if this platform is a good choice for your website.

When evaluating whether or not to use WordPress, you need to think about your needs for a website. Do you need flexibility? Support? A mixture of both?

Here’s how to figure out if/when someone should not use WordPress for their business website.

[Read more…] about When Should Someone Not Use WordPress?

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Review FAQs & Explainers, Website Builder Guides

Weebly Review: Pros & Cons of Using Weebly For Your Website

Nate Shivar Updated March 30, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Weebly Review

When it comes to getting a website up, there’s never been an easier time. Weebly is one of the fastest growing and longest standing brands in the website building space. They were mentioned in the first edition of the 4-Hour Workweek. Ever since then, they’ve grown and continued to revise their software. I recently gave Weebly, Wix & Squarespace a try for a small project.

See Weebly’s Current Plans & Pricing

Weebly Video Review

But first, a bit of an overview on website builders in general. Whether you go drag and drop builder; an installed Content Management System (CMS), or hand-coded HTML files, there’s a lot of considerations that go into building a website.

In the end, you really want someone to type in a website address and see your information, presented well with the right functionality in their browser. Whether you are building a simple personal website or running a business, the way you build your site determines a lot both long-term and short-term.

In the long-term, the tools you use to set up your website affects your versatility, functionality, and, of course, your brand. In the short-term, it can certainly add/take away a lot of headaches. That said, just like choosing a physical house or office, there is no such thing as an absolute “best” or “top” choice. There’s only such thing as the right choice relative to your goals, experience, and circumstances.

*Aside – I did try to sort the best choices by typical uses/goals in my best website builder quiz here, though.

What Is Weebly?

On the wide spectrum of website building solutions, Weebly lives on the end that is all-inclusive and provides everything you need to get started and grow your website. It’s in contrast to solutions where you buy, install, and manage all the “pieces” of your website separately.

It’s like trading off some control for more convenience.

Using Weebly is sort of like leasing and customizing an apartment in a nice development instead of buying and owning your own house. You’re still in control of decor, cleaning, and everything living-wise – but you leave the construction, plumbing, security, and infrastructure to the property owner. That point is key because there’s usually a direct tradeoff between convenience and control.

All the functionality and design that are included with Weebly work seamlessly together as a platform. That’s what allows them to have drag and drop design, layout, and content.

As far as competition, Weebly competes directly with all-inclusive website builders like Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress.com.

Website builders as a group compete with options like WordPress.org (which provides the free software to build a website that you own & control – see my WordPress setup guide here) all the way to options like typing actual HTML code into a text file. Make sense? Awesome, let’s dive into the Weebly review.

[Read more…] about Weebly Review: Pros & Cons of Using Weebly For Your Website
Weebly

Weebly is one of the best known all in one website builders. It offers drag and drop design, good functionality and bundled hosting and customer support. If you're going the all-inclusive website builder route, Weebly is a great fit for most. Great functionality, great user experience.

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Website Builder

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Website Builder Reviews

GreenGeeks Hosting Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives

Nate Shivar Updated March 24, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

GreenGeeks Hosting Review

GreenGeeks is an independent, rapidly growing hosting company based in California, but with data centers across the US and Europe. GreenGeeks positions itself as a more environmentally friendly host with a focus on customer support.

[Read more…] about GreenGeeks Hosting Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives
GreenGeeks Hosting

GreenGeeks is a solid, independent hosting company with a focus on product performance, customer support, and environmental sustainability.

Price: 9.95

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Web Hosting

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Hosting Reviews

Hover Domains Review: Pros & Cons of Hover Domains as Domain Registrar

Nate Shivar Updated March 24, 2020 By ShivarWeb Staff

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Hover Domains Review Pros & Cons of Hover Domains as Domain Registrar

Hover Domains is a domain registrar founded in 2009 as an offshoot of Tucows Inc. (the second largest ICANN accredited domain registrar online). Hover’s M.O. is that they stick to what they know, and that’s domains.

See Hover’s Current Prices & Selection

But let’s be honest, you probably only know them from their podcast ads on shows like Hello Internet and 99% Invisible. While Grey and Roman might plug them – you want to know how they actually stack up.

Well – this domain registrar deals solely with buying, managing, and transferring domains on their platform.

Hover does offer email services but they does not offer other complementary products such as website hosting, website builders, etc.

It’s important to remember that a domain is not a website. It’s not an email, an app, or any other service. It’s simply your online address. It helps people locate where you are. If you want to set up a website, you’ll still need to get hosting or a website builder / eCommerce provider that provides hosting (which Hover does not provide).

I’ll dive deeper into this in the pros and cons, but it’s an important distinction to make up front because it helps us understand what Hover’s goal is.

They’re not about being an all-in-one solution — quite the opposite, actually. Their focus is only on simplicity. They’re all about getting you your domain and letting you use it wherever you need it through app integrations.

How does Hover stack up against other domain registrars? Here’s our review of Hover Domains as a domain registrar with pros and cons.

[Read more…] about Hover Domains Review: Pros & Cons of Hover Domains as Domain Registrar
Hover Domains

Hover Domains is a domain registrar founded in 2009 as an offshoot of Tucows Inc. (the second largest ICANN accredited domain registrar online). This domain registrar deals solely with buying, managing, and transferring domains on their platform (they also offer email services, but no other complementary products).

Operating System: All

Application Category: Domain Registration

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Domain Registrar Reviews

GoDaddy vs. iPage Web Hosting Comparison

Nate Shivar Updated March 22, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

GoDaddy vs. iPage Web Hosting Comparison

“GoDaddy vs. iPage” is a pretty common question for anyone researching their options for web hosting.

GoDaddy and iPage are two of the best known budget hosts in the world. And they are owned respectively by the two of largest web services companies in the world (GoDaddy Group and Endurance International).

View GoDaddy’s Current Plans & Pricing

View iPage’s Current Plans & Pricing

They are both “go-to” brands for business owners looking for simple, affordable hosting. And yet – they are different companies with different brands. When you are choosing a website host – you still have to end up choosing which company to go with.

I have current clients who use (and like) GoDaddy hosting. Although this site runs on InMotion Hosting (which I’ll mention later) – I have also used iPage for a couple small projects. I wrote a full iPage review here.

In this comparison between GoDaddy and iPage, I’ll try to break down the differences that I’ve found in seven different areas ranging from pricing structure to customer service and market focus so that you can decide which is the best fit for your project.

Let’s dive into GoDaddy vs. iPage…

[Read more…] about GoDaddy vs. iPage Web Hosting Comparison

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Hosting Comparisons

iPage Hosting Review: Pros & Cons of Using iPage

Nate Shivar Updated March 20, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

iPage Hosting Review Pros & Cons of Using iPage

iPage Hosting is a hosting company targeting the entry-level and budget-conscious end of the market. They’re one of Endurance International’s (a large hosting brand holding company) brands, along with Bluehost, HostGator and others.

See iPage’s Current Plans & Pricing

They’ve been around in some form since 1998, but only recently repositioned themselves as a pure-play web hosting company. They specialize in Linux shared hosting (ie, the type of hosting used by most companies who run their site with software like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc), but also offer VPS and Dedicated server plans for higher traffic websites.

After their sister company, Bluehost, changed their pricing, I had a few readers asking what I thought of them. So while shopping for a new budget host for a side project, I decided to sign up and give them a try.

Here’s my iPage Hosting review – structured with pros & cons based on my experience as a customer.

[Read more…] about iPage Hosting Review: Pros & Cons of Using iPage
iPage Hosting

iPage is a budget web hosting company in Burlington, MA owned by Endurance International. iPage Hosting has great pricing but only mediocre performance. Their custom backend has lots of upsells and clutter.

