GoDaddy fails at 3 key parts of hosting (speed, security, support).

An underlying issue is GoDaddy’s outdated technology which leads to performance/security issues. While other hosts are innovating with faster LiteSpeed servers, NVMe storage, cache plugins, and adding powerful CDNs like Cloudflare Enterprise to improve TTFB (time to first byte), GoDaddy has done the absolute bare minimum to improve their service after their IPO.

They still run Apache servers with slower SATA SSDs, a slow DNS on dnsperf.com, and don’t have a proper firewall/DDoS protection, while other hosts use a security suite like Imunify360. This causes frequent data breaches (my account also got hacked) and malware-infected sites.

It’s like paying for an expensive, run down apartment with 0 amenities. Considering GoDaddy isn’t that cheap, there’s no reason to use them. There are plenty of similarly priced LiteSpeed hosts that will outperform GoDaddy with better performance, security, support, and features.

1. Poor Specs

ChemiCloud uses faster technology like LiteSpeed servers, NVMe SSDs, Redis, and free LiteSpeed Cache plugin which does a great job with core web vitals. You get more resources (CPU/RAM/inodes) and if your traffic grows, you can scale CPU/RAM with the Turbo Boost add-on. They’re cheaper, have much better support shown in their 5/5 star TrustPilot rating, and do free migrations. ChemiCloud’s LiteSpeed hosting + LiteSpeed Cache + Cloudflare’s APO = faster.

Notes:

• LiteSpeed servers are faster than Apache.
• LiteSpeed servers are more CPU/memory efficient.
• NVMe SSDs are faster than SATA SSDs, often with 6x faster read/write speeds.
• MariaDB is more powerful than MySQL (here’s a Facebook poll taken on the two).
• Redis is more powerful than Memcached, especially for WooCommerce/dynamic sites.

2. Limited Resources (CPU Cores, RAM, Inodes)

GoDaddy’s resource limits show how many cores, RAM, inodes, and other resources you get. Even on the $11.99/mo Deluxe plan, you only get 1 CPU core, 512MB RAM, and 250,000 inodes.

Why use GoDaddy when you can get 2-3x more CPU/RAM/inodes for 2x cheaper?

In GoDaddy’s hosting agreement, their resource throttling only lets you use 25% of the 1 CPU core you have access to. This is why 503 service unavailable errors are common with GoDaddy.

Inode limits are usually exceeded if you use your hosting for email too. Because GoDaddy’s inode limits are so low, you may want to keep your web/email hosting separate if you use them.

3. Slow DNS, CDN, TTFB

GoDaddy’s DNS has poor performance on dnsperf.com. This causes higher latency/TTFB. If you purchased a domain on GoDaddy, you can switch to Cloudflare’s DNS by changing nameservers.

GoDaddy’s CDN hardly lists any specs (most CDNs list basic features like # of locations and whether it supports full page caching, load balancing, and DDoS protection). GoDaddy’s CDN does not support full page caching which makes your site slow for visitors far away from your server, especially if it’s a website that creates lots of dynamic requests (such as WooCommerce and membership sites). Don’t bother with GoDaddy’s CDN and use Cloudflare with APO instead.

Between GoDaddy’s slow DNS/CDN, this can lead to a poor TTFB which you can test in 10 locations using KeyCDN’s performance test (GTmetrix/PageSpeed Insights only test 1 location).

I have a full tutorial on speeding up GoDaddy sites with more tips.

4. Overcrowded Apache Servers

iThemes already called out GoDaddy for overcrowded servers.

They also explain how GoDaddy uses a non-traditional setup… instead of using a single server to host your website, they use one server to process code and serve static files, then another for the database. GoDaddy’s database servers can be slow from overcrowding and network latency.

GoDaddy uses Apache servers when LiteSpeed is faster. Many WordPress users have already moved to the LiteSpeed setup: LiteSpeed hosting + LiteSpeed Cache plugin + QUIC.cloud (or Cloudflare with APO). LiteSpeed Cache is also faster than other cache plugins (like WP Rocket).

5. History Of Malware + Security Breaches

It’s fair to say you can expect a security incident with GoDaddy every year:

They also have an alarming amount of malware reports on TrustPilot.

GoDaddy is happy to run malware scans and recommended paying them for their malware removal service (which usually exceeds $500 or even more). But they do very little to prevent it.

I’ve also had my GoDaddy account hacked. Someone from Turkey was able to login to my account, use my saved credit card to purchase services, and forward my website to a different domain. When I contacted GoDaddy’s support, the most frustrating part was they initially didn’t believe me. I had to push them to take it seriously, and once they saw GoDaddy’s services were purchased with Turkish lira, they did eventually refund me. Make sure to setup that two-factor!

6. Frequent Downtimes

Ignore BS uptime reports and GoDaddy’s 99.9% uptime guarantee.

Schedule maintenance doesn’t count as downtimes, so as long as it’s classified as that, it doesn’t count. Uptimes tests don’t matter since they only test 1 server/node for a limited amount of time. GoDaddy has tons of servers and not all of them go down at the same time.

Instead, search GoDaddy’s TrustPilot reviews for “down” or view their Downdetector profile.

7. Upsells On Every Corner

GoDaddy has so many upsells they have a product catalog.

Microsoft 365 Email Essentials is automatically added to your cart when you sign up. Then you’re hit with email offers (even though email hosting is usually free), and other offers inside your dashboard. Upsells also extend to GoDaddy’s support who loves telling you to upgrade.

I had a client who was paying upwards of $1,000/year to GoDaddy and most of it was upsells. She didn’t know if she needed them or not (she also had some money) so she was paying for many things she didn’t need. Some upsells are fine, but GoDaddy preys on vulnerable people. They’ve also charged customers for higher PHP versions by making them sign up for a new plan.

8. Limited To 1 Website

All GoDaddy Managed WordPress Hosting plans can only host 1 website.

9. Limited Control Panel

GoDaddy’s control panel is limited and buggy.

Besides very basic things like upgrading PHP versions, taking backups, and accessing the file browser, it barely lets you do anything. GoDaddy’s control panel was truly designed for noobs.

10. Blacklisted WordPress Plugins

GoDaddy blacklists quite a few WordPress plugins.

Several backup and cache plugins are also blacklisted. GoDaddy says it’s because they use server caching, but cache plugins do a lot more (for core web vitals) than just caching. Which means you’ll need to pay for a premium cache plugin (I recommend FlyingPress). You can use LiteSpeed Cache but without using a LiteSpeed server, you’ll be missing out on a lot of features.

11. Support Took A Turn For The Worse

Do yourself a favor and look at GoDaddy’s TrustPilot reviews about support.

Like most hosts, most of the good reviews are solicited by their support team. It’s a shame because GoDaddy’s support used to be awesome when it was based in Arizona, but that was before their IPO. Now you can expect long wait times, upsells, and unresolved issues. They’re not interested in fixing problems unless it involves giving them money. You get what you pay for.

12. Poor Feedback In Facebook Groups

How many times do you have to hear it? Stay away from GoDaddy!

Join the WP Speed Matters Facebook group to see what real people are saying (and on a side note, several major Facebook groups are moderated by SiteGround and their team of “brand ambassadors” who censor posts, promote SiteGround, and don’t disclose they work for them). SiteGround’s corruption in Facebook groups is the only reason they’re “endorsed” everywhere.

ChemiCloud has better feedback:

Cheers, Tom