How Alixr Achieved 54% Better Performance With SiteGround

Justin Blackmore’s journey reads like an adventure novel of constant reinvention. From the British Army, where he gained engineering expertise, to business consultancy and commanding luxury sailing yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, his path has been marked with challenging career opportunities and bold transitions. 

But at one moment, Justin noticed friends and colleagues developing chronic health conditions – a wake-up call that sparked his latest venture: Alixr, a health and longevity business. This marked the beginning of Justin’s exciting new journey in managing his business’s online presence single-handedly. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but thankfully, he had the support of SiteGround to guide him along the way. 

The Challenge

Justin’s journey with Аlixir began in 2024, but his initial hosting setup created an unexpected obstacle. His website was managed through a business partnership that eventually dissolved, leaving him without direct control over his online presence.

I was using a company to create and host my website, and it was actually part of a partnership that didn’t go in the right direction. When we went our separate ways, I needed to find a solution that was simple, cost-effective, and made sure that I was in control of every element.

For Justin, taking control of his website meant venturing into unfamiliar territory. As someone whose background was never in web management or marketing, he knew he faced a steep learning curve.

My background was never in marketing. So, I’m learning every day. From websites, social media, and ads, it’s all a massive learning curve for me.

Finding the Right Hosting Solution

Given his limited technical web experience, Justin needed more than just a hosting provider. He was looking for a solution that would not only give him control but also provide the support and guidance necessary for someone new to website management.

I’m an engineer originally, so generally I hit things with a hammer so they work.

After receiving a recommendation from his networking contacts, Justin made the switch to SiteGround, aided by a bit of research and comparison with his then hosting provider SiteGround. The decision was driven by three key factors: simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and, of course, complete control.

SiteGround just seemed like that solution I was looking for, and certainly, the whole process was very easy. I no longer have to go through other people to get very small tasks done. I can come straight to you, and I can do most of it myself.

Seamless Migration Experience

One of Justin’s first concerns was migrating his existing website without disruption. Using the SiteGround Migrator Plugin, the process exceeded his expectations.

I didn’t have any issues at all. The migration worked really well – it was seamless and everything moved across nicely. I tested the website a lot before I finished and got rid of my old provider, and everything worked perfectly.

Key Benefits: Speed, Security, and Reliable Support

Enhanced Performance and Organic Traffic

Just by switching to SiteGround, Alixr’s website speed improved by 54% compared to when he was with his previous hosting provider. Together with his SEO consultant, Justin witnessed this speed shift directly translated into significant improvements in his website’s search engine performance.

I’ve definitely seen a much better improvement in the performance and SEO results. I’m getting a lot more organic traffic, so that’s fantastic.

Backup and Recovery Made Simple

When WordPress updates caused content loading issues, Justin discovered SiteGround’s backup features were both powerful and intuitive.

I had an issue where some of my content was not loading after a WordPress update. It was really simple to go into my Site Tools, revert back to the previous backup, and everything worked fine. I did find that fantastic – it was very intuitive to find out where it was as well.

Responsive Customer Support

As someone learning the technical aspects of website management, Justin appreciated SiteGround’s support approach.

The support is always very good. If I asked a question, people would explain it in simplified language for me and point me in the direction of what I needed to look at.

Scaling with Confidence

As a solo entrepreneur managing all aspects of his business, Justin values the independence SiteGround provides. The ability to maintain control while delegating technical tasks gives him confidence in his growth plans.

I’m confident that SiteGround provides me the tools that I can start leveraging and using them to maximum effect to grow the website. I’m glad that I’m able to have an impact in that or delegate that down to a staff member at some point.

When asked what he would tell other business owners, Justin’s recommendation focuses on the core benefit that transformed his experience:

Owning a website is when you know you’re in control of your business’s online presence. It’s that confidence of knowing you own it completely – no one else can switch it off or take it away from you