SiteGround Review: The best affordable WordPress website hosting for ✍️ blog

As a company offering comprehensive business solutions, including website design and maintenance, we utilize SiteGround’s hosting services on a daily basis. Therefore, we decided to write this SiteGround Review to help our business partners understand why we recommend for blog a wordpress hosting SiteGround.

We operate on SiteGround’s shared and cloud hosting plans, which are tailored to suit various business types, including blogs.

Our hands-on experience with SiteGround has given us a deep understanding of its features and functionalities. We find particular value in several aspects of their offerings, including their user-friendly interface and their ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the digital landscape.

Whether you’re running a personal blog or a full-fledged online business, SiteGround continues to be a reliable hosting partner.

In an increasingly digital world, the importance of a reliable web host can’t be overstated. Whether you’re a blogger, a small business owner, or managing a large enterprise, the right web host is instrumental in delivering a seamless online experience.

Nevertheless, let me use this SiteGround review to introduce you to one of the most popular website hosting provider that has made a name for itself through a commitment to quality, performance, and user-friendliness.

But is SiteGround the right fit for your hosting needs? In the next “few” paragraphs of this SiteGround review, I delve into what it brings to the table.

Key Takeaways from this SiteGround review

• SiteGround is a leading web hosting company offering cutting-edge technology, reliable performance, and excellent customer service.
• It provides robust security features, high availability, and fast site speeds through partnerships with Google Cloud Hosting, Content Delivery Network (CDN), caching technologies & more.
• SiteGround offers comprehensive customer support resources plus popular platform installations & website builders. One of the standout features is their innovative AI chat support providing instant, accurate responses to user queries, significantly reducing response times and improving overall customer experience.
• Dedicated WordPress hosting is the best option, especially for those who want to start a blog and monetize it.
• SiteGround provides not only WordPress hosting but also shared web hosting, hosting optimized for WooCommerce, cloud hosting, and reseller hosting.

SiteGround Pros and Cons

We found SiteGround to be fast and reliable.

Pros:

• Speedy servers powered by Google Cloud
• Excellent customer support
• 1-click WordPress install
• WordPress two factor authentication (2FA)
• Free SSL certificate, CDN, and website backups
• WordPress staging tools
• Free website migration

Cons:

• A bit more expensive than other hosting options

A reputable WordPress hosting provider optimized for speed is a key strategy.

Your website’s speed shapes the user experience and can also detrimentally impact your site’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Users might abandon a sluggish website before it fully loads.

Referencing a case study involving major players like Amazon and Google, a mere 1-second delay in website speed can lead to a 7% reduction in conversions. If the delay extends to 3 seconds, you could witness a staggering 50% loss in traffic.

In addition, search engines such as Google penalize slower websites by relegating them in search results.

In essence, sluggish sites garner less traffic, whereas a swift WordPress website contributes to increased traffic, subscribers, and revenue.

Keep reading to find out more about their services, or check the offer directly on SiteGround.

4 Compelling Reasons to Get Hosting from SiteGround

1. Exceptional Performance and Dependability: SiteGround stands out for its remarkable performance and reliability. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategically positioned data centers worldwide, SiteGround ensures rapid loading times and optimal website functionality.

   This reliability is crucial for providing users with a seamless online experience, ultimately contributing to higher satisfaction and improved search engine rankings.

2. Exceptional Customer Support: SiteGround takes pride in its outstanding customer support, available 24/7. The support team is renowned for its expertise and responsiveness, catering to both beginners and experienced users.SiteGround’s commitment to exceptional customer service sets it apart in the hosting industry, ensuring that users receive timely and effective assistance with any hosting-related issues.

   To even further improve the support, SiteGround implemented an Artificial Intelligence Chat to instantly answer common questions and solve problems for better customer experience.

3. Advanced Security Measures, Including WordPress Two-Factor Authentication: Security is a top priority for SiteGround, evident in its comprehensive measures, which now include WordPress Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).This additional layer of security enhances protection against unauthorized access.

   Coupled with daily backups, proactive monitoring, and a robust in-house firewall system, SiteGround’s commitment to security helps safeguard your website and protect sensitive user data.

4. User-Friendly Interface and Tools: SiteGround provides a user-friendly interface, making it effortless for both novices and seasoned users to manage their hosting accounts. The hosting platform features tools like Site Tools for intuitive website management.

   With the inclusion of Site Tools, SiteGround’s user-friendly experience simplifies essential tasks such as installing applications, managing email accounts, and monitoring website performance.

