In a Nutshell
pros
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Complimentary templates
- Free domain for a year
cons
- Regular prices for renewals
- Priority support only available on higher-tier plans
SiteGround at a Glance
Simple Setup
Technical Features
Security Features
Customer Service
Servers
SiteGround at a Glance
What Is SiteGround?
SiteGround is a web hosting company that offers a range of solutions to optimize your online presence. It caters to both personal bloggers and business owners. Built on top-tier cloud infrastructure, it prioritizes security and speed. It also leverages Google's fast network and persistent solid-state drive (SSD) storage to ensure reliable site performance and redundancy.
SiteGround's hosting plans for WordPress users incorporate static and dynamic caching, enabling sites to load up to 5x faster. It utilizes advanced speed technologies, including Brotli compression, HTTP/2 protocol, TLS 1.3 encryption, and OCSP Stabling. Together, they enhance page load times and bolster site security. This provides a seamless user experience for your visitors.
SiteGround Features
Web Hosting
This versatile solution is suitable for various websites, from personal blogs to small business sites. It includes essential features such as free SSL certificates, daily backups, and a user-friendly control panel. SiteGround's Web Hosting plans also include Cloudflare CDN integration, which improves website speed and security.
WordPress Hosting
SiteGround's WordPress Hosting is an optimized solution for the world's most popular content management system, which powers 43.3% of all websites on the internet. It includes essential features like automatic updates, daily backups, and a WordPress starter plugin that simplifies the setup process.
Additionally, the WordPress Hosting plans come with free email accounts and a complimentary WordPress migration service, making it easy to get started or move your existing site to SiteGround.
WooCommerce Hosting
SiteGround's WooCommerce Hosting includes a free SSL certificate for secure transactions, a pre-installed WooCommerce plugin, and a dedicated IP address. It also provides access to the Optimizer plugin, which helps improve website speed and performance.
Website Building
SiteGround offers customers two user-friendly website-building options: Weebly and WordPress. Weebly, available for free, features a drag-and-drop interface that simplifies site design and layout customization without requiring coding knowledge. You can choose from pre-designed templates and integrate third-party apps to enhance your website's functionality.
The WordPress Starter wizard offers a tailored approach, guiding users through a gallery of industry-specific templates. It helps add essential features like contact forms, galleries, and SEO tools, with selected plugins automatically installed.
Email Marketing
SiteGround's Email Marketing feature helps you easily build, manage, and grow your subscribers' list. The user-friendly Lead Generation plugin for WordPress automatically adds leads to your account, thanks to seamless integrations with popular lead-gen plugins.
You can also import contacts from anywhere to ensure a centralized and organized subscriber management system. With a ready-to-go unsubscribe page, you can maintain a clean and engaged subscriber base while complying with best practices.
SiteGround Migrator
SiteGround's migrator feature is the easiest way to transfer your WordPress site to its platform. This free service, handled by experts, ensures a smooth transition without downtime. The migrator plugin automates the process, covering databases, email accounts, and custom configurations. While not suitable for local-host WordPress sites or full multisite installations, it's ideal for moving separate multisite blogs or existing WordPress sites.
ECommerce Solutions
The platform’s eCommerce solutions simplify setting up and running your online store. It offers free shopping cart installation and include a free SSL certificate to secure transactions and build customer trust. Plus the Daily Backups protect your store's data for added peace of mind.
Domain Management
The platform makes it easy to find the perfect domain for your business. It has popular extensions like .com, .net, and .org at great prices, with discounts for the first year. You can also choose from industry-specific extensions like .info and .biz, or country-specific ones such as .us and .co.uk.
Speed and Performance
SiteGround uses Google Cloud infrastructure, custom PHP versions, and MySQL databases to optimize site speed. This is a crucial component of how website speed affects visits and sales. Plus, fast-loading pages can also improve user experience and boost your SEO rankings.
Content Delivery Network (CDN) Support
The service offers free content delivery network (CDN) support. It caches worldwide web data in the cloud to deliver to your customers with much less latency. This means that no matter where your visitors are located, they can access your site quickly, which is a major advantage of CDNs.
Bandwidth and Storage
SiteGround provides complimentary unmetered bandwidth and SSD storage starting from 10GB. Unmetered bandwidth means your site's traffic is unlimited, which is crucial for growing websites.
The site also has tips for determining your website’s bandwidth requirements to help you understand your needs and ensure your site runs smoothly as it gets bigger.
Is SiteGround Safe and Reliable?
SiteGround offers a range of ways to protect your website from hackers, including:
- SSL certificates: Free Let's Encrypt SSL certificates encrypt the connection between your website and visitors' browsers, keeping transmitted data private.
- Custom firewall protection: SiteGround's hardware and software solutions filter online traffic and monitor incoming requests, protecting your site from common attacks like cross-site scripting (XSS).
- DDoS protection: Advanced firewalls limit the connections a remote host can create, ensuring your website remains accessible even during a DDoS attack.
Custom Web Application Firewall (WAF)
The platform maintains a WAF for which it constantly writes new security rules. Each year, it adds hundreds of custom rules that prevent various identified yet unresolved application vulnerabilities.
Malware and Virus Protection
SiteGround's malware and virus site scanner detects harmful software, helping prevent hacks and data theft. The platform also automatically handles security updates for WordPress core and plugins, so you don't have to worry about updating your protection plans manually.
Account Security and Data Privacy
SiteGround provides two-factor authentication (2FA) and your password to double your account protection. The company also complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) through its privacy policy and data processing agreement (DPA). These strategies ensure the protection and privacy of your personal data according to international regulations.
