Looking for the right web hosting provider to get your e-commerce brand off the ground? Whether you’re looking for a budget solution, push-button simplicity, ample customization options, or the provider with the best speed and reliability, we’ve got you covered. This updated list of the best web hosting for e-commerce highlights the top platforms.
Best e-commerce website hosting compared
Below is an overview of my top-recommended providers for e-commerce website hosting, with my rating, starting prices, minimum contract requirements, and site builder options.
Bluehost: Best overall
Bluehost is a top pick for entrepreneurs and small business owners wanting something purpose-built to offer functionality and value right out of the box. With affordable plans, a beginner-friendly interface, built-in WooCommerce integration, and a solid bundle of included features, such as shipping label functionality and unlimited product catalogs, Bluehost provides everything you need to get an online store off the ground. Best of all, it’s all done without overwhelming you with complex UI and toolsets.
Why I chose Bluehost
Among the vendors in this guide, Bluehost strikes the best balance in terms of functionality, ease of use, and cost. While platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify offer more robust tools for scaling, they can be overwhelming or costly for someone just starting out. Bluehost’s Online Store plans make it easy to get up and running quickly, with enough room to grow, without requiring a deep learning curve or major upfront investment.
Pricing
- Ecommerce Essentials (introductory: $6.95/month; renewal: $18.99/month): Free WordPress migration, 100 GB SSD storage, WooCommerce install included, secure online payments, unlimited products, and more.
- Ecommerce Premium (introductory: $9.95/month; renewal: $21.99/month): Everything in Essentials, plus multi-channel inventory management.
Note: Introductory prices are for the first term only and renew at the regular rates thereafter. All monthly prices reflected are on a 12-month term basis.
Key features
- WooCommerce integration: Built-in support for WooCommerce makes it easy to set up a full-featured online store without needing extra plugins or complex configuration.
- Unlimited products: Bluehost doesn’t put a cap on the number of products you can add to your catalog or list on your storefront.
- Secure online payments: Skip the hassle of shopping around for an online payment provider that’s both affordable and trustworthy.
- Shipping labels: Print physical labels so you can ship physical products to customers (without needing a separate business solution).
- Gift cards: Offer customers the option to purchase gift cards at no added cost.
- Storefront themes: Professionally designed templates give your store a clean, polished look without hiring a designer.
- Multi-channel selling (Premium plan): The Marketplace plan enables you to list and manage products across multiple platforms, such as Amazon and eBay, expanding your reach.
- 24/7 customer support: Around-the-clock support is available via chat, and phone support is available every day from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. EST.
- Email marketing tools: Basic marketing tools are included to help you reach and retain customers through email campaigns.
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Related: Best Web Hosting Services 2025: Features, Price & More
Hostinger: Best for affordability
Hostinger offers an affordable yet robust solution for small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses. Its managed WooCommerce hosting plans are designed to provide essential features for online retail, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for your customers. With a focus on performance, security, and scalability, Hostinger stands out as a cost-effective choice for entrepreneurs looking to establish or grow their online stores.
Why I chose Hostinger
Among the hosting providers reviewed, Hostinger stands out for its affordability without compromising on essential e-commerce features. While platforms like Bluehost and SiteGround offer robust solutions, Hostinger provides a budget-friendly alternative with comparable performance and tools. Its managed WooCommerce hosting plans are particularly appealing for startups and small businesses aiming to establish a strong online presence without incurring high costs.
Pricing
- Business (introductory: $3.99/month; renewal: $8.99/month): Up to 50 websites, 50 GB NVMe storage, ~100,000 visits/month, 60 PHP workers, free domain, free SSL, 50 email accounts, free CDN
- Cloud Startup (introductory: $7.99/month; $19.99/month): Up to 100 websites, 100 GB NVMe storage, ~200,000 visits/month, 100 PHP workers, free domain, free SSL, 100 email accounts, free CDN
- Cloud Professional (introductory: $15.99/month; $34.99/month): Up to 100 websites, 200 GB NVMe storage, ~300,000 visits/month, 200 PHP workers, free domain, free SSL, 100 email accounts, free CDN
Note: Prices are based on a 48-month term and may vary upon renewal.
Key features
- Managed WooCommerce hosting: Simplifies store setup and maintenance with pre-configured settings and automatic updates.
