SiteGround Review: 65 Months of Using the Service – Honest Thoughts

Finding the right web hosting provider is not easy. There is a sea of options, each promising top-notch performance, unbeatable prices, or an array of features.

As you evaluate options, you may feel overwhelmed and need help figuring out where to even begin.

That's why I've written this comprehensive review of SiteGround hosting. I want to give you an in-depth look at SiteGround's plans, features, pros and cons, and more.

My goal is to equip you with all the details you need to determine if SiteGround is the right hosting provider to power your website.

I've been using SiteGround as my website hosting solution for over 5 years, so I pretty much know what I'm talking about.

An Introduction to SiteGround

Founded in 2004, SiteGround has become a significant player in the web hosting industry. They host over 2 million domains, which is an impressive statistic.

SiteGround uses Google's data centers, which are strategically located across the globe (U.S., Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia), allowing you to serve your website visitors based on geography. All hosting plans include top security measures and helpful built-in caching for speed.

The company is known for quality customer support, uptime reliability, and optimized WordPress hosting. They offer plans for all use cases, from simple single-page sites to enterprise-level e-commerce stores.

Now, let's dive deeper into the specifics...

SiteGround's Web Hosting Plans and Pricing

SiteGround offers shared hosting, WordPress hosting, WooCommerce hosting, cloud hosting, and enterprise hosting plans.

I'll focus specifically on the shared hosting plans, as these are the best options for small businesses and individuals. SiteGround offers three shared hosting tiers:

• StartUp
• GrowBig
• GoGeek

Here's a breakdown of what each plan includes:

StartUp

• $17.99/month (usually on promotion for $2.99/month)
• 1 website
• 10GB web space
• Handles around 10,000 visits/month
• Free SSL certificate
• Free daily backups
• Free CDN
• Free email

GrowBig  

• $29.99/month (usually on promotion for $4.99/month)
• Unlimited websites
• 20GB web space
• Handles around 100,000 visits/month
• All features of the StartUp plan
• Site staging
• Free backups on-demand
• 30% faster PHP

GoGeek

• $44.99/month (usually on promotion for $7.99/month)
• Unlimited websites
• 40GB web space
• Handles around 400,000 visits/month
• All features of the GrowBig plan
• Priority support
• Git pre-installed
• Highest tier of resources

The renewal prices are much higher than the introductory promotional prices (this is common practice in the industry). However, you can save on renewals by choosing a longer 1-year or 2-year term instead of monthly billing. 

Here is how the renewal term pricing compares to Siteground's shared hosting plans:

So, if you intend to stick with SiteGround for the long run, 1-year or 2-year renewal terms can save you 15-40% off standard monthly pricing.

All plans include unmetered traffic and free SSL certificates. For the intro prices listed above, SiteGround is very competitively priced and offers tremendous value for the money.

"Unlimited" bandwidth comes standard with all packages. Just be aware that this is essentially unlimited traffic under normal usage conditions. If you have a sudden viral spike, SiteGround may throttle your site's resources to ensure quality performance across the server. This isn't common, but it's something to be aware of.

SiteGround Uptime

Your website needs to be accessible and online 24/7/365. Even minor downtime leads to lost revenue and damaged credibility. SiteGround servers have an impressive uptime of 99.99%.

I have been SiteGround's customer for years and don't recall any unintended downtime during that period.

I have also performed an independent 30-day uptime check using a tool called Uptime Robot. They delivered consistent 100% uptime throughout my testing period.

Their excellent track record proves that SiteGround lives up to its promise of extreme reliability. A nearly 100% uptime rate should give you confidence if uptime is a top priority.

SiteGround Speed Tests

In addition to reliability, website speed is crucial when evaluating hosts. Faster sites engage visitors better and rank higher in search engines.

I used Bitcatcha to test how rapidly SiteGround servers respond from different locations around the world:

• United States: 2 ms
• Europe: 3 ms 
• Singapore: 2 ms
• Australia: 2 ms  

These are really fast server response times, and they have improved significantly since I tested them last time. For comparison, an acceptable response time is between 200ms and 1s.

As expected, connections from Europe and North America are extremely quick, considering SiteGround has multiple Europe—and US-based data centers. I was surprised by how much SiteGround has improved South Asia server speeds.

