TL;DR
The best hosting solution for those seeking to target US-based web traffic is InMotion Hosting. Although it might not show the best HostScore, there is more to consider. This is especially true when it comes to targeted traffic.
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, there are other factors you should consider for your specific needs (for example, having their hosting servers located in the United States). Our top hosting picks address this by offering tailored suggestions for different requirements.
InMotion Hosting
InMotion Hosting
Backed by excellent performance and customer support, InMotion Hosting is easily one of the top web hosting choices in the market. There are extensive plans available for website to scale up with. And for those with an already existing site, free migration services for easy transfer.
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InMotion Hosting Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Lowest shared hosting plan supports Python, Node.JS, Ruby and GIT version control
- Choice of data center locations in the United States and Europe
- Free AutoSSL
- Built-in hack, DDoS, and malware protection
- 90-day money back guarantee
- Free website migration services
InMotion Hosting Cons
- Lower shared hosting plans lack speed optimization
- Price increase during the renewal
TMDHosting
TMDHosting
TMDHosting is a full-service host and offer the gamut of hosting types ranging from shared all the way to dedicated servers. Plans are reasonably priced and come with significant value-added features. The company operates from data centers in five continents including South America and Africa, which is not often seen in market.
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TMDHosting Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Choice of global data centres in six continents
- Easy-to-use centralized dashboard
- Free white glove migration
- Host unlimited websites in Business or Enterprise plans
- Outstanding customer support
- Reinforced DDoS protection for all shared hosting accounts
TMDHosting Cons
- Lowest shared plan does not support automatic backup
- Free domain has no privacy protection
- Price increase during the renewal
NameCheap
NameCheap
Namecheap is another long-serving company in the web hosting business and was founded way back in 2000. They are an excellent resource for not just new domain names, but you can also bid for some existing ones as well. NameCheap also offers a good range of hosting solutions including shared, VPS, dedicated, and reseller plans. While their hosting features might not be outstanding, they are certainly adequate – especially when you consider their exceptionally low pricing.
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NameCheap Pros
- Budget-friendly shared hosting plans
- Excellent domain name prices with free lifetime privacy protection
- Free site migration
- Perl, Ruby, and Python support in shared hosting plan
NameCheap Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Limited VPS plans
- Only US and UK-based servers
- Pay extra to choose UK-data center
LiquidWeb
LiquidWeb
LiquidWeb is one of those big-name premium web hosting service providers that many people can only wish they could afford. Due to their focus on enterprise-scale solutions, they have left out standard shared hosting and the closest most people come is to their Managed WordPress hosting plans. That being said, looking upwards on their plan scale, the sky is the limit.
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LiquidWeb Pros
- Powerful enterprise hosting solutions with great scalability
- 100% network uptime, backed by detailed Service Level Agreement (SLA)
- Excellent customer support – 59-Second support response guarantee
- Self-operated data centres – Higher degree of security and data integrity compared to providers renting space from third-parties
- PCI-Compliant and HIPAA-Compliant hosting servers available
LiquidWeb Cons
- No standard shared hosting plans
- No Asia-based data center
Digital Ocean
Digital Ocean
Cloud hosting can be a little daunting for many people in the first place, but Digital Ocean has made that doubly so with the liberal use of self-developed technical jargon. For layman unfamiliar with the company, start by exploring “Droplets” – their unique term for “cloud hosting solution”. That said, Digital Ocean is a highly modular and scalable environment with many advanced, developer-friendly features. Everything here is priced independently, so you’re really paying for only what you need.
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Digital Ocean Pros
- Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
- Competitive and flexible pricing model
- Choice of 15 distributed data centers
- Highly configurable virtual machines
- Built-in alert system for resource thresholds or critical issues
Digital Ocean Cons
- Charges apply for automated backups
- Unencrypted backups
- Only suitable for advanced users
- Less user-friendly for team operations
A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting
In the past one of the best hosting providers around, today A2 Hosting has slightly lost its shine. Pricing is above market average and performance is no longer top of its class. Still, reliability is decent and their attention to detail can be seen in prudent plan revisions on occasion.
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A2 Hosting Pros
- Server locations in North America, Europe, and Asia
- Free website migration assistance
- Developer-oriented features even on shared hosting
- Custom performance optimizations tools available in higher shared plans
A2 Hosting Cons
- Steep price increase during the renewal
- Free site transfers mainly for cPanel installations
- HTTP/2 only on TURBO plans
- Lowest shared plan does not support automatic backup
HostWinds
HostWinds
For those who seek out only the best, that’s where HostWinds is positioned. Speed, reliability, and support come out tops. Founded in 2010, the company has made excellent progress over the past decade-plus and is now in the league of the big boys.
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HostWinds Pros
- Fast and reliable services
- Sterling reputation and support
- Lots of automated services
- Weebly website builder included
HostWinds Cons
- Slightly higher than usual starting prices
- No extra business services
How to Choose the Right Web Host for a US Website?
When evaluating a web hosting service provider, details matter. To get the best bang for your buck, you need to look past the price tag. Server locations, performance, security, customer support, and overall user experiences are other factors you need to look into.