- NVMe SSD storage: Ensures faster data access and improved website loading times.
- Free domain and SSL: Provides essential tools for establishing trust and brand identity.
- Email accounts: Includes up to 100 professional email addresses to enhance communication.
- Free CDN: Distributes content globally to reduce latency and improve user experience.
- AI tools: Assists in content creation, SEO optimization, and website design.
- Staging environment: Allows testing of changes before applying them to the live site.
- 24/7 support: Offers round-the-clock assistance for any technical issues.
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BigCommerce – Best scalable B2B host
BigCommerce is a robust e-commerce platform designed to support businesses at every stage of growth. With a comprehensive suite of built-in tools, scalability, and flexibility, it caters to both B2C and B2B retailers aiming to expand their online presence. Its open SaaS architecture also allows for extensive customization, making it a preferred choice for businesses seeking a versatile and powerful e-commerce solution.
Why I chose BigCommerce
Among the e-commerce platforms I evaluated, BigCommerce stands out for its comprehensive feature set and scalability. While platforms like Shopify offer ease of use, BigCommerce provides more built-in tools, reducing reliance on third-party apps. Its ability to handle both B2C and B2B operations makes it a versatile choice for businesses aiming for growth and expansion.
Pricing
- Standard ($29/month; online sales limit: up to $50K): Unlimited products, 0% transaction fees, multi-channel selling, responsive templates
- Plus ($79/month; online sales limit: up to $180K): Includes Standard features plus customer groups, abandoned cart saver, stored credit cards
- Pro ($299/month; online sales limit: up to $400K): Includes Plus features plus Google customer reviews, faceted search, custom SSL
- Enterprise (Custom; online sales limit: $1M+): Includes Pro features plus advanced security, API support, and priority support
Note: Pricing is based on annual billing.
Pro plan pricing increases by $150/month for each additional $200K in online sales beyond the $400K threshold.
Key features
- Unlimited products and storage: Sell an extensive range of products without worrying about storage limitations.
- Multi-channel selling: Integrate with platforms like Amazon, eBay, and social media channels to expand your reach.
- Responsive templates: Access a variety of mobile-optimized themes to enhance user experience.
- Customer groups and segmentation: Offer personalized experiences and pricing to different customer segments.
- Abandoned cart saver: Recover lost sales by automatically sending emails to customers who leave items in their carts.
- Faceted search: Enhance product discoverability with advanced filtering options.
- Custom SSL and security features: Ensure customer data protection with advanced security measures.
- 24/7 support: Access round-the-clock assistance via phone, chat, or email.
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DreamHost: Best WordPress e-commerce hosting
DreamHost is a long-established hosting provider known for its commitment to open-source technologies and strong support for WordPress-based e-commerce. Commerce-enabled plan options include both Ecwid (for smaller sites with fewer items and less traffic) and WooCommerce (for larger brands with higher traffic and greater server resource needs). Beyond that, subscribers to the WooCommerce plans get access to specialized, WordPress-focused support, making this provider our number one choice if your online store depends on those systems.
Why I chose DreamHost
Unlike all-in-one builders like Shopify, DreamHost provides a more flexible foundation for e-commerce through its fully managed WooCommerce hosting plans. Compared to Bluehost, which also offers WooCommerce, DreamHost stands out with better privacy policies, unlimited bandwidth, and a stronger focus on developer-friendly features. It offers a middle ground between the ease of use found in platforms like Bluehost and the raw power and control available through open-source WordPress. For sellers who want to build their store on WordPress with full control and reliable performance, DreamHost is the ideal choice.
Pricing
DreamHost offers a range of hosting plans tailored for e-commerce, combining affordability with robust features:
- Shared Starter ($2.95 (first year), then $6.99): Ideal for new sites; includes 1 website, free domain for the first year, SSL certificate, and unmetered bandwidth.
- Shared Unlimited ($4.95 (first year), then $12.99): Supports unlimited websites; includes free domain for the first year, SSL certificate, unmetered bandwidth, and unlimited email accounts.
- DreamPress ($16.95 (first year), then $19.99): Managed WordPress hosting with isolated resources; includes 30GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth, built-in caching, and pre-installed SSL.
