Questa è una guida super approfondita su Siteground, un apprezzatissimo fornitore di hosting “Premium” che si è guadagnato la fama di essere il migliore.
But is it all true? And why does everyone recommend it?
In this article (full of screenshots) I will analyze this provider in detail and cover the following topics:
- What is hosting, what is it for and how does it work,
- The main features, pros and cons of this web hosting provider
- How to buy hosting and a domain with Siteground
- How to transfer your hosting to Siteground with a plugin
- How to install WordPress on Siteground with 2 clicks
- How to create a personalized email
- How to install an SSL certificate (green padlock next to the domain name)
- E molti altri consigli da un web designer che lo utilizza da anni.
Ready?
Let's get started.
Il web pullula di piattaforme che offrono servizi di hosting WordPress e servizi simili di ogni genere, ma se da una parte la vasta scelta permette agli utenti di poter selezionare il miglior servizio per le loro esigenza, dall’altra le innumerevoli proposte possono creare confusione e si rischia di incappare in qualche situazione che non rispecchia le promesse visualizzate nella fase di ricerca.
È dunque fondamentale valutare bene ogni azienda che offre i servizi di hosting ed affidarsi solo a chi gode di una buona reputazione e riesce a venire incontro alle nostre reali esigenze da ogni punto di vista.
Una delle società che spicca sempre di più per le proposte di alta qualità offerte e sempre più innovative è SiteGround, quindi oggi approfondiamo questa azienda da ogni punto di vista e analizziamone ogni dettaglio.
Se anche tu sei in cerca di un hosting WordPress di qualità ma non sai quale proposta è quella che può fare al tuo caso continua a leggere perché SiteGround ti stupirà per i servizi che è in grado di offrire.
What is WordPress hosting?
If you're just now approaching the world of the web, you have a business that you want to exploit through the web but you're not familiar with the language and tools in this virtual world you're probably wondering cwhat is a WordPress hosting, what it's for and why you should care!
We can define WordPress hosting as a web space optimized specifically to be able to meet the needs of WordPress security and performance very well.
Generally, WordPress hosting services such as those offered by SiteGround, in addition to providing users with this virtual space just mentioned also include the installation of the WordPress platform with a simple click and other services that facilitate the use, such as automatic updates and much more.
In addition a WordPress hosting can be both managed and shared and, as you will see later SiteGround has thought of every need so it provides different packages consisting of several useful services.
Why is SiteGround the best hosting for WordPress with Italian support?
SiteGround gode di tantissime recensioni positive da parte degli utenti e attualmente è considerato il miglior hosting per WordPress, questo perché offre servizi di altissima qualità e che presentano caratteristiche uniche, ad un prezzo sempre accessibile.
Opened in Bulgaria in 2004 by some university students, SiteGround today has 500 employees and manages about 2 million domains.
Negli anni questa società ha migliorato costantemente i servizi offerti, caratteristica che le ha permesso di crescere e diventare una delle più innovative società del settore, ma se dobbiamo concentrarci sul perché SiteGround viene considerato il miglior hosting WordPress in Italia possiamo dire che questo merito è dovuto principalmente ai seguenti fattori:
- Support is always active in Italian and available via phone, chat and email.
- Packages available for every need at competitive prices.
- Top-level functionality and performance.
- Constant updates that improve and make the services offered more and more advanced.
Basically, on the current market SiteGround stands out in every respect and its reputation is now known to users all over the world.
Scegliere SiteGround come hosting WordPress è senz’altro indicato se vuoi poter contare su servizi innovativi, su una piattaforma intuitiva e su funzionalità avanzate che si integrano perfettamente con app e servizi aggiuntivi anche esterni.
SiteGround specifications
At this point let's see in detail what are the specifications of SiteGround, analyzing the various features available and the peculiarities that distinguish this innovative hosting.
