Best E-Commerce Hosting Providers 2024

What is E-commerce Hosting?

E-commerce hosting is a specialized service dedicated to helping you establish and operate a thriving online store. Similar to how a physical shop needs a storefront, shelves, and a checkout counter, an e-commerce store relies on dependable hosting to handle the influx of customers, store product details, and securely manage transactions.

In this type of hosting, you’ll find crucial features such as secure payment gateways, tools for organizing inventory, integrations for marketing strategies, and a range of customizable templates. Selecting a trustworthy hosting provider is crucial, much like in any other web hosting service. It ensures that your business needs are met and guarantees a safe and enjoyable shopping journey for your customers.

Why Is E-commerce Hosting Vital To Your Business?

E-commerce hosting is designed solely for building and overseeing e-commerce websites. It’s tailored with all the essential tools needed to craft and run a thriving online store.

Specifically tuned for high performance, these hosting services feature optimized servers designed for online shops. These servers ensure faster loading times and can handle increased traffic efficiently. The primary aim is to reduce downtimes, ensuring smooth operation for businesses.

Security is paramount in e-commerce hosting. Providers include pre-installed SSL certificates in their hosting plans, guaranteeing the safety of all data present on the website. This encryption ensures that information remains secure and protected.

If your e-commerce platform or website builder doesn’t offer hosting, you’ll need to pick a dependable e-commerce web host. With various choices out there, SiSu Freedom conducted research to assist you in finding the ideal solution that suits your requirements.

The Best E-Commerce Hosting Providers of 2024

1. HostGator: Best for Businesses on a Budget

HostGator offers a range of services tailored for e-commerce store owners, spanning Shared Web Hosting, Website Builder, WordPress Hosting, Dedicated, VPS, and Reseller options. Each tier contains various plan choices, allowing you to align with your business objectives and service requirements. New store owners might consider starting with the Shared Web Hosting, choosing from the Hatchling Plan, Baby Plan, or Business Plan based on their needs.

Even established e-commerce businesses have suitable options. The top-tier service caters to enterprise-level needs at a more affordable rate compared to other e-commerce hosts offering similar services. However, the abundance of options might pose a challenge in selecting the right plan. If you’re unsure, engaging with HostGator’s sales team directly through the feature menu can provide guidance.

Features:

• Complimentary email
• 30-day refund policy
• Unlimited bandwidth and storage
• Guaranteed 99% uptime
• Access to cPanel
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) utilities

3. Bluehost: Best for Booking Appointments

Bluehost stands out as an excellent choice for businesses aiming to incorporate booking and appointment services into their online stores. It offers a suite of features powered by YITH, featuring a user-friendly dashboard for easy calendar synchronization. This simplifies the process for customers, allowing them to effortlessly schedule appointments or reserve services.

Beyond its booking tools, Bluehost boasts several noteworthy features. These include website analytics, substantial SSD storage of up to 100GB, a complimentary domain for the initial year, free SSL security, and the powerful Yoast SEO tool. Alongside its booking capabilities, Bluehost provides additional functionalities such as gift card options, store creation utilizing the Wonder Theme, wishlists, advanced product search and filtering, and more. Moreover, the platform ensures daily backups through Jetpack, automated updates for WordPress, secure online payment processes, and the ability to sell an unlimited array of products.

Features:

• Uses WooCommerce
• Includes a pre-installed theme
• Performs daily backups
• Includes Yoast SEO
• Offers unlimited product listings
• Enables customers to create wishlists

4. TMDHosting: Best for Large Websites

TMDHosting’s e-commerce packages with unlimited storage are perfect for larger websites. They enable the storage of extensive data like product images, customer details, and other site assets. This is especially beneficial for websites with huge inventories or those anticipating heavy traffic.

Beyond unlimited storage, TMDHosting’s e-commerce plans also boast unlimited bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the data movement to and from a website within a specific timeframe. For larger websites, this feature guarantees smooth operations, ensuring the site can manage substantial visitor traffic without any slowdowns or crashes.

