HostGator vs. ManageWP

HostGator for email, domain and website hosting--delightful, 100% satisfied! Have always had ample capacity for company email needs, features work well. I have used it off and on for several organizations since 2011. HostGator website building is fairly straightforward, although I wouldn't recommend it for first-time web designing. The pluses on the HostGator website builder: great-looking themes, adequate webpage capacity, really cool scrolling capabilities, which trends well now. Easier than building a WordPress website from scratch, which can also be done for free in HostGator. I'd say it's limited compared to feature-rich WP, but it designs as nicely as Wix.

Incentivized

If you are a WordPress development shop, or host a number of WordPress websites, this is for you. Even if you only have one website but are looking for an easy way to make updates, schedule backups and keep track of the maintenance of your site, this would be a great tool. The cost is reasonable and it saves time, while adding peace of mind with "Safe" updates.

Incentivized

• The pricing is a big feature for this hosting company
• Every three years when the hosting contract is coming to an end, they offer a reduced fee to upgrade your server plan, which is more cost effective than renewing at the regular rate for whatever plan you're currently using.
• The customer service workers are professional and friendly.

• Managed Wordpress Updates - ManageWP allows you to update all out-of-date themes, plugins and core files on all your websites with the click of a button.
• Automated Backups - ManageWP allows users to setup an automated schedule of backups (including free monthly backups).
• Maintenance & Development Mode - ManageWP allows users to place a specific site into Maintenance or Development Mode, allowing them to block users from accessing the site with a click of a button.

Incentivized

• Support could be better, it takes a long time to connect with somebody
• You need to pay extra for a backup you can rely on
• SiteLock is sold separately, but did not help when we were hacked
• Site seems to slow down from time to time

Incentivized

• The reports could be prettier, more templates in order to avoid having to customize for each client so heavily.
• It would be nice to see if recommended plugin updates are actually production and not beta versions.

Incentivized

Because we have in house technical support to compensate the lack of quality HostGator tech support, and because the price continues to be affordable the business is likely to continue using HostGator. They provide what the business needs and we have in house support to maintain it.

It's very straightforward for basic use, but less you dig in more for advanced use. Seems like it would be approachable to the average person.

Incentivized

While you will get support from HostGator, it seems to be a different level from 8-10 years ago. It may take 15-20 minutes to get someone on chat, and unless you follow up, I've found followup email support to take a couple of days. If you stick with it, though, you will get support, and I've never had a problem they couldn't help with.

Incentivized

I prefer HostGator over GoDaddy. HostGator does have better and more reliable customer support, and the user interface and user experience are overall much more friendly and easier to use. GoDaddy does have downtime associated with their hosting in my experience, but I have not experienced that with HostGator.

Incentivized

Prior to ManageWP, we utilized InfiniteWP, a free (with paid extensions), self-hosted alternative. We found the interface to be unwieldy, and the paid extension pricing to be a bit confusing. The headache of maintaining the software and server infrastructure to run the platform, overshadowed the cost savings for us.

Incentivized

• Usage of resale options easily quadrupled the money I was spending on HostGator
• Trust in the host has to be earned, and HostGator has not retained that for me -- it will be a while before I feel confident in their uptime again
• Overall, HG has been a positive impact on my business as a web developer

Incentivized

• High positive ROI as it has saved us doing manual updates on multiple website
• It has helped us scale our careplan offerings to service more clients
• Helps with automation and admin time

Incentivized