Price: 7.99

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Web Hosting

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Hosting Reviews

Good Bluehost Alternatives for Your Web Hosting

Nate Shivar Updated March 20, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Bluehost Alternatives

There has never been so many options for hosting a website or blog. And Bluehost is one of the most well-known options for hosting a website. Since the 1990s, they’ve been a go-to solution for a full suite of hosting services including shared, email, VPS, WordPress and more. They have partnerships all around the Internet – including a very long standing partnership with the WordPress Foundation & WordPress’ commercial operation, Automattic.

[Read more…] about Good Bluehost Alternatives for Your Web Hosting

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Hosting Alternatives

Dynadot Review: Pros and Cons of Dynadot as Domain Registrar

Nate Shivar Updated March 20, 2020 By ShivarWeb Staff

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Dynadot Review

Dynadot is an ICANN-accredited domain registrar and web host headquartered in California. They were founded in 2002 by a software engineer and state their primary focus is engineering and designing excellence.

See Dynadot’s Current Prices & Selection

Dynadot’s main pitch is to help customers “register domain names and create websites simply and affordably”.

They are one of the myriad smaller domain registrars that have a dedicated but smaller following than the big brands like GoDaddy.

Do they hold up to their mission? Here’s our Dynadot review with pros and cons.

[Read more…] about Dynadot Review: Pros and Cons of Dynadot as Domain Registrar
Dynadot

Dynadot is an ICANN accredited domain registrar and hosting company founded in 2002. They offer domain registration and management along with complementary products like hosting, website builders, and email. Simple, straightforward domain purchasing process with cheap renewal rates. Domain management and complementary products are geared toward those with more technical experience.

Operating System: All

Application Category: Domain Registration

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Domain Registrar Reviews

IONOS by 1&1 Hosting vs. GoDaddy Web Hosting Comparison: My Experience With Both

Nate Shivar Updated March 17, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

1&1 Hosting vs. GoDaddy Web Hosting Comparison

IONOS by 1&1 Hosting vs. GoDaddy Hosting – the two biggest brands in the web hosting business. Between their Super Bowl commercials, ubiquitous print ads, and service bundling, GoDaddy and 1&1 are typically considered at least for a moment in nearly everyone’s web hosting decision.

See 1&1 IONOS’s Current Plans & Pricing

See GoDaddy’s Current Plans & Pricing

And yet, the big brand campaigns typically don’t talk about the actual products they are selling – in this case web hosting. Since they are the 2 biggest brands in web hosting, I often get questions about both – and how IONOS by 1&1 Hosting (see their plans & promotions here) compares with GoDaddy hosting (see their plans & promotions here).

In addition to working with both web hosts for client projects, I’m also a customer of both GoDaddy and IONOS by 1&1 Hosting for a couple partner side projects.

Here’s my breakdown of how IONOS by 1&1 Hosting compares with GoDaddy based on my own experience with each – and how they might fit you depending on your goals and what you value in a web host.

First aside – I’m specifically looking at shared Linux hosting. It’s the cheapest, most flexible option (ie, you are able to have a website powered by WordPress, Joomla, etc or plain HTML). Unless you know of a specific reason to get dedicated or Windows web hosting, then you probably don’t need it. Shared Linux hosting is usually the best, most flexible fit for most website projects.

Second aside – IONOS recently acquired 1&1 and all their related products and services. Not a whole lot has changed, except that they have more of a focus on the Europe market than before. If you are inside or outside of Europe, you can go ahead and mark that as a pro/con.

1&1 Rebrand

Let’s look at IONOS by 1&1 Hosting vs. GoDaddy based on pricing, features, performance, usability, and customer service.

[Read more…] about IONOS by 1&1 Hosting vs. GoDaddy Web Hosting Comparison: My Experience With Both

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Hosting Comparisons

WordPress Hosting vs. Web Hosting Explained

Nate Shivar Updated March 16, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

WordPress Hosting vs. Web Hosting Explained

Choosing the best web hosting plan for your specific project has always been a bit confusing. Plan features never line up. Terminology never matches. And pricing varies according to current discounts and plan length.

But that was before the latest trend in web hosting – WordPress-specific hosting plans.

Nearly every hosting company offers a “WordPress Hosting Plan” in some form.

View my Purchasing Guide for WordPress Hosting

Sometimes those plans are nothing more than a headline change.

Sometimes they are very well-priced for the extra services. And sometimes they are plainly upsells with dressed up “features.”

It’s maddening – because here’s the thing. WordPress software runs fine on typical web hosting.

You do not need “WordPress Hosting” to run WordPress software.

All you need is a Linux-based hosting account that supports PHP and mySQL – aka plain vanilla shared web hosting.

Both are run of the mill features since the early 2000s. So what’s with all the WordPress Hosting plans vs. Web Hosting plans?

Well – sometimes a WordPress-specific plan is absolutely worth paying for. WordPress does have some needs & requirements that are not “generic” so some companies can offer seriously better service, support & performance for WordPress installs.

Here’s how they differ along with features worth paying for, and what to look for when shopping for the right host for your specific project and next steps.

[Read more…] about WordPress Hosting vs. Web Hosting Explained

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Review FAQs & Explainers, Hosting Guides

HostPapa Hosting Review: Pros & Cons of Using HostPapa

Nate Shivar Updated March 15, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

HostPapa Hosting Review Pros & Cons of Using HostPapa

HostPapa is an independent (ie, not owned by a big holding corporation) web hosting company from Toronto, Canada. They offer a spectrum of hosting services from shared hosting to VPS servers with a focus on small business owners (rather than bloggers or online-only operators).

See HostPapa’s Current Plans & Pricing

HostPapa started in 2006 and has seen rapid growth in the past few years.

Like most hosting companies, HostPapa also provides email, a website builder, and various complementary services with 24-hour support and a 30-day money back guarantee.

I’ve had several readers email to ask my opinion about HostPapa, so I decided to give them a shot in my recent shopping tour of entry-level web hosts.

Here’s my HostPapa Hosting review – structured with pros & cons based on my experience as a customer.

[Read more…] about HostPapa Hosting Review: Pros & Cons of Using HostPapa
HostPapa

HostPapa is an independent web hosting company founded in 2006 that provides a spectrum of hosting services for small businesses. Good value and customer support. A bit expensive, but a great small business host.

Price: 7.95

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Web Hosting

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Hosting Reviews

Web Hosting Hub Review: The Good, Bad & My Experience

Nate Shivar Updated March 12, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Web Hosting Hub Review_ The Good, Bad & My Experience

Web Hosting Hub is a hosting company founded in 2010 by InMotion Hosting – it’s older, more well-known parent company.

According to InMotion’s comparison page, Web Hosting Hub was founded to attract “more of the start-up, and professional blogger market.” In practical language, that means Web Hosting Hub offers one product – shared linux hosting (ie, hosting that can run the most common types of websites and apps, such as WordPress without having to sustain large amounts of sustained traffic).

See Web Hosting Hub’s Current Plans & Pricing

As many more well-known brands change pricing and get bought up by large corporations (ie, Bluehost, 1&1 and GoDaddy Hosting), there’s been an increased interest in independent companies with clear features, simple setups, and affordable pricing.

Web Hosting Hub claims to be that provider. Some of my personal projects run on HostGator right now. But since this site runs on a VPS server with InMotion, I thought I’d try Web Hosting Hub with a hobby site that needed its own shared space. Since I’ve had that site there for more than a year – I decided to update this Web Hosting Hub review.

