Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Sunday, February 16th
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
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Select any 2 Web Hosting Companies to compare them head to head