Best web hosting for small business in 2025
Through independent research and testing, our team of experts offers transparent and thorough reviews of web hosting providers. We use the same testing criteria for all providers to offer a fair and unbiased assessment of each hosting service.
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Choosing the right web hosting for your small business can feel overwhelming with so many options available. Reliable web hosting is crucial for establishing a professional online presence and attracting customers. However, many business owners encounter challenges such as high costs, complex user controls, and inadequate support.
Our Cybernews research team and I have thoroughly tested and reviewed 9 top hosting providers for small businesses, offering detailed insights, pros and cons, and feature comparisons. Read along to find the best web hosting for small business in 2025.
Best hosting for small business: in short
- Hostinger – best hosting for small businesses overall
- SiteGround – best customer support for small businesses
- InMotion Hosting – best for scaling small business websites
- WP Engine – best-managed WordPress hosting for small businesses
- DreamHost – best small business hosting with the longest trial period
- Bluehost - great small business hosting for WordPress
- A2 Hosting – best small business hosting for non-tech-savvy users
- GoDaddy – best eCommerce for small businesses
- IONOS – lowest price small business hosting
Our in-house research team and expert writers work hand in hand to regularly test hosting services and provide accurate and fact-checked information. Discover the ins and outs of how we test and evaluate website hosting providers.
1. Best all-around hosting for small businesses
Hostinger is the best choice for small business owners who want affordable hosting without giving up reliability or features. Its custom hPanel is intuitive, and tools like the AI Website Builder and one-click WordPress setup ease the site-building process. Performance is solid for the price, though more demanding sites may outgrow shared hosting limits over time.
| Starting price: | From $2.69/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30-day |
| Domain: | ✅ Yes (free for 1 year) |
| Free professional email: | ✅ Included |
| Backups: | ✅ Daily backups available |
| Uptime test results: | 100% |
Why I picked Hostinger: expert insights
Where Hostinger truly shines is its starter pricing, offering full-featured hosting for less than the cost of a coffee cup, complete with free SSL, automated backups, and malware protection that competitors like GoDaddy charge extra for. With its impressive 100% uptime during testing and fast load times, it's an excellent option for websites that don’t need heavy traffic capacity. Finally, its intuitive control panel and instant 24/7 live chat support helped me make my final decision..
While renewal rates do increase after initial terms (an industry standard), the jump feels justified given the quality. The only real limitation is scalability – growing businesses may eventually need to upgrade from shared hosting. If it comes to that, Hostinger does offer other hosting options and, compared to Bluehost or SiteGround, Hostinger delivers better performance at lower prices.
If you want to learn more, check out our in-depth Hostinger review.
Who should pick Hostinger?
Small businesses that value simplicity, great customer support, and speed over advanced customization. It's a great fit for local shops, independent professionals, and startups that want their website to work reliably without constant tech headaches. The platform shines for basic business sites, portfolios, and small online stores that don't require complex setups.
2. Hosting with the best support for small business
SiteGround delivers premium shared hosting with Google Cloud infrastructure. While not the cheapest, its speed optimizations and hands-on support make it ideal for small businesses prioritizing reliability.
| Starting price: | From $2.99/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Free domain: | ❌ Not included |
| Free professional email: | ✅ Included |
| Backups: | ✅ Daily backups available |
| Uptime test results: | 100% |
Why I picked SiteGround: expert insights
SiteGround stands out for its premium cloud hosting solutions and hands-on support. During our testing, it exceeded expectations – delivering 100% uptime and fast page load speeds consistently under 1 second.
What truly sets it apart is its superior support system, offering phone assistance alongside 24/7 live chat and a ticketing system, a rarity in the hosting industry. Its plans come packed with valuable features, including free SSL certificates, daily backups, SSD storage, Cloudflare CDN integration, and specialized WordPress tools like staging environments.
However, there are tradeoffs to consider. Unlike competitors such as Bluehost and Hostinger, SiteGround doesn't include a free domain. More importantly, its pricing structure presents a significant gap – businesses must choose between entry-level shared hosting or make a substantial jump to cloud plans, with no mid-tier options for gradual growth.
To find out more about SiteGround, read our SiteGround review.
Who should pick SiteGround?
Small businesses that want their hosting handled properly – good security, smart caching, and real support when needed, without becoming tech experts themselves.
