HostGator vs SITE123: Comprehensive comparison guide for 2024

Final verdict

HostGator and SITE123 both offer user-friendly website building solutions, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences.

• 
  HostGator (Overall Grade: 6.2/10)
  
  is a solid choice for users looking for a comprehensive web hosting service combined with a powerful website builder. It excels in providing a wide range of customizable templates and significant design flexibility. HostGator’s robust hosting options and extensive plugin integrations make it a versatile platform for various website types, including ecommerce. However, its customer support and pricing structure may not be as appealing to some users. When comparing HostGator vs SITE123, HostGator is ideal for those who prioritize design flexibility and a wide range of hosting options.
• 
  SITE123 (Overall Grade: 6.5/10)
  
  stands out for its ease of use and intuitive interface, making it perfect for beginners and those who want to create professional-looking websites quickly. SITE123 offers a variety of templates and strong ecommerce capabilities, along with excellent customer support and AI-powered content generation features. Considering HostGator vs SITE123, SITE123 is a great choice for users who prioritize simplicity, user-friendliness, and efficient website creation without needing extensive customization.

	Overall grade: 6.2	Overall grade: 6.5
Design functionalities & templates	7.9	7.2
Ease of use	8.0	8.1
Ecommerce	6.3	7.0
Website Editors	7.3	7.0
Product testing options	2.6	6.4
Price	6.2	6.2
Hosting quality	8.0	7.0
Website speed optimization	6.2	5.8
Plugins and integrations	7.3	7.1
Marketing features	6.9	6.0
Customer support	7.3	7.3
Security	7.4	7.5
AI capabilities	2.6	2.8
User Management	3.2	6.3

Best for ecommerce

6.3

7.0

Verdict

: HostGator and SITE123 both offer solid ecommerce functionalities, but SITE123 has a slight edge in terms of overall ecommerce capabilities.

• 
  HostGator
  
  : HostGator’s website builder is equipped with essential ecommerce features such as secure online payments, unlimited products, and multi-channel inventory management. It is a good choice for users who need a straightforward platform with reliable hosting services. However, when comparing HostGator vs SITE123, HostGator’s ecommerce capabilities are slightly less advanced, making it more suitable for smaller online stores.
  
  Best For Ecommerce score: 6.3
  
• 
  SITE123
  
  : SITE123 provides a more comprehensive set of ecommerce tools, including extensive product management, multiple payment gateways, and advanced SEO tools. Its user-friendly interface and customizable templates make it ideal for businesses looking to create a professional online store with minimal effort. SITE123’s ecommerce features are more robust, making it a better option for those who need more advanced ecommerce functionalities.
  
  Best For Ecommerce score: 7.0
  

Best for informational & business websites

7.4

7.4

• 
  HostGator
  
  : HostGator is a robust choice for users who value a wide variety of design templates and significant customization flexibility. Its drag-and-drop interface and extensive template library make it easy to create professional-looking websites. Additionally, HostGator’s comprehensive hosting services and 24/7 customer support ensure a reliable and supportive environment for maintaining an online presence.
• 
  SITE123
  
  : SITE123 excels in ease of use, making it an excellent option for beginners. Its intuitive interface and extensive support resources simplify the website creation process. SITE123 offers a wide range of customizable templates and essential features like SEO tools and mobile optimization, making it a versatile platform for creating professional-looking websites without any coding or design skills. When comparing HostGator vs SITE123, SITE123’s user-friendly approach is ideal for those new to website building.

Detailed comparison

7.9

7.2

🏆

Winner: HostGator.

If you’re looking for a platform that offers a substantial variety of design templates and significant customization flexibility, HostGator is the preferred choice.

HostGator website builder provides a substantial variety of design templates, catering to different user needs and preferences. It offers over 200 different mobile-friendly themes. Additionally, there’s a separate collection of 4,500 templates available for free download to users hosting their sites on HostGator servers, which are not interchangeable with the site builder’s own templates. This vast collection ensures that users have a wide range of design options to choose from, whether they seek simplicity for a professional presence or more intricate designs for complex websites.

Compared to HostGator, SITE123 offers a wide variety of templates and designs for their website builder, with over 180 options to choose from. Their templates are organized by industry and category, making it easy to find the perfect design for your website. SITE123 also allows for customization of templates, giving users the ability to make their website unique and tailored to their brand. Additionally, SITE123 offers mobile-responsive designs, ensuring that your website looks great on any device.