What about actual loading times? I used GTmetrix to measure how rapidly a WordPress site loads on SiteGround's servers:

• LCP: 1.3s
• Total Page Size: 1.06MB
• Requests: 47
• Grade: B (81%)

The result is not bad because I'm using Thrive Suite on my site, which is not the optimal product for top website speed.

Loading a > 1 MB page with images and CSS in just over 1 second is quick enough. SiteGround optimizes all hosted sites to load as fast as possible.   

Based on testing, SiteGround offers excellent all-around performance:

✅ Very fast server response times

✅ A+ page load speeds

✅ 100% uptime means SiteGround hosting is always online

This level of speed and reliability gives SiteGround an edge over many competitors. They excel in the performance department.

Ease of Use

When evaluating hosting providers, I always consider the signup process and account management. Ideally, everything is seamless and intuitive, even for non-technical users.

SiteGround makes it simple to get started. Signup is straightforward and only takes a couple of minutes, and the checkout process is modern and secure.  

Once your account is set up, you gain instant access to SiteGround's proprietary control panel, Site Tools. This is where you manage hosting functions like domains, installations, backups, speed optimization, security, etc.

Site Tools has an intuitive navigation menu that makes finding tools a breeze:

Site Tools Dashboard

Installing WordPress only takes a few clicks from within Site Tools. SiteGround maintains a strong relationship with WordPress, offering one of the most well-optimized WordPress hosting environments.

I also like how Site Tools displays your resource usage. You can instantly see how much web space and bandwidth you have remaining to monitor your limits properly.

All things considered, I found SiteGround extremely simple to use, even for a beginner. The Site Tools control panel is polished and user-friendly. Common tasks are clearly labeled and accessible.

SiteGround puts ease of use at the forefront of its hosting service.

SiteGround Security Features

Every website needs rock-solid security to protect visitors and defend against cyber threats. SiteGround has you covered with an array of built-in protections:

✅ Web application firewall filters traffic

✅ AI-powered anti-bot protects against brute force attacks  

✅ Automatic malware detection

✅ Free SSL certificate encrypts connections

✅ HTTP/2 connectivity is enforced

✅ Integrated CDN to absorb DDoS attacks

✅ On-demand backups give you site restoration power  

The firewall, anti-bot functionalities, and malware scanner work round-the-clock to keep threats at bay. SiteGround also uses Google Cloud infrastructure, which has inherent security from one of the world's leading technology companies.

You can activate the free Content Delivery Network (CDN) and SSL with just a few clicks from Site Tools. SiteGround includes premium access to Cloudflare's CDN, allowing you to leverage its vast network of global data centers.

The account area provides monitoring tools like live traffic graphs so you can always know what's happening with your site.

I'm impressed by Siteground's layered security model, which was designed specifically to enable safe, reliable website hosting.  

SiteGround Support Options

Even the best web hosts experience issues now and then. The key is giving customers access to sufficient support channels when problems arise.

SiteGround offers several ways to get assistance should you ever need it:

• Live Chat: Instant answers to hosting questions
• AI assistant to help with basic support questions
• Tutorials and Knowledge base

I have used SiteGround's live chat many times and usually receive a response within a couple of minutes. Chat agents have provided quick and accurate solutions almost every time. You can also access your old support cases.

Regarding quality and availability, SiteGround support is on the higher end. Agents are knowledgeable, friendly, and quick to respond.

What Makes SiteGround Unique?  

So, what gives SiteGround a competitive edge? What makes them stand out among the thousands of hosting providers out there?

A few key things in my opinion:

Google Cloud-Based Infrastructure

SiteGround recently migrated to Google's cloud platform. This infrastructure provides benefits like:

• Blazing fast page speed
• Built-in security and reliability
• Easy scalability as your site grows  

By building servers on Google's backbone, SiteGround delivers excellent connectivity and protection.

WordPress Hosting Specialization

SiteGround has established itself as a premier managed WordPress host. With auto-install, updates, caching, and security all in place out of the box, they simplify hosting the world's most popular CMS.

Whether you're a beginner or a WordPress pro, SiteGround has optimized and fine-tuned configurations specifically for peak WordPress performance.  

Customer Support

As I experienced firsthand, SiteGround has an exceptional support team in place. They understand that some users require a bit more attention or education, and agents are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure you get issues resolved properly.

You can expect custom answers to your problems, not merely copy/paste templated responses. Coupled with its Google Cloud infrastructure and WordPress expertise, a standout support staff gives SiteGround an advantage over competitors.