- SiteGround does not limit visitors to your site. Regardless of the package you choose, SiteGround will not limit the number of visitors your site can receive. Obviously, if you have more than 100,000 monthly visitors for example, it is advisable to choose an appropriate plan as a shared site may be inadequate, limited.
However, the fact that there are no limits in this respect is a very good feature because generally competitors put very precise conditions regarding the number of visitors that can visit the sites, according to the chosen packages. - La registrazione del dominio è gratuita per il primo anno. Anche in questo caso, non importa che pacchetto scegli, se vuoi registrare un nuovo dominio e decidi di farlo con SiteGround sappi che il primo anno non paghi la registrazione, mentre dal secondo anno in poi attualmente il prezzo annuale è di 13,95 euro/mese.
- Hai account email e database illimitati.
- SiteGround dispone di un proprio sistema di caching e dischi SSD.
- C’è la garanzia soddisfatti o rimborsati valida per 30 giorni.
- Il supporto è attivo 24 ore su 24 via telefono, mail o chat.
- È facile da usare. Siteground ha un’interfaccia molto intuitiva ed è ideale anche per coloro che non sono molto pratici.
- Puoi installare numerose applicazioni in maniera facile e veloce.
- There is no limit for data transfer.
- Puoi creare diversi account FTP e sono disponibili connessioni sicure SFTP; FTP e SSH.
- I server di SiteGround sono localizzati in 4 continenti: USA, Europa, Australia e Singapore.
- To ensure maximum security SiteGround isolates all accounts, you can also enable additional features yourself to increase the security of your site.
- Per garantire la massima velocità SiteGround usa solo dischi SSD ad alta velocità, inoltre il sistema di caching messo a disposizione anche per i contenuti dinamici fa si che la velocità aumenti ulteriormente.
- Il backup viene eseguito ogni giorno, inoltre per accedere alle copie ci sono diverse opzioni se scegli il pacchetto GrowBig oppure GoGeek.
- C’è la possibilità di integrare CloudFlare con un solo clic.
- È disponibile un servizio dedicato per la migrazione del sito. Se non sai come procedere con la migrazione del tuo sito oppure non hai tempo per farlo puoi delegare questo compito ad un esperto messo a disposizione da SiteGround che effettuerà la migrazione in maniera professionale per soli €24.
- Puoi contare su tante funzionalità avanzate.
- Uptime eccellente (quasi del 100%).
These are the main features of the services made available by SiteGround, but as you will see below, each package has many other peculiarities designed and offered by SiteGround to guarantee each user all the necessary functionality to be compatible with their needs.
SiteGround pricing and hosting costs
Now that you know the various features of the services offered by SiteGround we can move on to analyzing the prices and costs that you face by going for a WordPress hosting offered by SiteGround.
As mentioned above, if you decide to open a new domain through SiteGround you will not have to pay for the first year, but after that, the annual price is €13.95.
Instead, for hosting prices vary depending on the plan you choose, additional services are also based on other factors.
Mainly the plans offered by SiteGround are 3:
- StartUp- 5.99 euro/month.
- GrowBig- 9.99 euro/month.
- GoGeek- 13.99 euros/month.
The prices listed above for each package are valid for the first period of the contract, so for example, if you decide to sign a contract for 12 months, the respective price is valid for 12 months, ditto if you decide to sign the contract for 24 months, etc..
Later, if you decide to renew the contract, the price you will pay will again vary according to the plan you choose:
- StartUp: 12.99 euros/month.
- GrowBig: $22.99/month.
- GoGeek: €34.99/month.
These are the prices currently charged by SiteGround, but during certain periods these rates may vary and thanks to numerous offers that are put in place regularly you can take advantage of discounts and promotions (black friday, cyber monday).
Ad esempio, sottoscrivendo i piani per un anno intero e pagando l’intera cifra subito, di solito permette di risparmiare rispetto a quando si paga mensilmente. Inoltre possono esserci anche offerte per eventuali servizi aggiuntivi, ecc.
