Should You Use the SiteGround Startup Plan for Launching a Fast & Secure Website?

SiteGround is a popular hosting provider that offers a variety of plans to suit different needs and budgets. In this SiteGround Startup Plan review, we look closer at its features, performance, and pricing to help you determine whether it’s the right choice for your website.

I’ll let you into a little secret. I’m a big fan of SiteGround. In my SiteGround review, I have covered all the key features and pros and cons of this premium web hosting service. Here, I will zoom in on their StartUp plan ($2.99/month).

TL;DR: SiteGround is an excellent entry-level plan with features typically only found on higher-tier plans. You get an impressive range of features, enhanced security, and a whole bunch of WordPress tools for a very affordable price. 

I urge anyone to give the SiteGround Startup plan a go, so go ahead and sign up here.

What is the SiteGround StartUp Plan?

SiteGround was founded in Bulgaria in 2004, and it is a key player in the web hosting world and is known for providing unbeatable value in terms of the features you get with its hosting plans.

What I personally admire about SiteGround is that they are not a faceless company. Most hosting companies don’t reveal who their staff is and even where they are based, choosing instead to focus on overly technical jargon that most of us don’t understand.

However, SiteGround is transparent in this respect, making them feel approachable and friendly. I like that. They are also beginner friendly and make hosting for newbies feel easy.

The platform’s Startup plan is its entry-level plan for shared hosting, WordPress, and WooCommerce hosting.

It costs the least, but then you get the least amount of features too. Despite this, the features you do get are generous and more so than most of SiteGround’s competitors.

SiteGround’s other hosting plans are GrowBig (my review) and GoGeek (my review).

Startup Plan Features at a Glance

Before we delve into the detail, let’s take a quick look at what you get for your money on the Startup plan:

• Hosting for one website
• 10 GB disk space
• 10,000 monthly visits
• Unmetered bandwidth
• Free SSL, CDN, email, and email migratory
• Free WordPress site migration service
• Daily backups and enhanced security
• Out-of-the-box caching
• Unlimited databases
• 100% renewable energy match
• Collaboration feature
• Weebly or WordPress site builders included
• Global datacenters

In addition to the above, you also get the following for WordPress and WooCommerce hosting:

• Free WordPress installation and staging
• Automatic WordPress updates
• WP-CLI and SSH
• WooCommerce enabled
• Managed WordPress services
• Officially endorsed by WordPress itself

Why Choose the Startup Plan?

Okay, so let’s now go into the detail of why the Startup plan is worth considering.

Managed WordPress Hosting

SiteGround’s Startup plan isn’t just for standard hosting (even though it’s perfectly good for this too). You also get a range of features specifically for WordPress and WooCommerce at no additional cost.

And even better, a lot of these features are automated or fully managed by SiteGround. This is almost unheard of for an entry-level plan to provide, and typically, managed WordPress services will cost you an extra few bucks per month on top of the usual hosting rate.

But not SiteGround. Here you get the site-building wizard, automatic updates, and expert WordPress support to boot. Plus SiteGround’s in-house WordPress optimizer is included, so you can be sure to get the speediest speeds possible.

Where WooCommerce is concerned, the plan includes a free shopping cart install and a free SSL certificate.

Overall, it’s super comprehensive, and I think reason alone to choose the Startup plan.

Enhanced Security and Daily Backups

Security is one of the key needs for website owners, and it shouldn’t (in my opinion) be something you have to shell out extra for. 

SiteGround has addressed this by giving its Startup plan holders the exact same security features as you get on its top-tier plan, except for advanced on-demand backups. 

However, you still get an automated daily backup, and each backup is available for up to 30 days, so if you fall foul of a malware attack, you can instantly revert back to a previous version without losing out. It’s worth pointing out here that most competitor hosting providers limit this hosting service in some way or another, so SiteGround really does come out on top here.

In addition to the backups, you also get:

• Power and hardware redundancy 
• Anti-hack systems and server monitoring
• Regular updates and patches
• Spam protection
• Unique account isolation
• LXC-based stability

100% Renewable Energy Match

I admire a business that commits fully to sustainability and renewable energy sources, and there aren’t many hosting providers that can claim they do this.

