SiteGround Review

If you’re in search of reliable web hosting for your personal projects or small business, you’ve likely come across SiteGround. 

In this review, we’ll walk you through our firsthand testing experience to help you navigate the offerings of SiteGround. 

From pricing to performance and everything in between, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

But first, let me explain what PBN hosting is and what factors we consider when choosing the hosting providers for our PBNs.

What Is PBN Hosting

PBN Hosting is a service that assists in managing multiple Private Blog Networks (PBNs), ensuring the security and autonomy of each website in your network.

Your PBN is a network of websites aiming to boost your main site’s authority. Each site in the network has links pointing back to your main site, enhancing its search engine ranking (learn more here).

Choosing the right PBN Hosting provider is crucial to maintaining the integrity and efficiency of your network. A trustworthy hosting provider is key to protecting your websites from potential penalties, like being removed from search engine indexes.

Factors We Consider When Choosing Hosting Provider For PBNs 

Here are the most important factors we consider when choosing a PBN hosting provider:

• Strong Security: We pick providers with strong security features to ensure our PBNs stay safe and protected.
• No TraNo Traces: We work hard to keep our PBNs hidden, selecting hosting providers that promise undetectable setups.
• Budget-Friendly Choices: Managing networks with 50-100+ sites calls for affordable hosting plans, and that’s exactly what we go for.
• Quick WordPress Setup: We choose providers that make setting up WordPress sites easy and fast.
• User-Friendly Control: A simple and intuitive control panel is a must for smooth PBN management, and that’s a key factor in our hosting provider choice.

What Is SiteGround

SiteGround, founded in 2004 in Sofia, Bulgaria, is a leading web hosting provider offering a variety of services to meet different hosting needs. Whether you’re looking for shared hosting, cloud hosting, enterprise solutions, email hosting, or domain registration, SiteGround has you covered.

Keep in mind that SiteGround is not designed specifically for Private Blog Networks. However, it is considered a reliable web host for PBNs due to its stable hosting services, security features, and affordable plans that allow for unlimited websites. 

One standout service is SiteGround’s managed WordPress hosting package. Although it’s slightly pricier than their standard shared hosting, it’s perfect for new users as it simplifies website management. With SiteGround handling all CMS updates and maintenance, you can rest assured of enhanced security.

Furthermore, SiteGround provides free domains with their shared, WordPress and WooCommerce hosting packages. However, if you already have a domain, connecting it to SiteGround is easy. They also offer a WordPress installer to make the migration process even smoother.

SiteGround Pricing and Payment Methods

SiteGround offers a range of hosting plans with different features and pricing options.

• StartUp: 2.99 €/month
• GrowBig: 5.49 €/month
• GoGeek: 8.49 €/month
• 30-Days money-back guarantee: SiteGround provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for shared hosting, including renewals. You get a full refund if the renewal hasn’t started; otherwise, the first month’s cost is deducted from the refund.
• Payment methods: SiteGround accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Keep in mind that the available payment methods may change depending on your region.

SiteGround Key Features 

SiteGround offers a wide range of helpful features:

• Automatic WordPress Installation and Updates: Easily install and keep your WordPress website updated across all hosting packages.
• Free Email Hosting: Enjoy excellent email hosting included in all packages, simplifying the setup and management of your email accounts.
• Email Migrator Tool: Transfer your emails seamlessly to SiteGround with the free email migrator tool, ensuring unified hosting for all your communication needs.
• Out-of-the-Box Caching: Improve website loading speeds with simple caching solutions included in all hosting accounts, enhancing the user experience for returning visitors.
• Daily Backups: Ensure peace of mind with daily backups available on all hosting packages, with the option to customize backup schedules to suit your needs.
• Easy-to-Use, Customized cPanel: Access frequently used tools conveniently with SiteGround’s intuitive cPanel layout, designed to streamline website management tasks.
• Simple Service Management: Manage your entire site from one login, with dedicated sections for server-related tasks and easy integration with content management systems like WordPress.
• Multiple Site Creation Options: Choose from various content management systems, including WordPress-specific options, or upload custom-coded websites effortlessly through secured FTP or built-in file manager tools.
• Advanced Security Options: Benefit from SiteGround’s proactive security measures, including smart firewall configuration, AI-powered anti-bot filtering, 24/7 server monitoring, distributed backups, advanced WordPress security features, and a free SSL certificate.