Features:

• Access to cPanel
• Refund within 60 days
• Limitless storage
• Unrestricted bandwidth

5. DreamHost: Best for a 100% Uptime Guarantee

DreamHost stands as a top choice for e-commerce hosting, guaranteeing a flawless 100% uptime. With a history predating Google’s, it’s among WordPress’s recommended trio for hosting services. Its e-commerce packages present three options: DreamPress, DreamPress Plus, and DreamPress Pro.

These plans offer unlimited email, a minimum of 30GB SSD storage, limitless bandwidth, one-click staging, and free automated WordPress migrations. Each plan includes a website builder, a storefront theme, and the WooCommerce platform.

Opting for an annual payment plan unlocks a saving of up to 17%. One standout benefit is the round-the-clock WordPress support. Whether your site encounters issues or you face coding errors, their experts guide you through solutions assistance often priced at hundreds of dollars by other hosts.

Features:

• Unlimited storage and bandwidth
• Guaranteed uptime
• Dedicated hosting available
• Responsive chat support
• Free automated WordPress migrations
• WordPress website builder included

6. InMotion Hosting: Best for One-Click Installation

InMotion Hosting proves to be an excellent choice for businesses venturing into e-commerce, irrespective of their size. They provide a diverse array of hosting plans tailored to suit the needs of various online stores, whether just starting or already established with high traffic volumes.

The hosting service places a significant emphasis on robust customer support, boasting a multitude of features specifically crafted for e-commerce ventures. These include unlimited product listings, expansive storage options, and a complimentary SSL certificate for secure transactions. Moreover, InMotion Hosting prioritizes security with an array of protective measures. For instance, suPHP functions as a protective layer, ensuring enhanced website security by limiting access to authorized individuals only. It’s akin to employing a tailored system of rules, allowing designated actions solely to authorized users, ultimately fortifying website safety.

Features:

• Complimentary SSL certification
• SSD-based storage
• Compatible with PrestaShop, Magento, OpenCart, WooCommerce, and similar platforms
• Softaculous integration for effortless one-click installation
• Round-the-clock, year-round support

7. SiteGround: Best for WordPress

SiteGround’s e-commerce hosting packages are tailored for online stores, powered by WooCommerce, and packed with features. Their basic plan allows hosting for one website, providing 10GB of web space and can handle up to 10,000 monthly visits. It boasts unmetered traffic, ensuring limitless data transfer.

In addition to the hosting, SiteGround offers various tools and services vital for establishing and managing an online store. These include free WordPress installation, a WordPress migrator tool for seamless transitions, and automated updates. Although the standard price might seem high in comparison to other options, frequent discounts are available. You could start your first year for as little as .99 per month, but the regular rate reverts to .99 per month afterward.

Features:

• Utilizes WooCommerce through WordPress
• Pre-installed e-commerce plugin
• Selling options for digital or physical goods
• Content Delivery Network (CDN)
• Staging tool

Other E-Commerce Hosting Providers

1. Hostinger

Hostinger may not boast the highest uptime, standing at 99.74%, but it shines with an incredibly fast average load speed of 345ms and an unbeatable starting price of just $0.99.

Despite its competitive pricing, Hostinger offers top-notch hosting services without compromising quality or speed, bundled with an array of impressive features.

The company presents various hosting plans, each packed with essentials like an easy-to-use website builder, complimentary SSL certificates, a robust 99.9% uptime commitment, and round-the-clock customer support.

Starting at $0.99 per month, Hostinger’s entry-level plan comes with renewal rates beginning at $2.15 per month. Additionally, all hosting plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.

2. A2 Hosting

Established in 2002, A2 Hosting has soared to become the swiftest shared web hosting provider, catering to over 500,000 websites.

With an impressive uptime of about 99.97%, A2 Hosting stands out for its lightning-fast speed. Thanks to WordPress-optimized servers and LiteSpeed caching, it outpaces most other shared web hosting services.

A2 Hosting is lauded for its seamless compatibility with major content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, OpenCart, and Magento. Their hosting options come with complimentary LetsEncrypt SSL certificates, unlimited SSD storage, and free site migration services.

The entry-level “Lite” plan kicks off at $2.96 per month, offering a package inclusive of one website, 25 email accounts, a 1-year domain, free Cloudflare CDN, unlimited bandwidth, and storage space.

