Trusted by over 2.9 million websites, SiteGround is one of the most popular hosting providers on the planet. It offers shared hosting, WordPress hosting, cloud hosting, and dedicated servers. Additionally, it gives users access to a wide range of features, such as unlimited email accounts, free SSL certificates, and free site migrations.
However, like any hosting provider, SiteGround has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we’ll explore both sides of the coin so you can decide if SiteGround is the right hosting provider for you.
Advantages
Good Performance
Performance is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a hosting provider. No one wants their website to run slowly, or worse, crash. Fortunately, SiteGround is known for its good performance. In fact, it’s one of the few hosting providers that actually guarantees 99.99% uptime.
Additionally, SiteGround uses cutting-edge technologies, such as SSD storage, NGINX web server, and PHP 7 to ensure that your website loads quickly. It has a built-in caching system called SuperCacher that can further improve your site speed.
Security
SiteGround takes security seriously. It offers a number of features to help keep your website safe, such as daily backups, free SSL certificates, and malware scanning.
This hosting uses WAF (Web Application Firewall) that blocks common attacks, such as brute force and SQL injection. In addition, it has a strict policy against spam and abusive behavior.
Above-Average Load Time
According to Google, 53% of mobile users will abandon a website that takes longer than three seconds to load.
That’s why it’s important to choose a hosting provider that can deliver fast load times. SiteGround is one of the faster providers out there. Its average load time is estimated to be 407 ms.
Remember, even if you do all you can to increase the speed of your site such as using a CDN, reducing the size of your images, and minifying your code, you won’t be able to overcome a slow hosting provider.
Therefore, if speed is important to you, SiteGround is a good option. If you find that this hosting isn’t quite fast enough for you, you can find a Siteground alternative that offers even faster load times.
Customer Support
On the Siteground site, there is a comprehensive knowledge base that contains articles and tutorials on how to use the various features of SiteGround.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the knowledge base, you can contact customer support via live chat, phone, or email. The support team is available 24/7 and can help you with technical, billing, and sales issues.
Free WordPress Migration
WordPress migration is one of the most common reasons people contact customer support. Fortunately, SiteGround makes it easy to migrate your WordPress site to its servers.
All you need to do is install the SG Migrator plugin and then follow the instructions on how to use it. The whole process can be done in a few clicks and only takes a few minutes. also, you can migrate as many WordPress sites as you want.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If you are on a shared hosting plan, you can cancel your account and get a full refund within 30 days of signing up.
This is a great way to try out SiteGround risk-free. If you don’t like it, you can always switch to another web hosting provider.
Disadvantages
Higher Renewal Rates
Although SiteGround’s initial prices are very competitive, the renewal rates are higher than average. The company does offer a discount if you pay for multiple years in advance, but even then, the rates are still higher than most other hosting providers.
For instance, the introductory price can be $2.99/month, but the renewal price can jump up to $14.95/month.
Additionally, the renewal prices for some of the higher-end plans such as the Cloud and Dedicated plans go up to $39.99/month
Upsells
SiteGround is known for its aggressive upselling. When you sign up for an account, you will be bombarded with offers for additional services, such as malware removal and site backups.
While some of these services are useful, they can also be found for free elsewhere. It can be frustrating to try to navigate the SiteGround site when you’re constantly being offered additional services.
Conclusion
SiteGround is a good option for those who are looking for a fast and reliable hosting provider. It offers a number of features to help you improve the speed and security of your website. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro, SiteGround can offer you the tools you need to create a successful website.
However, this hosting doesn’t come without its fair share of drawbacks. The renewal rates are higher than average, and you will be bombarded with upsells when you sign up for an account.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use SiteGround should come down to your specific needs and budget. There are a few other factors you should keep in mind, such as the type of site you are building and your level of expertise.
Once you have considered all of these factors, you can then decide if SiteGround is the right hosting provider for you. If not, there are plenty of other options out there to choose from.