Ending your SiteGround membership made easy

About SiteGround

SiteGround is a well-established web hosting provider that has been serving customers since 2004. Originally founded in Bulgaria, the company has grown to become one of the most recognised names in the hosting industry, supporting over 2.8 million domains worldwide. SiteGround operates data centres across multiple continents, including a London facility that serves UK customers with fast loading speeds and reliable connectivity.

The company specialises in various hosting solutions, from shared hosting for small websites to cloud hosting for larger enterprises. SiteGround has built its reputation on excellent customer service, robust security features, and hosting optimised specifically for popular platforms like WordPress, WooCommerce, and Joomla. They are officially recommended by WordPress.org, which speaks to their technical capabilities and reliability.

For UK customers, SiteGround offers localised support and pricing in British pounds. Their hosting packages include features such as free SSL certificates, daily backups, and advanced security measures including AI-powered anti-bot systems. The company prides itself on using cutting-edge technology, including SSD storage, custom caching solutions, and the latest PHP versions to ensure websites run efficiently.

Despite these advantages, many customers find themselves needing to cancel their SiteGround services for various reasons. Common motivations include finding more affordable alternatives, changing business requirements, consolidating multiple hosting accounts, or simply closing down websites that are no longer needed. Some users discover that their website traffic has grown beyond what their current plan can efficiently handle, whilst others may be downsizing and no longer require premium features.

Understanding your rights as a consumer is essential when cancelling any subscription service. In the UK, you are protected by various consumer protection laws, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. These regulations ensure that service providers must honour cancellation requests within reasonable timeframes and cannot impose unfair barriers to cancellation. Therefore, knowing the proper procedure for cancelling your SiteGround subscription protects both your financial interests and ensures a clean break from the service.

Subscription plans and pricing

SiteGround offers several hosting plans tailored to different needs and budgets. Understanding what you are currently paying for helps you make informed decisions about cancellation timing and ensures you are not charged unexpectedly after submitting your cancellation request.

Shared hosting plans

SiteGround's shared hosting options represent their most popular offerings, particularly suited for small to medium-sized websites. The entry-level plan, called StartUp, typically costs around £2.99 per month during promotional periods, though this increases to approximately £17.99 per month upon renewal. This plan supports one website with 10GB of storage and is suitable for sites receiving up to 10,000 monthly visits.

The GrowBig plan, positioned as their mid-tier option, generally costs around £4.99 per month initially, rising to approximately £27.99 upon renewal. This package allows unlimited websites, provides 20GB of storage, and includes premium features such as on-demand backup and restore, staging environments, and priority technical support. This plan accommodates websites with up to 100,000 monthly visits.

The GoGeek plan represents their premium shared hosting option, starting at roughly £7.99 per month and increasing to about £42.99 after the promotional period. This plan offers 40GB of storage, support for approximately 400,000 monthly visits, and additional features including white-label options for agencies, advanced performance tools, and the highest level of resource allocation on shared servers.

Cloud and managed WordPress hosting

SiteGround also provides cloud hosting solutions starting from approximately £100 per month, offering dedicated resources, auto-scaling capabilities, and enhanced performance. Their managed WordPress hosting integrates seamlessly with the shared hosting plans but includes WordPress-specific optimisations, automatic updates, and specialised caching mechanisms.

All SiteGround plans operate on a subscription basis with automatic renewal unless cancelled. This means that even if you stop using your hosting account, charges will continue until you formally cancel the service. As a result, understanding the cancellation process becomes financially important, particularly given the significant price increases between promotional and renewal rates.

It is worth noting that SiteGround typically bills customers for extended periods—monthly, annual, or biennial terms. The longer the commitment, the lower the monthly rate. However, this also means that cancellation timing becomes crucial if you wish to avoid being locked into another billing cycle.

Cancellation terms and conditions

Understanding SiteGround's cancellation policy is essential for protecting your consumer rights and ensuring you are not charged beyond your intended service period. The company's terms contain specific provisions that every customer should be aware of before initiating cancellation.

Money-back guarantee period

SiteGround offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for new customers purchasing hosting services. This means that if you cancel within the first 30 days of your initial purchase, you are entitled to a full refund of your hosting fees. However, this guarantee comes with important limitations that you should understand.

The money-back guarantee applies only to hosting fees and does not cover domain registration fees, setup fees, or any additional services you may have purchased. Therefore, if you registered a domain name through SiteGround when setting up your hosting, that cost will not be refunded even if you cancel within the 30-day window. In practice, this means you should carefully review your invoice to understand which charges are refundable.

Additionally, the money-back guarantee applies only to your first purchase with SiteGround. If you have previously held an account, cancelled it, and then returned as a customer, you will not be eligible for the refund policy on subsequent purchases. This is an important consideration for customers who may be testing the service or comparing multiple providers.

Cancellation notice requirements

For cancellations occurring after the 30-day money-back period, SiteGround's policy states that you must provide notice before your next billing date to avoid being charged for another cycle. The company does not offer prorated refunds for unused portions of your billing period once the money-back guarantee has expired.

