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GoDaddy Review

Sunday, February 16th

2025 Web Hosting Company Reviews

GoDaddy Review 4 Star Rating

GoDaddy

4 Star Rating
  • Comprehensive domain management and hosting services under one roof
  • User-friendly control panel suitable for beginners
  • Immediate service activation with quick setup tools
  • Multiple payment methods accepted worldwide
  • Extensive marketplace for additional web services and tools

GoDaddy began its journey in 1997 as Jomax Technologies, founded by entrepreneur Bob Parsons in Phoenix, Arizona. The company rebranded to GoDaddy in 1999 and has successfully grown to become one of the world's largest domain registrars and web hosting providers. Currently headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, GoDaddy serves over 21 million customers globally and manages more than 62 million registered domains. Their consistent innovation and market leadership have earned them numerous industry awards and recognitions.

The company made its mark through controversial Super Bowl advertisements and aggressive marketing campaigns in the early 2000s. This approach helped establish GoDaddy as a household name in web hosting and domain registration. After going public in 2015, the company has focused on expanding its service offerings beyond basic hosting to include website builders, digital marketing tools, and business applications.

Through various acquisitions and technological improvements, GoDaddy has evolved into a one-stop shop for digital presence management. Their platform now caters to everyone from individual bloggers to small businesses and enterprises, though their primary focus remains on small- to medium-sized businesses.

Pricing that starts low but requires careful attention

GoDaddy's pricing structure follows an introductory model that offers attractive entry points with standard industry renewal rates. Basic shared hosting starts at $5.99/month for the first term of 36 months, but renews at $12.76/month. WordPress hosting begins at $8.99/month for a 1-year term with renewal at $12.99/month, while VPS hosting starts at $8.99/month for a 3-year term and renews at $11.99/month. The average renewal price increase across all offerings is over 60%. While renewal rates are higher, they remain competitive when considering the comprehensive feature set and reliable infrastructure GoDaddy provides.

The pricing strategy, while competitive for initial terms, places GoDaddy in the mid-to-high range of hosting providers when considering renewal rates. It's crucial to note that GoDaddy reserves the right to change prices at any time, with changes taking effect at renewal. All services auto-renew by default, so customers should carefully manage their renewal settings through their account dashboard to avoid unexpected charges. This is a major reason we recommend not going beyond a 12-month renewal cycle. It's too easy to forget when the next renewal happens and then you're saddled with another 3-year term even if you intended to move hosting elsewhere.

GoDaddy's transparent pricing structure includes optional add-ons like SSL certificates, backup services, and security features. While these additions increase the total cost, they allow customers to customize their hosting package according to their specific needs. However, to some users accustomed to more all-inclusive hosting plans, it can feel like nickel-and-diming is going on.

SSL certificates start at $69.99/year with a 3-year term but renew at $99.99/year. Unfortunately, GoDaddy does not offer the free LetsEncrypt option with 90-day autorenewals, forcing you to purchase SSL when other hosts offer it for free. Domain privacy protection, backup services, and security features also come with separate charges, potentially making the total cost of hosting significantly higher than the advertised base price.

Pricing

  • $5.99 to $17.99 per month 36-month introductory pricing for Web Hosting
  • $8.99 to $15.99 per month 12-month introductory pricing for Managed WordPress
  • $8.99 to $44.99 per month 36-month introductory pricing for VPS

Feature set balances basics with premium options

GoDaddy offers a comprehensive suite of hosting features that caters to various user needs. Their basic shared hosting includes unmetered bandwidth, free SSL for the first year, and a one-click application installer. WordPress hosting adds automated backups and malware scanning, while VPS plans provide root access and guaranteed resources.

The control panel interface deserves special mention for its user-friendly design. While it's not the traditional cPanel that many users might be familiar with, GoDaddy's custom dashboard provides a streamlined experience for managing websites, domains, and add-on services. However, some users report a learning curve when transitioning from other hosts.

Advanced features like staging environments, git integration, and development tools are available but typically restricted to higher-tier plans. The basic plans, while sufficient for simple websites, may feel limited for developers or growing businesses. Additionally, the backup system, while reliable, requires a separate purchase for most plans, unlike some competitors who include it as a standard feature.

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Refunds show some limitations

GoDaddy's refund policy includes some important caveats: while they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for annual plans, all amounts are generally non-refundable unless specifically noted in their refund policy.

When refunds are issued, processing times can vary significantly - ranging from five business days to a full billing cycle, depending on your payment method. Domain names remain non-refundable after the initial 24-hour period, which is particularly important to note given GoDaddy's prominence in domain registration.

The company offers multiple payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers, providing flexibility for international customers. However, refund limitations may apply depending on the payment method used, and in some cases, refunds may be issued as service credit rather than returned to the original payment method.

Tiered security, warranty, and guarantee policies

GoDaddy provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which is reliably maintained with consistent performance metrics. Their service level agreement (SLA) offers limited compensation for downtime, typically in the form of service credits rather than monetary refunds. The credit amount is generally calculated as a percentage of your monthly hosting fee based on the duration of the outage. Their service level agreement demonstrates their commitment to customer satisfaction, with clear compensation policies for any service interruptions.