   This streamlined approach enhances efficiency, allowing users to focus on their content and business without grappling with complex hosting configurations.

Table of Contents

1. What are website hosting services?
2. SiteGround Overview and History
3. Key Features of SiteGround Website Hosting
   • SiteGround’s Security Features – Your safest hosting server
   • Performance Enhancements – SiteGround Optimizer and more
   • User-Friendly Interface – SiteGround Site Tools
4. SiteGround Hosting Types and Plans
5. Comparing SiteGround Plans
   • WordPress hosting
6. SiteGround Performance Evaluation
   • Details on Evaluating SiteGround’s Performance
   • Performance Brief Summary
   • SiteGround’s Entry-Level Plan Performance
7. SiteGround Customer Support and Resources
8. Additional SiteGround Features
   • WordPress Website Migration with SiteGround Tool
   • WordPress staging tool
9. SiteGround Pricing and Renewal Costs for Hosting Packages
10. SiteGround Alternatives and Competitors
11. SiteGround Review Summary
12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Website Hosting and SiteGround

What are website hosting services?

Let’s start with definitions. Web hosts are the backbone of your online presence, serving as the virtual space where your website resides and becomes accessible to users on the internet. In simpler terms, it’s like renting a plot of land to build your digital home.

The key aspects:

1. Storage and Space:Website hosting provides you with storage space for all your website files, including images, text, videos, and more. Think of it as the digital warehouse where your site’s content is stored.
2. Accessibility:These services make your website accessible to anyone with an internet connection. When someone types your domain name into their browser, the hosting service delivers the content, making your site viewable worldwide.
3. Server Technology:Your website is hosted on servers, which are powerful computers designed to handle the demands of serving web pages. Hosting companies offer various server types, from shared hosting (like sharing an apartment) to dedicated hosting (having your own house), depending on your needs.
4. Domain Management:Many hosting companies also handle domain registration. Your domain is your web address (e.g., www.your-website.com), and hosting solutions often allow you to manage this directly through the type of site tools for convenience.
5. Bandwidth and Traffic:Website Hosting solutions also manage the bandwidth and traffic to your site. Bandwidth is the amount of data transferred when people visit your site. Hosting plans typically come with a specified amount of bandwidth, and exceeding it may result in additional charges or temporary site unavailability.
6. Subjectively:Choosing the right hosting service is crucial. It’s like picking the right neighborhood for your home. You want a reliable, secure, and fast provider that aligns with your website’s needs.Consider these factors: server speed, customer support, scalability, and additional features like site tools to manage backups, security, and easy one-click installations for content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress.

In Conclusion:

In essence, the best web hosting services are the digital landlords for your online property. They provide the infrastructure, technology, and support necessary to ensure your website is not only visible but also performs well.

As there are many hosting providers, your choice of hosting service can significantly impact your site’s success, so it’s worth exploring the options to find the one that suits your needs and goals.

SiteGround Founded In Sofia Bulgaria 2004

SiteGround Overview and History

SiteGround, established in 2004, has risen from its humble beginnings in Sofia, Bulgaria to become a leading player in the website hosting market. Today, it proudly hosts over 3,000,000 domains worldwide, a testament to its substantial growth and popularity in the web hosting market.

SiteGround distinguishes itself from other hosting companies through its steadfast commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology, such as SiteGround’s cloud hosting. By leveraging Google Cloud infrastructure, SiteGround ensures a reliable and fast hosting experience for users. This commitment to performance and technology has won them a loyal customer base, ranging from small to large businesses.

One of the trademarks of SiteGround is its remarkable customer service. Their skilled support team is always ready to assist, enhancing the overall user experience and making SiteGround a dependable option for those in need of reliable web hosting services.

Furthermore, they’ve taken a step further in customer service by integrating an AI chat feature into their user panel to assist customers. This innovative feature is designed to provide immediate, automated suggestions based on the problem or question entered into the support field.

The AI tool helps to streamline the siteground support process, providing faster solutions and reducing the time customers spend waiting for assistance. It’s a testament to SiteGround’s commitment to continuously improving the user experience and harnessing technology to provide better SiteGround’s customer service.

Yet, SiteGround may not cater to the needs of all users. While it’s a great option for those who prioritize speed, self managed hosting, free SSL, eco-consciousness, and clear limitations on storage and site visitors, individuals looking for VPS hosting, a free domain upon sign-up, or cost-effective plans with ample web space may find a competitor more suitable.