This means that if you are billed annually and cancel six months into your term, you will not receive a refund for the remaining six months. As a result, timing your cancellation strategically becomes important from a financial perspective. You should aim to cancel shortly before your renewal date to maximise the value you receive from your subscription whilst avoiding additional charges.

Account closure and data retention

When you cancel your SiteGround hosting, the company will maintain your account data until the end of your current billing period. This gives you time to migrate your website, download backups, and retrieve any important files or email data stored on their servers. However, once your paid period expires, SiteGround will permanently delete your account data, including all website files, databases, and email accounts.

Therefore, it is crucial to back up all your data before cancelling or at least before your paid period ends. SiteGround will not be able to recover your data once it has been deleted, and you bear full responsibility for ensuring you have copies of everything you need. This emphasises the importance of planning your cancellation carefully rather than acting impulsively.

Legal requirements in the UK

Under UK consumer protection law, specifically the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have certain rights when cancelling subscription services. These regulations require that service providers make cancellation processes clear and accessible, and they cannot impose unreasonable barriers to cancellation.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 further protects you by ensuring that services must be provided with reasonable care and skill. If SiteGround has failed to meet their service commitments or if you have experienced persistent technical problems, you may have additional grounds for cancellation and potentially for seeking compensation, even outside the standard money-back guarantee period.

In practice, this means that whilst you must follow SiteGround's cancellation procedures, they cannot refuse a legitimate cancellation request or make the process unnecessarily complicated. Documenting your cancellation request through postal mail provides you with legal proof that you have exercised your consumer rights appropriately and within any required notice periods.

How to cancel SiteGround by post

Cancelling your SiteGround subscription by post offers several advantages over other methods, particularly from a consumer rights perspective. Postal cancellation creates an official paper trail that serves as legal evidence of your cancellation request, including the exact date you submitted it. This becomes especially important if any disputes arise regarding billing or the timing of your cancellation.

Why postal cancellation is recommended

Sending your cancellation request by Recorded Delivery or another tracked postal service provides you with proof of postage and delivery confirmation. This documentation is crucial because it demonstrates that you fulfilled your obligation to provide notice within the required timeframe. If SiteGround were to claim they never received your cancellation or that it arrived too late, you would have concrete evidence to refute such claims.

Furthermore, written cancellation requests are taken more seriously by companies than informal communications. A formal letter demonstrates that you are knowledgeable about your consumer rights and that you are creating a proper record of the transaction. This often results in faster processing and fewer attempts by the company to retain you as a customer through persuasive tactics.

Postal cancellation also provides you with time to carefully compose your request, ensuring you include all necessary information such as your account details, clear cancellation instructions, and your preferred effective date. Unlike phone calls where you might forget important details or feel pressured, a written letter allows you to maintain control of the communication.

Essential information to include

Your cancellation letter should contain specific information to ensure SiteGround can quickly identify your account and process your request without delays. You must include your full name exactly as it appears on your SiteGround account, your account email address, and any account numbers or customer reference numbers you have received from SiteGround.

Clearly state that you are requesting cancellation of your hosting services and specify the effective date you want the cancellation to take effect. If you are within the 30-day money-back guarantee period, explicitly state that you are requesting a refund under this policy. If you are cancelling after this period, indicate whether you want the cancellation to take effect immediately or at the end of your current billing cycle.

Include your contact information, including your postal address and phone number, so SiteGround can reach you if they need to clarify any aspects of your request. You should also request written confirmation of your cancellation, including confirmation of the effective date and details of any refunds you are due to receive.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Before sending your letter, make a complete copy for your records. This copy, combined with your proof of postage, creates a comprehensive record of your cancellation request. You should also download any important data from your SiteGround account before sending the cancellation letter, as the company will begin the account closure process once they receive your request.

When addressing your envelope, ensure you write the address clearly and correctly. Use Recorded Delivery or Special Delivery services from Royal Mail, as these provide tracking numbers and proof of delivery. The small additional cost for tracked delivery is worthwhile given the financial implications of ensuring your cancellation is properly documented.

SiteGround UK postal address

Send your cancellation letter to SiteGround's registered office address. Based on their UK operations, correspondence should be directed to their official business address:

• SiteGround Hosting Ltd
• 3rd Floor, Perspectiva
• 7 Mariner Court
• Wakefield Road
• Denby Dale
• Huddersfield
• HD8 8QJ
• United Kingdom

Ensure you use this complete address exactly as shown. Incomplete or incorrect addresses may delay delivery of your cancellation request, potentially causing it to arrive after your next billing date and resulting in unwanted charges.

Using Postclic for tracked cancellation letters

For customers who want to ensure their cancellation is handled professionally and with full tracking, services like Postclic offer a convenient solution. Postclic allows you to send official letters digitally, which are then professionally printed, enveloped, and sent via Royal Mail Tracked 24 service on your behalf.

This approach provides several benefits. You receive digital proof of sending, including a timestamp and tracking number, without needing to visit a post office. The service ensures your letter is properly formatted and professionally presented, which can contribute to faster processing by the recipient company. Additionally, you can send your cancellation letter immediately, even outside business hours or at weekends, as Postclic processes letters on the next working day.