[Read more…] about Web Hosting Hub Review: The Good, Bad & My Experience
Web Hosting Hub

Web Hosting Hub is a shared hosting provider focused on small websites and startups on a budget. Solid starter hosting service. Great pricing with good performance and few caps. No upgraded servers for fast-growing websites though.

Price: 8.95

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Web Hosting

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Hosting Reviews

FreshBooks Review: Pros & Cons of Using FreshBooks for Accounting

Nate Shivar Updated March 11, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

FreshBooks Review_ My 6 Pros & Cons of Using FreshBooks for Accounting

I’ve been running a business for more than 10 years now. The last 9+ years, I’ve been using FreshBooks for invoicing and bookkeeping. It’s also one the companies on my Resources page that readers ask me most about. I thought I’d convert those emails into a full FreshBooks review for reference – because here’s the thing.

See FreshBooks’ Current Plans & Pricing

I’ve had 3 bosses at 3 different companies tell me variations of the same idiom. “If it feels tedious, you’re doing it wrong.” Or, “if you’re working hard, you are using the wrong tool.” Or, “if you’re working hard, you’re probably ignoring what’s important.”

Boring stuff like invoicing and bookkeeping aren’t technically part of marketing or improving your or your client’s website. But it does compete for your time and attention. It’s also an easy-time suck.

By 2012, I had been running a freelance marketing & web design business for several years. I was spending way too much time trying to keep costs down while also looking professional and legit. I was using PayPal’s free invoice feature and Google Sheets. It was quite a mess. So I started looking a resource for bookkeeping, invoicing, and a bit of accounting.

I started using FreshBooks. I’ve never used QuickBooks or compared QuickBooks vs. FreshBooks. It seemed feature overkill (and $$$) at the time. But I haven’t left FreshBooks even as business has grown and my career has changed.

BTW – I evaluated it by signing up for a free plan and clicking around. Check out FreshBooks’ free trial & plans here.

I don’t use FreshBooks for anything super-complicated. I use it to:

  • Create and send invoices to clients and advertising partners and track their accounts.
  • Track and manage expenses.
  • Basic accounting (aka looking at P&L sheets & Schedule C documentation).
  • Simplify communication with my accountant.

For a while, I kept using the old FreshBooks Classic. But now I’ve fully migrated to the new FreshBooks platform.

So here’s my FreshBooks review with pros & cons. It’s not for everyone, but it’s also not meant to be either.

[Read more…] about FreshBooks Review: Pros & Cons of Using FreshBooks for Accounting
FreshBooks

FreshBooks is cloud-based accounting software focused on bookkeeping for small business & freelancers.

Price: 15

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Accounting Software

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Business & Productivity Tools

11+ Wix Website Examples for Inspiration

Nate Shivar Updated March 11, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Wix Website Examples

So you’re considering using Wix as your website builder, and you’re looking for Wix website examples for inspiration and confirmation that you’re making the right choice.

Wix is one of the biggest names in the website builder product space. It’s a drag-and-drop website builder, which means users can “drag” different elements around and “drop” them where they want…all to create a site that looks the way they want.

It makes nice designs incredibly accessible for DIY-ers while leaving the heavy-lifting (AKA hosting, functionality, coding) to someone else.

See Wix’s Complete Selection of Templates

But before we dive into examples of what Wix websites look like in the wild, there is one thing to keep in mind when you’re evaluating a website platform: it’s not just about how the websites look. The functionality matters too.

Think of it like buying a car. You have a make / model in mind, and you’re probably looking to see them drive by on the road to see how they actually look. However, you also care about how they operate. Does it accelerate well? Does it have the hauling capabilities you need? How is the gas mileage?

Looking at a website platform should be done in the same way. We collected the following Wix examples not just to show you how they look, but how Wix websites can function so you can be sure you have a website that fits both the style you want and the functionality you need.

[Read more…] about 11+ Wix Website Examples for Inspiration

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Website Builder Guides, Explainers & Examples

Duda Website Builder Review: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

Nate Shivar Updated March 10, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Duda Website Builder Review_ Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

Duda Website Builder is known as an all-inclusive website builder that was originally created as an easy-to-use mobile website platform for DIYers. It has sinced evolved to help agencies, digital publishers, and hosting companies scale with an quick and easy website platform that helps their clients get up and running ASAP.

See Duda Website Builder Current Plans & Pricing

Duda is also known for making responsive websites, which means the site fits on any device (i.e. a tablet, phone, computer).

Recently, I gave Duda a try for a full Duda review. But before I get into the pros and cons of my Duda review, let’s dive into an overview about tools to build a website.

[Read more…] about Duda Website Builder Review: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives
Duda Website Builder

Duda certainly makes getting a website up and running easy, and when you factor in their advanced features that give you more control, it makes the platform a pretty solid website builder for small agencies and even DIYers who need something that's easy-to-use but can also scale.

Price: 14

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Website Builder

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Website Builder Reviews

Blogger Review: Pros & Cons of Using Blogger (aka Blogspot)

Nate Shivar Updated March 8, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Blogger Review

Blogger is the grand old man of Internet publishing. In fact, they arguably started the whole “everyone should have a voice online” ideal. Evan Williams started the company way back in the 1990s.

After Evan Williams sold Blogger to Google, he went on to found both Twitter and Medium – both pillars of Internet publishing in their own right. Additionally, it was Matt Mullenweg’s dissatisfaction with Blogger that led him to create the first version of WordPress back in the early 2000s.

All that to say – Blogger is an Internet standby. In fact, it’s such a standby that it gets unfairly disregarded for many web projects simply due to its age.

Check out Blogger here.

I recently gave Blogger a try for a small project, along with several other website builders. I tried to approach Blogger not as the platform that had my first blog back in 2004, but as a serious platform that might be a good fit for someone’s web project today, post-2020.

But first, a bit of an overview on website builders (and blogging platforms) in general. Whether you go drag and drop builder, an installed Content Management System (CMS), or hand-coded HTML files, there are a lot of considerations that go into building a website and/or blog.

In the end, you really want someone to type in a website address and see your information, presented well with the right functionality in their browser. Whether you are building a simple personal blog or running a business, the way you build your site determines a lot both long-term and short-term.

[Read more…] about Blogger Review: Pros & Cons of Using Blogger (aka Blogspot)
Blogger

Blogger is one of the original blog platforms of the Web and is now owned by Google. While not a good fit for many web projects, Blogger is a solid, simple platform for web publishing despite its age.

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Website Builder

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Website Builder Reviews

12+ Great Squarespace Website Examples for Inspiration

Nate Shivar Updated March 8, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

12+ Great Squarespace Website Examples for Inspiration

So you’re considering using Squarespace as your website builder, and you’re looking for Squarespace website examples for inspiration and confirmation that you’re making the right choice.

Squarespace is one of the most well-known brands in the website builder industry.

Find The Right Website Builder for Your Project

In terms of different types of website builders, Squarespace lives on the end that is all-inclusive and provides everything you need to get started and grow your website. It makes a nicely designed website incredibly accessible for DIY-ers while leaving the heavy-lifting (AKA hosting, functionality, coding) to someone else. It contrasts with solutions where you buy, install, and manage all the “pieces” of your website separately.

Using Squarespace is sort of like leasing and customizing an apartment. You’re in control of decor, cleaning, and everything living-wise – but you leave the construction, plumbing, security, and infrastructure to the property owner. You have some flexibility, but you also give up some control for convenience.