For added assurance, A2 Hosting offers a 30-day money-back guarantee across all their hosting plans.

3. GreenGeeks

Founded over a decade ago, GreenGeeks presently supports an impressive 500,000 plus websites.

With a steady and rapid uptime of 99.95% and a swift load speed averaging 451 milliseconds, GreenGeeks offers these performance stats at a budget-friendly price of only $2.95 per month.

Their hosting plans encompass essential features such as cPanel access, complimentary Wildcard SSL, PowerCacher for enhanced speed, unlimited SSD storage, and data transfer alongside a complimentary one-year domain. Users also benefit from unlimited domain names, email accounts, and daily backups.

E-Commerce Hosting Provider Ratings

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How To Choose the Best E-Commerce Hosting Service

Numerous e-commerce hosting companies exist, offering a variety of options. To determine the most suitable one for your business, it’s crucial to assess factors like expenses, the responsiveness of customer support, reviews from other users, and the user-friendliness of the software. Additionally, make sure the platform offers essential features necessary for your business needs.

Essential Features

• Adhering to PCI compliance standards has been crucial for companies handling credit card information since 2006. These guidelines ensure customer data protection during transactions, safeguarding against unauthorized access and fraudulent activities.
• When managing inventory, having ample storage is essential. Ensure the platform offers enough space for product photos and videos to showcase your merchandise effectively.
• Having emergency backups is vital. Despite robust security measures, unforeseen events like hacking or layout disruptions from updates can occur. Keeping site backups allows for a swift recovery in such situations.
• Accessible customer support is key. Since online stores operate around the clock, opt for a provider offering support aligned with your needs, ideally with various contact methods like phone, email, and live chat.
• A user-friendly interface is necessary, especially without a web developer onboard. Check customer reviews to gauge the service’s simplicity and ease of use, ensuring a smooth experience for your operations.

Security and Encryption

When picking an e-commerce hosting provider, the level of security and encryption they offer is crucial. Consider these points:

• SSL Certificates: Opt for a service that provides SSL certificates to encrypt data between your site and customers’ browsers, especially for stores handling sensitive info like credit card numbers.
• Data Centers: Choose a host with secure data centers employing various physical security layers like biometric scanners and security cameras.
• Network Security: Ensure the host has robust network security measures like firewalls and DDoS protection in place.
• Payment Processing: If your site will process payments, ensure the host complies with secure payment processing standards like PCI DSS.

Types of Hosting Services

Different hosting services cater to various needs and come with unique advantages. Here’s a breakdown of the common types of hosting services:

• Shared hosting: This is the entry-level choice and often the most cost-effective. Your website shares a server with multiple others, dividing resources like disk space and bandwidth among them.
• Virtual private server (VPS) hosting: VPS hosting offers a dedicated virtual server for your website. It’s pricier than shared hosting but grants more control and flexibility.
• Dedicated server hosting: This option provides an entire physical server exclusively for your website. It’s the most expensive but offers unparalleled power and adaptability.
• Managed hosting: With managed hosting, the hosting provider takes care of all server-related technicalities, including security and updates. It’s ideal for businesses lacking the expertise or capacity to handle server management themselves.

How Much Does It Cost To Host an E-Commerce Website?

The cost of hosting an e-commerce site varies based on its size, complexity, traffic, and resource requirements. Here’s a breakdown of estimated hosting costs:

• For small to medium-sized e-commerce sites: $20 to $80 per month.
• For larger e-commerce sites: $100 to $300-plus per month.

Several factors affect hosting costs:

• Type of hosting: Shared hosting is cheaper, while dedicated server hosting is pricier.
• Resources: Bandwidth, storage, and CPU needs impact hosting costs.
• Contract duration: Longer contracts often have discounted rates.
• Add-on features: Some providers offer extras for an added fee, like SSL certificates or premium support.

Pay attention to potential price changes after promotional periods. It’s essential to understand renewal pricing before committing to a hosting plan.