In addition to shared hosting, other services are also available:
- Cloud hosting: Very high performance cloud platform, starting from 64.00 euro/month.
- Dedicated hosting: Fully managed premium servers at 219 euros/month.
The above prices are exclusive of VAT.
The different SiteGround hosting plans
Now that you also know the various prices let's see in detail what services are included in the various hosting plans, who they are suitable for and other similar information.
1. StartUp hosting plan
Ideal for those who need to manage a single website of small or medium size, StartUp is the solution offered by SiteGround that can meet different needs.
Features:
- Suitable for managing 1 website
- 10 GB of available web space
- Ideal for websites with up to 10,000 visits per month
- Unlimited data transfer
- Free SSL
- Free domain
- Daily backup
- Free CDN
- Managed WordPress
- Free email account
- Unlimited MySQL databases
- Balanced renewable energy at 100%
- 30-day money back guarantee.
GrowBig hosting plan
If you need to manage multiple websites, your visits are more than 10,0000 per month and you need more than 10 GB of space this plan might be the right one for you.
Features:
- Multiple websites
- 20 GB of available web space
- Ideal for sites with up to 25,000 visits per month
- Free domain
- Unlimited data transfer
- Free SSL
- Free CDN
- Daily backup
- Free email account
- Unlimited MySQL databases
- Managed WordPress
- Balanced renewable energy at 100%
- 30-day money back guarantee.
- Advanced On Demand Backup
- Staging
- Dynamic data caching
- Possibility to add collaborators.
3. GoGeek hosting plan
Comprehensive and designed specifically for those who need to manage multiple websites with visits of up to 100,000 visits, this plan is a perfect solution for very large websites.
Features:
- Ideal for multiple websites
- 40 GB of web space
- Good for 100,000 monthly visits
- Free domain
- Unlimited data transfer
- Daily backup
- Free CDN
- Free SSL
- Managed WordPress
- Unlimited MySQL databases
- Free email account
- Dynamic data caching
- Advanced On Demand Backup
- Staging
- Creating Git Repositories
- The highest level of resources
- White label site management
- Possibility to add collaborators
- Advanced Priority Care
4. Cloud hosting SiteGround
Built on Linux containers, SiteGround's cloud platform was built 3 years ago and since then this service has grown steadily.
Ideal for large websites or for those who simply need more web space than their plan allows, this service can be configured independently and also has an auto-scaling feature that allows you to automatically add resources as needed.
Divided into 3 different packages that aim to accommodate any need, SiteGround cloud hosting is a service that has unique features regardless of the plan you choose.
Features and pricing of SiteGround Cloud hosting plans
Entry: 3 CPU Cores, 6 GB of memory, 40 GB of disk space, 5 TB of data transfer. Price: 64 euros excluding VAT.
Business: 4 CPU Cores, 8 GB memory, 60 GB disk space, 5 TB data transfer. Price: 96 euros/month (excl. VAT).
Business Plus: 5 CPU Cores, 10 GB memory, 80 GB disk space, 5 TB data transfer. Price: 128 euros per month, excluding VAT.
For whom SiteGround hosting is suitable
Viste le numerose soluzioni messe a disposizione da SiteGround posso affermare che l’hosting offerto da questa società innovativa è adatto a chiunque desideri far ospitare il proprio sito web, blog o forum su una piattaforma affidabile, innovativa e sempre al passo con i tempi.
Sia se hai un semplice blog personale che un negozio di e-commerce oppure se devi gestire diversi siti di medie o grandi dimensioni, con SiteGround non avrai problemi a svolgere la tua attività nel migliore dei modi.
Grazie alle numerose caratteristiche specifiche offerte con ogni piano e all’assistenza in italiano sempre disponibile via telefono, mail o chat, per qualsiasi disguido potrai rivolgerti a personale competente pronto ad aiutarti e portare il tuo sito ad un livello sempre più alto a livello di funzionalità.