Ecommerce Real Estate Tradeoffs

But before we dive into examples of what Squarespace websites look like in the Internet wild, there is one thing to keep in mind when you’re evaluating a website platform: it’s not just about how the websites look. The functionality matters too. I’ve written a full Squarespace review in addition to comparisons like Squarespace vs Wix vs Weebly, Squarespace vs WordPress and Squarespace vs Shopify.

But in short – think of it like buying a car. You have a make / model in mind, and you’re probably looking to see them drive by on the road to see how they actually look. However, you also care about how they operate. Does it accelerate well? Does it have the hauling capabilities you need? How is the gas mileage?

Looking at a website platform should be done in the same way. We collected the following Squarespace examples not just to show you how they look, but how Squarespace websites can function so you can be sure you have a website that fits both the style you want and the functionality you need.

[Read more…] about 12+ Great Squarespace Website Examples for Inspiration

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Explainers & Examples, Website Builder Guides

iwantmyname Review: Pros & Cons of iwantmyname as Domain Registrar

Nate Shivar Updated March 8, 2020 By ShivarWeb Staff

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

iwantmyname Review_ Pros & Cons of iwantmyname as Domain Registrar

iwantmyname is a New Zealand-based domain registrar company focused solely on domain registration and management. The company, which was founded by employees from several ICANN accredited domain registrars, has been around since 2008 and prides itself on its simplicity, transparency, and ethics.

iwantmyname believes in making the domain buying, managing, and transferring process transparent and simple. They’re big on company values (like transparency) and give off the “good guy” vibe when it comes to domain registrars.

See iwantmyname’s Current Prices & Selection

So, how does this domain registrar stack up against the rest? Here’s my experience so far and my full iwantmyname review with pros & cons…

[Read more…] about iwantmyname Review: Pros & Cons of iwantmyname as Domain Registrar
iwantmyname

iwantmyname is a New Zealand-based domain registrar company focused solely on purchasing and managing domains. It promises simplicity and transparency for global customers. A bit pricier than rivals, but a solid product for those who want an easy domain-buying experience. Clean, simple, and zero tech experience necessary, but lacks complementary products.

Operating System: All

Application Category: Domain Registration

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Domain Registrar Reviews

WordPress.com Review: Pros & Cons of WordPress.com as a Website Builder

Nate Shivar Updated March 6, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

WordPress.com Review

WordPress is one of the most popular pieces of software in the website space. WordPress powers over 25% of the Internet and is famous for its versatility and ease of use.

See WordPress.com’s Current Plans & Pricing

Its is so well-known, that it’s common for people with some web design experience to generally say “just use WordPress” when referring DIYers and freelancers to a website solution.

But for those who are unfamiliar with the general WordPress world, there is a major point of confusion: WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org.

In this article, I’ll be reviewing WordPress.com as a website builder and general website solution for DIYers.

But before I dive into specifics, let’s talk about the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.

[Read more…] about WordPress.com Review: Pros & Cons of WordPress.com as a Website Builder
WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a great choice for anyone who loves the feel & versatility without the complications of seeking out hosting services.

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Website Builder

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Website Builder Reviews

Web Hosting vs. Domain Registration Explained

Nate Shivar Updated March 3, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Web Hosting vs. Domain Registration Explained

Web Hosting and Domain Registration are two elements of running a website. But it’s important to understand the difference and use cases.

Web Hosting is an account on a computer (aka server) that can store and serve website files via the Internet.

Domain Registration is leasing a human-readable word (e.g., amazon.com) that directs people to specific website files via a browser.

As an analogy, a domain is an “address” on the Internet. Hosting is the “land” or space where your website files live.

That’s the short version. But there’s more to web hosting vs. domain registration than their definition.

[Read more…] about Web Hosting vs. Domain Registration Explained

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Review FAQs & Explainers, Hosting Guides

InMotion Hosting vs. SiteGround vs. Bluehost Web Hosting Comparison

Nate Shivar Updated March 3, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

InMotion Hosting vs. SiteGround vs. Bluehost Web Hosting Comparison

InMotion Hosting vs. SiteGround vs. Bluehost? is a very common comparison for anyone shopping for web hosting, especially for anyone planning on using WordPress as their website software.

See Bluehost’s Current Plans & Pricing
See InMotion’s Current Plans & Pricing
See Siteground’s Current Plans & Pricing

InMotion, SiteGround, and Bluehost are all –

  • Established, well-known brands in the hosting industry, particularly in the WordPress hosting industry
  • Provide a similar menu of products that revolve around shared Linux hosting
  • Provide a full spectrum of hosting needs with advanced features
  • Provide pricing & hosting products that focus on DIYers to small to midsize companies
  • Are either endorsed by the WordPress Foundation or are ever-present at WordCamps
  • Have marquee clients with plenty of endorsements or testimonials

And yet – they are very different companies with different brands and different focuses.

Unlike most online reviews, I do not think there is such a thing as a “best” host. There is only the best fit for you based on your goals, expertise, resources, and preferences.

I have current clients who use (and love) Bluehost. Although this specific site runs on InMotion Hosting – I also have several projects that have run on SiteGround for years. I’ve been happy with them.

In this comparison between InMotion, SiteGround, and Bluehost, I’ll try to break down the differences that I’ve found in several different areas ranging from pricing structure to customer service and market focus so that you can decide which is the best fit for your project.

Also – you can skip to the short version in the conclusion here (or take my Buzzfeed-style shared hosting quiz here).

Let’s dive into InMotion Hosting vs. SiteGround vs. Bluehost…

[Read more…] about InMotion Hosting vs. SiteGround vs. Bluehost Web Hosting Comparison

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Namesilo Review: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

Nate Shivar Updated March 3, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Namesilo Review

Namesilo is an ICANN-accredited domain registrar who boasts cheap, easy, and secure domain registration and management. They have been around since 2009.

See NameSilo’s Current Prices & Selection

Does Namesilo hold up to their mission of being a cheap and easy-to-use domain registrar? We recently tried them out. Here’s our full Namesilo review with pros, cons, and alternatives.

[Read more…] about Namesilo Review: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives
Namesilo

Namesilo is a domain registrar that has been around since 2009. They have good pricing but fall down on management, design & onboarding.

Operating System: All

Application Category: Domain Registration

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Domain Registrar Reviews

Name.com Review: Pros & Cons of Name.com as Domain Registrar

Nate Shivar Updated March 3, 2020 By ShivarWeb Staff

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Name-com Review

Name.com is a Denver-based, ICANN-accredited domain registrar company that also offers web hosting, email, a website builder, and SSL certificates. It’s owned by Donuts Inc, a domain servicing company who specializes in serving premium & new top-level domains (TLDs), which go beyond generic .com/.net/.org domains website owners were previously limited to.

Name.com touts an all-in-one approach to getting you online — they have everything you need to get up and running quickly (AKA a domain name, hosting, website builder, security, and email).

See Name.com’s Current Prices & Selection

So, how does Name.com stack up against other domain registrars? Here’s my Name.com review with pros and cons based on my experience with them so far…

[Read more…] about Name.com Review: Pros & Cons of Name.com as Domain Registrar
Name.com

Name.com is a Denver-based, ICANN-accredited domain registrar company that also offers web hosting, email, a website builder, and SSL certificates. It offers everything someone needs to get up and running online, all in one place. Offers basic complementary products and a wide variety of TLDs. Inexpensive pricing upfront with high renewal pricing and WHOIS privacy not included.

Operating System: All

Application Category: Domain Registration

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Domain Registrar Reviews

Wix vs. WordPress (WordPress.com & Self-hosted)

Nate Shivar Updated March 2, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Wix vs. WordPress (Self-hosted .org & WordPress.com)

Wix and WordPress are two of the most well-known brands (and oldest) in the website building industry. They are both useful in their own ways. But if you are comparing Wix vs. WordPress – which is the best fit for your project?