SiteGround, on the other hand, places sustainability at the top of its list of priorities. It uses Google Cloud hosting infrastructure, and it may surprise you to learn that Google has been carbon-neutral for ages. 

Not only that, but Google has an energy match guarantee for its servers and offices. This means they match all energy consumed with energy generated from renewable sources such as solar or wind.

So if carbon neutrality is important to you, SiteGround is a great option to choose.

SuperCacher Technology

Alright, so caching is something that most people don’t really get. Even I struggle to fully comprehend what it’s all about. The key point here is that caching is extra-important for website speeds, and without it, your site will slow down to a crawl.

Back in the day, SiteGround developed a “SuperCacher” technology which, over the years, has evolved and advanced into something that can deliver 50 – 500% faster speeds. 

Essentially, the “lighter” your website is (meaning it contains fewer data-heavy elements like video, shopping cats, etc.), the higher up on the speed scale it will be. However, with the SuperCacher, even heavy sites can get a real speed boost.

Historically, SuperCacher and out-of-the-box caching for WordPress were only available on the higher-tier plans, but SiteGround has recently made this feature available on the Startup package. What a great bonus!

Free Email Included

If you’ve ever had a hosting plan before, you’ve probably come across the additional charges hosting providers like to tack on for access to an email service. This is still common practice, but in typical fashion, SiteGround breaks from the mold and provides email for free with all its plans.

You get unlimited email account creation plus the ability to access and read your mail from anywhere, thanks to the use of Webmail. The email interface is nice and easy to use, plus you get spam protection included.

This is the cherry on top of what truly is a stellar entry-level hosting plan.

Startup Plan Pricing

The prices for the Startup hosting plan are the same no matter whether you choose shared, WordPress, or WooCommerce hosting:

• Monthly contract: $19.99
• 12-month contract: $2.99/month, billed annually
  • The renewal cost is $14.99/month, billed annually

All contract lengths come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try out the platform risk-free.

Pros and Cons

The good and the bad… is there any bad, though? I have to admit I struggled to find any negative points.

Pros

• SuperCacher included (previously only available on premium plans)
• Green and sustainable hosting choice
• Easy to use and beginner friendly web hosting
• Managed WordPress hosting and additional features included
• A great range of free features supplied (free CDN, free automated daily backups, free caching, free email accounts)
• SiteGround’s customer support is excellent

Cons

• No priority support (only on GoGeek plan)
• No unlimited websites
• Essential server resources (GrowBig has 2x and GoGeek 4x resources)

StartUp vs GrowBig, and StartUp vs GoGeek

StartUp vs GrowBig:

• StartUp plan is ideal for those who are just starting with one website, and need basic features. Target customers are individuals or small businesses with a single website and basic needs.
• GrowBig plan offers more advanced features such as priority support, unlimited websites, and 2x more server resources. Target customers are small to medium-sized businesses with multiple websites, or those who need more advanced features.
• StartUp is $2.99/month, and GrowBig is $4.99/month

StartUp vs GoGeek:

• StartUp plan is a good choice for beginners with a single website and basic needs. Target customers are individuals or small businesses who are just starting with their first website.
• GoGeek plan offers more advanced features, including 4x more server resources, staging environment, and Git repository, making it a better option for more complex websites. Target customers are businesses or individuals with complex websites or multiple sites that require advanced performance and security features.
• StartUp is $2.99/month, and GoGeek is $7.99/month

Questions & Answers

Our Verdict

First off, a disclosure… any review I do for this web host will always err on the positive because the platform knows how to do things exceptionally well.

Don’t get me wrong, there are tonnes of other great hosting platforms alive and kicking on the internet, but I always find there’s something to dislike about them. 

Whether it’s limited features, sneaky extra charges, or price hikes, I can typically find a good few reasons why you shouldn’t choose the platform in question.

I love that the platform takes sustainability seriously and that even when the promotional rate expires, it’s still an affordable option.

I recommend that anyone gives this web host a go, so if you’re sold on the platform. You can find out how to sign up here and install WordPress here. 