Inoltre la presenza dei server in varie parti del mondo è una caratteristica unica che ti aiuta a migliorare notevolmente l’user experience, garantendoti una velocità di caricamento sempre maggiore, quindi l’hosting SiteGround è la soluzione ideale per qualsiasi necessità.
How to Buy Hosting And Domain on Siteground - Video Tutorial
This short video shows you how to buy hosting and domain for the first time on Siteground, how to install WordPress with one click and also how to install an SSL certificate.
How to transfer a site from another hosting to SiteGround?
If you are fascinated by all the features and services offered by SiteGround and have decided to transfer your existing website to SiteGround, you will find a simple guide below on how to do this quickly and easily.
Use SiteGround Migrator: Generate the migration token in the site tools.
This is an innovative plugin that generates a token (a series of numbers and letters) that will allow you to securely transfer your site.
To generate the token you need to log into SiteGround's "Site Tools, enter the WordPress section and click on "Migration".
From the drop-down menu choose the domain and if you want to add the subfolder you want to use to upload your site, then click on "Generate".
You should now see a unique code to use for the transfer. Click on copy because you will need it in the next step.
2. Go to the SiteGround Migrator installation
Per installare SiteGround Migrator vai nel sito che intendi trasferire, accedi alla tua bacheca di WordPress e vai nella sezione dei Plugin.
Click on "Add New", then in the search bar search for SiteGround Migrator. Install and activate.
3. Enter the generated token and start the transfer procedure
In the menu present in the WordPress bulletin board go to SG Migrator and then enter the token.
Check if the email address where you will receive the notification of the transfer is correct and then start.
4. Finish the transfer
If, as in the picture below, you see on the plugin screen the words "Transfer completed successfully!" or you receive an email notification of the successful transfer, it means that the operation was successful.
You will also receive a temporary URL valid for 48 hours that will allow you to access your site and check that everything is in order. If everything is in order you will have to change the DNS so that your domain points to the new site.
Are you unfamiliar or do you not have time to perform this operation?
"Don't worry, SiteGround has a solution for this as well."
Professional migration from the siteground team
After choosing the hosting plan that interests you and after completing the purchase, through the login information you will receive by email you can go to the User Area and from the "Go to Support Center" ask that there is a professional to perform the transfer.
Basically, click on "Go to Service Center" and then...
... click on "Contact Us".
Select the "Advanced Technical Support" item and then click on "Site Transfer".
Now select the domain you want to transfer your website to and then click on "Manual transfer managed by our team".
Compila i dati richiesto ed un professionista si occuperà del trasferimento. Costo del trasferimento: 24 euro (una volta era Gratis!).
How to transfer a domain to SiteGround
In order to be able to transfer an existing domain to SiteGround you need to have an AuthInfo code (also called EPP) at hand, which is provided to you by your previous provider.
Once you have this code enter your SiteGround user area. Now go to the tab "Marketplace".....
.... bottom left click on "Domain Transfer"...
.... enter the name of the domain you want to transfer, and on the following page fill in the fields with the information required for the transfer (EPP code, your personal data).
This operation has a fixed cost of 12.95 euros and the price also includes the automatic renewal of the domain for one year.
Provide the transfer code, pay the due amount and then wait for an email to arrive asking you to confirm the transfer process.
Now click on the confirmation link in the email and wait for the transfer notification that you will receive within a few days from the transfer request.
How to install WordPress on SiteGround
To install WordPress on SiteGround proceed as follows:
1. Log in to SiteGround hosting
Go to the official SiteGround website and click on the "Sign In" button in the top right corner. Enter your credentials.
2. Click on "Websites" and then "Site Tools".
After logging in, go to "Websites" and then click on "Site Tools." From this section you can perform numerous tasks, including installing WordPress.
