Key highlights
- Learn the difference between unlimited and unmetered web hosting to avoid common pitfalls.
- Discover how unlimited domains let you manage multiple websites under one hosting plan.
- Understand what web hosting unlimited bandwidth and unlimited storage really mean for your site.
- Get practical tips on choosing the best web hosting for multiple domains based on your needs.
- See why Bluehost’s VPS hosting with unlimited domains is ideal for scaling projects with growing monthly visitors.
A successful website starts with the right domain name. Domains are your online address. It’s how people find your website when it’s stored on a server and how search engines index your brand online. These days, many website owners and businesses are looking for web hosting services that offer unlimited domains and websites at an affordable price.
Unlimited domains and unlimited websites can be helpful if you’re managing different websites or aiming to safeguard your online brand by hosting multiple domains that direct to the same site. In this guide, we’ll explore everything related to unlimited domains and unlimited websites.
What is unlimited web hosting?
Unlimited web hosting is the type of hosting plan where you can manage multiple websites and connect multiple domains under one hosting account. These plans don’t set strict numerical caps, but resource usage is still subject to fair use policies and server limits. They offer increased flexibility in managing your site through unlimited plans, especially if you want web hosting for multiple domains.
Unlimited web hosting typically covers:
- Unlimited subdomains and parked domains: Some plans offer unlimited subdomains and parked domains. This allows you to create multiple sites with the same domain and redirect users to your main page, preventing potential traffic loss.
- Unlimited bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to the data transmitted between a website and visitors’ browsers, affecting site speed and user capacity. With web hosting unlimited bandwidth, your site can handle traffic surges without additional charges.
- Unlimited storage: Storage refers to where your files, scripts and media live. While many plans advertise web hosting unlimited storage, there are usually inode (file count) limits that prevent abuse. Still, it’s ideal for blogs, portfolios and online stores. Always choose SSD storage over HDDs for faster performance and reliability.
- Unlimited websites: Many unlimited web hosting plans also enable you to create unlimited websites, which is beneficial for managing multiple online projects simultaneously.
What do hosting companies include in unlimited plans?
Unlimited web hosting plans don’t actually provide infinite resources, but rather enough server space to accommodate multiple SMB-sized sites without exceeding usage limits.
Websites such as personal blogs, online resumes and small business sites typically do not require extensive support, large storage or experience high traffic, resulting in unused resources.
If your website is suitable for shared web hosting, there is no need for concern. Nonetheless, it is advisable to review the terms and conditions before signing up, as most hosts monitor usage and have specific guidelines outlining prohibited actions, such as creating file-sharing or streaming sites.
Your web hosting provider may issue a warning if you are approaching your usage limits. And exceeding these limits will negatively impact your site’s performance as well as that of others using the same server.
What are unlimited domains in web hosting?
Unlimited domains in web hosting generally indicate the capability to connect and manage multiple websites within a single hosting plan. This functionality enables users to manage multiple websites without facing additional costs or limitations, promoting scalability and adaptability in their online presence.
For example, agencies can easily run shared hosting unlimited domains for smaller projects while upgrading to VPS or dedicated hosting for larger ones.
Unmetered vs unlimited web hosting
Distinguishing between unmetered and unlimited web hosting is crucial when choosing the right hosting plan. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they have different meanings for users:
- Unmetered web hosting means your hosting provider does not measure bandwidth or data transfer against a strict quota. You can receive unlimited traffic as long as the server can handle it. However, usage is still subject to hardware capacity and fair use rules.
- Unlimited web hosting suggests no set numerical limits on disk space, bandwidth, email accounts or the number of websites you can host. In reality, hosts apply fair usage policies and may require an upgrade if your resources exceed normal thresholds.
Both options are valuable, but understanding the difference helps you avoid surprises. In practice, unmetered bandwidth is about not being charged per gigabyte, while unlimited web hosting is about flexibility to create and manage multiple websites without fixed caps.
How to choose the best web hosting with unlimited domains
To choose a web hosting service that offers unlimited domains, it’s important to consider a few key factors. This involves assessing your specific hosting requirements, comparing unlimited hosting plans with the provider’s limited options, reviewing the “terms of service” and evaluating feedback from other customers. Let’s check out each of them one by one:
1. Your hosting needs
Consider your personal hosting needs. When considering unlimited web hosting plans, ask yourself the following feature-related questions:
a. Websites
How many websites do I plan to host now or in the near future? If it’s more than one, it rules out most limited hosting providers’ basic plans. Choosing a provider that allows “unlimited websites” is a better option.
b. Storage
How much storage will I actually require? Two small WordPress sites (plugins + ~40 articles each) may only need 1 GB, but image-heavy projects or an online store require more. Check if the host offers web hosting unlimited storage or inode limits.
c. Bandwidth
Roughly 10,000 visits could consume ~50 GB of traffic. Plans that claim web hosting unlimited bandwidth often rely on CPU/RAM monitoring instead, so clarify limits.
d. Emails
How many professional email accounts will I need? Having an email with your domain name appears more professional than a generic Gmail address. It can be used for various purposes, such as support, sales, marketing, individual employees and more. In this case, a package with unlimited emails is more appropriate.