- DreamPress Plus ($24.95 (first year), then $28.99): Enhanced performance with 60GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth, built-in caching, and pre-installed SSL.
- DreamPress Pro ($71.95 (first year), then $74.99): High-performance hosting with 120GB SSD storage, unmetered bandwidth, built-in caching, pre-installed SSL, and priority support.
Note: Prices are based on annual billing. Monthly billing is available at higher rates. All plans include a 97-day money-back guarantee.
Key features
- Pre-installed WooCommerce: Skip setup hassles and launch faster with WooCommerce pre-configured.
- Unlimited bandwidth: No caps on traffic or storage, making it a good choice for growing stores.
- SSD storage: Faster performance with all sites hosted on solid-state drives.
- Free SSL certificate: Built-in HTTPS security to protect customer data.
- Automated daily backups: Keeps your site safe with automatic restore points.
- Staging environment: Test changes before pushing them live (available on Pro plan).
- Jetpack Professional included: Adds advanced features like real-time backups, malware scanning, and analytics.
- U.S.-based support: 24/7 customer support via live chat and ticketing system.
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SiteGround: Best for speed and performance
SiteGround is renowned for its exceptional speed and performance, making it a top choice for small businesses and developers seeking reliable and fast web hosting. Built using Google Cloud, it benefits from all of the advantages offered through that system, including uptime percentages above 99.9%. Advanced caching, a custom PHP setup, and other highly technical advantages on the backend help sites to load 30% faster and with five times better performance. If you’re looking for a solution that will provide the same customer experience to your site traffic every time no matter what, SiteGround is the pick for you.
Why I chose SiteGround
These days, even small delays can lead to frustrated customers and lost sales. And if, heaven forbid, your site be unavailable due to natural disaster or DDoS attack, even larger brands are faced with a crisis. If this is something that has you tossing and turning at night, SiteGround has you covered.
While Bluehost offers a more beginner-friendly approach and Hostinger provides budget options, SiteGround delivers advanced features that improve page load speed, site performance stability, and database call efficiency. The underlying architecture is built on Google Cloud and customization options (like a customizable MySQL setup) can allow you to optimize for reliability and response time across your whole site. Between the robust infrastructure and commitment to performance, SiteGround is a compelling choice despite the higher renewal costs.
Pricing
- StartUp (introductory: $2.99/month; renewal: $17.99/month): 1 website, 10 GB SSD storage, ~10,000 visits/month, free SSL, daily backups, free CDN, email accounts
- GrowBig (introductory: $4.99/month; renewal: $29.99/month): Unlimited websites, 20 GB SSD storage, ~100,000 visits/month, on-demand backups, staging, ultrafast PHP
- GoGeek (introductory: $7.99/month; $44.99/month): Unlimited websites, 40 GB SSD storage, ~400,000 visits/month, priority support, Git integration, white-label clients
Note: Introductory prices are for the first term only and renew at the regular rates thereafter. Pricing is based on a 12-month term.
Key features
- Free WooCommerce installation: All plans include both free WooCommerce installation and free SSL certificate encryption, ensuring your storefront is both convenient and secure.
- Unlimited databases: While the database sizes are capped, the number of databases are not, so use as many as you need to organize your brand’s products, offerings, or anything else.
- Enhanced security: With, for starters, around-the-clock server monitoring that checks for threats every few minutes, you can rest easy knowing that you’re protected against cyberattacks.
- Priority resources: For brands willing to upgrade to top tier service, SiteGround offers priority resource allocation, ensuring that even if your site sees an unprecedented spike in traffic, you’ll have access to all the computing power you need.
- Managed WordPress hosting: Automatic updates, staging environments, and expert support for WordPress sites can help fill in gaps you may have in your technical expertise.
- Developer tools: Have someone on your team with some coding know-how? Make the most of it with Git integration, SSH access, and WP-CLI for advanced site management on GoGeek plan.
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Hosting.com: Most reliable uptime
Hosting.com, previously known as A2 Hosting, is renowned for its exceptional uptime and performance, making it a top choice for e-commerce businesses that require consistent and reliable online presence. The provider guarantees a 99.9% minimum and offers a money-back guarantee to boot. With a strong emphasis on dependability and scalability, Hosting.com offers a range of hosting solutions tailored to meet the demands of online retailers.