3. Best small business web hosting for scaling
InMotion Hosting is a reliable option for small businesses planning to grow over time. It offers fast, secure hosting with room to upgrade when your site starts getting more traffic. While it’s not the flashiest platform, it’s built to support long-term growth without breaking the bank.
| Starting price: | From $2.29/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | 90 days |
| Free domain: | ✅ Yes (free for 1 year) |
| Free professional email: | ✅ Included |
| Backups: | ❌ Not included in the entry plan |
| Uptime test results: | 100% |
Why I picked InMotion: expert insights
What makes InMotion stand out is its focus on long-term scalability. Compared to top picks like Bluehost or Hostinger, InMotion gives you more options to upgrade your plan as your business grows, with flexible resource allocation at competitive prices, so you're not limited to shared hosting as your needs increase.
Testing showed excellent uptime (100%) and solid speed for US users, with NVMe SSDs and UltraStack configuration keeping sites fast. Free site transfers and Google Workspace integration make setup easy. Support includes 24/7 live chat and ticket assistance, with phone support available during business hours.
However, InMotion has some downsides. Server response times are slower than speed leaders like Hostinger, especially outside the US. The entry plan lacks automatic backups, which competitors offer for free. If you need global performance or want to avoid frequent upgrades, you may find better value elsewhere.
To find out more about InMotion Hosting, visit our InMotion Hosting review.
Who should pick InMotion?
Small businesses that need flexibility and scalability as they grow, and don’t mind paying a little more for reliable performance and extra features.
4. Best managed WordPress host for small businesses
WP Engine is built for businesses that rely on WordPress but don’t want to manage technical hosting tasks themselves. It offers peace of mind with built-in security, daily backups, and expert support when things go wrong.
| Price: | From $13.00/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | 60-day |
| Domain: | ❌ Not included |
| Free professional email: | ❌ Not included |
| Backups: | ✅ Daily backups, on-demand backups available |
| Uptime test results: | 100% |
Why I picked WP Engine Web Hosting: expert insights
WP Engine stands out for small businesses looking for hassle-free WordPress hosting. The managed environment means you don’t have to worry about server maintenance or updates – WP Engine takes care of that.
It uses a custom control panel and useful extras, such as built-in EverCache caching, CDN, and staging environments. In our tests, WP Engine delivered consistent 100% uptime, and its infrastructure handled traffic surges effectively, with page loads remaining stable under heavy load.
That said, it’s more expensive compared to other providers like SiteGround or Bluehost, making it less ideal if you're on a tight budget. For agencies or small businesses where WordPress drives revenue, the peace of mind justifies the price, but startups on a budget will find better value elsewhere.
For a more detailed review, check out the WP Engine web hosting review.
Who should pick WP Engine Web Hosting?
WP Engine is perfect for small businesses that are serious about their WordPress site’s performance and security. If you need a hands-off, high-performance hosting solution and have the budget for it, WP Engine will serve you well.
5. The most generous free trial small business host
DreamHost is best at offering the most generous free money-back trial in the industry, making it an ideal choice for small businesses that want to test the waters before committing. DreamHost combines affordability with user-friendly tools, especially for WordPress users, and performs well for lightweight business sites.
| Starting price: | From $2.59/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | 97-day |
| Domain: | ✅ 100% (free for 1 year) |
| Free professional email: | ✅ Included on select plans |
| Backups: | ✅ Automatic daily backups available |
| Uptime test results: | 100% |
Why I picked DreamHost: expert insights
DreamHost offers an exceptional money-back guarantee that's hard to beat. Its custom control panel works differently than cPanel but handles multiple sites efficiently once you're accustomed to it. The Grid View provides a clear overview of all your projects. Practical features like automated backups, SSH access, and staging environments are included, making it useful for both beginners and professional developers.
Its 97-day money-back guarantee period dwarfs that of competitors like Bluehost or Hostinger, giving you exceptional flexibility. During testing, it maintained 100% uptime and performed well for smaller sites.
However, our testing revealed that it struggles under high traffic loads. For larger or high-traffic sites, an upgrade to DreamPress or VPS hosting is recommended, though these options come with a significant price increase. Another consideration is the lack of phone support, as only live chat and ticket-based assistance are available.
For full details, check out our DreamHost review.
Who should pick DreamHost?
