How To Cancel Bluehost Account & Get a Refund

Last Updated on January 29, 2024

Bluehost is a top web hosting provider and powers over 2 million websites around the world. They are recommended by WordPress.org and have cheap web hosting prices.

If for some reason you are no longer in need of Bluehost’s services and want to cancel your Bluehost account. Worry not, as we will guide you through the entire process of how to cancel Bluehost account and find an alternative.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover step-by-step how to cancel Bluehost account, how to request a Bluehost refund, what happens to your domain after cancellation, top Bluehost alternatives, and some tips for migrating from Bluehost to another web host.

Let’s dive in with the how to cancel Bluehost tutorial!

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Short Summary

• This article provides a step-by-step guide for canceling a Bluehost account, including backing up website files and disabling auto-renewal.

• Requesting refunds from Bluehost is possible within the 30-day money-back guarantee period.

• Alternatives to Bluehost are also discussed, along with tips on how to successfully migrate from one web host to another.

Quick Guide: Cancelling Your Bluehost Account and Getting a Refund

1. Start by logging into the Bluehost dashboard.

2. You’ll see the Bluehost chat icon at the bottom right of the page. Click this to continue to cancel Bluehost web hosting.

3. From the Message Us chat box, you’ll see options you can select. Click the support for existing products.

4. Next, choose the web hosting service you want to cancel.

5. Next, choose billing to continue to cancel your Bluehost account.

6. Next, choose Cancel Product/Services.

7. Provide your first and last name to provide to the customer support team.

8. Next, provide the domain name associated with the Bluehost hosting account you want to cancel.

9. You’ll now be connected to a chat support representative where you can easily cancel Bluehost web hosting and get a refund for your hosting services if you are within the Bluehost 30-day money-back guarantee period.

If the quick cancel Bluehost account guide above was all you needed to successfully cancel your Bluehost account feel free to check out Bluehost alternatives provided towards the bottom of this post.

If you are in need of more detailed instructions to cancel your Bluehost account keep reading for more details.

Step-by-Step Guide: Cancelling Your Bluehost Account

Canceling your Bluehost account may seem like a daunting task, but with the right guidance, it can be a smooth process. The first step to cancel Bluehost is to contact Bluehost support for cancellation, as this cannot be done directly through the account dashboard.

Before you cancel your Bluehost account, it’s crucial to back up your website files to ensure you don’t lose any vital data. Failing to do so could lead to the deletion of your website and even the loss of your domain name.

So, take some time to migrate your assets, such as your website, email addresses, and domains, to another hosting provider before requesting a Bluehost refund.

Lastly, you’ll need to disable auto-renewal for your Bluehost account to avoid any future charges.

Now let me walk you through the steps on how to cancel Bluehost, how to get a Bluehost refund, and turn off auto-renew for your Bluehost services.

Contacting Support for Cancellation

As mentioned earlier, canceling your Bluehost account requires contacting their support team. You can do this through their live chat or phone support.

Start by logging into your Bluehost hosting account to cancel Bluehost.

Click the chat icon that says chat now at the bottom right of the page.

A Message Us chat window will pop up. Select the support for existing products to continue to cancel your Bluehost subscription.

It’ll now list out services you can choose from. Select the hosting service you want to cancel.

It’ll now list out additional selections you can choose from. Select Billing to continue to cancel Bluehost.

Next, you want to select Cancel Product/Services to continue to cancel Bluehost.

Next, it’ll ask you to provide your first and last name for your Bluehost account.

Next, it’ll ask you to provide the domain name that is being used with your Bluehost subscription. If you don’t have a domain name registered with your Bluehost account you can input pass to proceed.

You’ll now be connected to a customer support representative that will help you to cancel Bluehost quick and easy.

Eligibility for a Refund

You’ll get a Bluehost refund for any services that qualify for a refund. Keep in mind, the refund policy for web hosting services is 30 days. As long as you fall into the 30-day Bluehost refund period you’ll get a full Bluehost refund for your hosting services.