To cut hosting expenses:

• Opt for cheaper hosting types, like shared or VPS plans if you don’t require extensive resources.
• Negotiate pricing, especially as a long-term customer or with longer contracts.
• Compare prices across different providers to find better deals.
• Look for discounts offered by hosting providers, especially during events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, to save on hosting plans.

Alternative: Top E-Commerce Platforms

1. Squarespace: BEST OVERALL E-COMMERCE PLATFORM

Squarespace stands out as a top choice in e-commerce due to its user-friendly drag-and-drop system and diverse collection of customizable templates. It provides extensive inventory management features such as tracking stock levels, setting alerts for low inventory, and order tracking through its API, which enables developers to create personalized integrations with other systems.

Its drag-and-drop setup simplifies the process of creating and running an online store, catering to users without technical expertise. Squarespace’s templates are mobile-responsive, ensuring accessibility across devices, and it’s recognized for its dependable performance. Furthermore, the platform offers round-the-clock customer support via both email and live chat.

2. Wix: BEST DRAG-AND-DROP EDITOR

Wix stands as a solid choice for e-commerce ventures due to its robust drag-and-drop editor, simplifying the creation of a polished online store. Utilizing Wix, you gain access to various templates and design features, allowing customization for a store that aligns with your brand and style. Its inventory management tools enable tracking stock levels and managing orders. Moreover, Wix facilitates integration with payment gateways and diverse e-commerce solutions, enhancing the efficiency of the checkout process.

3. Shift4Shop: BEST FREE* E-COMMERCE PLATFORM

Shift4Shop takes a distinctive approach to pricing in the e-commerce realm. Instead of a fixed monthly charge, it offers free usage of the platform provided users process at least $500 in sales monthly through their Shift4Shop store. Essentially, for businesses meeting this sales threshold, their e-commerce platform expenses would amount to zero each month.

This setup proves advantageous, especially for startups seeking a budget-friendly avenue to commence online selling. Otherwise, the standard monthly fee stands at $29.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best hosting for e-commerce?

IONOS focuses on speed and performance, using a dual-platform approach to ensure faster operations. By hosting web servers and storage on the same platform, it enhances performance significantly. Additionally, it offers scalability, easily adapting to increased website traffic demands.

Bluehost is a solid choice for businesses aiming to incorporate booking and appointment services into their online stores. With features supported by YITH, it provides a user-friendly dashboard that simplifies calendar synchronization with the store.

For budget-conscious businesses, HostGator is an excellent option. It allows businesses to pay only for the services they need. Plus, as the business grows and hosting requirements change, it offers seamless upgrades to higher service tiers.

What should a beginner look for in an e-commerce hosting platform?

For newcomers venturing into website creation or starting an online retail venture, the most beneficial features from an e-commerce hosting platform encompass a variety of tools. These include marketing and SEO assistance, e-commerce support, and robust security measures like SSL protocols and two-factor authentication. Additionally, user-friendly website-building tools, such as drag-and-drop interfaces, are highly preferred, ideally packaged together for a comprehensive solution.

What is the difference between an e-commerce platform and e-commerce hosting?

An e-commerce platform equips you with the necessary tools to create visually appealing web pages for customers to explore and discover more about your offerings. However, to make these pages accessible online, they need to be hosted somewhere. That’s where an e-commerce website host steps in. These hosts provide the platform where your website is stored and supported to handle incoming web traffic.

Which e-commerce platform works best for dropshipping?

If you’re gearing up for a dropshipping venture, it’s crucial to have a website capable of managing traffic and efficiently handling order processing. While all the options on our list serve as excellent web hosts, it’s vital to select the right e-commerce platform tailored for dropshipping needs. Shopify stands out as an industry leader in this domain and remains one of our top recommendations.

Is shared hosting good for e-commerce?

Shared hosting serves as an economical choice for small e-commerce startups with limited traffic and resources. It offers an affordable entry point to explore e-commerce feasibility for your business. Nonetheless, shared hosting might pose limitations as your website grows, potentially restricting resources if traffic surges beyond its capacity.

Can I host my own e-commerce website?

To operate your own e-commerce site, you’d have to possess and manage physical servers. However, this approach might be financially unfeasible for smaller e-commerce ventures, yet it could be justified for larger-scale operations.