How to Cancel your SiteGround Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Many love SiteGround. Many also do not. Cancelling SiteGround can be the solution for some users whose service does not suit their needs. They can be an excellent provider, recommended for many different types of sites, but there still may be occasions where a cancellation is necessary. Therefore, it’s essential to understand how to cancel your SiteGround account so you can move on and find a SiteGround alternative.

When you need to cancel your SiteGround account, there is a straightforward process that will be taken care of quickly. You can manage most of it via your SiteGround Client Area, and depending on what services you are terminating, there may be an opportunity for a refund. All in all, canceling your SiteGround account is not overly complex.

In this article, we’ll cover the reasons why you may want to cancel your subscription with SiteGround, followed by a six-step guide to doing so. And lastly, we have some answers to the most commonly asked questions on cancellation. Here we go!

Why You Might Want to Cancel Your SiteGround Account

SiteGround might stop working for you for many reasons. When you read through SiteGround’s customer reviews, it’s easy to see that specific issues are commonly raised. Specifically, many users have expressed dissatisfaction with the price hike upon renewal, which can easily triple. Therefore, even though SiteGround has many benefits, this could ultimately be a deal breaker for some.

As a real-life example, let’s look at the StartUp plan. Initially, it starts at $2.99 per month; however, when the subscription renews after 12 or 24 months, the price rockets up by 6x and reaches $17.99. This is an extreme jump in pricing!

In addition, some customers voiced dissatisfaction with the absence of cPanel in their plans. For those accustomed to using cPanel, transitioning to SiteGround’s proprietary hosting control panel, Site Tools, can be challenging. cPanel remains the leading hosting management platform. As such, some developers may find themselves frustrated with this lack of familiarity.

Whatever the reason, they’re all frustrating, and it’s not your fault your web host is failing. Luckily, migrating web hosts is a way to escape this problem. While it may seem like far too much effort, the result will more than makeup for it.

What to Prepare Before you Cancel your SiteGround Account

If you’re planning to cancel your SiteGround account, there are a few things that you’ll need to consider first.

1) Finding a SiteGround alternative

Before selecting a new host, it is essential to identify the basics. Here is a checklist you can draw on to help make informed decisions. Utilize these findings when meeting with potential hosts; the better understanding you have of their capacity to cover your particular requirements, the more likely you are to find the perfect match.

Looking for a SiteGround alternative? 👀 Join the growing club of happy customers who made the switch to better, faster web hosting!

When it comes to sales conversations with your future web host, having the answers to certain questions preemptively prepared and ready is key. You must bring each one up during any sales calls or chats you take part in. The representative on the other line should already be well-versed in these points and be able to back them up with follow-up questions or solutions as needed. Not being able to answer these discussion topics fluently should be seen as a warning sign.

9 Essential questions to ask when choosing a hosting provider

When selecting a new web host, there are a couple of important points to consider. You want to make sure you’re moving into something more reliable, not just cheap. Being cheap and being good don’t typically go hand in hand, though. When it comes to finding a bargain, you may have to make certain sacrifices. And when you begin cutting corners like this, the quality will start to suffer. Take for example, we don’t consider low prices as our main competitive advantage over our competition. Instead, what truly sets us apart from the rest is our outstanding customer service and quality of service.

Before making a decision, make sure to ask these essential questions. Understanding their answers will help you determine whether the provider suits your needs.

1) How long have you been in business?
It’s understandable to be wary of new web hosts that have been around for less than a year, however, one should not automatically assume that an older host is better either. While there are some established companies in the industry who offer quality services, there are also those who have been in business for many years yet still provide substandard services.

2) Will your support team help me solve more complex technical issues?

Providing quality customer service should be your topmost concern. Don’t make the mistake of leaving it to chance… even experts may find themselves in need of website assistance sometimes, and when this occurs it’s essential that you have the ability to access timely and efficient help!

