1&1 vs. BlueHost vs. Netfirms Website Hosting Comparison
1&1 Website Hosting
1&1 Internet is the largest web site hosting service and one of the fastest growing. With over 47,000 servers worldwide supporting Juniper and Cisco routers, 1&1 Internet provides some of the best performing equipment on the market today. In business since 1988, 1&1 Internet has their global offices in Montabaur, Germany, with offices in several different countries; their U.S. offices are in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia.
Pros
Reliable, stable, multinational corporation
90-day money back guarantee
99.99% uptime guaranteed
Cons
Must purchase six months in advance
Limited time $0 offer requires 12-month commitment
Security, e-commerce options only available with advanced packages
Conclusion 1&1 Internet offers some of the most competitive prices and most advanced features of any web site hosting service. Their size and corporate stability are a good indication of their place in the industry. 1&1 Internet’s range of features and commitment to customer service make them an excellent choice for a novice or an expert.
Based in Orem, Utah, BlueHost has been providing web site hosting services for businesses and individuals since 1996. Their broad range of default options and multiple awards for customer service place them among the best service providers for several years running.
Conclusion BlueHost gets high marks for their customer service as well as the amount of online options made available for customer education and problem reconciliation. While the package they offer includes almost no customizable features, it is robust enough for just about anyone’s needs and an ideal platform into which a beginner can grow.
Based out of Toronto, Ontario, with U.S. offices in Buffalo, New York, Netfirms was founded in 1999 with the express purpose of providing hosting solutions for small businesses. Since then, Netfirms has grown into a worldwide provider and domain name registrar and hosts more than 1.2 million web sites.
Pros
Multiple packages available for business-specific needs
Environmentally friendly policies and practices
30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
Pricing slightly above average; cheaper plan available
Service in 12-month terms only, no other length available
Conclusion Netfirms provides some of the best options optimized specifically for small business needs. With features not as robust as some other hosting services, some of the specific tools available through Netfirms may benefit a business just beginning with their web site. Also, with the launch of Netfirms Green, they have begun an in-house initiative to reduce their environmental footprint and energy usage.