I speak at a lot of events, especially WordCamps. I also am a part of many WordPress and blogging related groups. I also started writing for GoDaddy’s Garage (blog), in September 2016. My tune didn’t change because I started writing for them. It changed a few years before that.
Reasons why People Have or Had Hosting Haterade Over GoDaddy
I keep hearing about people trashing GoDaddy, and most of their responses either fall under the following:
- They had an experience with GoDaddy well over 5-8 years ago, that made them feel anger.
- They didn’t like GoDaddy because of their chauvinistic advertising campaigns, and disrespect toward women.
- They recent had an experience with GoDaddy, but never gave GoDaddy a chance and didn’t even ask for support. Instead, they immediately went to social media to complain.
Having a problem with your web hosting is understandable. Also, having a problem with a company that doesn’t coincide with your beliefs are understandable. However, GoDaddy has changed. GoDaddy does want business from as many people, but they understand if you feel they aren’t a good fit.
I’ve had some bad experiences with GoDaddy, mostly through my web design and development clients having problems, but they weren’t really enough that I decided to write the company off. I actually voiced my opinion straight to a GoDaddy employee. I had been really passionate about it, even rude. What made me step back is how the employee handled the issue. They truly wanted to work with me and my clients to get to the bottom of it.
How GoDaddy Has Changed
In the past couple years, GoDaddy has pushed forward to focusing on helping not just people of the WordPress community, but other content management systems have a better experience. They’ve acquired more tools to make things easier for their clients, like Managed WordPress Hosting, Sucuri for securing websites, partnerships with various plugin developers, and much more. GoDaddy’s blog is a testament to the dedication that the company has to making sure clients have all the knowledge and tools to make their blog or business thrive.
As for the chauvinistic stuff, I never had a problem with this. I don’t get offended really easy, but I know a lot of women who have. Well, GoDaddy changed out their marketing plan and their CEO. Since then, I’ve come to meet plenty of female employees that work for GoDaddy. GoDaddy was a major sponsor of #BlogHer16 (which I was a speaker at), and even gave tens of thousands of dollars away to a female startup business!
GoDaddy isn’t the only web hosting company I’ve changed my mind about. In fact, I’ve changed my ways of how I think about web hosting and how I get support. Others can benefit from changing their outlook too by:
- Have a little more patience.
- GoDaddy does provide phone support. If you need immediate help, use it instead of find an excuse that responses via email are slow.
- Look at GoDaddy’s current body of work, rather than remember those days for the Too Hot for TV commercials.
- If you’re not going to be a client, at least stalk GoDaddy’s blog, because GoDaddy has carefully brought in dozens of people in the business and blogging industries, that are dropping valuable and FREE information.
Lastly, I’m not here to make you buy from GoDaddy. I’m here to try to get you to think differently. Sure, when it comes to spending money on something that you hope stays up and also makes you money, feelings get bent. However, let’s be rational here. EVERY web host has its problems.
I’ve heard haterade from just about every web host out there. Some of it was justified, and some, not so much. I’ve been part of the haterade brigade, and have been guilty of bad mouthing web hosts on stage. The last time I did it, was May of 2015, and I vowed never to do it again. I was actually ashamed of myself, especially after the fact I kept seeing it happen online. It’s easy to fall into negativity, but hard to get out of it.
I’m tired of the web host haterade that people pass around. Sure, my article won’t stop it, but whomever is reading, take a moment to think about what you’re saying in the future. In stepping back, we do make our WordPress community become more positive and grow.
I have my domain through Godaddy and I’ve never had a problem with them, although I’ve never used their web hosting.
Go Daddy has certainly gotten better. I remember a time when they were the most hated service out there. They’ve gotten very good.
Hi Ben! Glad I’m not the only one who has seen it. Thanks for stopping by.
I have a friend who’s used GoDaddy for years. He’s never had any issues, but he said that things have been even better for him than ever over the last couple of years.
Technology will always have its failings at times, especially hosting. I hope to convey that they’ve been working to help website owners more with learning how to take advantage of leveraging blogging and other aspects, so they can have a successful website. Their blog is free and outside of their paid services.
I am happy with my web host but if that changes I will try GoDaddy. I do not get offended by male chauvenism easily.
I’ve never had any personal experience with GoDaddy before but I may look into it if I’m looking to make a change sometime 🙂
Even if you don’t, there’s a ton of great articles on their blog, with a lot of free info written by a lot of people, like myself, who like to teach other bloggers.
Everybody deserves a second chance,so does web hosting. Thanks for sharing your GoDaddy experience.
I use GoDaddy myself and love it. I think it’s a great company. I haven’t had any issues with them and I like that.
It is good to know that GoDaddy has pulled up its socks and offers a better option now. Will consider it when our existing hosting plan comes up for renewal.
I’m glad that they’ve gotten better. Good customer service is so important!
I heard a lot of things about GoDaddy and I must say that they are doing a lot better now. Thanks for sharing this.
I bought domain for my BLOGGER blog from Godaddy and I would say, my experience was good if not great! But before I launched my new WordPress site, I asked several WP users about Godaddy hosting service, all replied a big NO!. They said, GoDaddy has a terrible hosting service and customer service. I agree with customer support one because I have personally experienced this, they couldn’t help me with a simple issue?? However, as Nikki said above, everyone deserves a second chance!? Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
I’ve never used their web hosting! But I will check it out!
I never used GoDaddy for hosting but I find them perfect for someone who is just starting out on a budget. In the past, I have bought domains from them. Unfortunately, I do use a competitor because they don’t charge to hide the Whois info. Godaddy charges for it. But as a single mom, my privacy is very important to me.