The company's security guarantees vary by plan level. While all plans include basic DDoS protection, advanced security features like malware removal and hack repair are only included in certain premium plans or require additional purchases. This tiered approach to security guarantees can leave basic plan users vulnerable unless they invest in supplementary protection.

Website backup guarantees are similarly tiered, with automatic backups included only in certain plans. For many users, maintaining proper website backups requires purchasing additional services, which can be seen as a limitation compared to hosts that include comprehensive backup solutions in their basic plans.

Mixed reviews reveal customer experience challenges

Recent Trustpilot data shows mixed but predominantly positive patterns in customer satisfaction. With over 23,800 reviews in the past 12 months, GoDaddy maintains a strong 4.6 rating average: a high score compared to some rivals we've reviewed. Common complaints focus on unexpected renewal charges, difficulty canceling services, and long customer service wait times. While some users report challenges with billing and support, these represent a small percentage of GoDaddy's massive customer base. The majority of positive reviews highlight the platform's reliability, ease of use, and comprehensive feature set.

The BBB profile shows 1,430 complaints closed in the last three years, with 559 in the past 12 months. While GoDaddy maintains an "A+” rating with the BBB, customer reviews average significantly lower. Technical support quality is frequently mentioned as an area of concern, with users reporting inconsistent experiences depending on the support representative and issue type.

A top-tier favorite because of longevity

GoDaddy stands out as a strong choice in the web hosting market. Their combination of reliable service, comprehensive features, and established market presence makes them an excellent option for both beginners and experienced users. While their renewal rates are higher than introductory prices, the value provided through their robust infrastructure, user-friendly interface, and wide range of services justifies the investment.

Which Web Hosting Service is the Best Choice?

If you want to connect with a local, national, or global audience, having a website is essential. Whether your site is for promoting a brand, running an online store, sharing media, offering services, showcasing your writing, or just pursuing a hobby, it needs a reliable host.

Over the years, countless hosting companies have emerged, thrived, and then disappeared. So, how do you figure out which of the current providers will still be around when you need them? And what features should you prioritize? First, you need to understand your budget and the pricing models of different hosting companies.

The Best Web Hosting Companies Compare Web Hosting Companies Compare Web Hosting Company Reviews What are the best Web Hosting Companies Best Web Hosting Company Reviews

Web Hosting Company FAQ

Web hosting is a service that provides a computer (called a server) that delivers web page content to your website visitors. Rather than learning how to build and connect your own server to the Internet, web hosting companies provide all of these services for a fee so you can just focus on your website.
Web hosting can be very inexpensive if your needs are basic. But there is also a trade-off of lesser quality availability, security, and performance with lower-cost hosting. It is highly recommended that you prioritize your web hosting budget to balance obtaining the highest quality for a reasonable price. As your website's traffic grows, you'll be happier if you purchased hosting that can grow with it.
All reputable web hosting companies provide some kind of money-back guarantee. Avoid those companies that do not allow you to back out of a plan without penalty if it doesn't initially meet your needs. Choose a company that provides a guarantee that you will love their hosting or they'll refund at least your first payment.
Most web hosts do not require that you sign a contract for their services. Rather, they provide monthly pricing plans or yearly pricing plans that discount the monthly service cost if you pay for a year of hosting up front. It is not advisable to sign a contract or purchase a hosting plan for more than a year of service. Your needs, and the quality of the web host, could change in that time - leaving you out of pocket for the difference if you have to move to another web hosting provider.
Having good web hosting will enable you to get the most out of your website. A fast website is typically hosted on a fast server. Fast websites get and keep more visitors than slow websites. Additionally, the more secure your web hosting company is, the more secure your website will be from the attacks of hackers. And, you'll want a web host that will provide the best features, even if it costs more than some of the cheaper competitors.
Some key features to look for in a web host include:
  • Fast Time to First Byte (the time it takes for the web server to deliver the first byte of data in a request)
  • Free SSL certificates that automatically renew
  • Focus on security and performance so that an attack or spike in traffic on another unrelated site on the same server will not adversely affect your site
  • Included Content Delivery Network (CDN) to duplicate your content closer to the geographical location of your visitors for faster content delivery
  • High availability (typically 99.99% uptime) so that you have as little downtime as possible
  • Backup and restore capabilities, preferably included at no additional cost
  • Maintenance package if your site uses a content management service like WordPress
  • Easy access to support via chat, email, and phone in case of problems or questions
It doesn't matter where your domain is registered, so choosing a hosting provider that doesn't provide domain registration is not a problem. You can always select a different domain registrar service and simply point it to your hosting provider's name servers. Sometimes this is a better option in case your hosting provider decides to cancel your account for any reason. If they do, your domain name will not be jeopardized.
In general you can get some value from most hosting providers. However, there is a practice of very large holding companies buying up popular hosting providers and consolidating their services under one "roof”. Users of these consolidated companies often complain about poor customer service and very low performance and security. Seek out reviews for each company you're considering and ensure that they are not part of a larger consolidation.
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Continued from above...