2. Compare the plan if the provider offers limited plans too
Some web hosting companies offer both limited and unlimited packages. When comparing the price to what is being offered, it can provide an estimate of how restricted the “unlimited” plan truly is. Packages that claim to offer unlimited websites and emails are fairly straightforward, with limitations typically relating to bandwidth or storage.
However, bandwidth can be more elusive. Providers may not have a precise method for measuring it, so they assess the CPU and RAM usage, as each visitor consumes these resources. Providers may prompt you to upgrade if you consistently exceed a certain limit, usually outlined in their Acceptable Use Policy.
3. Read TOS (terms of service)
Reviewing the Terms of Service (TOS) is crucial when considering unlimited web hosting providers, as they often outline the actual limitations. You can easily find this information on the provider’s TOS page.
4. Check other customers’ reviews
It’s beneficial to read reviews from other customers, as they can provide insight into potential issues you may encounter. Websites like Trustpilot host such reviews, but it’s important to be aware that not all reviews may be authentic. Take each review with a grain of salt, as some positive reviews may have been artificially generated by the company itself.
5. Keep an eye out for additional features
The previous four points highlighted the various unlimited features offered by a provider. However, it’s important not to overlook other aspects of web hosting. Apart from unlimited hosting, there are other important factors that contribute to the quality of a hosting service, such as:
- Check for extra features: While the providers listed offer unlimited hosting, it’s essential to ensure that they also include other necessary features. You might want to have access to features like a free domain, free SSL certificate, daily backups or staging capabilities.
- Evaluate dependability: Uptime is a measure of a host’s reliability, indicating the total time the server has been live and operational. An ideal uptime is 100%, but it can be as low as 99.9%. A dependable host will never offer less than 99.9% uptime.
Did you know: Bluehost WordPress Cloud Hosting offers 100% uptime SLA.
- Assess user-friendliness: It’s crucial to verify that the provider’s services are easy to manage. Are they utilizing a native management panel or a cPanel? Are they user-friendly, and do they provide easy access to all necessary tools for managing hosting services and resources?
Unlimited domains by Bluehost VPS hosting plan
With Bluehost VPS hosting, you can host unlimited domains on your account, which means you can manage as many websites as you like – all from one place. This makes VPS hosting the perfect choice for businesses, agencies and developers managing multiple domain hosting and scaling projects with thousands of monthly visitors.
Our built-in domain manager in your control panel lets you quickly register new domains, transfer existing ones and organize everything in one dashboard. Managing your entire portfolio of websites has never been simpler.
Ready to scale without limits? Explore Bluehost VPS hosting package and host unlimited domains with the performance, security and reliability your business deserves.
Why choose a Bluehost for multiple domains and websites?
When you’re choosing a web hosting provider, you also want flexibility to manage multiple domains and know exactly how many websites you can run on one account. Bluehost makes it simple, scalable and secure. Here’s how:
1. Auto-renewal
Once your ownership expires and the domain is available to the public, it can be taken by someone else. Bluehost offers auto-renewal services so you don’t have to worry about your domain ownership lapsing unexpectedly.
2. Privacy protection
Upgrade your privacy options to block your contact information on the WHOIS database and replace it with Bluehost’s, so your personal information is always protected.
3. Unlimited domains
You can host as many domains as you want from one Bluehost VPS hosting account, including primary domains, parked domains, add-on domains and subdomains.
4. Plenty of TLDs to choose from
At Bluehost, you can buy just about any TLD, from popular .com and .net domain names to TLDs rising in popularity such as .co, .store and .io.
If you aren’t sure what TLD to choose, check out these related blog posts.
- Should I buy a .org domain name?
- Should I buy a .net domain name?
- Should I buy a .co domain name?
- Should I buy a .us domain name?
- Should I buy a .io domain name?
5. Pair your new domain with fast and reliable hosting
Before publishing your initial blog post, uploading your debut photo or making your first sale, your website must be accessible online. Web hosting serves as the bridge connecting your site to the global audience. Learn more about the web hosting services offered by Bluehost:
6. Free domain or transfer
Every new Bluehost account includes a free new domain registration or domain transfer for one year.