Additionally, the platform’s AI anti-bot system is trained to effectively block millions of security threats per day.
How SiteGround Works
SiteGround is a top-rated web hosting service for small businesses. It provides the hardware, software, and support needed to publish and maintain a website online. SiteGround stores your website's files on its servers, making your site accessible to anyone online.
Unlike many other web hosting providers, SiteGround doesn't measure your data transfer. Instead, it estimates that its lowest plan can accommodate approximately 10,000 monthly visitors before requiring an upgrade.
How to Get Started With SiteGround
To get started with SiteGround, follow these steps:
- Visit website: Visit the official SiteGround website.
- Choose a hosting plan: Select either Web, WordPress, or WooCommerce hosting. Click on “View Plans.”
- Choose a hosting plan within your category: “StartUp”, “GoBig”, or “GoGeek”.
- Select a domain name: You can enter a new domain name to register or use an existing one.
- Complete your order: Fill in your personal and payment details, then review your order.
- Confirm purchase: Click the 'Purchase Now' button and wait for your confirmation email.
- Access your dashboard: Once you have your confirmation, you can log in to your SiteGround account and access your dashboard.
SiteGround Customer Service
The company is well-known for being fast, friendly and helpful. This is confirmed by its 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot and satisfaction rates close to 100%. Siteground has multiple help channels, including:
Live Chat, Phone Support, and Ticketing System
SiteGround offers 24/7 live chat support, where representatives resolve over 90% of their inquiries. If you prefer phone support, the displayed number will vary based on your location. To identify yourself, you'll need to provide a one-time access code.
For complex problems, the ticketing system connects you with advanced technicians who respond within an average of 15 minutes.
Automated Solutions
SiteGround's automated solutions analyze your inquiries and provide quick solutions for previously resolved issues. You can easily find answers to common questions in the Help section on each page of the client interface, which displays relevant support articles.
The extensive Knowledge Base also offers helpful articles, FAQs, how-to guides, and troubleshooting instructions if you ever get stuck.
How to Cancel or Pause a SiteGround Subscription
Here’s how to cancel your subscription:
- Go to your “Client Area” and select “Services”, then “Hosting”.
- Click “Settings” next to the plan you want to cancel.
- Click the menu on the right and choose “Cancel.”
- Select when you want the cancellation to take effect and follow the steps.
Note: Canceling your account will delete all websites and data associated with it. Make sure to back up any critical information before confirming the cancellation. Other features, like domain names and related services, will remain active.
Is There a SiteGround App?
SiteGround doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app. However, it does offer a feature called the App Installer in its Site Tools. This feature lets you set up a site and get it live in just a few minutes. You can install as many applications as you like on your account anytime.
To install an application:
- Access the App Installer from the Site Tools for your domain name.
- Look for the installer under the Devs section on the left side of Site Tools.
- Choose the desired app from the drop-down menu in the App Installer.
- Fill in the Application Setup and Admin Info details.
- Click "Install."
SiteGround also released a stand-alone Webmail application that allows you to change your passwords and set up different email automations.
How Much Does SiteGround Cost?
Web Hosting, WordPress, and WooCommerce
Cost Per Month
$3.99/month
$6.69/month
$10.69/month
Webpages
1
Unlimited
Unlimited
GB Web Space
10 GB
20 GB
40 GB
Monthly Visits
10,000
100,000
400,000
Domain
Free
Free
Free
SSL Daily Backup
Free
Free
Free
CDN
Free
Free
Free
Free
Free
Free
Email Migrator
Free
Free
Free
Enhanced Security
Yes
Yes
Yes
On-Demand Backup Copies
-
Yes
Yes
ECommerce Enabled
Yes
Yes
Yes
WordPress
Managed
Managed
Managed
30% Faster PHP
-
Yes
Yes
Staging
-
Yes
Yes
White-Label Clients
-
-
Yes
Free Private DNS
-
-
Yes
Highest Tier of Resources
-
-
Yes
Priority Support
-
-
Yes
Note: All prices exclude VAT
Cloud Hosting
Cost Per Month
$100/month
$200/month
$300/month
$400/month
CPU Cores
4
8
12
16
Memory
8GB
12GB
16GB
20GB
SSD Space
40GB
80GB
120GB
160GB
Data Transfer
5TB
5TB
5TB
5TB
Note: All prices exclude VAT
With Cloud Hosting, you can customize your price package based on the CPU, Memory, and SSD Space. Select your plan (Jump Start, Business, Business Plan, Super Power) and adjust the feature amount to find the perfect cloud solution for your business.
What Can You Do With SiteGround for Free?
With SiteGround, you get free email services to create professional contact addresses at no extra cost. The platform also offers free automated site migration to help you transfer your website to its platform.
For most hosting packages, SiteGround includes a free domain for your first year, a valuable way to save money when starting. Plus, it gives you complimentary access to the Weebly site builder. This makes creating and customizing your website easy without needing advanced technical skills.
Finally, SiteGround offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can try the services risk-free and get a full refund if you're unsatisfied within the first month.
Bottom Line
One reason to create custom email addresses is to enhance your professional image and brand. Luckily, SiteGround offers this service free of charge. Additionally, it handles all the technical aspects of running your website, including speed, daily backups, uptime, and WordPress updates. Your daily backups are also automatically saved, and up to 30 copies of your account are kept. This provides a quick way to resolve common website issues.