Netfirms is a web hosting service provided solely for small business users. Its hosting packages are scaled down in comparison to the other web hosting services in our lineup, but the service possesses a handful of standout qualities that make it worth a look.

Netfirms’ hosting packages are sparse, but the capabilities included are notable. For instance, unlimited disk space and monthly bandwidth comes standard in all of its hosting plans. They also include unlimited email addresses. What the service lacks in its hosting plans is unlimited domains and MySQL databases. In fact, the most domains the largest package allows you to host under your account is five.

When it comes to features, Netfirms is very much a mixed bag, offering many useful features but confusingly lacking others that come standard with other hosting providers. A web-based control panel allows you to manage your site from any connection, and an integrated site builder allows you to design a site from scratch. Be aware, though, that the builder is drag-and-drop and its total functionality is limited. Other features the web hosting service has include advertising credits, to help promote your website, and one-click app installs. The latter refers to applications, such as popular blogging platforms, that can easily be installed on your website in a single click.

Netfirms also provides decent email capabilities and advanced features. In addition to unlimited mailboxes, the web hosting service provides spam filters to keep junk mail out of your inbox. A cron job editor allows you to tailor cron jobs – or specific server tasks, like downloading email – to occur automatically. The web hosting provider surprisingly does not provide an SSL certificate except on its highest priced plan, nor does it include a stats application. Access to site statistics would be useful because it would provide insight into how your site is performing once it’s live online.

For the most part, Netfirms is easy to use. We didn’t have any issue creating and publishing a website, though this is due in large part to the elementary site builder. We did find the interface of the control panel somewhat bulky and consequently hard to navigate at times.

If you do run into any issues, Netfirm provides decent help and support in the form of online resources and one-on-one technical assistance. You can talk directly to a support rep via telephone or open a support ticket for troubleshooting help. The Netfirms help center also provides access to a knowledgebase that you can search by keyword and a user guide with tips for using your account. The web hosting service also provides a few text tutorials; we would have liked to see more tutorials, specifically video tutorials.