If you’re just getting started with your first website, you might be wondering if InMotion Hosting is the right place to begin. It’s a long-running web hosting company that offers everything from shared hosting to WordPress, VPS, and even dedicated servers. But let’s focus on what most beginners actually use, shared and WordPress hosting, and break down how InMotion performs where it matters most: simplicity, speed, support, and price.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about using InMotion as a beginner. We’ll cover what it’s like to sign up, build a site, manage your account, and whether it’s worth it compared to other platforms like Hostinger or SiteGround.
Getting Started: Setup and Dashboard Experience
When you sign up for InMotion Hosting, the process is simple but a little messy. The checkout page has multiple sections on one screen, and it includes pre-selected upsells like their backup manager that you’ll need to uncheck if you want to avoid extra charges.
Once you’re in, you’ll use two separate dashboards:
- AMP (Account Management Panel) handles billing, support, and general account tasks.
- cPanel is where you manage your actual website, email, databases, and WordPress installs.
This two-panel setup might feel overwhelming if you’re brand new. It works, but it’s not as smooth as Hostinger’s unified dashboard or GoDaddy’s simplified interface.
Website Building Tools: BoldGrid vs WordPress
InMotion gives you two ways to build your site:
- BoldGrid – This is their drag-and-drop website builder built on top of WordPress. It’s great if you want something visual without learning how WordPress works right away. You pick a template, move blocks around, and launch.
- Standard WordPress – You can also install WordPress directly through Softaculous in cPanel. This is for users who want full control or already know how WordPress works.
The template selection is mixed. Some look sleek and modern. Others feel outdated. But they’re all customizable, so you can clean things up if you’re willing to do a little editing.
Setting Up Email
Email comes free with your hosting plan. You can create custom addresses like yourname@yourdomain.com inside cPanel. InMotion supports RoundCube webmail, which works for basic messaging. If you want marketing features like automation or tracking, you’ll need to connect to a platform like Brevo or Mailchimp separately.
Speed and Uptime Performance
InMotion Hosting claims 99.9% uptime, which is standard, but some tests show it occasionally dips. Real users report mixed results—some say the speed is fast and reliable, others mention downtime or slow loads on media-heavy sites.
Here’s what you can expect:
- For visitors in the U.S., desktop speeds are usually under 2 seconds, which is decent.
- For international traffic or mobile users, speeds can vary and may feel slower.
- They offer caching tools to speed things up, but you might have to configure them manually.
Bottom line: Not the fastest, but good enough for most beginners.
Support and Help Options
InMotion Hosting offers 24/7 support through live chat, email tickets, and phone. But phone support isn’t included on the cheapest plans, which is worth noting. Live chat is a bit hit or miss. Sometimes the agents are fast and helpful. Other times, you might wait a while. The knowledge base is strong though, with lots of tutorials and help articles if you like figuring things out on your own.
Security and Backups
You get free SSL, malware scanning, firewall protection, and DDoS protection with every plan. That’s good. But here’s the catch: automatic backups aren’t included by default on most plans. You have to either:
- Pay for their Backup Manager, or
- Install a free WordPress plugin like UpdraftPlus to manage it yourself.
There’s also a paid tool called Monarchs for advanced protection, but most beginners won’t need it right away.
Pricing Breakdown
InMotion’s pricing varies depending on:
- The plan you choose: Core, Launch, Power, or Pro
- The length of your subscription: 1 month, 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years
The best deals are usually on 12-month plans, which balance affordability and flexibility.
Here’s a quick summary of their WordPress plans:
- Core Plan – Good for 1 site, with essential features.
- Launch Plan – Allows 2 websites, better for side projects or blog + portfolio.
- Power Plan – Supports more sites and includes performance boosts.
- Pro Plan – Includes everything plus priority support.
If you’re testing the waters, the Core or Launch plans are solid starts. But be ready for add-ons like backups and better support to bump up your total price.
What Users Are Saying
User reviews are mixed. Some love the reliable hosting and support. Others say they’ve experienced downtime or extra charges for things they didn’t expect. Overall, beginners who don’t mind a small learning curve seem to get good value from InMotion, especially if they plan to grow their site later.
Final Verdict: Is InMotion Good for Beginners?
If you’re a first-time website owner who wants reliable performance, good WordPress tools, and email included, InMotion Hosting is a decent pick. It’s not the fastest or flashiest, but it’s solid. The dual dashboards take some getting used to, and you may need to spend extra for backups or premium security.
Choose InMotion if:
- You’re building a long-term project like a blog, portfolio, or business site
- You want room to grow into VPS or more advanced hosting
- You don’t mind learning how to use cPanel and AMP
Skip it if:
- You want the easiest dashboard and instant setup (use Hostinger or Squarespace)
- You don’t want to pay extra for backups
- You care more about international site speed or instant support
A Simpler Alternative: Hostinger
If you like the idea of InMotion Hosting but want something more beginner-friendly, Hostinger is a solid second option. It offers many of the same core features, like WordPress hosting, custom email, free SSL, and built-in website builders but with a much smoother user experience.
Hostinger
Here’s why creators and small business owners often go with Hostinger instead:
- All-in-one dashboard: No jumping between AMP and cPanel. Everything — from domains to email to WordPress is managed in one clean dashboard.
- Faster setup: You can launch your site in minutes, with fewer steps and less confusion.
- Affordable pricing: Hostinger’s plans are often cheaper, especially on long-term plans, and you don’t get hit with as many upsells.
- Great for international traffic: Their global server network and built-in caching help deliver faster load times across regions.
If you’re just starting out and want less friction while getting your site online, Hostinger is definitely worth checking out.