Nevertheless, for our business partners, it’s a well-fitted solution. The robustness and flexibility of SiteGround’s WordPress website hosting have proven to be a perfect match for our partners’ diverse needs when it comes to web hosting solutions.

Key Features of SiteGround Website Hosting

SiteGround offers a plethora of features designed to deliver a superior hosting experience. From robust security measures to performance enhancements to a user-friendly interface, SiteGround ensures that managing your website is as smooth and hassle-free as possible.

• Free domain name? No
• Free SSL? Yes
• Money-back guarantee: 30 days
• Uptime guarantee: 99.9%
• Managed hosting features? Yes
• Data centers: 4 in the US, 5 in Europe, 1 in Asia, and 1 in Australia
• WordPress Two Factors Authentication (2FA): Yes
• WordPress Staging Tool: Yes

SiteGround Security Features

SiteGround’s Security Features – Your safest hosting server

These days security is a top priority in the realm of website hosting. SiteGround takes this seriously, employing a variety of security strategies to protect websites hosted on their platform.

Some of the security options provided by SiteGround include:

• A free SSL certificate for all users
• Premium SSL certificate option for enhanced security
• Simplified installation process with a 1-click option
• Automatic issuing and renewal of SSL certificates

These security measures ensure that your website is protected and your data is secure.

But that’s not all. SiteGround takes a proactive approach to website backups. They conduct daily backups, ensuring that your data is safe and can be easily restored in case of any mishaps.

SiteGround also offers proprietary security tools to enhance website protection. Their in-house team of security experts actively monitor for vulnerabilities, ensuring your site remains safe from potential threats.

Additionally, SiteGround strengthens security by isolating sites from potential threats on shared servers and providing password protection for URLs. These robust security measures make SiteGround a reliable choice for web hosting.

Every WordPress account that you set up with SiteGround comes with an extra layer of protection, thanks to SiteGround’s very own security plugin, SG Security. This plugin is a major perk for SiteGround’s WordPress hosting customers.

Today, a free SSL certificate is a must, but there is another feature that not many hosting providers offer. With the SG Security plugin, you can enjoy enhanced site security features like hiding your WordPress version and implementing two-step verification for logins.

Two Factor Authentication

It also provides access to a page named ‘Post-hack Actions’, which lets you perform actions like reinstalling all your free plugins to ensure that no hacker has tampered with any codebases.

What our customers find quite impressive is that SiteGround web hosting offers not just one but two proprietary plugins for WordPress with all its hosting plans. While many hosts have developed their own plugins, only a few offer them at the lowest price so that all users can benefit from them.

In this regard, SiteGround seems to have gone the extra mile, and I must say I appreciate their effort.

 

Pro TIP: The SiteGround Security Plugin is truly impressive. Check out the options below and see for yourself.

SiteGround Security Panel Screenshot

 

• Custom Login URL (Recommended)
  Attackers frequently attempt to exploit /wp-admin, the default login URL for WordPress. Changing it can help you avoid these attacks and give you a login URL that’s easier to remember.
• Configure Login Access
  By default, anyone can access your WordPress login from any IP. You can use this feature to restrict login access to specific IPs or ranges of IPs to prevent brute-force attacks or malicious login attempts.
• Two-factor Authentication for Admin & Editors Users (THIS SHOULD BE MANDATORY)
  Two-factor authentication requires admin users to provide a token generated from the Google Authenticator application to log in.If a user loses access to their Authenticator app and can’t log in to get their backup codes, click in the admin panel to reset their 2-factor authentication.
• Disable Common Usernames
  Using common usernames like ‘admin’ can pose a security threat and often results in unauthorized access. By enabling this option, SiteGround will prevent the creation of common usernames. If you already have one or more users with a weak username, they will ask you to provide a new one(s).
• Limit Login Attempts (Recommended)
  Limit the number of times a user can attempt to log in to your wp-admin with incorrect credentials. Once the login attempt limit is reached, the IP from which the attempts originated will be blocked for 1 hour initially. If the attempts continue after the first hour, the limit will then be triggered for 24 hours and then for 7 days.Let me warn you about this option. Cybercriminals can block your login by using this feature. But, as we professionally manage servers and networks, we have some solutions to that. 

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SOLUTION for login limited by too many attempts: if you have a Limit Login Attempts enabled, and you are the only administrator of your CMS, and someone tries using your admin login with your IP address spoofed to brute force the panel, then he will block you for good.

 

To help you bypass this, you will need a good, trustworthy VPN service. We use PureVPN daily and have a special offer for our business partners and now for you as well if you haven’t joined us yet.