How will I know if a hosting package allows unlimited websites?
When choosing a hosting provider, one crucial aspect to consider is whether it allows for hosting unlimited websites. This information is typically provided on the hosting provider’s sales page and is an essential factor for potential buyers.
Look for specific statements such as “Unlimited websites,” “Unlimited domains” or “Unlimited add-on domains.”
These phrases indicate that there is theoretically no limit to the number of websites you can host on the package, allowing for scalability and flexibility in managing multiple websites from a single hosting account.
Not quite ready to go live? You can still register your domains now to make sure you don’t miss out on the best domain for your site. Securing your domain early ensures no one else takes it. While the domain itself won’t rank until a website is live, it can protect your brand for future SEO efforts.
Final thoughts
Selecting the right web hosting service with unlimited domains and websites can greatly impact the success of your online presence. Understanding the differences between unlimited and unmetered hosting, as well as carefully assessing your specific hosting needs, is crucial for making an informed decision.
By considering factors such as web hosting unlimited bandwidth, storage and the number of websites you plan to host, you can choose an unlimited web hosting provider that best aligns with your requirements. Additionally, reviewing the terms of service and gathering feedback from other customers can provide valuable insights into the reliability and performance of the hosting service.
Bluehost is a leading hosting provider, officially recommended by WordPress.org, and offers flexible plans that grow with your website. From your first domain to managing multiple domain hosting on VPS, we give you the tools, performance and support to succeed.
Have questions about domains or hosting? Contact our support team today and get started with a hosting plan built for your needs.
FAQs
Unlimited web hosting is considered to be reliable due to its flexibility and scalability. With unlimited hosting, users have the ability to expand their website and accommodate increasing traffic without worrying about storage or bandwidth limitations. This type of hosting offers great value for the price, making it a cost-effective choice for those seeking to establish a robust online presence.
When choosing a hosting provider that offers unlimited websites, it’s important to be aware of certain constraints. These constraints may include the total bandwidth permitted by your hosting provider, the overall storage capacity available and your hosting provider’s Inode limit. Even if your hosting provider advertises “unlimited” storage and bandwidth, it’s essential to understand that there are still certain limitations in place.
The need for unlimited domains is often seen as excessive unless you are involved in domain trading as a business. However, owning multiple domains can be advantageous for both businesses and individuals. For example, Unilever, which manages a vast portfolio of brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Dove and Lipton, holds 1,181 domains. Multiple domain hosting can help capture traffic from typos, cover various domain extensions and protect against imitation websites. Bluehost cater to users needing multiple domains, offering unlimited options which can be beneficial, even if you’re unsure about the need for such an extensive number of domains.
When it comes to unlimited domains, it often means unlimited websites as well. But there might be an exception with a domain registrar providing unlimited websites only for subdomains. Plans that support only unlimited subdomains might not fulfill your requirements. As you search for the best domain hosting and registration services, it’s important to grasp the distinctions between different kinds of domains:
1. Primary domain: This is the domain you specified when setting up a hosting account. Your public_html folder is linked to this domain and will store all the files for other websites on the account.
2. Add-on domain: This is a fully operational domain name that showcases a website distinct from the primary domain. Parked domain: This is a placeholder that redirects all visitors to the primary domain’s website.
3. Subdomain: This is a prefix to your primary or add-on domains, in the format of [subdomain].[example].com. Some providers may use the terms “unlimited domain” and “unlimited website” interchangeably to simplify things for beginners. It’s essential to carefully review your plan to fully comprehend what is being provided.
No. The term “unlimited domains” in hosting services doesn’t imply free domain registration. In reality, each domain typically costs between $11 to $18 annually. “Unlimited domains” actually means that you can link as many domains as you own to your hosting server, allowing you to manage multiple websites depending on your server’s capacity. You are still responsible for purchasing these domains, either through your hosting provider or a separate registrar.
Yes, that is possible. Due to the limited number of available IPv4 addresses, multiple websites can be hosted on one server with the same IP. Shared hosting providers often host numerous sites under a single IP address.
No, this is not possible. It is possible to have two domains directing to the same website, but it is not possible for one domain to direct to two websites at the same time. The only solution is to utilize subdomains. For instance, you can have one website under http://[example].com and an entirely different website under http://[subdomain].[example].com.
An add-on domain is an additional domain that you can add to your existing hosting account, allowing you to host multiple independent websites within the same hosting space. When you set up an add-on domain, it functions as a separate entity with its own unique website content and can be accessed using its distinct domain name. This provides you with the flexibility to manage multiple websites from a single hosting account.
