Why We Wrote This Post
We have migrated dozens of client websites off GoDaddy shared hosting. The issues we see are consistent and measurable. GoDaddy is not terrible for everyone. If you have a personal blog or a simple brochure site with minimal traffic, it works fine. But for businesses that depend on their website for lead generation, the performance limitations are real.
Issue 1: Slow Page Load Speeds
This is the most impactful problem. GoDaddy shared hosting consistently delivers slower page load times than modern alternatives. Here is the data from our recent migrations.
| Metric | GoDaddy Shared | After Migration | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to First Byte (TTFB) | 800-1,200ms | 150-300ms | 70-80% faster |
| Page load time | 4-6 seconds | 1.5-2.5 seconds | 50-60% faster |
| Core Web Vitals (LCP) | 4-6 seconds (fail) | 1.5-2.5 seconds (pass) | Pass threshold met |
| Mobile speed score | 30-50 | 80-95 | 60-90% improvement |
| Bounce rate | 55-70% | 35-45% | 20-30% reduction |
"When I migrate a client off GoDaddy, the speed improvement is immediate and dramatic. I recently moved a contractor's site and their TTFB went from 900ms to 180ms. Their mobile speed score jumped from 38 to 91. The client started getting calls the following week from people who had previously bounced because the site was too slow to load." - Matt White, Web Developer
Issue 2: Aggressive Upselling
GoDaddy's business model relies heavily on selling add-ons. When you buy a domain, you are offered hosting, email, SSL, website builder, SEO tools, privacy protection, and more. Many of these are available free or cheaper elsewhere.
What you actually need: domain registration (GoDaddy is fine for this), hosting (better options exist), and SSL (free from most hosts via Let's Encrypt). What you do not need from GoDaddy: their website builder (limited), their SEO tools (basic), or their premium email (use Google Workspace instead).
Issue 3: Limited Server Resources
Shared hosting means your website shares server resources with hundreds of other sites. During traffic spikes (a busy season, a marketing campaign, or just your competitor's traffic surge), your site slows down because resources are shared.
For a home service business that runs Google Ads, this is especially problematic. You are paying for clicks that go to a slow website, which means higher bounce rates and fewer leads from the same ad spend.
Issue 4: Complicated Site Migration
If you used GoDaddy's proprietary website builder, migration is more complex than it should be. The builder uses a proprietary system that does not export cleanly. This means rebuilding your site on a new platform rather than simply moving files.
WordPress sites on GoDaddy are easier to migrate but still require careful attention to database exports, file transfers, and DNS changes.
Issue 5: Basic WordPress Management
GoDaddy offers "managed WordPress hosting," but it is basic compared to true managed WordPress hosts like WP Engine or Cloudways. The server environment is not optimized specifically for WordPress performance, staging environments are limited, and support staff are generalists, not WordPress specialists.
What We Recommend Instead
| Feature | GoDaddy Shared | SiteGround | Cloudways | WP Engine | Cloudflare Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $6-$20 | $15-$40 | $14-$50 | $20-$60 | Free-$20 |
| Speed (avg TTFB) | 600-1,200ms | 200-400ms | 150-350ms | 150-300ms | 50-150ms |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Daily backups | No (paid add-on) | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A (static) |
| Staging environment | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CDN included | No | Yes | Add-on | Yes | Yes (global) |
| Uptime guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.99% | 99.95% | 99.99% |
| Best for | Basic sites, low budget | Small businesses | Growing businesses | WordPress-focused | Static sites, agencies |
Our recommendation: SiteGround for small business WordPress sites. Cloudways for growing businesses that need more power. WP Engine for WordPress-focused businesses that want premium support. Cloudflare Pages for static sites built on modern frameworks.
"Hosting speed directly affects SEO rankings. Google uses Core Web Vitals as a ranking signal, and slow hosting makes it nearly impossible to pass LCP thresholds. We have seen ranking improvements within 4-6 weeks of hosting migrations simply because the site finally passes Core Web Vitals." - Dylan Axelson, SEO Director
How to Migrate Off GoDaddy
| Step | What to Do | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose new host | Compare options from table above | Before starting | Do not default to cheapest |
| 2. Back up everything | Full site backup + database + email | Day 1 | Use UpdraftPlus or manual export |
| 3. Set up new hosting | Create account, install WordPress | Day 1 | Match PHP version to current |
| 4. Migrate site files | Upload files to new server | Day 1-2 | Use migration plugin or manual FTP |
| 5. Import database | Export/import MySQL database | Day 2 | Check for serialized data issues |
| 6. Test on staging | Verify all pages, forms, plugins work | Day 2-3 | Test every form submission |
| 7. Update DNS | Point domain to new host | Day 3 | TTL propagation: 24-48 hours |
| 8. Verify SSL | Confirm HTTPS works on new host | Day 3-4 | Force HTTPS redirect |
| 9. Test everything again | Full QA after DNS propagation | Day 4-5 | Check email, forms, speed |
| 10. Cancel GoDaddy hosting | After confirming everything works | Day 7+ | Keep domain registration if needed |
Important: you can keep your domain registered at GoDaddy and just move the hosting. The domain and hosting are separate things. Most of our clients keep their domain at GoDaddy and point it to better hosting.
If this feels overwhelming, our web development team handles hosting migrations as part of our WordPress services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GoDaddy hosting bad for SEO?
GoDaddy's slow server speeds can hurt SEO. Google uses Core Web Vitals (including page speed) as a ranking signal. Sites on GoDaddy shared hosting frequently fail LCP thresholds, which can suppress rankings.
How much does it cost to migrate off GoDaddy?
DIY migration: free if you are technical. Professional migration: $200-$500 for a standard WordPress site. Complex sites with custom functionality or large databases may cost more.
Should I keep my domain at GoDaddy but move hosting?
Yes, this is the easiest approach. Keep your domain registered at GoDaddy (their domain pricing is competitive) and point the DNS to your new hosting provider. This avoids the hassle of a domain transfer.
What is the best hosting for a small business website?
For most small businesses running WordPress, SiteGround offers the best balance of speed, support, and cost. For businesses willing to spend more for premium WordPress hosting, WP Engine is excellent. For static sites, Cloudflare Pages is unbeatable on both speed and cost.
Will I lose my website if I switch hosts?
No, if you follow the migration steps properly. The key is making a full backup before changing anything and testing on the new host before updating DNS. Use a staging environment to verify everything works before going live.
How long does a hosting migration take?
A straightforward WordPress migration takes 3-5 business days including DNS propagation. During this time, your site remains live on the old host until the new one is confirmed working. There should be zero downtime if done correctly.