SITE123 Themes

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8.0

8.1

🏆 Winner: SITE123

. With a score of 8.1, SITE123 slightly edges out HostGator’s 8.0 in terms of ease of use. Both platforms are user-friendly and designed for beginners, but SITE123’s intuitive interface and extensive support resources give it a slight advantage.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: SITE123

. Both platforms offer solid learning resources, but SITE123’s well-structured guides and FAQs, along with its highly-rated customer support, make it a more user-friendly choice for those new to website building.

6.3

7.0

When it comes to ecommerce, both HostGator and SITE123 offer features that allow users to create online stores. However, SITE123 seems to have a slight edge over HostGator in terms of ecommerce capabilities.

Ecommerce themes and templates	7.0	6.5
Product page customization	6.5	6.8
Payment processing and commissions	6.0	6.0
POS capabilities	5.0	5.0
Payment gateways	5.5	7.0
Product numbers	4.5	6.0
Additional ecommerce features	6.5	6.5

HostGator ecommerce features:

• Secure Online Payments
• Unlimited Products
• Product Search & Filtering
• Wishlists & Gift Cards
• Multi-Channel Inventory Management
• Shipping Labels

SITE123 ecommerce features:

• Product Management
• Payment Gateways
• Shipping and Tax Configuration
• SEO tools
• Analytics
• Social Media Integration

Ecommerce themes & templates

HostGator’s website builder caters to ecommerce needs by offering a broad selection of free templates, all designed with mobile responsiveness in mind. These templates are equipped with essential ecommerce features such as product catalogs and payment processing options. On the other hand, SITE123 offers a variety of ecommerce templates suitable for various types of businesses. These templates are designed to be professional and user-friendly, ensuring that your products stand out and that customers have a seamless shopping experience.

Product page customization

HostGator Website Builder offers basic features for customizing product pages, enabling users to add products with details such as name, price, description, and images. It supports product variants and categorization to enhance customer navigation. Advanced settings include inventory management, discount options, and the ability to set products as shippable or downloadable. SITE123, however, offers extensive customization options for ecommerce product pages, suitable for both physical and digital goods. Products can be organized into categories for better navigation. Detailed product pages can include essential information like product name, description, images, videos, pricing options, SKUs, brands, and additional descriptions, with customizable SEO settings to improve online visibility.

Payment processing

HostGator Website Builder integrates with PayPal as a payment gateway for processing transactions. The platform charges a 3% transaction fee on Express Store and Express Site plans, no transaction fees are charged on higher Express Store plan. SITE123, on the other hand, supports various payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Amazon Pay, enabling seamless online transactions without charging sales commissions. Users can expect payment processing fees around 3%, which are standard across ecommerce platforms. The platform offers a 14-day money-back policy on certain package purchases, with detailed terms around invoicing, taxes, and refunds.

7.3

7.0

🏆

Winner: HostGator

. HostGator, with a score of 7.3, offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor, enabling users to easily create and customize their websites without needing any coding knowledge. It provides a wide range of templates that are fully customizable, allowing for the personalization of layouts, colors, and fonts to match the user’s brand identity. Additionally, the editor supports the integration of various multimedia elements like images, videos, and social media links, enhancing the visual appeal and functionality of the website.

SITE123’s editor, scoring 7.0, is a straightforward and user-friendly website builder designed for individuals without coding or design expertise, emphasizing ease of use and efficiency in creating and customizing websites. It offers a selection of ready-made templates, mobile responsiveness, free hosting, and SEO tools, alongside ecommerce capabilities for users willing to subscribe to higher plans. However, customization is somewhat limited due to the inability to access template source codes or integrate external templates, and advanced features may incur additional costs.

Mobile editor/app

4.0

5.5

🏆

Winner: SITE123

. Both HostGator and SITE123 do not have a dedicated mobile app for website editing. However, they allow users to make changes using a mobile browser. SITE123 has a slightly higher mobile editor score than HostGator, indicating that it provides a better mobile editing experience.

HostGator does not have a mobile editor app, and it is only possible to make some small changes using a mobile browser. On the other hand, SITE123 does not have a mobile app for website editing, but you can edit a SITE123 website on a mobile browser.

In summary, while both platforms lack a dedicated mobile app for website editing, SITE123 provides a slightly better mobile editing experience than HostGator.

2.6

6.4

Overall Result

:

SITE123 Wins

. SITE123 scores 6.4, significantly higher than HostGator’s 2.6. While neither platform offers a free or trial version, both allow testing of premium features within a refundable period. However, SITE123’s refundable period is shorter (14 days) compared to HostGator’s 30 days. HostGator’s money-back guarantee comes with several exceptions, which may limit the testing options.