Using such a service is particularly valuable if you are approaching your billing renewal date and need to ensure your cancellation arrives promptly. The tracked delivery provides peace of mind that your letter will reach SiteGround and that you will have proof of delivery should any disputes arise.

Following up on your cancellation

After sending your cancellation letter, monitor your email for confirmation from SiteGround. The company typically sends email confirmation once they process cancellation requests. If you do not receive confirmation within five to seven working days after your letter was delivered, you should follow up to ensure your request was received and processed.

Keep monitoring your bank account or credit card statements to verify that no further charges appear after your cancellation should have taken effect. If you are charged after your cancellation date, you have grounds to dispute the charge with both SiteGround and your payment provider, using your postal records as evidence that you provided proper notice.

Customer reviews and tips

Understanding other customers' experiences with cancelling SiteGround provides valuable insights into what you can expect and how to navigate potential challenges. Customer feedback reveals common patterns that can help you prepare for the cancellation process and avoid pitfalls.

Common customer experiences

Many customers report that SiteGround's cancellation process is relatively straightforward compared to some other hosting providers. The company generally processes cancellation requests without excessive retention attempts or obstacles. However, customers emphasise the importance of timing your cancellation correctly to avoid being charged for another billing cycle.

Several users note that SiteGround's support team is professional and helpful even when processing cancellations. This contrasts with some companies that become difficult to deal with when customers try to leave. As a result, most customers who follow the proper procedures report successful cancellations without significant problems.

However, some customers have experienced confusion regarding refund eligibility, particularly concerning which charges are refundable within the 30-day guarantee period. This highlights the importance of clearly stating your expectations in your cancellation letter and specifically referencing the money-back guarantee if applicable.

Data backup considerations

Customer experiences consistently emphasise the critical importance of backing up your data before cancelling. Several users report losing valuable website data, email archives, or databases because they assumed they would have more time to retrieve files after cancellation. In practice, once your paid period expires, SiteGround permanently deletes your data, and recovery is not possible.

Therefore, you should download complete backups of your website files, databases, and any email accounts hosted with SiteGround before initiating cancellation. SiteGround provides backup tools within their control panel, but you should verify that your backups are complete and that you can access them independently of your SiteGround account.

Domain name management

If you registered your domain name through SiteGround, you need to consider what will happen to it after cancellation. Your domain registration is separate from your hosting service, and it will remain active until its own expiration date. However, if you want to continue using the domain with a different hosting provider, you should initiate a domain transfer before cancelling your hosting.

Customers recommend unlocking your domain and obtaining the authorisation code (EPP code) from SiteGround before cancelling your hosting account. This ensures you can smoothly transfer your domain to another registrar without complications. Some users report difficulties obtaining domain transfer codes after their hosting account was closed, so proactive planning is essential.

Timing your cancellation strategically

Experienced customers advise carefully timing your cancellation to maximise value from your subscription. If you are outside the money-back guarantee period, you will not receive a prorated refund, so cancelling immediately after renewal would mean losing most of your payment.

Instead, plan your cancellation to take effect just before your next renewal date. This gives you full use of the service you have already paid for whilst preventing additional charges. You can continue using your hosting until the end of your paid period even after submitting your cancellation request, so there is no disadvantage to cancelling early in terms of service access.

Migration planning

Customers who have successfully cancelled SiteGround whilst maintaining their websites recommend thoroughly planning your migration to a new host before cancelling. This includes setting up your new hosting account, transferring your website files and databases, updating DNS records, and thoroughly testing your website on the new host before cancelling SiteGround.

This approach ensures minimal downtime and reduces the risk of losing data or functionality during the transition. Some customers report rushing their cancellation due to billing concerns, only to discover that their website experienced extended downtime because they had not properly prepared their new hosting environment.

Record keeping best practices

Customer feedback consistently highlights the importance of maintaining comprehensive records throughout the cancellation process. Save all email communications with SiteGround, keep copies of your cancellation letter, and retain your proof of postage and delivery confirmation indefinitely.

These records protect you if any billing disputes arise or if you need to demonstrate that you cancelled within required notice periods. Several customers report that having detailed documentation proved invaluable when resolving billing discrepancies or when their banks required evidence to process chargeback requests for unauthorised charges.

Understanding renewal price increases

Many customers express surprise at the significant price increases between promotional rates and renewal prices. This price shock is a common reason customers decide to cancel and seek alternative hosting providers. Understanding that these increases are standard practice in the hosting industry helps you plan appropriately.

If cost is your primary concern, consider shopping for alternative hosting during your initial term rather than waiting until renewal. This gives you time to carefully evaluate options, plan your migration, and cancel SiteGround before the higher renewal rate takes effect. This strategic approach is consistently recommended by experienced customers who have successfully managed multiple hosting transitions.

Ultimately, cancelling SiteGround requires careful attention to timing, proper documentation, and thorough preparation. By understanding your consumer rights, following the postal cancellation procedure, and learning from other customers' experiences, you can ensure a smooth cancellation process that protects your interests and avoids unwanted charges. Your rights as a UK consumer provide strong protections, and exercising these rights through proper channels ensures that service providers respect your decisions and process your requests appropriately.