Free WordPress Plugins

SiteGround offers a range of standout features that enhance the performance and security of WordPress websites. Among these, their free WordPress plugins, namely the Speed Optimizer and Security Optimizer, are particularly noteworthy.

The Speed Optimizer is designed to improve website loading times, which is vital for user experience and SEO. It achieves this through various techniques like caching, image optimization, and script management.

On the other hand, the Security Optimizer focuses on safeguarding WordPress sites from common security threats. The plugin offers 2-factor authentication, custom login URL creation, and protection against malware.

Both plugins are user-friendly and integrate seamlessly with WordPress, making them valuable additions for website owners looking to enhance their site's performance and security.

SiteGround Pros and Cons

SiteGround deserves strong consideration for quality WordPress hosting and robust shared hosting plans. However, there are some downsides to note as you make your decision:

SiteGround Pros

✅ Blazing fast servers and page speeds  

✅ Easy management tools

✅ Strong uptime and high reliability

✅ Multiple data center location options   

✅ Optimized WordPress hosting configurations  

✅ Excellent customer support team

SiteGround Cons  

❌ Renewal prices are considerably higher  

❌ Lower resource ceilings for shared hosting plans, especially disk space

For me, the advantages of faster performance, WordPress expertise, and helpful support outweigh the drawbacks above. But weigh each carefully based on your specific needs.

One thing to watch out for is that the renewal prices on shared hosting plans increase after the introductory period ends, but that is typical for many hosting providers.

Alternatives to SiteGround

SiteGround is a rock solid hosting provider, but I realize it isn't the right solution for everyone. Many users may be better off with another company.

Here are some of the top SiteGround competitors I recommend checking out:

Bluehost

Bluehost is one of the largest and most well-known shared hosting providers. Like SiteGround, it offers easy WordPress integration and a user-friendly interface.

Storage and bandwidth may be a bit more limited on lower-cost plans compared to SiteGround, but its hosting performs well, and technical support is very responsive.

Bluehost is a bit cheaper than SiteGround, too, so it can be a good option if you are on a tight budget.

WP Engine

WP Engine is one of the leading managed WordPress hosting providers known for its high-performance architecture tailored specifically for WordPress sites. 

It includes advanced security features such as proactive threat detection, a dedicated firewall, and daily malware scans, helping to keep your website safe 24/7. 

WP Engine also leverages Google Cloud and AWS infrastructure, giving you access to their top-tier security, stability, and global reach. It is a solid choice for professionals and growing businesses that prioritize security and performance.

DreamHost

DreamHost stands out for offering unlimited storage and bandwidth with higher pricing tiers. Their web hosting includes custom plugins and integration tools for an optimized WordPress experience. 

Though not quite as fast as Siteground, DreamHost does enable the use of SSD drives for better performance. Their environmentally friendly commitment also appeals to many customers.

Carefully compare features and pricing to determine the best hosting provider for your specific needs.

Frequently Asked questions about SiteGround web hosting

Does SiteGround offer both shared and dedicated hosting? 

Yes, Siteground offers both shared hosting for smaller personal and business websites as well as dedicated hosting for sites that require more power, speed, and resources. Their dedicated hosting is cloud-based and scales well for high-traffic sites.

How good is SiteGround's uptime?

SiteGround uses a sophisticated infrastructure with various mechanisms, such as load balancing, custom firewalls, and DDoS protection, to keep servers up and running. The average uptime is 99.99%, which is well above industry averages.

Does SiteGround have a domain name registrar? 

Yes, SiteGround provides domain registration services. Registering your domain with SiteGround streamlines the process of linking it to your hosting services on their servers. Transferring existing domains is also possible.

Does SiteGround offer a free domain name?

While SiteGround does not directly offer free domain names, their shared hosting plans have discounted domain name registration for the first year. The domain itself renews at standard pricing in subsequent years.

Can SiteGround help migrate an existing website?

Yes, Siteground has migration services to help move existing websites to their hosting platform and servers. Their in-house SiteGround Migrate software makes transferring sites fast and hassle-free in most cases.

You can also utilize their technical team for the migration. Support for migrations from most major platforms is included.

Get Started With SiteGround

You now understand SiteGround's hosting plans, features, pros and cons, and what sets the company apart from competitors. Hopefully, this gives you confidence that SiteGround is a leading contender for quality and reliable web hosting.

I wish you the best of luck finding hosting for your next big website!