 

You can test PureVPN for free using this link.

I recommend reading also Why do you need a VPN for your business?

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For me, SG Security plugin is a game changer when you think about the security of your business and your customers or readers. Remember that your visitors’ data require sufficient protection, and with this plugin, it’s possible for free.

 

SiteGround Optimizer Caching

Performance Enhancements – SiteGround Optimizer and more

SiteGround not only places high emphasis on security but also focuses on improving performance. SiteGround has partnered with Google Cloud hosting, known for its speed and reliability, to deliver high availability and lightning-fast site speeds.

However, it’s important to note that this option may come at a higher cost compared to traditional shared web hosting.

In addition to partnering with Google Cloud, SiteGround has developed an in-house Content Delivery Network (CDN). The CDN ensures that there is a copy of your website on a server closer to the user, reducing the time it takes for your website to load.

SiteGround incorporates advanced caching technologies to enhance the speed of your site. They apply both static and dynamic caching to ensure swift page loading times. In addition, SiteGround provides the SG Optimizer, a WordPress plugin that is equipped with a variety of tools for caching, resource minification, and media optimizations.

To elaborate, static caching involves storing a pre-rendered HTML version of your web pages, which can be served to users instantly, bypassing the need for any server-side processing. This is particularly useful for pages that don’t change frequently and can significantly speed up your website.

Dynamic caching, on the other hand, is a more sophisticated form of caching that involves storing parts of your page that change more frequently. This means that even if a user is logged in or there are dynamic elements on the page, like a shopping cart, these can still be served quickly from the cache.

The SG Optimizer plugin takes this even further by providing additional tools for optimizing your website’s resources. It can minify your CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files, which means it removes any unnecessary characters from these files without changing their functionality.

A number of files and their size optimization can significantly improve the speed of your website.

Furthermore, the SG Optimizer plugin provides image optimization features. It can compress your images without compromising their quality, ensuring your site remains visually appealing while improving load times.

This feature is especially beneficial for websites with numerous high-resolution images that can potentially slow down your site. By optimizing your images, your site becomes faster, providing a better user experience and potentially improving your search engine rankings.

These performance enhancements demonstrate SiteGround’s commitment to providing a smooth and fast website experience for all users.

 

Pro TIP: We love performance enhancements offered by SG Optimizer because they remove lots of headaches and make our business partners very happy.

 

It’s beyond this SiteGround Review, but you can also check how fast you can get your posts indexed if you follow SEO principles. We tested Surfer SEO, SiteGround WordPress hosting, DIVI Theme, and AIOSEO plugin to find out how fast a blog post can be indexed.

You will be astonished by the results. (COMMING SOON so bookmark this address)

 

SiteGround Site Tools

User-Friendly Interface – SiteGround Site Tools

Recognizing that not everyone is tech-savvy, the SiteGround team has carefully crafted a user-friendly interface. In 2020, SiteGround introduced their hosting control panel called Site Tools, replacing the traditional cPanel.

Site Tools were designed with an emphasis on ease of use, featuring a straightforward dashboard and a sidebar menu for quick access to various website management features.

Site:

• File Manager: Allows you to manage and manipulate your website files directly through a web-based interface.
• FTP Accounts: Enables you to create and manage FTP (File Transfer Protocol) accounts, which are often used for transferring files between your computer and the server.
• MySQL: Provides tools for managing MySQL databases, including creating, modifying, and deleting databases, as well as managing database users.
• PostgreSQL: Similar to MySQL but specifically for managing PostgreSQL databases, a different type of relational database.

Security:

• Backups: Allows you to create and manage backups of your website. Regular backups are crucial for data recovery in case of unexpected issues.
• SSL Manager: Manages SSL certificates for securing your website with HTTPS, encrypting data between the user’s browser and your server.
• HTTPS Enforce: Forces the use of HTTPS on your website, ensuring a secure connection.
• Protected URLs: Lets you restrict access to specific URLs or directories with a password.
• Blocked Traffic: Tools for managing and blocking unwanted or malicious traffic to your website.
• Site Scanner: A security feature that scans your website for potential vulnerabilities, malware, and other security threats.

Speed:

• Caching: Manages caching settings to improve website performance by storing frequently accessed data for quicker retrieval.
• CDN (Content Delivery Network): Integrates with a CDN service to distribute your website’s static content across multiple servers worldwide, reducing loading times for users.

