Network Solutions is one of the oldest web hosts and domain registrars in the game. This review explores the main benefits of using Network Solutions’ web hosting as well as the possible drawbacks.
We’ll examine the 2 types of hosting Network Solutions offer and discuss their features, pricing and suitability for various business sizes. We also share some Network Solutions alternatives to help you decide if they’re the right pick for you. Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
- What Is Network Solutions?
- What Are the Main Benefits of Using Network Solutions?
- What Are the Possible Drawbacks of Using Network Solutions?
- What Are the Types of Hosting Network Solutions Offers?
- How Much Does Network Solutions Cost?
- Where Are Network Solutions’ Data Centers?
- Are Network Solutions Fast?
- What Is Network Solutions’ Uptime Guarantee?
- What Control Panel Does Network Solutions Provide?
- Does Network Solutions Come With a Free Website Builder?
- Does Network Solutions Include Free Emails?
- Does Network Solutions Give a Free Domain Name?
- Is Network Solutions Good for WordPress?
- Is Network Solutions Secure?
- Can I Get Root Access With Network Solutions?
- What Customer Service Does Network Solutions Offer?
- Do I Get Free Website Migration?
- What Is Network Solutions Money Back Guarantee?
- 5 Network Solutions Alternatives
- Does Network Solutions Have Any Discounts?
- Verdict: Is Network Solutions Legit?
What Is Network Solutions?
Network Solutions is a long-established technology company that is part of Newfold Digital. This makes them part of a family of brands including Bluehost, CrazyDomains, HostGator. Network Solutions’ services include web hosting, domains, website design, and security services. Network Solutions serve clientele from Fortune 500 companies as well as solo entrepreneurs. The company is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.
When was Network Solutions Established?
Network Solutions was established in 1979 and this makes them one of the earliest companies in the world to enter the domain name registration and web hosting industry. They’re sometimes referred to as the ‘original domain registrar’. Their early establishment paved the way for the .com, .org, .net, and .edu domains that formed the backbone of the early internet.
What Are the Main Benefits of Using Network Solutions?
There are three main benefits of using Network Solutions. Firstly, they offer decades of expertise. Secondly, they provide a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Lastly, most plans include a free domain and email.
What Are the Possible Drawbacks of Using Network Solutions?
There are four possible drawbacks of using Network Solutions. Firstly, their plans are expensive. Secondly, customer support is inconsistent. Thirdly, their knowledge base isn’t very detailed. Lastly, they do not provide as many free features compared to other hosts.
What Are the Types of Hosting Network Solutions Offers?
The types of hosting Network Solutions offers are Shared hosting and WordPress hosting. Each type comes in 3 or 4 tiers to cater to the resource needs of individuals, businesses, and large enterprises.
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is a type of web hosting service where multiple sites share a single web server. Network Solutions offers 4 four tiers of their cloud-based shared hosting: Starter, Essential, Premium, and Premium Plus.
The Starter plan is the most affordable option at $5.69 per month. It provides 15 GB disk space, support for 1 website, and 5 email boxes. Network Solutions’ shared hosting plans are best suited for individuals or small businesses beginning their online journey.
WordPress Hosting
WordPress hosting is a type of hosting service optimized specifically for sites built with the WordPress platform. Network Solutions offers WordPress hosting in three tiers: WordPress for Entrepreneurs, WordPress for a Growing Business, and WordPress for Professionals.
The WordPress for Entrepreneurs plan is their entry level plan available at $7.99 per month. It provides 50 GB of storage, 10 email boxes, and supports 1 WordPress site. All plans include on-demand cloud backup and a free domain for those who opt for annual billing.
Does Network Solutions Still Offer VPS Hosting?
No, Network Solutions no longer offers VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting, which is a type of hosting that uses virtualization technology to provide users with dedicated server resources on a shared physical server. Network Solutions used to offer VPS hosting but have since stopped and they now focus on only selling shared and WordPress hosting plans.
Does Network Solutions Offer Windows Hosting?
No, Network Solutions does not offer Windows hosting. Windows hosting is a type of hosting that provides server environments running the Microsoft Windows operating system (OS). Instead, Network Solutions uses Linux’s Unix-based systems for all of their hosting plans.
• Developer-friendly web hosting.
• 99.9% uptime guarantee included.
How Much Does Network Solutions Cost?
The cost for Network Solutions hosting plans ranges from $5.69 per month for the Starter plan to $31.61 per month for the Premium Plus plan. Customers have the option to make these payments on a monthly or annual basis.
Is It Better to Opt for Monthly or Annual Plans?
It is better to opt for annual plans over monthly plans with Network Solutions as they offer discounted rates of up to 40% off for a 1-year term. This allows you to save a significant sum of money on your hosting costs over the course of the year compared to paying monthly for a Network Solutions plan.
What Paid Add-Ons Does Network Solutions Offer?
