HostExpert

Testing Methodology

A review is only as trustworthy as its method. Here is exactly how every HostExpert score is produced.

  1. 1

    Retail purchase

    We buy each plan at the advertised price, using standard checkout flows. This exposes real onboarding, upsells, and renewal terms.

  2. 2

    Identical test workload

    Every host runs the same WordPress installation with the same theme, plugins, and demo content. Differences in performance are therefore the host's, not the workload's.

  3. 3

    TTFB & uptime monitoring

    We run automated probes from US-East and US-West data centers every 5 minutes for 90 days, measuring Time to First Byte and availability.

  4. 4

    Load & concurrency tests

    We simulate traffic spikes to measure how each host holds up under concurrent requests before recommending it for growing sites.

  5. 5

    Support audit

    We file real support tickets and time first response, resolution quality, and accuracy for WordPress-specific questions.

  6. 6

    Pricing transparency review

    We verify introductory and renewal pricing, add-on costs, backup fees, and money-back guarantee terms from the live checkout.

Scoring criteria

Final scores are weighted: 40% performance (TTFB and load tests), 25% pricing transparency and value, 20% features and ease of use, 15% customer support. Scores are capped at 9.9 to make clear that no host is perfect.