3. Install WordPress
Among the various items you will find in the "Site Tools" section, there is also the "WordPress" item. Click on this section and then select the "Install and Manage" option. In the screen that appears, select the item where there is only WordPress, as highlighted below.
4. Configure basic options about your site
At this point you will be asked for some information that will allow you to properly install and configure WordPress.
From the list in front of you choose the domain on which you want to install WordPress, while in the area "Installation Path" I suggest you do not change/select anything, so your site will be entirely created with WordPress.
Also leave the "Install with WordPress Starter (optional)" box unchecked and choose Italian as the language.
Remember also to enter a password, a username, and also the email you usually use. Save the data you just entered and proceed with the installation.
5. Start customizing your site
Now that you have WordPress installed you can start customizing your site.
Remember that it's not yet indexed by search engines so you can't search it on Google to see what it looks like, but by writing the address on the search bar you can still see what the site looks like and start customizing it.
To do the latter, simply add /wp-admin after your site's address.
Example: www.yoursite.com/wp-admin.
Alternatively, from the WordPress section of Siteground's Site Tools, go to "Install and Manage" and you'll see that there's a button that gives you access to your bulletin board.
Remember that here you will be asked for the credentials that you created earlier during the installation phase.
How to install an SSL certificate on Siteground
What you need to do to install a free SSL certificate on Siteground is to log into your account, select the "Websites" tab at the top and then click "Site tools".
On the left-hand side of the page that opens, click on "Security" and then on "SSL Management".
On the side, you will get a screen and here you have to select the domain to install the SSL certificate on, select let's encrypt and then click get.
It will take about 1 minute to install the SSL certificate correctly.
Now, click again on the "Security" item and then on "Forcing HTTPS".
On the side, you will get a screen like in the picture below and here you have to enable the option shown, that is HTTPS forcing, in this way your site will be secure and will have an SSL certificate installed.
How to create and configure an email on SiteGround
As I have mentioned in the previous paragraphs, with every SiteGround hosting plan you can have an unlimited number of free accounts for your domain. To create one and configure it follow these steps:
- Log in to your Siteground account > click on "Websites" and choose the website for which you want to create an email address.
- Now click on "Site tools" > Email> Account.
- To create the email account, enter the new email address before the "@" and then create a secure password.
- After you have done this click on "Create" and in a few seconds you will have your new email account.
Instead, if you want to configure an email address just go to the menu "Actions" and select "Email configuration".
Then a pop-up will come up where you can select the email address you want to configure.
Now click on "Create" and then follow the instructions.
If you choose to do the configuration manually, the system will show you what server configuration data you need to use to configure the email yourself.
How to create a subdomain on SiteGround
A subdomain is nothing more than a domain that resides within a larger domain.
There is a hierarchy of domains and the subdomain is a third-level domain that is generally used to create specific sections in a site.
Ad esempio si possono creare dei blog, forum, una pagina dei contatti e per le informazioni, ecc.
Generally, subdomains allow you to better organize the content on a site, so knowing how to create them can be useful whether you have a personal blog, an e-commerce or any other kind of site.
To create a subdomain on SiteGround follow the steps below, but keep in mind that this option is reserved for customers who have a GrowBig or GoGeek plan.
- Log in to your Siteground account.
- Click on "Websites", choose the site for which you want to create a subdomain and click on "Site tools".
- Go to "Domains" and from there click on "Subdomains".
- In the screen that comes up enter the name of the subdomain.
- Click on "Create".
If you prefer, on the new subdomain you can also install WordPress and to do this you'll have to follow the same procedure as for the main domains, as I explained earlier.
Pros and cons of SiteGround hosting
Surely if we are to analyze the pros and cons of Siteground WordPress hosting we find many advantages and few disadvantages.
This provider is definitely on the cutting edge and expands its offerings with more and more innovative offers, which is why more and more users are opting for this hosting provider every day.
Anyway, let's see what the pros and cons of SiteGround are.