Wix
See Wix.com Current Plans
WordPress.com
See WordPress.com Current Plans
WordPress
See Self-Hosted WordPress Guide

Before we look at different tradeoffs between Wix and WordPress, we have to define exactly what Wix and WordPress are.

[Read more…] about Wix vs. WordPress (WordPress.com & Self-hosted)

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How To Try WordPress (for free) Before Purchasing Hosting for Your Website

Nate Shivar Updated March 2, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

How To Try WordPress Before Purchasing Hosting for Your Website

I recently had a reader question sent via email  –

Is there a way to try out WordPress for free before signing up to a hosting site? Maybe a ‘try before you buy’ arrangement, or something which you can download and try out on a laptop? Am just worried about signing up and then finding WordPress isn’t for me.

That is an excellent question. Unlike website builder services like Weebly, Wix or Squarespace or even eCommerce platforms like Shopify or Bigcommerce – there’s no real “free trial” option for self-hosted WordPress.

And no matter how many setup guides you read or tutorial videos you watch, there’s nothing quite like messing around with software to see if it “makes sense” to you.

There are 3 ways to try WordPress for free before you actually purchase hosting.

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GoDaddy vs. SiteGround Web Hosting Comparison

Nate Shivar Updated March 2, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

GoDaddy vs SiteGround Web Hosting Comparison

GoDaddy vs. SiteGround for hosting is a tale of the established, name-brand, corporate giant against the rapidly growing, scrappy, independent company.

See GoDaddy’s Current Plans & Pricing
See SiteGround’s Current Plans & Pricing

While there is no such thing as the “best overall” hosting company, both of these companies excel for certain types of projects & certain types of website owners.

In this comparison between GoDaddy and SiteGround, I’ll break down the differences that I’ve found in seven different areas ranging from pricing structure to customer service and market focus so that you can decide which is the best fit for your project.

Let’s dive into GoDaddy vs. SiteGround…

[Read more…] about GoDaddy vs. SiteGround Web Hosting Comparison

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8+ Google Sites Examples for Inspiration

Nate Shivar Updated March 2, 2020 By ShivarWeb Staff

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Google Sites Examples

So you’re considering Google Sites as your website builder, and you’re looking for Google Sites website examples for inspiration and confirmation that you’re making the right choice.

Google Sites is Google’s free website builder software that it offers as part of the G Suite of Drive, Email, Hangouts, etc. It’s a template-based website builder, which means you have a set of templates that you can customize to a certain extent.

It makes nice designs incredibly accessible for DIY-ers while leaving the heavy-lifting (AKA website hosting, functionality, coding) to someone else.

I wrote a full review of Google Sites here. It’s free, even for everyday users. If you are logged into your Google Account, you can start a Google Site here.

But before we dive into examples of what Google Sites look like in the wild, there is one thing to keep in mind when you’re evaluating a website platform: it’s not just about how the websites look. The functionality matters too.

Think of it like buying a car. You have a make / model in mind, and you’re probably looking to see them drive by on the road to see how they actually look. However, you also care about how they operate. Does it accelerate well? Does it have the hauling capabilities you need? How is the gas mileage?

Find the Best Website Builder for Your Site

Looking at a website platform should be done in the same way. We collected the following Google Sites examples not just to show you how they look, but how they can function so you can be sure you have a website that fits both the style you want and the functionality you need.

[Read more…] about 8+ Google Sites Examples for Inspiration

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Explainers & Examples, Website Builder Guides

InMotion Hosting vs. GoDaddy Web Hosting Comparison

Nate Shivar Updated March 2, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

InMotion Hosting vs. GoDaddy Web Hosting(1)

I did a full review of InMotion Hosting based on the broad advantages & disadvantages of the company. However, I wanted to specifically look at InMotion Hosting vs. GoDaddy Web Hosting, simply because GoDaddy is the consumer brand among most people who are looking to start their own website.

See InMotion’s Current Plans & Pricing
See GoDaddy’s Current Plans & Pricing

GoDaddy is a global brand that does a lot of advertising (that’s an understatement). I’ve maintained an account there, and a couple of my clients use it, so I’ve had a a good bit of experience with them dating back 2009. I wrote a GoDaddy hosting review here.

And InMotion is a rapidly growing hosting company out of Los Angeles that has generated a good bit of press and won several awards for their hosting services. I wrote an InMotion Hosting review here.

For quite a while now, I have been receiving reader questions about InMotion. I have client websites on GoDaddy, but currently use an InMotion VPS server for shivarweb.com. So I thought I’d compare them head to head. Let’s dive in and look at InMotion Hosting vs. GoDaddy Web Hosting.

[Read more…] about InMotion Hosting vs. GoDaddy Web Hosting Comparison

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Hosting Comparisons

Squarespace Review: 5 Pros & 4 Cons of Using Squarespace

Nate Shivar Updated March 2, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Squarespace Review

Squarespace is one of the best known brands in the website building space. They do a ton of advertising with everything from podcasts to the Super Bowl and have a beautiful product with a long trusted history. I recently had a project that was a fit for a bundled website builder software. I gave Squarespace a try, along with several other brands. Here are my 5 pros, 5 cons, and full Squarespace review.

But first, a bit of an overview. There are a lot of considerations that go into an choosing a website builder.

There are also a ton of options, tons of pricing – and really a thousand ways to get what you want in the end (aka for someone to type in a website address and see your information in their browser). Whether you are building a simple personal website or running a business, the way you build your site has a lot of consequences.

In the long-term, it affects your versatility, functionality, and, of course, your brand. In the short-term, it can certainly add/take away a lot of headaches. That said, just like choosing a physical house or office, there is no such thing as an absolute “best” or “top” choice. There’s only the right choice relative to your goals, experience, and circumstances.

What Is Squarespace?

On the wide spectrum of website building solutions, Squarespace lives on the end that is all-inclusive and provides everything you need to get started and grow your website. It contrasts with solutions where you buy, install, and manage all the “pieces” of your website separately.

Using Squarespace is sort of like leasing and customizing an apartment in a really classy development instead of buying and owning your own house. You’re still in control of decor, cleaning, and everything living-wise – but you leave the construction, plumbing, security, and infrastructure to the property owner. That point is key because there’s usually a direct tradeoff between convenience and control.

Everything may fit together just right with a website builder like Squarespace, but that may or may not be what you’re looking for.

As far as competition, Squarespace competes directly with all-inclusive website builders like Weebly, Wix, and WordPress.com.

Compared to their direct competition, they try to allow for more customization and code access. Squarespace tries to appeal to the non-developer customer AND the developer community. It’s a tough pitch to sell – but they try it.

Those options as a group compete with options like self-hosted WordPress (which provides the free software to build a website that you own & control – see my WordPress setup guide here) all the way to options like typing actual HTML code into a text file. Make sense? Awesome, let’s dive into the Squarespace review.

[Read more…] about Squarespace Review: 5 Pros & 4 Cons of Using Squarespace
Squarespace

Squarespace is one of the world's most well-known website builders. They have truly beautiful designs and lots of functionality. If the all-inclusive website builder is the right solution for you, Squarespace is a good route to go. It has some drawbacks, but plenty of built-in beautiful design.

Price: 12

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Website Builder

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InMotion Hosting vs. HostGator Hosting Comparison

Nate Shivar Updated March 2, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

InMotion Hosting vs. HostGator_ InMotion Hosting Compared Part 2

InMotion Hosting vs. HostGator – how do they compare and how well do they fit different types of website owners? They’ve both been around for quite a while, and both offer value on their own way. I have projects on both. This site is hosted on an InMotion VPS server, but many of my smaller project sites are on HostGator.