Why I chose Hosting.com
Among the hosting providers reviewed, Hosting.com stands out for its unwavering commitment to uptime and performance. While Bluehost offers a beginner-friendly approach and Hostinger provides budget options, Hosting.com comes to the table with a promise of server performance that will always be there when you need it. And, with scalable plans and robust security features, it’s an ideal choice for online retailers aiming for growth and customer trust.
Pricing
- Starter (introductory: $1.99/month; renewal: $7.99): 1 website, 15 GB SSD storage, free SSL, 5 email accounts, 2 GB RAM, 2 vCPUs
- Plus (introductory: $1.99/month; renewal: $9.99/month): 2 websites, 30 GB SSD storage, free SSL, 10 email accounts, 3 GB RAM, 2 vCPUs
- Pro (introductory: $3.99/month; renewal: $12.99/month): 10 websites, 50 GB SSD storage, free SSL, 20 email accounts, 6 GB RAM, 4 vCPUs
- Max (introductory: $4.99/month; renewal: $15.99/month): 50 websites, 100 GB SSD storage, free SSL, 50 email accounts, 8 GB RAM, 4 vCPUs
Note: Prices are based on a 12-month term and may vary upon renewal.
Key features
- Status report: Hosting.com takes great pains to be transparent with server performance and reliability, and you can check server status at any time right on their website.
- Turbo Speed technology: Enhances website performance with up to 20x faster page loads, crucial for reducing bounce rates and improving customer experience.
- Free SSL certificates: Secures customer transactions and builds trust by encrypting data exchanged on your site.
- Robust security measures: Includes malware scanning and protection to safeguard your e-commerce platform.
- Scalable resources: Easily upgrade your hosting plan to accommodate increased traffic and sales volume.
- 24/7/365 guru crew support: Access to expert support whenever you need assistance with your hosting environment.
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Shopify: Best all-in-one e-commerce solution
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform renowned for its comprehensive suite of built-in tools that cater to businesses of all sizes. With an intuitive interface, extensive customization options, and robust scalability, Shopify empowers entrepreneurs to create, manage, and grow their online stores efficiently. Its integrated features minimize the need for third-party apps, making it an ideal choice for those seeking an all-in-one solution for their e-commerce needs.
Why I chose Shopify
Among the e-commerce platforms evaluated, Shopify stands out for its robust built-in tools and scalability. While platforms like BigCommerce offer extensive features, Shopify’s user-friendly interface and integrated solutions make it a preferred choice for businesses seeking an e-commerce hosting solution that “does it all,” without having to build it for themselves. Perhaps most importantly, Shopify’s ability to support both online and offline sales, coupled with global selling capabilities, positions it as a versatile solution for growing brands in almost every industry.
Related: Best E-Commerce Platforms For Your Business
Pricing
- Basic ($29/month): Up to 77% shipping discount, 10 inventory locations, 24/7 chat support, localized global selling (3 markets), POS Lite
- Grow ($79/month): Up to 88% shipping discount and insurance, 10 inventory locations, 24/7 chat support, localized global selling (3 markets), 5 additional staff accounts, POS Lite
- Advanced ($299/month): Up to 88% shipping discount and insurance, 10 inventory locations, 24/7 chat support, localized global selling (3 markets), 15 additional staff accounts, POS Lite, advanced reporting
- Plus (Starting at $2,300; 3-year term): Customizable checkout, advanced automation, dedicated support, suitable for high-volume businesses
Note: Prices are based on annual billing and may vary upon renewal.
Key features
- Integrated payment processing: Accept payments directly through Shopify Payments, reducing transaction fees and streamlining the checkout process.
- Global selling tools: Sell in multiple currencies and languages, with localized domains and tax calculations to cater to international customers.
- POS integration: Manage in-person sales with Shopify’s Point of Sale system, syncing inventory and customer data across all channels.
- Abandoned cart recovery: Automatically send emails to customers who leave items in their cart, encouraging them to complete their purchase.
- Advanced reporting: Gain insights into sales, customer behavior, and inventory with detailed analytics and customizable reports.
- Extensive app store: Access thousands of apps to enhance your store’s functionality, from marketing tools to inventory management.
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How do I choose the best e-commerce website hosting for my business?