Pro Hosting Siteground:
- Excellent value for money.
- Plans available for every need.
- Customer support also available in Italian, 24 hours a day.
- Servers are available on 4 continents - an aspect that improves the performance offered.
- Customizable additional services.
- Offers that can save you significantly on the price of various services.
- No limit to monthly visits.
- Free migration and performance plugins.
- High security always guaranteed.
- Ability to create unlimited email accounts with any plan.
Siteground Cons Hosting:
- The assisted site migration is paid at around 24 euros.
- Renewal prices are definitely higher than the competition.
- Each plan has a maximum capacity for each database and this can be a problem for very large sites.
SiteGround customer support and chat
As specified above, SiteGround offers support to its customers 24 hours a day, every day.
In addition to providing phone support, this provider assists its customers also via email and chat. This is very important both in the initial phase when you have to choose between the various packages and during the migration of sites and domains or if you want to upgrade your plan.
For any problem there is always someone to answer and assistance is also available in Italian and Spanish.
Consider that relying on the live chat support the probability that the problem exposed will be solved by the operator since the first assistance is 90%, while the waiting time hardly exceeds 15 minutes (normally 1-3 minutes).
In addition, customers who decide to purchase the GoGeek package have access to priority support, so they won't have to wait before receiving a response.
Not only that, the assistance offered by SiteGround is also based on AI Bots that allow users to streamline practices even faster, while more complex issues are delegated to the expert team that is always available and ready to patiently assist even the least practical customers.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Siteground
1. How good is siteground?
There is virtually nothing more you could want from a web hosting provider. SiteGround offers the best service in the market for the price you are paying.
2. How much does a WordPress hosting plan with Siteground cost?
Mainly the plans offered by SiteGround are 3:
3. Where are SiteGround's servers located?
Siteground's servers are currently located:
- Frankfurt, Germany
- Sydney, Australia
- Singapore, Singapore
- Iowa, USA
- London, United Kingdom
- Eemshaven, Netherlands
In addition, Siteground provides the Cloudflare CDN to all its customers. The latter expands their network to over 200 cities worldwide.
4. What are the best alternatives to SiteGround?
SiteGround is an extremely reliable hosting provider and will surely amaze you. However, the best SiteGround alternatives are:
5. Siteground discount? Are there any discounted plans available?
Yes, there are discounts exclusive to the -53%:
6. Does SiteGround offer a free domain?
Yes, Siteground offers a free domain for the first year.
SiteGround hosting opinions
By analyzing the many solutions available from SiteGround and comparing this provider to others on the market I can say without a doubt that SiteGround offers very innovative hosting plans and services that can meet even the most complex needs.
Always on the cutting edge and among the first to offer the most important innovations on the market, SiteGround is a provider that continues to grow in its industry and every day the team at this provider makes major updates to ensure top performance no matter what type of plan you choose.
In fact, to ascertain the quality offered by SiteGround just do a quick online search and read the reviews left by the many customers who rely on this dynamic company every day.
Conclusions
Taking a look at the existing providers, I can say that SiteGround is undoubtedly the best WordPress hosting with support in Italy, as the proposals of this company are designed in such a way as to meet any kind of need.
In addition, excellent value for money is offered, and one of the strengths is definitely the support offered.
In fact, unlike many competitors, SiteGround tries to successfully satisfy any request and does so in different ways, meeting the needs of users from this point of view as well.
In sostanza, a rendere così famoso questo provider è la competenza del team, le prestazioni di altissimo livello offerte e la vasta scelta di servizi e funzionalità disponibili.
And that's it! At this point in the guide, I'm more than confident that you now know your way around Siteground's platform, and it must have all been pretty damn easy for you (unlike my first time!).
If you encounter any difficulty in following any of the steps in this guide, please feel free to contact me or write me a comment.
Thank you again for your attention and for following me up to this point.
See you anon!
A hug.