Ideal for startups and small operations that value simplicity and want to test out the service for longer before committing. Larger or rapidly growing businesses should factor potential upgrade costs into their planning.
6. Reliable WordPress hosting option for small businesses
Bluehost is an officially recommended WordPress hosting provider, offering shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting solutions. Known for its beginner-friendly tools and reliable performance, it's a practical option for small businesses looking for straightforward website management.A reliable WordPress hosting should offer easy one-click WordPress installation, automated backups, one-click updates, scalable resources for growth, and responsive support from WordPress experts.
| Starting price: | From $1.99/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Free domain: | ✅ Yes (free for 1 year) |
| Free professional email: | ✅ Included |
| Backups: | ✅ Automated weekly backups |
| Uptime test results: | 100% |
Why I picked Bluehost: expert insights
Bluehost stands out for its seamless WordPress integration, including 1-click installations that simplify launching a business site. During testing, it delivered consistent 100% uptime and double the above-average load speeds for basic sites.
Where Bluehost also shines is WooCommerce. Unlike DreamHost or Hostinger, its online store plans include handy extras like abandoned cart recovery and custom payment gateways – tools that usually cost extra elsewhere. Phone support (rare at this price) solves problems quickly if the 24/7 live chat is busy.
However, our performance tests revealed limitations - shared hosting struggles with traffic spikes, and renewal prices jump significantly compared to initial rates (an unfortunate overall trend in the hosting market). While adequate for starter sites, growing businesses will find better scalability with alternatives. Hostinger beats it in terms of long-term pricing, while SiteGround's caching handles traffic better. But if you want a WordPress site today, all without a headache, Bluehost delivers.
To read our full analysis, visit our Bluehost review.
Who should pick Bluehost?
For small businesses where immediate phone support and WordPress familiarity are top priorities, Bluehost remains a practical choice.
7. Beginner-friendly small business hosting
A2 Hosting offers speed, support, and ease of use for small business owners who want their site to load quickly but don’t have a whole tech team. Known for its speedy Turbo servers – up to 20x faster, according to A2 Hosting – and reliable 99.9% uptime guarantee, it balances speed and affordability.
| Starting price: | From $1.99/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Free domain: | ✅ No (free for 1 year on select plans) |
| Free professional email: | ✅ Included |
| Backups: | ✅ Automated daily/multi-day backup options |
| Uptime test results: | 100% |
Why I picked A2 Hosting: expert insights
I chose A2 Hosting for its blend of user-friendliness and performance. It offers a custom cPanel setup that simplifies site management, even for beginners. Free site migration and a built-in staging environment make it easy to move or update your site without downtime. Its support is available 24/7 through live chat and is helpful with both general and technical issues. Unfortunately, unlike SiteGround or Bluehost, there’s no phone support, which can be limiting if you need immediate help.
While the claim of being 20 times faster should be taken with a grain of salt, our tests did show consistently quick load times and a whopping 100% uptime on a basic site. However, some users reported occasional service interruptions and slower support response times during critical issues.
If you want to learn more about this provider, check out our A2 Hosting review.
Who should pick A2 Hosting?
A2 Hosting is perfect for small business owners like eCommerce stores, bloggers, or service-based businesses who need fast load times, easy management, and reliable support.
8. Best eCommerce small business hosting
GoDaddy isn’t the cheapest or most powerful, but it offers the easiest way for non-technical business owners to launch an online store. It bundles web hosting, domain management, and integrated business email into a single, manageable package. While professionals may want more, it's ideal for businesses that just need a functional online presence.
| Starting price: | From $6.99/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Free domain: | ✅ Included |
| Free professional email: | ✅ Included (on select plans) |
| Backups: | ❌ Limited backup options |
| Uptime test results: | 99.92% |
Why I picked GoDaddy Web Hosting: expert insights
GoDaddy stands out for small business owners who want to launch an online store quickly without technical hassle. The integrated store builder lets you add products, set up payments, and manage orders in one place. While its 24/7 phone support resolves issues quickly, upselling tactics during calls frustrate users.
It delivers decent speed and uptime, with a standout 179ms server response time and 99.92% uptime during our testing period. However, global performance lags behind competitors like SiteGround, with slower load times in regions like India. Additionally, GoDaddy’s plans are pricier than those of some of the competitors already discussed, and the lack of advanced international optimization may affect businesses targeting a global audience.