Free Plan	No	Yes
Trial Duration	No	No
Testing Premium Features	Within 30-day refundable period	Within 14-day refundable period
Money Back Guarantee	30 days (with exceptions)	No

6.2

6.2

Both HostGator and SITE123 have similar price scores, but HostGator offers significant discounts for annual subscriptions, while SITE123 does not.

	Offerings	Offerings
Free	No offering at this amount.	Free ($0/month): 250 MB storage, 250MB bandwidth, SITE123 branding, basic SEO for homepage. This plan allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation on number of pages. It offers hosting with 250MB storage and bandwidth. However, it does not offer ecommerce features, has limited templates and does not have AI website builder.
$5-$14	Express Start ($12.95/month): Includes hosting, basic analytics dashboard, 3 email campaigns per month, up to 3 products. Value for price: 6.0	Premium ($7.8/month): 3 GB storage, 3 GB bandwidth, connect your domain, remove SITE123 floating tag. This plan allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation on number of pages. It offers hosting with 3GB storage and bandwidth. However, it does not offer ecommerce features, has limited templates and does not have AI website builder. Value for price: 6.5
$14-$20	Express Site ($14.98/month): Offers hosting, advanced analytics dashboard, 5 email campaigns per month, up to 10 products. Value for price: 7.0	No offering at this amount.
$20+	Express Store ($26.98/month): Comprehensive plan including hosting, advanced analytics dashboard, 10 email campaigns per month, unlimited products. Value for price: 8.5	No offering at this amount.

8.0

7.0

🏆

Winner: HostGator

HostGator offers a variety of hosting types, including shared, managed WordPress, VPS, and dedicated hosting, and has data centers in multiple locations. SITE123, on the other hand, offers managed hosting but does not disclose information about their data centers. Both have the same uptime and uptime guarantee, but HostGator’s transparency and variety of hosting options give it the edge.

Do they offer hosting?	Yes, offers four main types of hosting: shared, managed WordPress, VPS, and dedicated hosting, with unlimited storage and bandwidth. The platform has automatic backup service which runs once a week on a random day.	Yes, Site123 does not provide detailed information on their hosting solutions. They provide 250MB storage and bandwidth on free plan, and 3GB on premium plan.
Data Centers:	4 data centers: US(Texas, Utah), India(Mumbai), China(Hong Kong)	Site123 does not disclose any information related to their data centers.
Type of hosting:	Shared, Managed WordPress, VPS, Dedicated	Managed Hosting
Uptime:	99.9%	99.9%
Uptime Guarantee:	Yes, 99.9%	Yes, 99.9%

6.2

5.8

🏆 Winner: HostGator

Both HostGator and SITE123 have strategies in place for website speed optimization, but HostGator edges out SITE123 with a slightly higher website speed optimization score.

Focus	Browser Caching, CDN	CDN, Image Optimization, Caching, Minification of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, Use of Asynchronous Loading, Database Optimization
Performance Tools	Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights	Google PageSpeed Insights Integration
Key Strategies	Browser Caching, CDN	CDN, Image Optimization, Caching, Minification of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, Use of Asynchronous Loading, Database Optimization
Load Times	Varies widely, depending on the optimization, website complexity and the chosen hosting plan	Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location
Page Speed Scores Range	Varies widely, depending on the optimization, website complexity and the chosen hosting plan	Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements	No information disclosed

HostGator’s approach to enhancing site speed includes browser caching and the use of a Content Delivery Network (CDN). They also provide guidance on understanding and improving Core Web Vitals (CWV) for websites, with an emphasis on Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) improvements. However, both load times and PageSpeed scores can vary widely, depending on the optimization, website complexity, and the chosen hosting plan.

On the other hand, SITE123’s strategies for speed optimization include the use of a CDN, image optimization, caching, minification of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, use of asynchronous loading, and database optimization. However, they do not disclose any information about Core Web Vitals improvements. Similar to HostGator, both load times and PageSpeed scores can vary widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location.

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7.3

7.1

🏆 Winner: HostGator.

With a score of 7.3, HostGator edges out SITE123, which scored 7.1. HostGator offers a wide range of plugins, known as apps, accessible via their app market. These apps cater to diverse needs such as advertising, website analytics, integrating social media, managing appointments, and conducting email marketing. On the other hand, SITE123 offers a wide range of plugins and extensions to enhance the functionality of your website. With over 250 apps available, you can easily add features such as social media integration, ecommerce capabilities, and SEO optimization. However, the breadth and depth of HostGator’s offerings give it the upper hand.