[Read more…] about InMotion Hosting vs. HostGator Hosting Comparison

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Google Sites Review: Pros & Negatives of Using Google’s Website Builder

Nate Shivar Updated March 1, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Google Sites Review Pros & Negatives of Using Googles Website Builder

Google Sites is Google’s free website builder software that it offers as part of the G Suite of Drive, Email, Hangouts, etc.

Sites has never been highly publicized like its other products. I’ve always thought of Sites as part of the bucket of products like Drawing, Blogger, and Correlate that sort of come as part of other, well-known product lines but are otherwise forgotten about…yet still awesome in their own way.

If you have a Google Account, go check out Google Sites here.

I’ve written about Google’s Domains product and Blogger – but have never looked at Google Sites specifically.

My experience with Google Sites began back when I first started my web design business years and years ago. I never used Google Sites for my own projects until I came across it when a client of mine was using it and needed a few tasks done.

But since then, better competition has popped up from Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, WordPress.com, Website Creator, and other website builders. And Google has upgraded the product I originally used. They’ve streamlined it to make it supposedly the “effortless way to create beautiful sites.”

See Google Sites here…

So for a personal project of mine, I decided to try it out again and see who the product would really be a good fit for – and not just compare it to other hosted website builders.

I also wanted to compare Google Sites to other website solutions like hosting your own website or using a hosted eCommerce platform.

[Read more…] about Google Sites Review: Pros & Negatives of Using Google’s Website Builder
Google Sites

Google Sites is Google's website builder product that is integrated with their productivity suite. Very limited - but good for what it is. If you could add a custom domain, it would be much more useful.

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Website Builder

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Stencil App Review: Pros & Cons of Using Stencil

Nate Shivar Updated February 26, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Stencil App Design

Stencil is a web-based graphic design tool built for anyone trying to quickly create digital design assets (aka social media & website images) with few to no graphic design skills.

See Stencil’s Current Plans & Pricing

I’ve been a Stencil customer for years – back from when they first launched as Share As Image. I got a lifetime plan from a re-brand promotion years ago.

Every “featured image” that you see on this website was made with Stencil. I’m a big fan…but I’ve also been a user for a long enough time to see & get frustrated with a few built-in limitations.

Stencil App Backend

Here’s an overview of Stencil along with some pros, cons, ideal use cases, and direct alternative tools.

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Stencil App Review

Stencil is a web-based graphic design tool to help create images for social media & websites.

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Graphic Design

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Business & Productivity Tools

How Many Domain Names Should I Buy? 10 Rules To Use When Starting Out

Nate Shivar Updated February 22, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

How Many Domain Names Should I Buy_ 10 Rules To Use When Starting Out

So you’re wondering “how many domain names should I buy?” Well here’s a quick story before we dive into 10 rules I use.

Let’s say that a person – let’s call him Fred – decides to learn a little bit about websites and marketing online. He finds how easy it is to install WordPress and setup a website. He learns all about keywords. He installs Google Analytics. Fred writes some content and gets some traffic.

Oh wow! This deal is so easy, fun, and might make me money someday! And I’ve got a million other website ideas!

So Fred goes over to his domain registrar of choice, and see that most of his website ideas are available! And they’re only $10 per year! He buys several.

But what about misspellings? Buys a few of those too.

What about the .net and .co versions? Buys a couple of those too.

And so on and so forth. And before you know it – Fred has spent $600 on domain names…without building out a single website idea.

Here’s the deal – “Fred” is really Nate (me) back when I knew little about how websites and digital marketing worked. I had this idea that thinking of an idea and buying a domain counted for something.

It doesn’t. But your domain name is still important – but important relative to other factors.

So whether you’re a freelancer, DIY type, someone getting your feet wet, or a small business owner concerned about your online presence wondering “how many domain names should I buy?” – Here’s 10 lessons I’ve learned to use when researching and buying domain names.

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Shopify vs. Etsy: How To Choose, Differences & Using Them Together

Nate Shivar Updated February 15, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Shopify vs. Etsy_ How To Choose, Differences & Using Them Together

If you are building an online store, Shopify and Etsy are two of the biggest brands that you’ll encounter. But a frequent question that I get is – Shopify or Etsy? What’s the difference and how do I choose what to start with?

See Shopify’s Current Plans & Pricing
See Etsy’s Current Plans & Pricing

The core difference is fairly straightforward.

Etsy is a marketplace for handmade, vintage and artisanal products (here’s my guide to setting up Etsy).

Shopify is a hosted eCommerce platform. An eCommerce platform allows you to set up and run an online store on your own domain while they take care of the technical parts & customer support (here’s my Shopify review).

In other words, Etsy is a marketplace where you can have an account. Shopify is software that sets up a storefront for you.

If they had physical world equivalents, Etsy would be a local farmer’s market where you could set up a stall.

Shopify would be a shopping center owner letting you build out your own store at your own address while handling the utilities, etc.

But that still doesn’t tackle the question behind the question (i.e., “what’s should I use?”) – so let’s look at the biggest differences & considerations so you can decide between Shopify or Etsy (or both!).

These differences will highlight Shopify vs. Etsy specifically – but they can also be applied to any alternative to Shopify, whether it’s WooCommerce, BigCommerce or others.

Keep in mind that these are all differences/considerations – they are not pros & cons. Everything has a tradeoff that might be a good or bad thing for you depending on your goals, resources and priorities.

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Tailor Brands Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives

Nate Shivar Updated February 11, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Tailor Brands Review

Tailor Brands is a suite of branding & design tools powered by machine learning for non-technical users.

They allow businesses, organizations, and individuals to create an entire “brand identity” with logos, typography, color patterns, and other elements across the web & print.

See Tailor Brands’ Current Plans & Pricing

In other words, Tailor Brands a toolset that makes your project “look good” everywhere from your Facebook page to business cards to website.

[Read more…] about Tailor Brands Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives
Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands is a suite of branding & design tools powered by AI for non-technical users. They are an excellent fit for anyone looking for a consistent brand.

Price: 3.99

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Logo Design

Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Business & Productivity Tools

GoDaddy Website Builder vs. Shopify for Online Stores

Nate Shivar Updated February 11, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

GoDaddy Website Builder vs. Shopify for Online Stores

GoDaddy Website Builder vs. Shopify – they are two of the most well-known brands in the website/eCommerce platform industry, but how do they compare directly to each other?

See Shopify’s Current Plans & Pricing
See GoDaddy’s Current Plans & Pricing

First, a bit of background. Over the past few years, online store costs have plummeted, and the technology to get a website from idea to reality has blossomed. Whether you’re using a text editor and uploading to the Amazon cloud, hosting your own site powered by WordPress + WooCommerce or using a drag and drop online store builder, there’s never been an easier time to create an online store.

All-inclusive eCommerce builders have been particularly interesting. Companies like GoDaddy, Squarespace, Weebly, Wix, Shopify, and BigCommerce – not to mention platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon – have brought eCommerce to everyone regardless of their coding skills.

On the wide spectrum of eCommerce store building solutions, they all live on the end that is all-inclusive and provide everything you need to get started and grow your website.

They stand in contrast to solutions where you buy, install and manage all the “pieces” of your website separately. While that’s not a good or bad thing, it is something to be aware of when you’re choosing one of them as a solution since it affects your website both long and short term.