SiteGround Speed and Performance

Let’s explore how SiteGround performs on some crucial speed factors:  

Ease of Use

When it comes to user-friendliness, SiteGround truly shines. Setting up a website and installing WordPress is a breeze, requiring just a few clicks. Plus, creating a professional email account is equally straightforward. 

Server Response Time

SiteGround ensures its servers respond swiftly to every request.

In my tests on SiteGround, I was thrilled to see an average response time of just 622ms. This basically tells you how quickly the servers react when you make a request.

Uptime Test

Based on my results, SiteGround has demonstrated strong performance in terms of uptime and stress tests. Overall, SiteGround’s uptime performance has been impressive, with high reliability and minimal downtime over extended periods.  

Customer Support

SiteGround’s support team is available 24/7 through live chat, ticketing system, and professional migration services, ensuring quick help when you need it.

In my experience, SiteGround’s support team was fast, friendly, and very helpful.

SiteGround Benefits and Weaknesses

Benefits 

Strong Security 

SiteGround prioritizes website security with a range of features:

• Free SSL and daily backups for all plans.
• Real-time monitoring and a custom Web Application Firewall (WAF).
• AI anti-bot system and a SiteGround Security plugin.
• Free native CDN setup for speed and protection.
• Daily automated backups with easy restoration options.
• Monthly security reports for insights and tips.

Perfect for WordPress 

As a WordPress user, SiteGround has made my experience seamless. The one-click installation is a game-changer, and their hosting packages tailored for WordPress ensure my site runs with optimum speed and reliability.

Exceptional Support

SiteGround’s customer support is exceptional. Whether I have a question or need assistance, their team is always there to help, 24/7. I appreciate their dedication to providing fast and helpful support whenever I need it.

User-Friendly Interface

Navigating SiteGround’s interface has been a breeze. All the essential options are neatly organized in one place, making tasks like setting up SiteGround’sps or installing applications incredibly easy, even for someone with limited experience.

CDN on All Hosting Packages

It has been a great surprise to see a CDN included in all hosting packages. Not only does it enhance loading times, but it also improves site responsiveness globally. SiteGround’s commitment to offering this service without additional costs sets them apart from other hosting providers.

Exceptional Reliabound

SiteGround has truly impressed me with its unwavering commitment to reliability. Their servers boast an impressive uptime of over 99.9%, thanks to top-notch equipment and redundant power and data circuits. 

Two Decades of Experience

With nearly two decades of experience, SiteGround has built a solid reputation, hosting over 2.8 million domains. Their longevity speaks volumes about their trustworthiness and reliability.

Weaknesses 

• Limited Server Options: SiteGround lacks dedicated servers or VPS options, limiting scalability for high-traffic sites. However, their robust cloud-based hosting suits most users’ needs.
• Disk Space Constraints: Some SiteGround packages offer limited disk space, potentially challenging for content-heavy websites like e-commerce sites. While competitors offer unlimited space, this may not affect all users.
• Slightly Higher Prices: SiteGround’s monthly prices are slightly higher, even for basic hosting. However, the quality of service often justifies the extra cost.

My Overall View of SiteGround 

Overall, my experience with SiteGround has been positive. Their commitment to reliability, user-friendly interface, and exceptional customer support make them stand out in the hosting industry. 

Setting up a website, especially for WordPress users, has been easy, and their fast server response times made me very happy with their services. 

Although SiteGround has a few limitations, such as not offering dedicated servers and having slightly higher prices, the benefits they provide far outweigh these drawbacks. 

Overall, I believe SiteGround is a dependable and trustworthy hosting provider that I would strongly recommend to others.

SiteGround Alternatives 

Looking for alternatives to SiteGround? Check out these options:

• Easy Blog Networks: A user-friendly hosting service for creating natural PBNs with diverse IP addresses and data centers. (Read more in our Easy Blog Networks review)
• Bulk Buy Hosting: Tailored web hosting for PBNs, emphasizing safety, simplicity, and affordability. It collaborates with reputable hosts and offers a consolidated, user-friendly dashboard. (Explore further in our Bulk Buy Hosting review)
• LaunchCDN: A standout option for PBN hosting, offering a “Done For You” service or a user-friendly platform for a DIY approach. (Learn more in our LaunchCDN review)
• SeekaHost.app: An emerging hosting service specializing in affordable multiple IP hosting for private blogs, ideal for WordPress sites and all CMS platforms. (Find more info in our SeekaHost.app review)

To find more PBN Hosting options, check out our article The Best PBN Hosting Providers.