Before making the commitment to sign on, it pays off to ask some technical questions. Should you receive evasive answers in response, it is best to continue your search for another option.

3) Are you offering white-glove migrations? And if so, how many sites and what do you charge for this?

The process of relocating sites can be quite the endeavor. Those who have done it before will not feel much of a burden, yet those who are going through the migration for the first time should plan to dedicate an adequate amount of hours into this project. 

Fortunately, some web hosts, including us, may be willing to do the migration free of charge and with zero downtime. When selecting a web host, you should expect them to migrate your sites across to their platform without any cost. Any fee for this service may indicate that they are not particularly interested in acquiring your business.

4) Are you offering multiple server locations? 

When searching for a web hosting service, it is important to consider where their servers are located. This can have a major effect on how quickly and smoothly visitors can access the content of your website. Taking the time to ensure that your host has appropriately placed their servers is crucial to making sure that visitors have an effortless experience when they visit your site.

When determining the best server location for your website, it is essential to consider the geographic distribution of your target audience. By considering the geographic distribution of your target audience, you can optimize server locations to serve them best. If you target a global audience, you can utilize a content delivery network (CDN).

With ChemiCloud, websites load at lightning speed, thanks to our 17 global server locations. We ensure that your website is geographically closer to your visitors, guaranteeing minimal latency and optimal load times.

5) Will you provide me with a reliable backup system for my websites?

It cannot be stressed enough how significant it is to make sure your website is backed up. Even with the best security measures in place, data loss and hacking can still occur, so having a backup system in place is always wise. It’s important to exercise caution when researching web hosting companies, as many will advertise that they back up websites. However, you must verify whether or not these backups are actually stored offsite.

Sleep like a baby with ChemiCloud’s remote backup solution for your sites through JetBackup. 🛌 Check out our web hosting plans!

6) How do you protect my website(s) against brute force attacks and malware?

Unfortunately, widely used web applications, such as WordPress, are a prime target for malicious hackers. It is essential to ensure that preventative measures are in place to safeguard against brute force/hacking attempts and that the hosting infrastructure has been fortified to minimize the risk of malware infecting your site.

7) Do you provide any features to simplify my life?

Is the control panel easy to use? Can you give other people’s collaborator access to your website? Are staging sites included in the package? Are SSL certificates provided, and can they be set up without difficulty? These features are essential, and any good hosting service should provide them!

8) What if I am not happy with your service? Do you offer a money-back guarantee period?

When it comes to picking a hosting company, the only way to find out whether or not it will work for you is by giving it a go. Fortunately, should you find yourself disappointed in your choice, you can cancel without having to pay anything.

Before investing in a hosting service, it is important to understand what kind of satisfaction guarantee it provides. This way, you know that your money isn’t at risk. Many reliable hosting companies offer a 45-day period for a refund on most of their hosting services.

9) What uptime guarantee do you offer?

Uptime and reliability are two of the most essential features when it comes to web hosting. Without them, a hosting provider is not doing its job properly. That’s why many good providers guarantee an uptime of 99.9%, while some offer even higher, like 99.99%. This ensures your website is always available to visitors and never goes offline.

Never worry about your website going down again with our 99.99% uptime guarantee. Normally, our 100% uptime promise is always fulfilled; however, should it not be attained, you have the right to request compensation.

Making the right decision when choosing a web host can be difficult, but this checklist of questions should help. However, even with the best intentions, you can make the wrong choice and find yourself stuck with an inadequate host. In that case, don’t stay put – migration to a better provider may be the solution!

2) Migrating Your Website from SiteGround to a New Web Host

One of the simplest approaches to moving your website(s) from SiteGround to a new host is via a migration service. This will enable you to quickly and effortlessly move your website(s) from SiteGround onto your new host.

Choosing the right hosting provider can make all the difference when transferring your website. At ChemiCloud, we provide an array of hosting solutions with free white-glove migration and onboarding services included. This makes the transition process streamlined and stress-free.

