In case you are wondering – yes, Bluehost does allow CGI script usage in their shared hosting account. As long as the scripts are not harmful to the web servers (scripts used for spamming, buggy codes that eat up server resources), Bluehost implement no limitation at all on their users CGI scripts.

Introducing CGI

CGI is the short form of Common Gateway Interface (CGI). It refers to a standard protocol that’s used for connecting external application software with computer servers (more often, a web server).

In most of the time, a CGI folder is created at the root folder of all hosting account. This folder is used to hold executable CGI applications. Essentially, CGI is the interface between a form on a web page and the web server.

A CGI application normally works in real time and is often used to output dynamic web information.

Why use CGI?

What’s good about CGI is that it ensure your program is run from the server side. Unlike usual browser based scripting like Java, JavaScripts, and ActiveX, a program using CGI ensures all users are able to use your program.

In case you wish to learn more about CGI, read Common Gateway Interface at W3.org.

As you can see, the design’s pretty clean and simple. Account status and stats are shown on your left and the cPanel features are listed in icon mode in the center. You should notice that there’s a column for promotional item (which you don’t see with some other web hosting company) in the mid – that’s where BlueHost list their promotional item for their customers.

Such promotions include free HTML editor tools, free Box Art web template, and most of all, free $50 credit with Yahoo Search Services and Google Adwords plus free $75 credit with Microsoft adCenter!

Isn’t that great? The total value of the promotional gifts worth even more than the money you pay them for one year web hosting!