Network Solutions Web Hosting and Website Builder: In-Depth Review and Analysis

Network Solutions is one of the oldest players in the domain registration and web hosting industry, offering services that cater to a broad range of users, from personal website owners to small businesses and entrepreneurs. While the company’s reputation remains strong due to its historical importance, several aspects of its web hosting and website builder products need to be carefully assessed before committing. This comprehensive review will explore both the strengths and weaknesses of their offerings, combining analysis from user feedback, pricing structures, and product features.

 Overview of Network Solutions

Founded in 1979, Network Solutions has been a leading provider in web-related services for decades. Originally known for domain registration, it has expanded its offerings to include web hosting, website building, email hosting, and e-commerce solutions. Although it has kept pace with industry trends, its web hosting products tend to lean towards the basic end of the spectrum, making them ideal for small businesses and personal users rather than large enterprises.

Web Hosting Features

Network Solutions offers a range of shared hosting and WordPress hosting options, allowing users to select a plan that best suits their needs. One of the key selling points is the 99.99% uptime guarantee, which ensures that websites remain accessible to visitors without significant downtime. However, Network Solutions does not currently offer VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting, which might limit options for more advanced users who require additional control over their servers.

Shared Hosting

Network Solutions’ shared hosting packages are designed for those with basic needs:

  • Starter Plan: Priced at $5.69 per month, this plan is ideal for small blogs or personal websites. It comes with 10GB of storage, unlimited bandwidth, and 5 email accounts. However, it does not include an SSL certificate by default, which is often provided free of charge by competitors.
  • Essential Plan: At $9.96 per month, this plan provides more resources, including 20GB of storage, 1,000 email accounts, and a free domain for the first year.
  • Premium Plan: Aimed at small businesses, this plan costs $25.78 per month and offers 40GB of storage, unlimited email accounts, and malware scanning.

While these plans are affordable, the renewal rates are considerably higher, which has drawn criticism from long-term users. Additionally, the entry-level storage options are somewhat limited compared to other hosting providers, especially for users with large media libraries or high traffic websites.

WordPress Hosting

For users looking to host WordPress sites, Network Solutions provides specialized plans with additional features like free SSL certificates, one-click WordPress installation, and 50GB of storage. Priced from $7.99 per month, these plans are optimized for WordPress, offering improved performance compared to the standard shared hosting packages.

Website Builder Features

The website builder offered by Network Solutions is a drag-and-drop tool designed for users with little to no technical expertise. It includes a range of pre-built templates and basic e-commerce functionalities, making it suitable for small businesses and personal sites. One standout feature is the integration with Unsplash, a stock image library, which helps users quickly populate their sites with high-quality images.

However, the builder itself has been criticized for being somewhat dated. While functional, it lacks the customization and flexibility found in competing website builders like Wix or Squarespace. Furthermore, many features that users might expect—such as advanced SEO tools or more robust e-commerce capabilities—are only available on the higher-tier plans.

Pricing for the website builder starts at $6.95 per month for the Small Plan, which includes 5GB of storage and 10 email accounts. The Large Plan, priced at $9.95 per month, significantly upgrades the storage to 300GB and offers up to 2,500 email accounts.

User Experience and Feedback

User reviews for Network Solutions are mixed. Many users appreciate the reliability of the hosting service, particularly the 99.99% uptime guarantee. The customer service is another highlight for many users, with several praising individual staff members for their dedication and responsiveness. However, some reviews highlight the slow response times during high-demand periods and the occasional confusion regarding billing practices.

Common complaints from users include:

  • High renewal costs: Many users feel that the introductory rates are attractive but are quickly offset by significant price increases upon renewal.
  • Dated tools: The website builder, while effective for basic needs, is often seen as less intuitive and modern compared to competitors.
  • Limited advanced features: The lack of free backups, DDoS protection, and e-commerce tools on lower-tier plans means users have to pay more for essential security and performance features.

Pricing and Comparison Table

Product Plan Price (per month) Storage Bandwidth SSL Free Domain Uptime Email Accounts E-commerce Capabilities Backup
Shared Hosting Starter $5.69 10 GB Unlimited No 1 Year Free 99.99% 5 No Paid Add-on
Essential $9.96 20 GB Unlimited Free 1 Year Free 99.99% 1,000 No Paid Add-on
Premium $25.78 40 GB Unlimited Free 1 Year Free 99.99% Unlimited No Paid Add-on
WordPress Hosting Basic $7.99 50 GB Unlimited Free 1 Year Free 99.99% 100 No Paid Add-on
Website Builder Small Plan $6.95 5 GB Unlimited Free 1 Year Free 99.99% 10 Basic Paid Add-on
Large Plan $9.95 300 GB Unlimited Free 1 Year Free 99.99% 2,500 E-commerce Paid Add-on

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • 99.99% Uptime: Ensures your site remains online with minimal interruptions.
  • Free domain registration: Provided with most annual hosting plans.
  • Beginner-friendly website builder: Ideal for users with no coding skills.
  • Professional site design: Available for an“`html
    additional fee, simplifying the process for those who prefer not to handle the design themselves.

Cons:

  • High renewal rates: The introductory pricing is affordable, but the costs increase significantly after the first billing cycle.
  • Limited advanced features: Many critical tools, like automatic backups or DDoS protection, are only available as paid add-ons.
  • Dated website builder: While functional, it lacks the flexibility and modern features found in other builders.

Final Verdict

Network Solutions remains a reliable choice for those looking for a basic hosting package or a simple website builder. The 99.99% uptime guarantee, free domain registration, and ease of use make it an attractive option for beginners and small businesses. However, the high renewal rates, lack of advanced features, and somewhat outdated tools might lead more experienced users to consider alternatives such as Wix, Squarespace, or Bluehost.

If you prioritize reliability and simplicity and don’t mind the higher costs after the initial promotional period, Network Solutions can provide a stable foundation for your website needs. However, for more advanced users or those seeking cutting-edge features, other hosting providers might offer better value.

 

If you want to make money online,ples read How to Make Money Online Using Network Solutions Web Hosting and Website Building Services.