To find out more about GoDaddy, visit our GoDaddy review.
Who Should Pick GoDaddy Web Hosting?
Small businesses that want an all-in-one store solution with reliable support, especially those selling mainly in the US. However, it’s not ideal for online stores with complex needs or global audiences.
9. Cheapest small business hosting
IONOS is a budget-friendly hosting provider that combines affordability with essential security features, making it a strong choice for small businesses. With plans starting as low as $1.00 per month, IONOS offers services like daily backups, malware scanning, and DDoS protection, although not without drawbacks.
| Starting price: | From $1.00/month |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Free domain: | ✅ Yes (free for 1 year) |
| Free professional email: | ✅ Included |
| Backups: | ✅ Daily automated backups |
| Uptime test results: | 100% |
Why I picked IONOS: expert insights
IONOS stands out for its value-driven approach. The entry-level pricing is particularly attractive to small business owners or startups looking to minimize costs without sacrificing security. Features like automated backups and malware protection are included in all plans – services that competitors such as GoDaddy often charge extra for. This is complemented by high-quality support options, including 24/7 live chat and phone assistance, as well as a comprehensive library of help articles.
During our testing, IONOS achieved a perfect uptime of 100%, ensuring reliability for most small-scale websites. That said, while it's true that IONOS delivers unbeatable entry pricing, that fact obscures some critical limitations. For example, renewals spike immensely after the first term, "unlimited" resources face hidden throttling, and backup storage is capped despite marketing claims.
To find out more about IONOS, check out our full IONOS review.
Who should pick IONOS?
IONOS is best for small business owners, beginners, and freelancers who need secure, budget-friendly hosting for simple websites, portfolios, or small online stores with moderate traffic needs.
Small business web hosting comparison
Here’s a quick comparison of the best budget-friendly hosting providers for small businesses, highlighting key features and who they’re best suited for.
| Pricing | Free domain | Email included | Support options | Uptime testing results | Best for | |
| Hostinger | From $2.69/month | ✅ Yes (1 year) | ✅ Yes | 24/7 live chat, email | 100% | Small businesses wanting affordable hosting that performs well |
| SiteGround | From $2.99/month | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | 24/7 phone and live chat, email | 100% | Businesses that need fast, helpful support whenever issues arise |
| InMotion Hosting | From $2.29/month | ✅ Yes (1 year) | ✅ Yes | Business hours phone, 24/7 chat, email | 100% | Growing businesses needing scalability |
| WP Engine | From $13.00/month | ❌ No | ❌ No | 24/7 chat, email | 100% | Revenue-critical WordPress sites |
| DreamHost | From $2.59/month | ✅ Yes (1 year) | ✅ Yes | 24/7 chat, email | 100% | Startups wanting risk-free testing |
| Bluehost | From $1.99/month | ✅ Yes (1 year) | ✅ Yes | Limited phone support, 24/7 chat, email | 100% | WordPress beginners |
| A2 Hosting | From $1.99/month | ✅ Yes (1 year) | ✅ Yes | 24/7 chat, email | 100% | Non-tech users needing fast performance |
| GoDaddy | From $6.99/month | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 24/7 phone and live chat, email | 99.92% | Quick online store setupQuick online store setup |
| IONOS | From $1.00/month | ✅ Yes (1 year) | ✅ Yes | 24/7 phone and chat, email | 100% | Micro-businesses on tight budgets |
Our ranking methodology
At Cybernews, we follow a tested methodology to evaluate web hosting providers. You can read more about it in our detailed how we test web hosting guide. To create this list, I evaluated each hosting provider using the following criteria:
- Features (30%). I checked whether each provider offers essential features for small businesses, such as SSL certificates, email hosting, easy website management tools, and other important functionalities.
- Performance (30%). Speed and reliability are crucial for small businesses. Together with our research team, we have tested website load times, uptime guarantees, and response times to ensure each provider can handle the demands of a business website.
- Security (20%). Security is a top priority to protect against data breaches and maintain a solid reputation. I looked into whether each provider includes SSL certificates, backups, DDoS protection, firewalls, and malware scanning.
- Price (20%). Cost-effective hosting is key for small businesses. I assessed pricing and considered what each plan includes to make sure small businesses get the best value without compromising on quality.