WordPress:

• Install & Manage: Tools for installing and managing WordPress installations on your hosting account.
• Staging: Creates a staging environment where you can test changes to your WordPress site before applying them to the live version.
• Migrator: Assists in migrating your WordPress website from one location to another.
• Autoupdate: Manages automatic updates for your WordPress installation.
• Search & Replace: This allows you to search and replace specific content across your WordPress site.

Domain:

• Parked Domains: Lets you point additional domain names to your existing website.
• Subdomains: Creates and manages subdomains, which are extensions of your main domain.
• Redirects: Sets up URL redirects to direct traffic from one URL to another.
• DNS Zone Editor: Provides tools for editing the DNS (Domain Name System) settings for your domain.

Email:

• Accounts: Manages email accounts associated with your domain.
• Forwarders: Sets up email forwarding to redirect emails from one address to another.
• Autoresponders: Configures automatic email responses for specific email accounts.
• Filters: Manages email filters for organizing and sorting incoming emails.
• Authentication: Configures email authentication settings to enhance email deliverability.
• Spam Protection: Tools for managing and configuring spam protection for your email accounts.
• Email Migrator: Assists in migrating email accounts from one service to another.

Statistics:

• Traffic: Provides information about the traffic your website receives, including visitor data.
• Error Log: Logs errors that occur on your website for troubleshooting purposes.
• Access Log: Keeps a record of all requests made to your website, including details about each request.

Devs:

• Git: Integrates with Git version control for managing and tracking changes to your website’s code.
• Cron Jobs: Allows you to schedule automated tasks or scripts to run at specified intervals.
• PHP Manager: Manages PHP settings and configurations for your website.
• SSH Keys Manager: Manages SSH (Secure Shell) keys for secure access to your hosting account.
• App Installer: Provides tools for installing and managing various web applications and scripts.

The decision to move away from cPanel was driven by an increase in licensing fees. Rather than passing these costs onto customers, SiteGround developed an advanced and user-friendly web hosting control panel that caters to both beginners and advanced users while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

SiteGround’s user-minded platform simplifies web hosting management, making it an ideal solution for beginners and a reliable web host. The Site Tools dashboard offers features such as SSL Manager, Backups, and Site Scanner, all integrated into an intuitive control panel.

These features make SiteGround a great choice for those new to website management, simplifying the process without compromising on functionality.

SiteGround Hosting Types and Plans

SiteGround Hosting Types and Plans

The variety of web host types offered by SiteGround showcases its versatility. Whether you’re a small business owner, a blogger, or running an e-commerce platform, SiteGround has a plan tailored to your needs.

SiteGround’s shared hosting and WordPress hosting plans are a great starting point for many users. These plans offer a range of features, including free SSL certificates, CDN, 1-click WordPress installation, daily backups, and built-in security features.

These plans are especially optimized for WordPress, offering in-house security and performance enhancements, as well as seamless WordPress website setup and migration.

For those who need more, SiteGround offers cloud hosting options, all powered by Google’s C2 cloud technology. The entry-level cloud hosting plan includes four CPU cores, 8GB of RAM, and 40GB of storage.

This makes SiteGround’s cloud hosting a viable upgrade for those who’ve outgrown their shared hosting services. For businesses requiring greater capability, SiteGround offers an enhanced cloud platform called Enterprise hosting.

Lastly, for those interested in venturing into the hosting industry, SiteGround offers reseller hosting. Starting at $4.99 per month, SiteGround’s reseller hosting is a budget-friendly option that allows individuals to offer website hosting to their own clients without the hassle of managing their own hosting infrastructure.

Comparing SiteGround Plans

Selecting an appropriate hosting plan can often be overwhelming. To make this easier, let’s compare SiteGround’s hosting plans in terms of features, storage, and pricing.

SiteGround is often considered among the more expensive options in the budget hosting providers sector, but upon closer examination, this perception may need reconsideration.

Similar to many other hosting providers, SiteGround’s pricing structure offers significant savings for those who commit to longer-term agreements. Opting for a 36-month plan can result in substantial cost reductions.

Conversely, choosing, for example, shared hosting in a one-month plan may lead to a monthly fee that is ten times higher than a yearly contract. Therefore, it’s essential to note that renewal fees can vary, ranging from 4 to 7 times the initial 12-month cost, depending on your selected plan.

Drawing from personal experience with the entry-level shared hosting Startup plan, SiteGround proves to deliver excellent value for money. The plan provides ample resources suitable for the average small business or personal website. Moreover, as you scale up your plan, SiteGround continues to enhance its offerings.