Choosing the right e-commerce hosting for your business is crucial to ensuring a seamless online shopping experience for your customers. The ideal host will depend on factors like your business size, technical expertise, budget, and long-term goals. Here are key considerations to guide your decision:
- Determine your business needs
Start by assessing the size and complexity of your online store. If you’re just getting started, a user-friendly platform like Shopify or Squarespace may be ideal. For more established businesses or those with custom needs, WooCommerce on a platform like DreamHost or BigCommerce might provide greater flexibility and scalability. - Look for e-commerce-specific features
Ensure that the hosting provider offers e-commerce tools such as SSL certificates, secure payment gateways, shopping cart functionality, inventory management, and product display options. Specialized e-commerce hosts, such as BigCommerce or Shopify, provide all these features out of the box, whereas WordPress-based hosting (e.g., DreamHost) may require plugins for full functionality. - Evaluate performance and reliability
Fast load times and high uptime are essential for e-commerce success. Look for hosts with solid performance, reliable uptime guarantees, and scalability to handle traffic surges, especially during busy shopping periods. Providers like A2 Hosting and SiteGround are known for their fast performance, while BigCommerce offers reliable scalability. - Consider your budget
E-commerce hosting plans can vary widely in cost, so choose one that fits your budget while offering the necessary features. Budget-friendly options like Hostinger are ideal for startups or small businesses, while more advanced plans from providers like Squarespace or BigCommerce may be worth the investment for growing stores that need more robust e-commerce tools. - Support and customer service
Good customer support is crucial, especially when managing an online store. Ensure the provider offers reliable, 24/7 customer service via multiple channels like chat, phone, or email. Hosting providers like Bluehost, SiteGround, and DreamHost stand out for their responsive customer support. - Scalability for growth
As your business grows, so will your hosting needs. Choose a provider that offers flexible plans with easy upgrades, allowing you to scale your store without needing to migrate to another service. BigCommerce and Shopify, for instance, offer scalable solutions, while providers like A2 Hosting and Hostinger provide hosting that can be upgraded as your store expands.
By considering these factors, you can choose the right e-commerce hosting that fits both your current needs and future growth, ensuring your business runs smoothly and securely online.
Methodology
To arrive at the top providers for e-commerce website hosting in 2025, I conducted an evaluation of well-known providers and scored them against a rubric that calculates a star rating based on a set of criteria:
- Pricing (20%): Considered the availability of a free trial, base plan and site builder fees, renewal costs, and the ability to accommodate multiple websites in one plan.
- General features (30%): This category includes guaranteed up-time, storage limits, and unlimited bandwidth as factors I considered.
- Niche features (20%): I assessed the providers for the availability of API, multichannel, marketing, and AI tools as well as unlimited product and third-party integration capabilities.
- Ease of use (15%): Customer service hours, live chat and phone support, and knowledgebase availability were a few subcriteria I considered.
- User reviews (15%): I referenced third-party review sites like Capterra and G2 and assessed the provider’s general popularity.
FAQs
Which hosting is best for an e-commerce site?
The best hosting for an e-commerce site depends on your needs. For beginners, platforms like Shopify offer easy-to-use, all-in-one solutions. For more customization, DreamHost with WooCommerce or BigCommerce may be ideal, offering more flexibility and scalability.
Is Shopify a hosting provider?
Yes, Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform. It provides both the hosting infrastructure and the tools needed to build, manage, and sell on your online store, all in one package.
Do I need special hosting for e-commerce?
Yes, e-commerce websites require hosting with specific features like secure payment processing, fast loading times, and scalability to handle traffic spikes. Specialized e-commerce hosting plans (such as those from Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce) offer these features to ensure a smooth shopping experience.
Can I host an e-commerce site for free?
While there are some platforms (like Wix or WordPress with limited plugins) that offer free hosting, it’s typically not ideal for e-commerce. Free hosting may lack essential features like SSL certificates, custom domains, and sufficient storage or bandwidth, all of which are critical for a secure and reliable e-commerce experience.
What is the difference between shared and dedicated hosting?
Shared hosting means your website shares server resources with other websites, making it more affordable but potentially slower. Dedicated hosting gives you an entire server to yourself, offering better performance and security, but at a higher cost. Dedicated hosting is typically recommended for high-traffic e-commerce sites.