Just to finish, there are other equally-good plans available, so if the Startup package is too limited or you want to host multiple sites, then SiteGround has something for you too.

I hope you found this expert editorial SiteGround StartUp review helpful!

Recent Improvements & Updates

SiteGround constantly improves its hosting services with faster speeds, better security, a user-friendly interface, enhanced customer support, and eco-friendly initiatives. Here are just some of the recent improvements (last checked October 2024):

• Free Domain Name: As of January 2024, SiteGround now offers its customers a free domain registration for the first year.
• Advanced Email Marketing Features: SiteGround has significantly upped its game in the email marketing arena. The introduction of an AI Email Writer stands out as a game-changer, enabling users to craft compelling emails effortlessly. The feature is designed to aid in generating high-quality email content, streamlining the email creation process. Additionally, the new scheduling feature allows for better planning and timing of email campaigns, ensuring optimal engagement. These tools are part of SiteGround’s broader strategy to enhance digital marketing capabilities for its users.
• Enhanced Security with ‘Under Attack’ Mode: In response to the increasing sophistication of HTTP attacks, SiteGround has bolstered its CDN (Content Delivery Network) with an ‘Under Attack’ mode. This mode provides an additional layer of security, safeguarding websites against complex cyber threats. It’s a proactive measure that ensures website integrity and uninterrupted service, even under duress.
• Email Marketing Tool with Lead Generation for WordPress: SiteGround has integrated a lead generation plugin with its email marketing tool, specifically tailored for WordPress users. This integration is a significant step towards empowering website owners to capture more leads directly through their WordPress sites. It simplifies the process of converting website visitors into potential customers, enhancing the overall effectiveness of email marketing campaigns.
• Early Access to PHP 8.3 (Beta 3): Demonstrating its commitment to staying at the forefront of technology, SiteGround now offers PHP 8.3 (Beta 3) for testing on its servers. This opportunity allows developers and tech enthusiasts to experiment with the latest PHP features, providing valuable feedback and insights ahead of its official release. It’s an invitation to be part of the evolving PHP landscape, ensuring that SiteGround users are always ahead of the curve.
• SiteGround Email Marketing Tool Launch: The launch of the SiteGround Email Marketing tool marks a significant milestone in their service offerings. This tool is designed to boost business growth by enabling effective communication with customers and prospects. Its user-friendly interface and powerful features make it an indispensable tool for businesses looking to enhance their digital marketing efforts.
• Implementation of SRS for Reliable Email Forwarding: SiteGround has implemented the Sender Rewrite Scheme (SRS) to improve the reliability of email forwarding. SRS addresses issues related to SPF (Sender Policy Framework) checks, ensuring that forwarded emails are not wrongly classified as spam. This update is crucial for maintaining the integrity and deliverability of forwarded emails.
• Expansion with Paris Data Center and CDN Point: To cater to its growing global customer base, SiteGround has added a new data center in Paris, France, and an additional CDN point. This expansion not only improves service quality and speeds for European users but also signifies SiteGround’s commitment to global reach and performance optimization.
• Launch of SiteGround’s Custom CDN: In a significant development, SiteGround has launched its own custom CDN. This CDN is tailored to work seamlessly with SiteGround’s hosting environment, offering improved loading times and enhanced website performance. This custom solution signifies SiteGround’s dedication to providing a holistic and integrated web hosting experience.

Reviewing SiteGround: Our Methodology

When we review web hosts like SiteGround, our evaluation is based on these criteria:

1. Value for Money: What types of web hosting plans are on offer, and are they good value for money?
2. User Friendliness: How user-friendly is the signup process, the onboarding, the dashboard? and so on.
3. Customer Support: When we need help, how quickly can we get it, and is the support effective and helpful?
4. Hosting Features: What unique features does the web host provide, and how do they stack up against competitors?
5. Security: Are essential security measures like SSL certificates, DDoS protection, backup services, and malware/virus scans included?
6. Speed and Uptime: Is the hosting service fast and reliable? What types of servers do they use, and how do they perform in tests?

For more details on our review process, click here.