Network Solutions offers 4 paid add-ons:
- CodeGuard CodeGuard is an automated backup service that provides daily website backups, monitoring, and restoration capabilities. It’s recommended for those managing content-rich websites where regular updates are made. Prices start at $1.99 per month.
- SSL Certificates SSL certificates secure your website and protect user data with encrypted connections. They’re a must-have for businesses looking to secure online transactions and improve their SEO rankings. Prices start at $82.44 per year
- SiteLock SiteLock is a security service offering malware scanning, automatic threat removal, and protection against cyber threats. It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes that want to safeguard their online presence. Prices start at $7.99 per month.
- MyTime Support MyTime Support is a premium support service offering personalized assistance for website management and troubleshooting. It’s beneficial for businesses without a dedicated IT department or those needing extra support. Prices start at $15.99 per month.
Where Are Network Solutions’ Data Centers?
Network Solutions’ data centers are in the United States. Their geographical location is not listed plainly on their website and we read several reviews that criticized their lack of transparency. However, we spoke to a customer service representative who confirmed this information. The location of their servers suggests that Network Solutions’ plans are best suited for websites that are targeting audiences that are based within the US or nearby.
Are Network Solutions Fast?
Network Solutions is relatively fast but lags behind in terms of their speed-enhancing technology. Their website is not upfront about what they offer and their customer support team was strangely unable to confirm whether their shared hosting utilized SSD (Solid State Drives) or traditional HDD (Hard Disk Drives). SSD is a form of server storage drive that provides superior speeds to HDD and is included as default by most modern web hosts.
Another speed-enhancing technology that Network Solutions does not provide as default is a free CDN. A CDN (Content Delivery Network) uses a geographically distributed network of servers to improve speed for end users. Many top web hosts include a free CDN in their standard shared hosting plans but Network Solutions only provide it in their premium DNS services. This is especially disappointing given Network Solutions’s data centers are only in the US.
The good news is that Network Solutions leverages cloud-based infrastructure to help speed up load times. The automatic distribution of traffic among servers reduces the load on individual servers and prevents bottlenecks during peak traffic periods.
What Is Network Solutions’ Uptime Guarantee?
Network Solutions offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee for its hosting services. Scheduled maintenance or events caused by third parties are excluded from the calculation of the uptime.
What Control Panel Does Network Solutions Provide?
Network Solutions provides a proprietary control panel that houses essential tools for website management. This includes a one-click app installer for easy setup of applications like WordPress, under the “Open Source Applications” section. Users are able to manage email configurations, domain settings, and access a straightforward website builder through the control panel.
The interface looks a little dated compared to modern control panels like cPanel but it provides basic functionality for managing web services. The control panel also supports PHP version 7.4. This is relatively recent but not the latest.
Does Network Solutions Come With a Free Website Builder?
Yes, Network Solutions provides a free website builder with its hosting plans. Their builder offers a basic set of tools to create and publish a website quickly and easily.
Does Network Solutions Include Free Emails?
Yes, Network Solutions includes free email accounts with its hosting plans, which allows you to set up professional email addresses associated with your domain name. The number of email accounts you receive ranges from 5 to unlimited, depending on the tier of the plan you choose. Higher-tier plans include more email accounts.
Is Network Solutions Email Safe?
Yes, Network Solutions email is safe. Network Solutions incorporates built-in security features to mitigate risks associated with junk mail, spam, and viruses. Their Safe Unsubscribe and Click-time Anti-Phishing features provide additional protection against email threats, while the Lazy Expunge feature offers the convenience of recovering deleted messages.
Does Network Solutions Give a Free Domain Name?
Yes, Network Solutions offers a free domain name with its hosting plans, except for their Starter Shared Hosting plan. Note that a free domain is available only with annual plan subscriptions.
How Much Does Network Solutions’ Domain Renewal Cost?
Network Solutions’ current domain renewal cost for a .com domain is $37.99 per year. This fee applies to the annual renewal of a .com domain managed through their service.
Do I Get Domain Privacy With a Network Solutions Domain?
Yes, you do get domain privacy with a Network Solutions domain. Network Solutions offers Domain Privacy + Protection free for the first year with certain domain extensions.
Domain Privacy + Protection safeguards your identity, domain, and website from threats like identity theft, malware, and unauthorized access. It includes masking personal information in the WHOIS database, daily malware scanning, blacklist monitoring, and SMS domain alerts for enhanced security and privacy for your online presence. This service is available for most top-level domains (gTLDs) but not for some country-code (ccTLDs) or regulated extensions.
• Developer-friendly web hosting.
• 99.9% uptime guarantee included.
Is Network Solutions Good for WordPress?
Network Solutions is good for WordPress in that it offers specialized Managed WordPress hosting plans. This means that users get a hosting environment specifically optimized for WordPress, and many of the technical aspects like updates, backups, and security are handled by the provider.
