BlueHost vs Network Solutions: Final verdict
BlueHost and Network Solutions both offer comprehensive website building and hosting services, but they cater to different user needs and preferences.
-
BlueHost (Overall Grade: 6.8/10)
stands out for its seamless integration with WordPress, user-friendly interface, and extensive range of customization options. It is particularly well-suited for users who want to leverage the power of WordPress for their websites. BlueHost also excels in customer support, security, and marketing features, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of users, from personal bloggers to small businesses. -
Network Solutions (Overall Grade: 5.4/10)
, on the other hand, is geared towards small businesses and individuals looking for a straightforward website building experience. While it offers a variety of templates and essential ecommerce features, its interface may seem outdated, and its customization options are limited compared to BlueHost. However, Network Solutions is known for its customer support and comprehensive suite of services, including domain registration and email services, which can be beneficial for users seeking an all-in-one solution.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.2 |
7.2 |
Ease of use |
8.2 |
6.8 |
Ecommerce |
6.8 |
6.3 |
Website Editors |
7.3 |
6.3 |
Product testing options |
6.2 |
0.5 |
Price |
7.2 |
6.4 |
Hosting quality |
8.0 |
7.8 |
Website speed optimization |
6.5 |
6.7 |
Plugins and integrations |
9.1 |
4.8 |
Marketing features |
7.3 |
7.2 |
Customer support |
7.6 |
6.6 |
Security |
8.3 |
7.5 |
AI capabilities |
1.5 |
1.1 |
User Management |
4.4 |
3.2 |
Which one is the best for ecommerce: BlueHost or Network Solutions?
Verdict
: BlueHost and Network Solutions both cater to small to medium-sized businesses, but BlueHost edges out with its integration with WooCommerce and a slightly higher score.
-
BlueHost
: BlueHost offers a comprehensive suite of ecommerce features, including product listings, shopping carts, secure payment gateways, and inventory management. Its integration with WooCommerce for WordPress sites makes it a versatile option for those looking to leverage WordPress’s extensive customization capabilities. However, it lacks POS capabilities, which might be a drawback for some users. -
Network Solutions
: Network Solutions provides essential ecommerce features such as marketing tools, personalized email, and product listings. It supports a wide range of payment options and offers responsive templates for a seamless shopping experience across devices. While it has POS capabilities, it falls slightly short in overall ecommerce functionality compared to BlueHost.
Which one is the best for informational and business websites?
Verdict
: BlueHost slightly edges out Network Solutions for informational and business websites, thanks to its user-friendly interface, extensive learning resources, and seamless WordPress integration.
-
BlueHost
: BlueHost is a versatile option for creating professional-looking informational websites. Its integration with WordPress allows for a wide range of customization options and access to thousands of themes and plugins. The drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible for users with little to no coding experience. BlueHost’s comprehensive learning resources and 24/7 customer support further enhance its appeal for users looking to build and manage their websites efficiently. BlueHost scores 7.5 in this category. -
Network Solutions
: Network Solutions offers a variety of templates and tools that allow users to create professional-looking websites without needing any coding knowledge. It provides features such as domain registration, email services, and e-commerce capabilities, making it a comprehensive solution for small businesses and individuals. However, its interface may seem outdated compared to modern competitors, and its customization options can be limited. Network Solutions scores 7.4 in this category.
BlueHost vs Network Solutions: Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
Winner: Tie.
Both BlueHost and Network Solutions offer a variety of templates and designs, customization flexibility, mobile responsive design, and creative design possibilities.
BlueHost’s WordPress website builder offers over 300 pre-installed templates and designs to cater to the diverse needs of its users. These templates are designed to be responsive and SEO-friendly, enhancing the user experience and visibility of the websites.
On the other hand, Network Solutions offers a wide variety of templates and designs tailored to meet the diverse needs of its users. With hundreds of professionally designed templates, users can easily find a style that perfectly matches their vision and brand identity.
Please note that there are no available links to the themes page and no available screenshots for the template page for both platforms.
Get a head start on website creation with AI
Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!
Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
🏆 Winner: BlueHost
. Scoring 8.2, BlueHost offers a user-friendly interface with a wide range of templates and customization options, making it highly accessible for users of all skill levels. Network Solutions, with a score of 6.8, provides a simple and accessible website builder, but its interface may seem outdated compared to modern competitors and its customization options can be limited.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: BlueHost
. BlueHost’s WordPress Academy offers a wide range of free, comprehensive learning resources developed by WordPress experts, aimed at users of all levels. Network Solutions offers high-quality learning resources, but they are not as extensive as BlueHost’s.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
When it comes to ecommerce, both BlueHost and Network Solutions offer a range of features suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. However, there are some differences in their offerings that could make one a better choice over the other depending on your specific needs.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
6.5 |
6.5 |
Product page customization |
7.0 |
6.8 |
Payment processing and commissions |
6.8 |
6.0 |
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
5.0 |
Payment gateways |
7.5 |
7.0 |
Product numbers |
6.0 |
6.0 |
Additional ecommerce features |
6.5 |
5.5 |
BlueHost ecommerce features:
- Product Listings
- Shopping Carts
- Secure Payment gateways
- Shipping Options and Tax Calculations
- Inventory Management
Network Solutions ecommerce features:
- Marketing Tools
- Personalized Email
- Product Listings
BlueHost’s website builder platform offers various ecommerce features designed to help users build and manage online stores effectively. These features include integration with WooCommerce for WordPress sites, allowing for the easy setup of product listings, shopping carts, and secure payment gateways. The platform also supports inventory management, shipping options, and tax calculations, providing a comprehensive toolset for online merchants.
On the other hand, Network Solutions offers a range of ecommerce features suitable for small to medium-sized businesses looking to establish an online store. Their platform includes customizable templates, an easy-to-use shopping cart, secure payment processing, and inventory management tools.
Ecommerce themes & templates
BlueHost’s website builder for ecommerce provides a selection of specific templates designed to streamline the creation of online stores. These templates are optimized for sales, featuring designs that accommodate product galleries, shopping carts, and checkout processes.
Network Solutions offers a variety of ecommerce templates designed to cater to businesses of different sizes and industries. Their templates are crafted to be responsive, ensuring a seamless shopping experience across various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
Product page customization
BlueHost’s website builder offers robust customization features for product pages, allowing users to tailor product details like titles, descriptions, images, and pricing according to their preferences. It supports the creation of product variants and options, facilitating the sale of items with multiple choices such as size, color, and material directly from the product page.
Network Solutions offers a range of ecommerce product page customization options to enhance the online shopping experience. Users can personalize product descriptions, images, and videos to showcase their items effectively. Additionally, the platform allows for the customization of product options such as size, color, and material, enabling a more interactive and tailored shopping experience for customers.
Payment processing
When it comes to payment processing, BlueHost doesn’t directly support numerous payment gateways. However, it does integrate with WooCommerce, a platform that facilitates integration with various payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe. While BlueHost doesn’t impose transaction fees, the payment gateways might. Furthermore, it lacks Point of Sale (POS) capabilities.
Network Solutions’ website builder is designed for online stores, small businesses, and personal websites, offering essential e-commerce features including a built-in shopping cart and support for a wide range of payment options such as PayPal, PayFlow, USA ePay, CyberSource, PlugNPay, making it convenient for businesses to process transactions. Network Solutions does not mention that they charge commissions on transactions, commissions are charged by the gateways themselves.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
🏆
Winner: BlueHost
. BlueHost, with a score of 7.3, offers a user-friendly website builder that integrates seamlessly with WordPress, allowing for a wide range of customization options and access to thousands of themes and plugins. It features a drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible for users with little to no coding experience.
Network Solutions, scoring 6.3, offers a comprehensive suite of tools for website creation and management. It provides an intuitive website editor that allows users to design, edit, and publish their websites without needing advanced technical skills. However, some users may find the interface a bit outdated and less intuitive compared to more modern website builders.