Be careful to verify enticing low prices by reading terms of service, looking up renewal prices, and asking questions. Some payment plans are consistent from period to period. Others provide discounts for monthly, yearly, or multi-year commitments. Additionally, some companies offer advanced features tailored to the specific needs of your website and audience. Avoid signing up for excessively long hosting terms. We recommend paying for no more than 12 months at a time - marketplace conditions can change, causing you to take a loss on moving to a different hosting provider before your term is up.

When evaluating features, make a list of what you truly need, what would be nice to have, and what you can do without. For instance, do you want a wide selection of themes for a DIY approach, or would you prefer a custom design from a professional? Are you looking for a powerful dedicated server, or is a shared server sufficient for your needs? Will you be coding your own site, or do you need a developer's assistance? If you don't have a domain yet, can the host provide one? If you already own a domain, how easy is it for the host to transfer it and migrate your existing site? Don't forget to include any requirements for email, eCommerce, advertising, and search engine optimization (SEO).

Security and performance are often overlooked but are incredibly important. Many people assume that all hosting services are secure and provide fast loading times, but that's not always the case. This is especially true for hosts that offer very low prices for plans that may not deliver. Be wary of shared hosting, where your site shares a server with many others. If another site on that server experiences issues, it could put your site at risk as well.

Lastly, consider the reputation of the hosting company. This goes beyond just how long they've been in business; it includes how they treat their customers, the number of complaints they receive, and how effectively they address those complaints. It can also matter which holding company or private equity firm owns the hosting service. If at all possible, avoid hosts owned by Newfold Digital (formerly Endurance International Group or EIG) as they have all had a history of poor customer service and quality due to overly-aggressive acquisitions of hosts. Reach out to other website owners, web designers, and developers to get their opinions on the hosting companies you're considering. They can provide valuable insights based on their experiences.

As you narrow down your options, keep these factors in mind:

  • Features. What does the web host offer, and do you need all of them?
  • Cost. How is the pricing structured? Will there be increases after a certain period?
  • Reputation. What are people saying about the host online? Are they likely to change names or engage in questionable practices?
  • Security. How many security incidents has the host faced? Are there frequent complaints about outages, and how quickly are they resolved?
  • Performance. How does the host's speed compare to competitors? Can they handle traffic spikes effectively?
  • Customer service. What support options are available, and how responsive are they? Are the representatives friendly and helpful or dismissive? How long does it take to resolve issues?

The IT experts at Top Consumer Reviews have compiled a list of leading web hosting providers to assist you in your research. We hope this information helps you find the best web host for your needs, ensuring your website is engaging, efficient, affordable, and secure.

Compare Web Hosting Companies

Select any 2 Web Hosting Companies to compare them head to head

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  • ScalaHosting
  • Host Papa
  • DreamHost
  • Hostinger
  • A2 Hosting
  • GoDaddy
  • Network Solutions
  • Liquid Web
  • HostGator
  • Interserver
  • Bluehost
  • One
ScalaHosting vs Host Papa ScalaHosting vs DreamHost ScalaHosting vs Hostinger ScalaHosting vs A2 Hosting ScalaHosting vs GoDaddy ScalaHosting vs Network Solutions ScalaHosting vs Liquid Web ScalaHosting vs HostGator ScalaHosting vs Interserver ScalaHosting vs Bluehost ScalaHosting vs One Host Papa vs DreamHost Host Papa vs Hostinger Host Papa vs A2 Hosting Host Papa vs GoDaddy Host Papa vs Network Solutions Host Papa vs Liquid Web Host Papa vs HostGator Host Papa vs Interserver Host Papa vs Bluehost Host Papa vs One DreamHost vs Hostinger DreamHost vs A2 Hosting DreamHost vs GoDaddy DreamHost vs Network Solutions DreamHost vs Liquid Web DreamHost vs HostGator DreamHost vs Interserver DreamHost vs Bluehost DreamHost vs One Hostinger vs A2 Hosting Hostinger vs GoDaddy Hostinger vs Network Solutions Hostinger vs Liquid Web Hostinger vs HostGator Hostinger vs Interserver Hostinger vs Bluehost Hostinger vs One A2 Hosting vs GoDaddy A2 Hosting vs Network Solutions A2 Hosting vs Liquid Web A2 Hosting vs HostGator A2 Hosting vs Interserver A2 Hosting vs Bluehost A2 Hosting vs One GoDaddy vs Network Solutions GoDaddy vs Liquid Web GoDaddy vs HostGator GoDaddy vs Interserver GoDaddy vs Bluehost GoDaddy vs One Network Solutions vs Liquid Web Network Solutions vs HostGator Network Solutions vs Interserver Network Solutions vs Bluehost Network Solutions vs One Liquid Web vs HostGator Liquid Web vs Interserver Liquid Web vs Bluehost Liquid Web vs One HostGator vs Interserver HostGator vs Bluehost HostGator vs One Interserver vs Bluehost Interserver vs One Bluehost vs One
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