However, it is not our top recommendation for WordPress because it only supports an outdated version of WordPress (5.1.1). This limitation affects the performance, security, and compatibility of WordPress sites hosted on the Network Solutions platform.
Is Network Solutions Secure?
Yes, Network Solutions is considered secure but most of their security features like SiteLock are only free in their higher tier plans. This means lower-tier plan users do not include comprehensive protection unless they pay extra. Network Solutions’ tiered approach to security is a limitation for users on a budget or those opting for entry-level plans. It’s also a letdown since most web hosts offer inclusive security features across all their plans.
Is a Free Network Solutions SSL Certificate Included?
Yes, a free basic SSL Certificate from Network Solutions is included, but only with the higher-tier hosting plans. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data transferred between a user’s browser and the website server. This enhances security and protects sensitive information.
Do I Get Free Website Backups?
No, you do not get free website backups with Network Solutions. Network Solutions does not include website backups as a standard feature, but it offers CodeGuard as an paid add-on service (starting from $1.99/month) which includes automated website backups. CodeGuard provides daily backups to ensure that you’re able to restore your site in case of data loss or other emergencies.
Can I Get Root Access With Network Solutions?
No, you cannot get root access with Network Solutions hosting services. Root access is when users are given complete control over their server environment and is usually provided with more customizable types of hosting like VPS (Virtual Private Server) and dedicated hosting. Root access is not provided by Network Solutions in their shared and WordPress hosting to ensure the stability and security of the shared server environment.
Is Python Supported?
Yes, Python is supported by Network Solutions on their hosting plans. This allows users to run Python-based applications and scripts on their servers. Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its clear syntax, readability, and versatility.
Is Node.js Supported?
No, Node.js is not supported on Network Solutions’ hosting plans. Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. It is commonly used for developing server-side and networking applications but is unfortunately not supported by Network Solutions’ hosting services.
What Customer Service Does Network Solutions Offer?
Network Solutions offers customer service through live chat, phone support, and a ticketing system, complemented by a knowledge base for self-help. However, from our own experience their live chat is not available 24/7 (even if they claim that it is), and the responses received through this channel were not always very helpful or comprehensive. We were also disappointed with their knowledge base as it only provides a basic level of information. It is suitable for solving quick fixes but is not sufficient for understanding more complex issues.
Do I Get Free Website Migration?
No, Network Solutions does not offer free website migration services. Customers need to manage the migration process themselves or seek paid assistance for transferring their website to Network Solutions.
What Is Network Solutions Money Back Guarantee?
Network Solutions offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for their hosting services. This allows customers to request a refund if they are not satisfied with the service within the first 30 days of signing up.
How to Cancel Your Network Solutions Subscription
To cancel your Network Solutions subscription, follow these four steps. Firstly, call Network Solutions customer service. Secondly, request to speak with a representative. Thirdly, provide your customer information to the representative. Lastly, ask to cancel your hosting account and any associated recurring payments. You receive a confirmation email of the cancellation after your request is processed.
How to Get A Refund
To get a refund from Network Solutions, ensure that you complete the cancellation process within the 30-day money back guarantee period. The refund is then processed and reflected in your billing statement. The exact time it takes for the refund to appear varies depending on your bank or payment method.
5 Network Solutions Alternatives
There are 5 alternatives to Network Solutions worth considering:
1. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is another well-known hosting provider and domain registrar. GoDaddy offers a wider range of hosting types and lower starting prices compared to Network Solutions.
2. Hostinger
Hostinger is popular for its very affordable hosting plans with outstanding customer support. It includes a custom control panel called hPanel that’s more modern and user-friendly than Network Solution’s interface.
3. DreamHost
DreamHost is a web host that also offers WordPress hosting. DreamHost is officially endorsed by WordPress. They offer comprehensive hosting plans but also only have data centers based in the United States.
4. Bluehost
Bluehost is known for its robust WordPress integration and user-friendly hosting solutions. Network Solutions has a long-standing history in the domain and hosting industry, but Bluehost offers a more streamlined WordPress hosting experience.
5. HostGator
HostGator offers a variety of hosting options and scalable solutions. HostGator provides more flexible and affordable plans compared to Network Solutions, especially for individuals and small businesses looking to grow their online presence gradually.
Does Network Solutions Have Any Discounts?
Yes, Network Solutions offers discounts on their annual plans. They also have significant promotions during Black Friday season, with discounts of up to 55% off. These sales events are an excellent opportunity to secure their services at a reduced price.
Verdict: Is Network Solutions Legit?
Yes, Network Solutions is legit but they come with limitations that are worth keeping in mind. Their reliable uptime guarantee, and decades of experience make them a seasoned provider in the web hosting market. However users must consider drawbacks such as limited free security features in lower-tier plans, inconsistent customer support, and fewer free offerings compared to other hosting providers.
• Developer-friendly web hosting.
• 99.9% uptime guarantee included.
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