Server Location Is the Key to Meeting Latency Targets
For those seeking to meet visitor traffic within the United States (US) though, one factor does stand out more than others – server location. The US is rather special geographically, being a large landmass that’s relatively far from most other countries.
One example of this on an international scale can be seen in the distance from New York to Berlin – a whopping 3,965 miles (6,381 km). However, because of sheer size, even hosting within the US can result in considerable distance.
For example, the distance from San Francisco to New York is approximately 2,572 miles (4,139 km). All of this brings to focus the latency which could arise from data having to traverse such distances.
How Latency Affects Web Page Loading Speed
Latency is the time taken for data to get sent from point A to point B.
The longer the distance, the higher the latency. The higher the latency, the longer a visitor has to wait for the site to load.
When a visitor enters your website address into their browser, a request is made. That request travels all the way to your web server. Once your web server receives it, a reply needs to be sent, which travels back the other way.
Because of this, you need to place considerable thought into where your visitor base is mainly going to be, even if you get hosting with a server within the US.
Relating this to Our Best US Web Hosting Selection
Our point on latency explains why we picked InMotion Hosting as the best hosting solution for US websites. Although the company does a global business, a strong part of the appeal for those aiming for local traffic is their data centers. InMotion Hosting is perhaps the perfect choice for US-based web hosting with data centers in Ashburn, Virginia (East Coast) and Los Angeles, California (West Coast).
These dual locations are immensely strategic locations for a few reasons.
For traffic within the US, you serve either the East or West very quickly. At the same time, they are close enough to the seaboard to sufficiently support some international visitors as well.
InMotion has a good range of web hosting plans so there’s no concern about limited scalability here. Whether you need budget shared hosting, Cloud VPS, or even just data storage – they have a solution for it.
Other Factors to Look Into
Besides server location, several other crucial factors that you need to consider include: Security, Scalability, Pricing, and Support.
- Security: With cyber threats on the rise, robust security features are non-negotiable. This includes SSL certificates, regular backups, web application firewall (WAF), malware scanning, and more.
- Scalability: The ability to scale resources quickly is essential for handling traffic spikes and growth without downtime.
- Pricing: While budget is always a consideration, the best value comes from balancing cost with the features and performance your site requires.
- Support: Access to knowledgeable, responsive customer support 24/7 is crucial, especially for businesses that operate around the clock. For those targeting US-based traffic, it be prudent to seek a web hosting provider with in-country support teams. At the very least you can be assured that there will be minimal communication barriers. Be aware though that smaller local web hosting companies may not be able to meet the same levels of service that global partners may have. Attention needs to be paid to fine-line items such as the Service Level Agreement to see what’s spelled out in black and white.
We have discussed these factors in another guide. To learn more, please read “How to choose a web host”.
Conclusion
The web hosts on our list as best for the US come with the distinction of not only using local data centers, but also being light on the budget. At the same time, they all have a broad range of plans, making them very agile and suitable for various needs.
Any of the web hosts on this list will do well for those targeting local traffic within the US, serve bordering countries well, and in a pinch, support global visitors as well.
About United States of America (USA)
The United States of America (abbreviated U.S. or U.S.A.) is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. The country has a population of 332 million in 2021 with California as the highest populated state (source). Country’s capital is Washington, DC.; other major cities include New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Web Hosting Buyers FAQs
What makes a good web host?
Performance, security, customer support, and cost are the four main factors to consider when it comes to choosing a web host. Server response speed, reliability, scalability, backup and recovery capability, and website migration support are some key consideration factors.
What are the different web hosting types available in market?
Technically, there are four main types of web hosting: Shared, VPS, Cloud, and Dedicated Hosting. As user needs have evolved, hosting companies have adjusted their offers to meet specific user needs. Some common specialized hosting plans available in today’s market such as: Managed WordPress , WooCommerce, and Minecraft Hosting.
Which type of web hosting plan is right for me?
If you are unsure about your website requirements, it’s recommended to start with an affordable shared hosting plan. If you have outgrown your hosting, you can always upgrade to a higher plan, such as VPS or cloud hosting, later with same provider.
How do I choose the right web hosting provider?
Choosing the right web hosting provider depends on several factors, including: Performance requirements, server security, scalability, customer support, and budget. To learn more, please read our choose-a-host guide.
Can I switch web hosting providers later?
Yes, it is possible to switch web hosting providers if you find that your current provider does not meet your needs or if you find a better deal elsewhere. The process typically involves purchasing a new hosting plan, transferring your website’s files and database to the new server, and updating your domain’s DNS settings to point to the new host. Most reputable hosting providers offer migration services to assist with this process.
What is a domain name, and do I get one with my web hosting service?
A domain name is the address that people use to access your website on the internet, such as “www.example.com.” Many web hosting providers offer a free domain name registration as part of their hosting packages for the first year. After the first year, you will need to renew your domain registration annually at the market rate.
What is data transfer and storage space in web hosting?
Storage space is the amount of server space available to store your web files. Data transfer, is the amount of data allowed to be transferred between your hosting account and users.