Unfortunately, if you cancel your hosting account after the 30-day guarantee period, you will not be eligible for a refund.

Domain names and extra Bluehost package extras/add-ons may or may not qualify for a Bluehost refund as the terms for these are different than their hosting services.

Be sure to check the 30-day money-back guarantee policy and assess whether you’re eligible for a refund before proceeding.

Refund Timeline

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility for a refund and the request is within the 30-day money-back guarantee period, the refund will be issued automatically to the original credit card or PayPal account used for payment.

Allow 7-10 business days for the refund to be processed and reflected in your account.

Backing Up Your Website Files

As emphasized earlier, backing up your website files is a crucial step before canceling your Bluehost account.

By doing so, you ensure that you can access your data in the future and avoid any potential loss of your website and domain name.

If you’re unsure how to back up your website files, consider seeking assistance from a professional or researching online tutorials and guides.

If you are using WordPress for your site, here’s a great post on how to back up your WordPress website files.

Remember, the safety of your website data is vital, so take the time to ensure that you’ve backed up all necessary files before proceeding with the cancellation process.

Disabling Auto-Renewal

To disable auto-renewal for your Bluehost hosting plan, log in to your account and up at the top right click the Profile icon.

From there, navigate to the Products tab. 

You can now disable auto-renewal for specific products.

This step will prevent any future charges for services you no longer wish to use.

What Happens to Your Domain After Cancelling Bluehost

Canceling your Bluehost account doesn’t only involve your hosting service; it also impacts your domain.

Upon cancellation, your domain will expire after the domain term you chose. If you received a free Bluehost domain name then it’ll expire after a year and may be subject to auction.

This means that if you don’t take appropriate action, you might lose your domain to the highest bidder.

Additionally, you have the option to transfer your domain to another registrar if you wish to retain ownership.

To avoid losing your domain, it’s crucial to either renew it with your current registrar or transfer it to another one.

In the next sections, we’ll discuss domain expiration and auctions, as well as how to transfer your domain to another registrar.

Related: how to register a domain name with Namecheap

Domain Expiration and Auctions

When a domain expires, it enters a holding period and can be auctioned off to the highest bidder. This means that if you don’t renew your domain after canceling Bluehost, you stand to lose it.

To prevent this, ensure that you have plans to renew or transfer your domain in order to preserve ownership.

Transferring Your Domain to Another Registrar

Transferring your domain to another registrar after canceling Bluehost is a fairly straightforward process.

Log in to your Bluehost cPanel account, navigate to the Domain Manager tab, select the domain you wish to transfer, unlock the domain, disable domain privacy if enabled, update the contact details, and obtain the authorization code.

Once you’ve completed these steps, follow the instructions provided by your new registrar to complete the transfer.

Top Bluehost Alternatives for Web Hosting

Now that you’ve canceled your Bluehost account, it’s time to explore alternative web hosting providers.

There are several great options available, including:

• Hostinger
• SiteGround
• DreamHost
• Hostgator
• GreenGeeks
• A2 Hosting

Each provider offers a unique set of features and advantages, so it’s essential to find the one that best suits your needs.

In the following sections, we’ll provide a brief overview of each alternative, highlighting their features and benefits.

Hostinger

Hostinger is a top Bluehost alternative, offering a wide range of features such as email hosting, control panel integration, CMS support, web framework support, file management, database support, security tools, templates, and drag-and-drop functionality.

Hostinger is known for its outstanding support and consistently high uptime rates. With its competitive pricing and comprehensive features, Hostinger is an excellent choice for those looking for a new web hosting provider.

SiteGround

SiteGround is another popular Bluehost alternative, providing features such as SSD storage, free CDN, static and dynamic caching, free SSL, free email, automatic upgrades, daily backups, built-in WP caching, and one-click staging.

SiteGround is dedicated to continuous improvement and renowned support, constantly striving to enhance its services and provide the optimal customer experience. If you value a provider that prioritizes innovation and customer satisfaction, SiteGround is an excellent choice.