In the long-term, it affects your versatility, functionality, and, of course, your brand. In the short term, it can certainly add/take away a lot of headaches. That said, just like choosing a physical house or office, there is no such thing as an absolute “best” or “top” choice. There’s only the right choice relative to your goals, experience, and circumstances.

Using an online store builder is like leasing and customizing an apartment in a really classy development instead of buying and owning your own house. You’re still in control of decor, cleaning, and everything living-wise – but you leave the construction, plumbing, security, and infrastructure to the property owner. That point is key because there’s usually a direct tradeoff between convenience and control.

Ecommerce Real Estate Tradeoffs

Shopify, GoDaddy’s builder, and other options like Weebly as a group compete with options like WordPress + WooCommerce (which provides the free software to build a website that you own & control – see my WordPress setup guide here) all the way to options like typing actual HTML code into a text file.

There are three last prefaces to straighten out.

First – GoDaddy is an all-around hosted website builder with eCommerce capability.

Second – Shopify, in contrast, is strictly a hosted ecommerce platform. This focus puts GoDaddy Website Builder behind as an advanced tool and Shopify behind as a super-easy-to-use tool. With their respective free trials, you can quickly see the differences.

Third – GoDaddy also offers hosting without the builder where you can install WooCommerce, Magento or other self-hosted eCommerce software. In this comparison, we’ll look at GoDaddy’s Builder product specifically. You can find GoDaddy hosting alternatives here.

Make sense? Awesome – let’s dive into the comparison.

Side note – if you want this comparison in a BuzzFeed-style quiz, you can take my online store builder quiz here…

You can also take a look at my posts on –

  • Shopify vs. Etsy
  • Shopify vs. WordPress / WooCommerce
  • GoDaddy vs. Wix vs. Weebly

Otherwise, we’ll look specifically at pricing, onboarding/user experience, design features, technical features, eCommerce features, marketing features, and customer support.

[Read more…] about GoDaddy Website Builder vs. Shopify for Online Stores

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GoDaddy Website Builder Review w/ Pros, Cons & Alternatives

Nate Shivar Updated February 9, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

GoDaddy Website Builder Review w_ Pros, Cons & Alt

GoDaddy is the big brand in the website services industry. From their Super Bowl ads to TV ads to online advertising, they are by far the most well-known choice for domains, hosting, website builders, and productivity products for small businesses.

See GoDaddy’s Current Plans & Pricing

I have written about GoDaddy’s hosting product and compared their domains product, but I’ve never looked specifically at GoDaddy’s website builder product (aka “Websites + Marketing”) before this post.

My experience with GoDaddy’s website builder began back when I first started my web design business years and years ago. I didn’t actually use GoDaddy’s website builder for my projects until I came across it when a client of mine was using it and needed a few tasks done.

Since then, new competition has popped up from Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, Gator Website Builder, WordPress.com and other website builders. And GoDaddy has upgraded the product I originally used. They’ve streamlined it to make it supposedly the “easiest way to get online.”

So for a personal project of mine, I decided to try it out again and see who the product would really be a good fit for – and not just compared to other hosted website builders.

I also wanted to compare GoDaddy’s website builder to other website solutions like hosting your own website or using a hosted eCommerce platform.

[Read more…] about GoDaddy Website Builder Review w/ Pros, Cons & Alternatives
GoDaddy Website Builder

GoDaddy's Website Builder (GoCentral) offers businesses a way to seamlessly get their own website started. Very convenient with simple onboarding and integration. Features are limited with some upsells.

Price: 10

Price Currency: USD

Operating System: All

Application Category: Website Builder

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GoDaddy Website Builder vs. Wix vs. Weebly: Website Builders Compared

Nate Shivar Updated February 8, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

GoDaddy Website Builder vs Wix vs Weebly Website Builders Compared

GoDaddy Website Builder vs. Weebly vs. Wix – they are the three most well-known website builders. I’ve written about them individually here, here and here. But how do they compare directly to each other?

See GoDaddy Current Plans
See Wix Current Plans
See Weebly Current Plans

First, a bit of background. The process of building a website has changed radically since the early days of the Internet. Even though the core job of a website – HTML rendered in a browser – has not changed, the technology used to produce the HTML has. While you can still produce a website with nothing but a text-editor – most people choose a technology that makes the process of building and managing the website much easier and more accessible.

All-inclusive website builders have been particularly interesting. Companies like GoDaddy’s Website Builder, Weebly, and Wix have brought websites to everyone regardless of coding skills with their drag & drop and/or customizable templates.

There is a wide variety of website building solutions, and they all live on a spectrum with a tradeoff between control & convenience. I’ve written a full explainer on website builders here, but here’s how I think about it –

On the 100% control, but 0% convenience end – you have solutions like a text editor and server space that you purchase separately. It’s a bit akin to buying raw land to build your house for shelter.

On the 0% control, but 100% convenience end – you have solutions like Facebook and Twitter that provide no control (not even domain name control), but are highly convenient.

In the 50/50 middle – you have solutions like WordPress that live on your own server, but help you manage & build your website. It’s akin to buying a house that you own – you are responsible if anything breaks, but you can do really whatever you want.

Towards the convenience end, but with more control all live “hosted” website builders like Weebly, Wix, and GoDaddy’s Website Builder. They offer more convenience by bundling hosting, design, etc, but trade some control.

Using a website builder is sort of like leasing and customizing an apartment in a really classy development instead of buying and owning your own house. You’re still in control of decor, cleaning, and everything living-wise – but you leave the construction, plumbing, security, and infrastructure to the property owner. That point is key because there’s usually a direct tradeoff between convenience and control.

In the long-term, it affects your versatility, functionality, and, of course, your brand. In the short term, it can certainly add/take away a lot of headaches. That said, just like choosing a physical house or office, there is no such thing as an absolute “best” or “top” choice. There’s only such a thing as the right choice relative to your goals, experience, and circumstances.

GoDaddy Website Builder, Weebly, and Wix as a group compete with options like WordPress (which provides the free software to build a website that you own & control on your own hosting – see my WordPress setup guide here) all the way to options like typing actual HTML code into a text file.

*confusingly, GoDaddy also offers hosting, where you can install website software like WordPress. This comparison will focus on GoDaddy’s Website Builder that bundles hosting. You can find GoDaddy hosting alternatives here.

Make sense? Awesome, let’s dive into the comparison.

Side note – if you want this comparison in a BuzzFeed-style quiz, you can take my website builder quiz here…

Otherwise, we’ll look specifically at pricing, onboarding/user experience, design features, technical features, marketing features, customer support & company structure.

[Read more…] about GoDaddy Website Builder vs. Wix vs. Weebly: Website Builders Compared

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WPMU Dev Hosting Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives

Nate Shivar Updated February 7, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

WPMU Dev Hosting Review

WPMU Dev is a long-time member of the premium WordPress software community. While they are best known for their plugins, they recently launched a new WordPress hosting product.

See WPMU Dev’s Current Plans & Pricing

I’m currently a WPMU Dev member and had free access to the new hosting product. The WordPress & web hosting world is constantly evolving with new & interesting products.

Given that I use & love some of their plugins, I tried out the hosting product as well. Here are the pros, cons, use cases & alternatives for WPMU Dev hosting.

[Read more…] about WPMU Dev Hosting Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives
WPMU Dev Hosting Review: Pros, Cons & Alternatives - Page 2 of 4 - ShivarWeb

WPMU Dev is a well-known WordPress brand. Their hosting product is bundled with their member subscription. It's a compelling product for certain website owners.