Mobile editor/app
🏆
Winner: BlueHost
. Neither BlueHost nor Network Solutions offer a dedicated mobile editor app. However, BlueHost does allow users to edit their websites on a mobile browser, albeit with some limitations. This gives BlueHost a slight edge over Network Solutions, which does not provide any mobile editing capabilities. Therefore, if mobile editing is a priority for you, BlueHost may be a better choice.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
Overall Result
:
BlueHost wins
. BlueHost scores 6.2, significantly higher than Network Solutions’ 0.5. BlueHost does not offer a free or trial version, but it allows testing of premium features within a 30-day refundable period. Network Solutions, on the other hand, does not provide a free or trial version and only allows access to features after purchasing a plan. Both platforms offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but Network Solutions’ refund process may be difficult in some cases.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Free Plan |
No | No |
Trial Duration |
No | No |
Testing Premium Features |
Possible within 30-day refundable period |
Only after purchasing a plan |
Money Back Guarantee |
30-day money back guarantee | 30-day money back guarantee (may be difficult to get refunds) |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
BlueHost offers a wider range of price plans and a significant discount for annual subscriptions, while Network Solutions offers more affordable options but without any discounts for longer-term commitments.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
$0-$5 |
No offering at this amount. |
Website ($4.95/month): Easy-to-use website builder, Domain & Domain Privacy: 1 Year Free, Professional Email: 3 Months Free, SSL Certificate: 1 Month Free, 1-hour expert design support. Value for price: 6.5 |
$5-$9 |
No offering at this amount. |
Website + Marketing ($7.95/month): Includes all features from the Website plan, Sell services, Appointment scheduling, Social and email marketing, AI copywriting tool (NEW). Value for price: 7.5 |
$9-$10 |
No offering at this amount. |
Online Store ($9.95/month): Includes all features from the Website + Marketing plan, Sell products and services, Sell on Facebook & Instagram. Value for price: 8.0 |
$10-$20 |
Basic ($15.99/month): Made for a simple website or blog, 1 website with 10GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress Hosting, Free SSL 1st year and Chat Support. Value for price: 6.5 |
Online Marketplaces ($19.95/month): Includes all features from the Online Store plan, Sell on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, & more. Value for price: 8.5 |
$20-$30 |
Choice Plus ($27.99/month): Ideal for multiple sites needing storage, security, backups, 3 websites with 40GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress hosting, Free SSL, Free Domain privacy 1st year, Malware scanning, daily site backups are free for the 1st year with the purchase of a 12 or 36-month package. Otherwise, users are required to pay a one-time fee of $35.88 for backup services. Value for price: 7.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
$30-$35 |
Online Store ($32.99/month): Great for all online selling, built-in eCommerce tools, 3 websites with 40GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress hosting, Free Domain privacy 1st year, Malware Scanning, Exclusive Theme Store, Store Analytics, Unlimited products, Secure Payment options, Bookings & appointments, Shipping labels, product search and filtering, daily site backups are free for the 1st year with the purchase of a 12 or 36-month package. Otherwise, users are required to pay a one-time fee of $35.88 for backup services. Value for price: 8.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
$35+ |
Pro ($39.95/month): Perfect for high traffic, advanced storage, security, 5 websites with 100GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress hosting, Free SSL, Free Domain privacy 1st year, Malware Scanning, daily site backups are free for the 1st year with the purchase of a 12 or 36-month package. Otherwise, users are required to pay a one-time fee of $35.88 for backup services. Value for price: 9.0 |
No offering at this amount. |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
Winner: BlueHost
BlueHost and Network Solutions both offer a range of hosting options, but BlueHost edges out with its managed WordPress hosting and six global data centers. Network Solutions, while offering a higher uptime guarantee, does not publicly disclose its data center locations, which could be a concern for some users. BlueHost’s commitment to fast load times and Cloudflare integration also contribute to its higher rating.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, offers a range of hosting options | Yes, offers a variety of hosting options |
Data Centers: |
6 data centers: Orem and Provo, Shanghai, Mumbai and Hong Kong, London | Network Solutions doesn’t publicly disclose any information about its data centers |
Type of hosting: |
Managed WordPress Hosting | Shared Hosting, VPS hosting, WordPress Hosting |
Uptime: |
99.9% | 99.99% |
Uptime Guarantee: |
Yes, 99.9% | Yes, 99.99% |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
🏆 Winner: Network Solutions
Both BlueHost and Network Solutions prioritize website performance and page speed, but Network Solutions edges out slightly due to its comprehensive optimization strategies.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Focus |
CDN, Server Optimization |
CDN, Web Caching, Image Optimization, SEO optimization |
Performance Tools |
Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights |
Google PageSpeed Insights Integration |
Key Strategies |
CDN, Server Optimization |
CDN, Web Caching, Image Optimization, SEO optimization |
Load Times |
Varies widely, depending on the optimization, website complexity |
Varies widely, depending on the optimization, hosting type and website complexity |
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies widely, depending on the optimization, website complexity |
Varies widely, depending on the optimization, hosting type and website complexity |
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
Network Solutions uses a comprehensive approach to website speed optimization, including CDN, web caching, image optimization, and SEO optimization. This approach, combined with a focus on improving Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS), gives Network Solutions a slight edge over BlueHost in terms of website speed optimization.
BlueHost, on the other hand, focuses on CDN and server optimization to improve website speed. Like Network Solutions, BlueHost also emphasizes improving Core Web Vitals. However, the load times and PageSpeed scores for BlueHost vary widely, depending on the optimization and website complexity, which makes it slightly less reliable than Network Solutions in terms of website speed optimization.
Get a head start on website creation with AI
Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!
Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
🏆 Winner: BlueHost.
With a score of 9.1, BlueHost takes the lead in this category. Its seamless integration with WordPress gives users access to thousands of plugins and extensions, significantly expanding the functionality of the website builder. Network Solutions, scoring 4.8, offers a variety of plugins/extensions, but it doesn’t match the vast ecosystem provided by BlueHost.