Let ChemiCloud handle your website’s migration quickly and efficiently, all while you relax. In as little as one hour, we can provide a stress-free transition with no downtime whatsoever – saving you both time and money. 

It takes just three simple steps to migrate your website(s) to ChemiCloud. These steps are as follows:

• Sign up: Head to our Plans & Pricing and choose the hosting plan that suits your needs.
• Submit your migration request: Log into your account and submit your free migration request.
• Migration complete: One of our Migration experts will immediately migrate your site(s). That’s it!

3) How to Generate a Backup of Your Website Using Site Tools

Before you cancel your SiteGround account, it is essential to make sure that you have a backup of your site. You can download the most recent backup and save it on your computer. Note that once you terminate the account, any website backups taken and stored with SiteGround will no longer be accessible.

Using SiteGround’s Site Tools, you can easily do a backup for your site’s files. To do this, please take the following steps:

Step 1) Log in to your SiteGround Client Area, and locate the Websites option in the top menu. 

Step 2) Once in the Websites section, click the Site Tools option under your website’s details. 

Step 3) While on the Site Tools dashboard, look up Site and click the File Manager option. 

Step 4) Once File Manager is open, you’ll see the public_html directory where your site files reside. Right-click on it, then click on the Archive option. 

Step 5) Give your archive a name (e.g. mywebsite_backup). When the backup is created, it will automatically add the .zip extension. Click on the Confirm button: 

Step 6) Once the backup is generated, you can find the backup inside your account’s home directory. Right-click on the backup, then click on the Download option: 

That’s it; now that you have a backup of your site files, the next step is to do a backup for your site’s database. 

Using SiteGround’s Site Tools, you can easily do a backup for your site’s database. To do this, please take the following steps:

Step 1) Log in to your SiteGround Client Area, and locate the Websites option in the top menu. 

Step 2) Once in the Websites section, click the Site Tools option under your website’s details. 

Step 3) While on the Site Tools dashboard, look up Site and click the MySQL option. 

Step 4) While on the MySQL Manager, click on the phpMyAdmin tab, then click the Access phpMyAdmin button. 

Step 5) Once inside phpMyAdmin, select the database by clicking on it from the left-hand side menu. 

Step 6) The next step is to click on the Export tab, and finally to click on the Go button. 

Downloading your site’s database to your computer will start immediately. The time to download the backup depends on the size of your database. That’s it! You now know how to do a backup for your site’s database using phpMyAdmin. 

How To Cancel Your SiteGround Account

Now that you’re ready to cancel your SiteGround account, the next step is understanding how to proceed. 

Before continuing, you must decide which services you would like to discontinue. Of course, this step can be skipped if you only have a hosting plan.

In addition to web hosting, SiteGround also offers domain registration services. Canceling both services is unnecessary, but it is an option for those who prefer it. Furthermore, after canceling your hosting, you can still transfer your domain from SiteGround.

Here are four straightforward steps that will help you cancel your SiteGround account.

Step 1) Log in to your SiteGround Client Area, and locate the Services section in the top menu. 

Step 2) Once in the Hosting Management section, click the Settings option for the hosting plan you want to cancel. 

Step 3) Click the three dots to the right of your hosting plan. This should bring up a context menu. Click the Cancel option.

Step 4) Choose when the cancellation should take effect. You have two options: either immediately or at the time of your plan’s expiration date. Then click the Continue button.

Step 5) You’re almost done, but you must select a reason for canceling before you can finish. Select your reason and click the Continue button to complete the process.

Step 6) To finalize your cancellation, press Confirm, and the process will be complete.

Thats it! Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll receive a confirmation that the cancellation has been processed. 

Cancel or Transfer Your Domain Away From SiteGround

With regards to your domain, you have the option of canceling automatic renewal for it or transferring it away from SiteGround. Cancelation is the best choice if you purchase a new domain name from a different host. On the other hand, should you wish to keep your existing one, you will need to arrange a transfer.