For some people, the lack of free domain might be a disadvantage, but in general, we discuss cheap domains that cost around $15/year. Is it a big deal? You must assess this by yourself.

In summary, especially during the initial years, SiteGround’s pricing is competitive, providing commendable overall value. It’s advisable to carefully consider the renewal fees, and SiteGround further instills confidence by offering a 30-day money-back guarantee. This ensures that if you find the service unsatisfactory within the first month, you can opt-out without any financial loss.

SiteGround WordPress Hosting

WordPress hosting

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SiteGround’s managed WordPress hosting stands out from standard shared hosting plans and even offers dedicated hosting options.

It provides:

• Enhanced performance
• Automatic WordPress updates
• Daily backups
• Advanced security
• WordPress-specific support team
• 30 Day money back guarantee

Plus, SiteGround handles Content Management System (CMS) updates and maintenance, alleviating security concerns for users.

SiteGround, a reliable web hosting company, offers three hosting service plans:

1. StartUp plan: allows hosting for one website
2. GrowBig plan: permits hosting for multiple websites
3. GoGeek plan: offers additional features and resources compared to the other plans

Price-wise, SiteGround’s shared hosting plans start at $2.99 per month. WordPress hosting is priced the same as their shared hosting plans, offering advanced WordPress features at no additional cost.

Click this link to compare all SiteGround plans
You can change your location at the bottom of the page to find prices for your location.

SiteGround Performance

SiteGround Performance Evaluation

 

Pro TIP: Before we dive into the speed topic, you must understand that there are many factors that impact server performance, and it’s very difficult to compare even two servers on different networks.

 

This would require a laboratory controlled environment to measure timings properly. Therefore, any performance reviews are mainly assessments that can’t always be compared 1:1.

 

Even though, we used a test site, I want to remind you that daily we use this hosting service and we can only recommend it.

 

Nevertheless, let’s get back to the performance review.

 

Details on Evaluating SiteGround’s Performance

Pro TIP: Even for older and well-established web hosts, SiteGround continues to achieve impressive results. For this performance test, we used a test site.

Now, in this SiteGround Review chapter, we will assess the performance of web host. For this purpose, performance has been assessed through speed tests and uptime monitoring, showing consistently impressive results with loading times mostly below recommended speeds and 100% uptime reported by UptimeRobot.

Performance Brief Summary

In terms of speed, WordPress hosting SiteGround test site typically demonstrated:

• a fully loaded time of around 1 second.
  (Do you remember my Pro TIP explaining issues with speed tests being impacted by many factors? Small fluctuations are expected.)
• in multiple measurements achieving 90%-100% A grades from GTmetrix
• excelling in the Bitcatcha test (A+), particularly in the United States, where the server’s response time was extremely fast.

During stress tests, SiteGround demonstrated reliability with stable server speed under load. The uptime score, as measured by UptimeRobot, was a perfect 100%, with just 6 minutes of downtime over nearly two months. It exceeded the promised uptime of 99.9%.

These results are achieved through several strategies. SiteGround has bolstered its performance through the utilization of:

• Google Cloud server infrastructure, allowing users to modify server locations
  (You can choose a location that is the closest to your target audience)
• Ultrafast PHP
• Developing the custom optimization WordPress plugin SG Optimizer

SiteGround’s Entry-Level Plan Performance

SiteGround’s entry-level plan received a solid ‘A’ rating from GTmetrix, with loading times mostly below recommended speeds. UptimeRobot also reported 100% uptime for our test site throughout the testing period.

SiteGround GTmetrix Test Results

GTmetrix Performance

A week of tests with GTmetrix displayed some variance, but overall, the performance was good.

Our WordPress test site performed well over the testing period, with fully loaded times mostly within 1 second, which is considered as a good score.

UptimeRobot Score

SiteGround delivered another solid 100% uptime score, according to UptimeRobot.

We recommend SiteGround as a hosting company for business partners and readers who want to start for the first time because of the security and uptime.

When it comes to uptime, SiteGround offers the standard 99.9% guarantee. However, what we noticed throughout the years exceeded our expectations. Not only shared but also cloud hosting plans consistently reported a 100% uptime score, with no incidents or events to report. SiteGround kept the engines cranking nonstop.

SiteGround k6 Load Impact Performance Test

k6 Load Impact

This test indicates that SiteGround is an excellent option for those seeking a highly responsive website. It demonstrated consistent performance throughout the test, operating smoothly with an average response time of 126 milliseconds.