However, Network Solutions focuses more on providing an all-in-one solution with built-in features, which might be more suitable for users who prefer a simpler, more streamlined approach.
Marketing Features
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
🏆
Overall Winner: BlueHost
. BlueHost edges out Network Solutions with a slightly higher score, largely due to its seamless integration with WordPress, which offers a wider range of customization options and access to thousands of themes and plugins. However, Network Solutions also offers a comprehensive suite of marketing features and is known for its excellent customer support.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
SEO Tools |
|
|
Email Marketing |
|
|
Blogging |
|
|
Social Media Integration |
|
|
Analytics and Reporting |
|
|
Ads and Promotions |
|
|
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
🏆 Winner: BlueHost
. In the comparison of BlueHost vs Network Solutions, BlueHost takes the lead with a customer support score of 7.6. BlueHost offers a variety of customer support options available 24/7, including chat and phone support for general inquiries, with specific hours for account verification, renewals, and cancellations. Technical assistance is available from 7 a.m. to midnight EST, seven days a week, via phone or by opening a Help Ticket for email support. This comprehensive support structure ensures that users can get help whenever they need it.
Network Solutions, on the other hand, provides 24/7 live chat support. While this is beneficial, it falls short compared to the multiple support channels and specific technical assistance hours offered by BlueHost. Network Solutions has a customer support score of 6.6, indicating room for improvement in their support services.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
🏆
Winner: BlueHost
. BlueHost takes a comprehensive approach to security, offering SSL certificates, regular backups, and additional security features like SiteLock for malware scanning. They also provide 24/7 monitoring to promptly detect and respond to security threats, ensuring a secure and reliable hosting environment for users.
Network Solutions also prioritizes security, offering SSL certificates, malware scanning and removal, and possibly DDoS protection among other services. However, they fall slightly short of BlueHost in terms of overall security score.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
AI Website Builder |
|
|
AI Ecommerce Features |
|
|
AI Content Generation |
Supports integration with AI content generation WordPress plugins |
AI copywriting tool available on higher plans |
Additional AI Features |
|
|
🏆 Winner: Draw
. Both BlueHost and Network Solutions have limited AI capabilities. BlueHost, with a score of 1.5, does not have any built-in AI features but supports integration with WordPress plugins, some of which may offer AI capabilities. Network Solutions, scoring 1.1, provides an AI copywriting tool on its higher plans but lacks other AI features. Neither of the platforms have AI-powered website builders or ecommerce features. Therefore, the choice between these two platforms should be based on other factors such as ease of use, design functionalities, and pricing.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
🏆 Winner: BlueHost
. Both BlueHost and Network Solutions offer multi-user management, but BlueHost scores higher in this category.
- BlueHost supports multi-user management, but there’s no specific mention about the number of users or their roles and permissions.
- Network Solutions’ website builder offers very limited multi-user functionality and access levels compared to other platforms.
Additional Features
|
|
|
---|---|---|
SSL Certificate |
|
|
Custom Domain |
|
|
Free Custom Domain Included |
|
|
International Domains |
|
|
Mobile Responsive |
|
|
Page Speed |
|
|
Website Builder Mobile App |
|
|
Convert a Website To An App |
|
|
Website Analytics |
|
|
Multilingual Sites |
|
|
Multiple Users |
|
|
BlueHost vs Network Solutions: User Feedback
Users appreciate BlueHost for its comprehensive free offerings, including SSL, subdomains, and custom email, along with additional services like free domain registration and CDN. The platform’s intuitive interface and user-friendly website builder cater to both beginners and experienced developers. However, concerns arise regarding the significant price increase upon renewal, limited free website templates, and unresolved technical issues with poor customer support, hindering users’ ability to effectively manage their websites and businesses. Addressing these concerns could enhance overall user satisfaction with BlueHost.
User reviews of Network Solutions are mixed, with some praising its prompt customer support and variety of domain management options. However, there are widespread complaints about the platform’s outdated business practices, high costs, and poor customer service. Users often find the website’s layout confusing and report instances of misleading promises regarding refunds. Overall, while Network Solutions has some positive attributes, its drawbacks suggest that users may want to consider alternatives.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
BlueHost vs Network Solutions: FAQ
Which platform is better for beginners, BlueHost or Network Solutions?
Can I use both BlueHost and Network Solutions for ecommerce?
How do BlueHost and Network Solutions differ in terms of customization and design flexibility?
What are the major differences in pricing and value between BlueHost and Network Solutions?
Which platform offers better customer support, BlueHost or Network Solutions?