Using these criteria and real-world tests, I selected the providers that offer the best balance of price, performance, and reliability for small businesses.
What is small business web hosting?
Small business web hosting keeps your website online with business-critical features like professional email, security, and reliable performance.
Unlike personal hosting, small business web hosting offers fast loading speeds, minimal downtime, and room to grow as your business expands. The right provider powers your website online and includes tools like domain registration, email hosting, and website builders to manage your site easily while protecting customer data.
For $2.00-25.00/month, quality hosting builds credibility, supports sales, and saves from technical issues – making it one of the most important investments for your online presence.
What to look for in small business web hosting
When choosing web hosting for your small business, consider these essential features:
- High uptime guarantee (99.9% or more). Your website should always be available to customers. Reliable uptime means fewer missed opportunities.
- 24/7 customer support. When something goes wrong, fast help matters – especially if you’re not a tech expert.
- Free SSL certificate and domain. A secure, professional-looking website builds trust with visitors and saves you money from day one.
- Business email accounts. Look for hosting that includes an email account tied to your domain – it helps you look credible and stay organized.
- Website builder or 1-click WordPress install. These tools make it easier to create and update your website without needing a developer.
- Automatic backups. In case anything breaks or gets lost, backups make it easy to restore your site.
- Easy scalability. As your traffic grows, your hosting should grow with you, without slowing down or costing a fortune.
- Built-in security features. Protections like malware scans and firewalls help keep your site and customer data safe.
These features ensure that your website runs smoothly and that you have the support needed to address any issues quickly, ultimately supporting long-term success.
Business hosting and personal hosting differ in several important ways:
| Feature | Business hosting | Personal hosting |
| Reliability | 99.9%+ uptime guarantee | Occasional downtime acceptable |
| Support | 24/7 priority support | Limited support or community forums |
| Professional email (e.g., [email protected]) | Generic or third-party email | |
| Security | SSL, malware scans, and automatic backups | Basic security features |
| Scalability | Easily upgrade resources as your business grows | Fixed resources, limited growth flexibility |
| Performance | Faster speeds (SSD/NVMe, optimized servers) | Shared servers, slower loading times |
| Managed/unmanaged hosting | Often managed (hands-off approach for the user) | Usually unmanaged (user must handle setup manually) |
| Price | $3.00-15.00/month (value-focused for businesses) | $1.00-5.00/month (budget-focused for personal use) |
Do I need business email with my hosting plan?
While not strictly necessary, having a business email with your hosting plan is highly recommended. A custom email (like [email protected]) looks more professional, builds trust with customers, and strengthens your brand identity.
Many hosting providers include email services, making setup easy and affordable. Using free email services can appear less credible and may even affect customer confidence. A business email keeps communication professional, organized, and aligned with your domain.
Yes, shared hosting can be enough for a small business, especially if you're just starting out or have low to moderate website traffic. It's budget-friendly and ideal for basic websites, blogs, or small online stores. Shared hosting offers an affordable way to establish an online presence without heavy upfront costs.
However, it does come with limitations like slower performance during traffic spikes. If your business grows or traffic increases significantly, you may eventually need to upgrade to VPS or dedicated hosting. However, shared hosting is a practical and scalable starting point for many small businesses.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right web hosting for your small business is a personal decision that depends on your specific needs. While our research highlights Hostinger as the best all-around budget-friendly hosting for small business, every provider on my list offers valuable features.
Whether you’re looking for top-tier WordPress performance, eco-conscious hosting, or bundled email and domain services, there’s a solution here for you. Ultimately, the best web host is the one that aligns with your goals, provides reliable support, and can scale with your business as it grows.
Best small business web hosting FAQ
Do I need web hosting for my small business website?
Yes, you need web hosting for your small business website. It provides the server space and infrastructure required to store your site’s files and make them accessible online, ensuring your website is available, secure, and performs reliably for visitors.
Can I host my business email with the same provider?
Yes, you can host your business email with the same provider as your website. Many hosting companies offer email services as part of their packages. This simplifies management and can be cost-effective, though separate providers may offer more advanced features and reliability.
How much does small business hosting cost?
Small business web hosting typically costs between $2.00 and $25.00/month for shared hosting. More advanced options like VPS or cloud hosting range from $10.00 to $100.00/month, while dedicated server hosting starts around $100.00/month for businesses needing high performance and control.
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