This is partly because of some of the innovations they use. For example, most of the SiteGround servers are hosted on the Google Cloud Platform, and we used custom plugin from SiteGround for optimization – SG Optimizer.

Here are two more test results from Pingdom and Bitcatcha.

SiteGround Pingdom Test Result

SiteGround Bitcatcha Test Results

 

Pro TIP: Right now I must explain that the test results rely also on the quality of the used theme and content, for example pictures. For testing we didn’t use webp images but compressed JPG and PNG which load slower as you can see on the last test.

 

Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) is one of images that were not optimized. We didn’t want to make test results look unrealistic. Therefore, we didn’t change it.

 

Honestly, it might be a bit surprising because typically, older hosting services tend to show signs of wear and tear. Whether it’s slower tech, outdated dashboards, or a decline in customer service.

However, SiteGround pleasantly surprised all of us by maintaining top-notch performance without compromise with high security standards including free SSL certificate, free security plugin with two factor authentication, and more.

SiteGround Support Team

SiteGround Customer Support and Resources

Next, we will examine the customer support provided by SiteGround. SiteGround provides comprehensive customer support options, including live chat, phone support, and help desk tickets, all of which are accessible 24/7.

SiteGround’s customer support team is highly rated, with over 92% (14,500 reviews) of customers rating them as ‘excellent’ on TrustPilot, and a claimed 97.7% customer satisfaction rate in previous years. The efficiency and responsiveness of SiteGround’s customer support have contributed to these impressive ratings.

When it comes to response times, SiteGround’s phone and live chat support typically have very fast response times, with phone calls being answered in about 5 minutes and live chat providing immediate assistance.

For those seeking expedited assistance from highly experienced agents, SiteGround offers priority support. This priority support can be obtained by upgrading to the GoGeek plan, SiteGround’s highest-priced shared hosting plan.

After Artificial Intelligence (AI) gained popularity, SiteGround introduced an AI chat feature that provides instant guidance on any questions you might have. This AI chat feature is a cutting-edge technology that uses machine learning to provide accurate and instant responses to your queries.

It’s like having a personal assistant available 24/7 to help you navigate your hosting needs. This feature is accessible once you’re logged into your account. All you need to do is use the question mark in the panel to get an immediate response.

This AI chat is designed to make your experience with your SiteGround account even more seamless and enjoyable. It’s just one of the many ways SiteGround is committed to providing excellent customer service and user-friendly experiences.

SiteGround Extra Features

Additional SiteGround Features

Apart from its standard services, SiteGround offers a host of additional features to enrich your website’s functionality and security with a set of how to tutorials.

Some of these features include:

• Facilitating the installation of popular platforms like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, and Weebly
• Allowing users to select the most suitable website builder for their requirements
  (We recommend drag-and-drop professional DIVI Builder)
• Providing users with the flexibility to create unlimited web pages without constraints

These additional features make SiteGround a great choice for website building.

In addition to its hosting services, SiteGround offers a Content Delivery Network (CDN). The CDN improves your website’s performance by minimizing the distance between visitors and your website’s various data centers, ensuring quicker loading times irrespective of the user’s location.

SiteGround also offers a Site Scanner, a security feature that performs daily checks on your website to detect potential threats. This further bolsters the integrity of your site and preserves your business reputation by eliminating vulnerabilities.

WordPress Website Migration with SiteGround Tool

If you’re looking to migrate your entire existing WordPress website seamlessly, SiteGround Migrator is the tool for you. With just a few mouse clicks, this tool automates the migration process from your old host to SiteGround.

Even if you’re setting up a new test site on SiteGround servers, understanding the potential value of this tool is essential, especially for site owners who have opted for SiteGround over a lower-quality host.

In the second step of the Website Setup process, you’ll be presented with the option to either start a new site or migrate an existing one. Opting for migration will lead you to install the SiteGround Migrator plugin.

Once the plugin is installed, the process is straightforward – just follow the prompts, and the tool will handle the migration for you. Alternatively, if you prefer SiteGround customer service to take care of the migration, that’s an option too.

Keep in mind that this service comes with a cost. It’s advisable to first try the plugin on your own, reserving the option to involve SiteGround’s support team only if issues arise during the migration process.

If you choose to become our business partner, we will do everything for you as part of our services.

SiteGround Life and Staging Servers

WordPress staging tool

A WordPress staging tool is a valuable feature designed to facilitate the development and testing of changes to a WordPress website before they are applied to the live or production site.

It essentially creates a duplicate environment, known as a staging site, where website administrators can experiment with updates, design changes, plugins, or any modifications without impacting the live site’s functionality.