DreamHost

DreamHost is an attractive Bluehost alternative, offering a custom control panel, one-click installation, unlimited data storage and bandwidth, strong security features, extensive domain-management tools, cloud hosting offerings, and managed WordPress hosting.

With its wide range of features and commitment to customer satisfaction, DreamHost is a top contender for those seeking a new web hosting provider.

Hostgator

Hostgator is another excellent Bluehost alternative, providing features like unlimited storage, domain registration, ads credits, unmetered bandwidth, easy app integration, site security & SSL, dedicated and shared servers, as well as VPS (Virtual Private Server).

Hostgator also offers comprehensive customer support, available 24/7/365 via telephone, live chat, and email ticket system. With its extensive features and robust support, Hostgator is an ideal option for those in search of a new web hosting provider.

GreenGeeks

GreenGeeks is a unique Bluehost alternative that prides itself on its carbon-negative footprint. They offer shared hosting plans suitable for both individual users and larger businesses, including unlimited domains, storage, and bandwidth, as well as complimentary CDN, SSL, and domain for the first year.

If you’re environmentally conscious and seeking a web hosting provider that aligns with your values, GreenGeeks is an excellent choice.

A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting is a high-performance Bluehost alternative, providing features such as unlimited email accounts, unlimited transfers, 24/7/365 phone, live chat & email support, easy cPanel control panel, 99.9% uptime commitment, growth features, 2X resources, and more.

A2 Hosting is known for its Turbo Servers, which offer up to 20x faster performance compared to other hosting providers. If blazing-fast performance is a priority for you, A2 Hosting is a top choice.

Here are some related web hosting comparison posts:

• HostArmada vs Bluehost
• WPX Hosting vs Bluehost

Transfer Tips: Migrating from Bluehost to Another Web Host

When migrating from Bluehost to another web host, it’s essential to be prepared and informed to ensure a smooth transition.

In this section, we’ll provide some tips on migration assistance and plugins, as well as researching and preparing for the migration.

With the right tools and knowledge, transitioning from Bluehost to your new web host will be a breeze.

Before migrating from Bluehost to another web host, it’s crucial to save your website files and export the database. This will ensure you have a backup of your data and allow you to easily transfer it to your new host.

Additionally, research the features and compatibility of your new host with Bluehost’s to guarantee a seamless transition. By taking these steps, you’ll be well-prepared for a successful migration to your new web hosting provider.

Migration Assistance and Plugins

There are several migration assistance options and plugins available to help you transfer from Bluehost to another web host.

These include the Site Migrator plugin provided by Bluehost, which generates a backup of your WordPress site and transfers it securely to your Bluehost account.

Other plugin options include All-in-One WP Migration, WP Migrate DB Pro, and WP Clone. By utilizing these tools, you can streamline the migration process and ensure a successful transition to your new web host.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop Bluehost from auto-renewal?

To stop the auto-renewal of your Bluehost subscription in 2023, simply access your account via the Bluehost control panel, go to the ‘Products’ tab, select ‘Do not renew’, and choose a reason for the cancellation.

Finally, click ‘Continue’ to save the updated renewal settings.

How do I close my Bluehost domain?

To close a domain registered with Bluehost, simply log into your account and select “Cancel” under the My Products section. The process is quick and easy, so your domain should be closed in no time.

Here are related web hosting cancellation posts:

• how to cancel SiteGround account

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, canceling your Bluehost account and finding a new web host can be a seamless process with the right guidance.

By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this how to cancel Bluehost guide, you can successfully cancel your Bluehost account, request a refund, and ensure the safety of your domain.

Furthermore, we’ve presented top Bluehost alternatives to help you find the perfect web hosting provider for your needs.

Take control of your web hosting situation and make an informed decision about your next host.

Remember to research and prepare for the migration, and utilize the available resources and tools to ensure a smooth transition.

With determination and the right information, you can find a web hosting provider that meets your requirements and helps your website thrive.

Here are some related posts that you might find helpful:

• what is DreamHost used for?
• what is SiteGround used for?
• what is Namecheap used for?
• what is Hostgator used for?