SITE123 Applications

6.9

6.0

🏆

Overall Winner: HostGator

. HostGator edges out SITE123 with a slightly higher score in marketing features. Both platforms offer a range of marketing tools, but HostGator’s integration with Google Ads and Bing Ads on higher-tier plans gives it an advantage.

SEO Tools
Email Marketing	Yes, on higher plans	Yes, can be enhanced with third party integrations
Blogging
Social Media Integration		Basic linking with accounts, enhanced through app integrations
Analytics and Reporting	Yes, Google Analytics integration on higher plans	Basic analytics provided, with more detailed insights on higher plans
Ads and Promotions	Yes, Google Ads and Bing Ads integration	Limited direct marketing tools, with some promotional features available on premium plans

7.3

7.3

🏆 Winner: Tie

. In the HostGator vs SITE123 comparison, both platforms offer robust customer support, each with its unique strengths. HostGator provides 24/7 support through email, phone, and live chat, ensuring users can get assistance at any time. The availability of toll-free, local, and international phone numbers makes it convenient for users worldwide to reach out for help.

SITE123 also offers 24/7 support via online chat in English, with additional support in 16 other languages during business hours. This extensive language support is particularly beneficial for non-English speaking users, ensuring they can receive help in their preferred language.

Both platforms score equally in customer support, making them reliable choices for users seeking comprehensive assistance for their website needs.

7.4

7.5

🏆

Winner: SITE123

. SITE123 edges out HostGator with a slightly higher security score. SITE123’s commitment to user privacy and data security is evident in their provision of free domain privacy protection. They also prioritize website security through SSL/HTTPS encryption and modern firewalls, ensuring data privacy and protection against cyber threats.

HostGator also takes security seriously, with measures such as SiteLock for malware scanning and extensive custom firewall rules. They also conduct regular password audits to encourage strong user password practices. However, website owners are responsible for aspects such as password security, updating applications, and ensuring their site is malware-free, which may require a higher level of technical knowledge.

2.6

2.8

AI Builder	Basic AI technologies in new website builder
AI Ecommerce features
AI Content Generation		AI-powered content generation feature
Additional AI features	Basic features in new AI website builder	Limited additional AI capabilities

🏆 Winner: SITE123

. With a score of 2.8, SITE123 slightly edges out HostGator in terms of AI capabilities. While both platforms have limited AI features, SITE123 offers an AI-powered content generation feature that can quickly generate SEO-friendly, relevant content for various sections of a website. This tool can be customized to match the user’s brand voice, making website creation more efficient and accessible.

HostGator, with a score of 2.6, has announced the launch of a new website builder with basic AI technologies. However, it does not offer AI ecommerce features or AI content generation features. Despite these limitations, HostGator’s website builder is still a powerful tool for creating professional-looking websites.

3.2

6.3

🏆 Winner: SITE123

. Both HostGator and SITE123 offer user management features, but they approach it differently.

• HostGator mentions the possibility to have multiple users for its hosting solutions, however, there’s no mention whether the mentioned users have the permission to edit the websites built with their website builder.
• SITE123 allows multiple users to have two different roles: Admin and Contributor, each with its own set of permissions. However, there is no mention of limitations on the number of users who can edit the website on SITE123.

Given the lack of clarity on HostGator’s part and the more defined roles on SITE123, SITE123 takes the lead in this category.

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

User Feedback

HostGator

244 reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars

SITE123

11 reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars

HostGator’s website builder receives mixed reviews from users, highlighting both its strengths and areas for improvement. Users appreciate the platform for its ease of use, making it accessible even for novices to build professional-looking websites, and for its range of web services that facilitate website creation and management, including domain registration and SSL certificates. However, concerns are raised regarding its customer support, which is often described as slow or unresponsive, potentially impacting users requiring timely assistance. Additionally, some users find the pricing structure to be high, particularly for small-scale developers or those needing only basic services.

SITE123 seems to offer a user-friendly platform with drag-and-drop features, making website building quick and easy. Users appreciate its wide library of free images and templates, mobile responsiveness, and excellent customer support. However, some users find its customization options limited, especially in the free version, and wish for more robust features like additional plugins and payment methods tailored to different regions. Overall, SITE123 appears beneficial for those seeking to create professional-looking websites without extensive coding knowledge, though it may lack certain advanced functionalities for more specialized needs.

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