Before initiating the transfer process at the new registrar, essential steps must be taken at the existing domain registrar. These include obtaining your domain’s authorization code (also known as EPP or auth code), unlocking the domain at your current registrar, ensuring 60 days have passed since initial registration, temporarily disabling privacy protection features during the transfer period, and updating your admin email address.

➡️ Tutorial: How to Transfer a Domain from SiteGround in 7 Easy Steps

How about transferring your domain for free?

Grab an annual hosting plan, which you’ll need anyway, and get a free domain transfer. Moreover, we’ll migrate your website(s) free of charge and with zero downtime from SiteGround to us.

You’ll get more than a free domain transfer:

• Great renewal rates: When renewing your domain, you’ll never have to worry about breaking the bank.
• User-friendly domain management: Manage your domain with an easy-to-use control panel and dashboard.
• Industry-leading Customer Support – Day or night, our 24/7 happiness engineers are here to offer struggle-free support when you need it.

👉🏻 Claim your free domain transfer now.

How to Request a Refund at SiteGround (if Applicable)

New customers of SiteGround can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee for all shared hosting plans and a 14-day money-back guarantee for cloud hosting plans.  Once you decide to cancel a service eligible for a refund, you will receive an on-screen notification with the exact sum of money you are due back. The refund will be issued without delay as soon as you confirm the cancellation request. Your bank should reflect this transaction in your statement within 7-10 business days, depending on their own processing times.

Cancel your SiteGround Account FAQs

Now that you have a good idea of the steps to follow when cancelling your SiteGround account, let’s make sure we haven’t missed anything by discussing the following commonly asked questions.

Can I Get a Refund for My SiteGround Account?

For those who have recently signed up with SiteGround, you may be eligible for a refund within 30 days. However, it is important to note that there are certain conditions in order to qualify for this refund. 

For hosting services that are cancelled within 30 days of payment, a full refund is possible as long as the new term has not yet begun. However, when the new term has already started, a partial refund can be obtained for all fees except for the charge associated with the initial month.

Unfortunately, no refunds are available for domain names or other add-ons purchased as part of your plan. Furthermore, any paid support or third-party services are excluded from the money-back guarantee.

What’s the Easiest Way to Migrate Away from SiteGround?

Tackling a website migration can be intimidating, yet it doesn’t have to be when you opt for ChemiCloud as your web hosting provider. They make it an easy and effortless process.

Have your website(s) migrated today!

How to Cancel SiteGround’s Automatic Renewal?

Generally, SiteGround plans that have a 12+ month hosting renewal period are auto-renewed 15 days before they reach their expiration date. Should you decide against automatic billing, then the SiteGround billing system won’t be able to process payment, and your plan won’t be renewed.

In order to stop the automatic billing for your SiteGround hosting, follow the steps below: 

Step 1) Log in to your SiteGround Client Area, and locate the Services section in the top menu. 

Step 2) Once in the Hosting Management section, click the Settings option for the hosting plan you want to cancel. 

Step 3) Click the three dots to the right of your hosting plan. This should bring up a context menu. Click the Renewal Settings option.

Step 4) Toggle the Autorenewal to OFF, like in the screenshot below. Then click the Confirm button.

That’s it; now you know how to turn OFF automatic renewal for your hosting service with SiteGround. 

If you decide to cancel your account instead, please follow the abovementioned cancellation process.

Conclusion

When it comes to hosting your website, there are many web hosts to choose from. You may be considering switching from SiteGround to a different provider that more effectively meets your specific needs and offers a broader range of services.

Remember, if you decide to cancel your SiteGround account, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With a little preparation and these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to a new and better web hosting experience in no time!

That’s it! You know how to cancel your SiteGround account and to migrate your website(s) away, whether with another company or us. (But we are pretty awesome, 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟).

Ready for worry-free hosting? Try ChemiCloud today. Your website’s in good hands.