Key features and functions of a WordPress staging tool:

1. Isolation Environment: The staging tool sets up an isolated environment that mirrors the live site, allowing users to make changes and updates without affecting the actual website visitors.
2. Testing and Previewing: Users can preview any alterations made in the staging environment to ensure that the changes appear as intended and don’t introduce any issues.
3. Content Synchronization: The Staging tool provides the capability to synchronize content between the staging and live site. This ensures that the latest content is available for testing and that any content changes made in the staging environment can be easily transferred to the live site.
4. Plugin and Theme Testing: You can test new plugins, themes, or updates to existing ones in the staging environment to ensure compatibility and identify any conflicts before implementing them on the live site.
5. Debugging and Issue Resolution: The staging tool helps identify and resolve issues or bugs that may arise from changes made during the testing phase, ensuring a smoother transition when changes are pushed to the live site.
6. Secure Debugging: You can create and provide additional website administrator account to a third party, for example, a WordPress theme, to access your server and test or fix errors without compromising your life website’s security.
7. Security and Reliability: Staging environments are secured and reliable, providing a safe space for testing without the risk of negatively impacting the live site’s performance or security.

In summary, a WordPress staging tool serves as a crucial component in the website development and maintenance process. It enables website owners and developers to make informed decisions about updates and changes while minimizing the risk of disruptions to the live site.

No more downtime of your server caused by the wrong plugin update.

SiteGround Renewal Options

SiteGround Pricing and Renewal Costs for Hosting Packages

Despite the impressive features offered by SiteGround, cost consideration remains crucial. SiteGround’s pricing reflects the value it offers through its features and performance.

The company includes free features that other web hosts typically charge for as add-ons. Moreover, it’s important to note that SiteGround’s pricing is equal to or even much lower than the industry average for plans with similar specs.

For the entry-level shared hosting packages, the SiteGround Startup plan provides ample resources for small businesses and personal websites. However, when compared to other providers that offer 50GB or even more on their smallest tiers for only $2.99/month, SiteGround’s pricing may seem higher.

Unfortunately, SiteGround does charge significantly more for renewals compared to its discounted rates for not only shared hosting services. New customers can enjoy a 30-day money back guarantee on shared hosting plans and a 14-day money-back guarantee on cloud hosting accounts, ensuring their satisfaction.

To secure a favorable price on SiteGround hosting plans, an effective strategy is to opt for the GrowBig plan and make a 3-year advance payment. This allows you to benefit from lower long-term prices and helps mitigate higher renewal fees. Compare all Hosting Features and plans.

Pro TIP: Our business partners don’t pay anything for hosting packages, and we propose the best web hosting services tailored to your needs.

SiteGround Alternatives and Competitors

Though SiteGround provides a comprehensive hosting solution, there are other competitors in the market. Most other web hosts, such as alternatives like Hostinger, Bluehost, and A2 Hosting, may be more suitable for some users who are looking for a different website hosting provider or special hosting types like VPS.

Bluehost provides comparable features to SiteGround at a lower price, starting at $2.75/month. On the other hand, Hostinger is even more affordable, with a starting price of $2.99/month, and offers performance that is only slightly slower than SiteGround.

Bluehost and Hostinger offer free domain names for one year.

Hostinger offers user-friendly features but has fewer advanced website management tools compared to SiteGround. A2 Hosting provides significantly more disk space than SiteGround’s lower-tier plans, but its regular pricing of $9.99/month is much higher than SiteGround’s.

With some prices being the same or very close, it makes sense to focus on features, user experience, and customer support. These factors might help you choose the best website hosting service.

Evaluating SiteGround against its competitors can help you make an informed decision that best fits your needs and budget – check https://website-hosting-top-10.com/

SiteGround Review Summary

In conclusion, SiteGround stands out as a leading web hosting provider with its focus on performance, security, and user-friendly interface. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced website manager, SiteGround offers a variety of hosting types and plans to cater to your unique needs.

While SiteGround’s pricing in some cases might be higher than some competitors, it offers value through its features and performance. However, you should be aware of the higher renewal costs and consider long-term costs when choosing a plan.

In the crowded market of web hosting, SiteGround has carved out a space for itself by consistently delivering high-quality, reliable website hosting solutions. Whether or not SiteGround is the right fit for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and preferences.

 

Pro TIP: Choose our special offer and don’t pay for hosting, web design, complete technical support, and get even much more benefits in one package than you imagine.

 

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