Operating System: All

Application Category: Web Hosting

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1&1 IONOS Web Hosting Review: 4 Pros & 4 Cons of 1&1 Hosting

Nate Shivar Updated February 1, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

1&1 Web Hosting Review_ 4 Pros & 4 Cons of 1&1 Hosting

1&1 IONOS is one of the largest brands in the Internet services industry, and I get a lot of reader questions about what their hosting product is like. I’ve worked with 1&1 IONOS web hosting several times for clients, and recently bought a hosting package for a separate project I’m running. Here’s my first 1&1 web hosting review in a series that looks at their hosting product overall & in comparison with other top hosts.

See 1&1 IONOS’ Current Plans & Pricing

1&1 IONOS offers a wide range of products from domain names to hosting to website builder packages. 1&1 IONOS is actually one of the oldest web hosting companies – founded in 1988. And they are also one of the more aggressive advertisers with full-page ads in magazines and TV spots. Anecdotally, I think only GoDaddy rivals 1&1 in terms of mass-market advertising and brand awareness.

They recently merged with one of Europe’s largest cloud providers to create a new company. They’ve redesigned a lot of their products, and restructured their products.

1&1 Rebrand

But big brand doesn’t always mean a good product – and that’s one thing I wanted to look into with a full 1&1 IONOS web hosting review.

[Read more…] about 1&1 IONOS Web Hosting Review: 4 Pros & 4 Cons of 1&1 Hosting
1&1 IONOS

1&1 IONOS Hosting is one of the largest and oldest web services companies. Good pricing, but poor usability and performance makes 1&1 a poor fit for most.

Operating System: All

Application Category: Web Hosting

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11+ GoDaddy Website Builder Examples for Inspiration

Nate Shivar Updated January 31, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

11+ GoDaddy Website Builder Examples for Inspiration

So you’re considering using GoDaddy as your website builder, and you’re looking for GoDaddy website builder examples for inspiration and confirmation that you’re making the right choice of site builder.

See GoDaddy’s Current Plans & Pricing

GoDaddy is the big brand in the website services industry. From their Super Bowl ads to TV ads to online advertising, they are by far the most well-known choice for GoDaddy domains, GoDaddy hosting, GoDaddy website builder, online stores, and productivity products for small businesses.

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Read More Posts in This Topic! Filed Under: Website Builder Guides, Explainers & Examples

Google Domains Review: Pros & Cons of Google As Domain Registrar

Nate Shivar Updated January 22, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Google Domains Review_ Pros & Cons of Google As Domain Registrar(1)

Google Domains is a domain name registrar owned and operated by Google. Google rolled out the product in 2014, and is out of “beta” as of 2020.

Google Domains is not my primary domain registrar (which is NameCheap). As a Googlephile and SEO consultant, I pretty much had to register a domain with Google Domains the day they started.

Here’s my experience so far (going on 6+ years) and my full Google Domains review with pros & cons…

[Read more…] about Google Domains Review: Pros & Cons of Google As Domain Registrar
Google Domains

Google Domains is Google's domain registrar product. It promises simplicity and transparency for US based customers. A bit pricier than rivals. But a solid product for owning a few domains. Simple and clean but lacks complementary products.

Operating System: All

Application Category: Domain Registration

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Google Domains vs. GoDaddy: Domain Name Providers Compared

Nate Shivar Updated January 21, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Google Domains vs. GoDaddy_ Domain Name Providers Compared

Google Domains and GoDaddy are two of the most well-known domain name registrars on the Internet. I’ve written about both Google Domains and compared GoDaddy to Namecheap (their other big competitor). But how do they compare to each other?

Visit GoDaddy’s Current Domain Pricing

Visit Google Domain’s Current Selection

Domain Registrars are a unique industry. Since ICANN issues all domain names, leaving Registrars mainly as bookkeepers, there is not a ton of scope to offer completely different products. At the end of the day, you simply need a domain name that you can associate with a server where your data lives.

And yet, not all domain registrars are the same (which is why you are reading this post, I’m guessing). I’ve tried dozens and have had every problem imaginable. There is no such thing as a “best” domain registrar. Everybody has tradeoffs. And Google and GoDaddy are actually a good example of very different approaches to domain registration.

I was a Day One customer of Google Domains back at their launch, and I’ve been a customer (and consultant to customers) of GoDaddy for 10+ years.

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Namecheap vs. GoDaddy? Where To Get Your Website Domain Names

Nate Shivar Updated January 20, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Namecheap or GoDaddy Where To Get Your Website Domain Names

Namecheap vs. GoDaddy? Where’s the best domain registrar to buy your domain name? And once you buy your domain…who has the best hosting, email, and services?

[Read more…] about Namecheap vs. GoDaddy? Where To Get Your Website Domain Names

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Bluehost vs. HostGator Web Hosting Comparison

Nate Shivar Updated January 20, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Bluehost vs. HostGator Web Hosting Comparison

Bluehost vs. Hostgator? – it’s a question that’s a bit like asking “Coke or Sprite?” It’s somewhat slicing details, but it’s a choice nonetheless for something that you’ll likely be using for years.

Bluehost

View Current Pricing

HostGator

View Current Pricing

Bluehost and HostGator are both –

  • Owned by Endurance International Group (EIG) – a large technology corporation
  • Established, well-known brands in the hosting industry
  • Provide a similar menu of products that revolve around shared Linux hosting
  • Provide pricing & hosting products that focus on small to midsize companies

And yet – they are different companies with different brands. When you are choosing a website host – you still have to end up choosing.

I have current clients who use (and like) Bluehost. Bluehost has excellent business-focused features & support. They have a known & trusted brand.

I also have several projects that have run on HostGator for years. They have great value pricing, and provide some features for DIYers that are great. I’ve been happy with them.

In this comparison between Bluehost and HostGator, I’ll try to break down the differences that I’ve found in seven different areas ranging from pricing structure to customer service and market focus so that you can decide which is the best fit for your project.

Let’s dive into Bluehost vs. HostGator…

[Read more…] about Bluehost vs. HostGator Web Hosting Comparison

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Bluehost vs. iPage Web Hosting Comparison

Nate Shivar Updated January 20, 2020 By Nate Shivar

Disclosure: ShivarWeb may receive a commission when you purchase from companies mentioned on this site. All data & opinions are based on our experience as customers or consultants to customers.

Bluehost vs. iPage Web Hosting Comparison

“Bluehost vs. iPage?” – it’s a question that’s a bit like asking “Coke or Sprite?” It’s kind of slicing details, but it remains a choice nonetheless for something that you’ll likely be using for years.

Bluehost

View Current Pricing

iPage

View Current Pricing

Bluehost and iPage are both –

  • Owned by Endurance International Group (EIG) – a large technology corporation
  • Established, well-known brands in the hosting industry
  • Provide a similar menu of products that revolve around shared Linux hosting
  • Provide pricing & hosting products that focus on DIYers and small to midsize companies

And yet – they are still different companies with different brands. When you are choosing a website host – you still have to end up choosing.

I have current clients who use (and like) Bluehost. I wrote a full review of Bluehost here. I also compared them to other hosts Bluehost vs. GoDaddy here. They have a great suite of services and a trusted brand.

Although this site runs on InMotion Hosting (which I’ll mention later) – I also have several small projects on iPage. It’s specifically their pricing that makes sense for many sites. I wrote a full review of iPage here.

In this comparison between Bluehost vs. iPage, I’ll try to break down the differences that I’ve found in seven different areas ranging from pricing structure to customer service and market focus so that you can decide which is the best fit for your project.

Let’s dive into Bluehost vs. iPage…

[Read more…] about Bluehost vs. iPage Web Hosting Comparison

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