If you’ve built your WordPress website on SiteGround, you’re already ahead of the curve in terms of performance and reliability. But like any website, you might occasionally run into issues where changes you make don’t appear immediately—or worse, your site is behaving oddly. The most common culprit? Cached data. Fortunately, SiteGround offers two major tools to manage caching: SG Optimizer and the optional Cloudflare CDN. In this guide, we’ll explore how to clear site cache using both tools so your visitors always see the most updated version of your site.
What is Caching and Why Does It Matter?
Caching is a method used to reduce server load and improve website speed. It stores static versions of your site, so returning users get content faster. While this boosts performance, it can also cause problems when:
- You’ve updated content or images and the changes don’t show.
- You’re implementing new themes, plugins or design changes.
- A plugin isn’t behaving as expected due to script mismatches.
In these scenarios, clearing your site’s cache is often the quickest fix.
Understanding SiteGround’s Caching System
SiteGround uses a custom caching system called SiteGround SuperCacher, which is deeply integrated through their proprietary SG Optimizer plugin. Additionally, SiteGround supports integration with Cloudflare, allowing for even more global content optimization.
Here’s a breakdown of the typical caching layers involved when you’re using SiteGround:
- Dynamic Cache – Stores the full HTML output of your pages for faster delivery.
- Memcached – Accelerates database queries.
- Browser Cache – Stored locally on the user’s browser.
- Cloudflare Cache – If active, Cloudflare also serves cached content through its CDN nodes worldwide.
Clearing these cache layers ensures that any front-end changes or backend updates take effect immediately.
How to Clear Cache Using SG Optimizer
The SG Optimizer plugin is SiteGround’s native tool for optimizing and caching WordPress websites. Here’s how to clear the cache through the plugin:
1. Within the WordPress Dashboard
Once you’ve logged in to your WordPress admin area, look for the “SG Optimizer” tab, or the floating SiteGround logo admin bar at the top right.
To clear cache:
- Hover over the SiteGround icon on the top admin bar.
- Click on “Purge SG Cache.”
This will instantly clear the dynamic cache for your site.
[h3-img]SG Optimizer, WordPress dashboard, clear cache[/ai-img]
2. Through the SG Optimizer Plugin Settings
If you want to dive deeper:
- Go to SG Optimizer > Caching from your admin dashboard.
- You’ll see multiple tabs like Dynamic Cache, File-Based Caching, and Memcached.
- Click the respective Flush Cache buttons to clear each layer independently.
This more granular method is useful if you’re troubleshooting a specific caching-related issue.
When to Use the “Purge SG Cache” Option
This is ideal when you’ve made:
- Design or CSS changes.
- New plugin installations.
- Content or layout modifications.
If you’re using a caching plugin alongside SG Optimizer (not recommended), make sure you’re not duplicating efforts or conflicting settings.
Clearing Cloudflare Cache via SiteGround
For many SiteGround users, Cloudflare CDN is activated for added security and speed, especially for international traffic. If you’re using Cloudflare, remember that changes might not be visible even after purging SG cache. That’s because Cloudflare caches your site’s static resources too.
There are two easy ways to clear your Cloudflare cache: through SiteGround’s Site Tools or directly via your Cloudflare account.
1. Clearing Cloudflare Cache via Site Tools
SiteGround’s Site Tools panel allows for quick control over Cloudflare settings.
- Go to Site Tools > Speed > Cloudflare.
- Under the Manage Settings tab, click “Purge Cache”.
This will flush Cloudflare’s edge cache for your entire domain.
[h3-img]Cloudflare settings, SiteGround Site Tools panel[/ai-img]
2. Clearing Cache from the Cloudflare Dashboard
If you prefer more direct control or need to purge cache by URL:
- Log in to your Cloudflare account.
- Select the domain you want to manage.
- Navigate to Caching > Configuration.
- Click “Purge Everything” to clear all cached files.
- Or choose “Custom Purge” to target specific URLs.
Note that purging everything can briefly slow down your site for first-time visitors because it has to re-cache resources.
Additional Cache Layers You Should Know
Sometimes, issues persist even after clearing SG Optimizer and Cloudflare cache layers. Here are a couple of other caching areas to consider:
Browser Cache
This is the cache stored by your site visitors’ web browsers. Clicking “Refresh” often doesn’t cut it. You may need to instruct users (or test yourself) using a hard refresh:
- On Windows: Ctrl + F5
- On Mac: Cmd + Shift + R
Third-Party Caching Plugins
If you’re using additional caching plugins like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or LiteSpeed Cache, conflicts can occur, and purging needs to be done separately.
- Log in to your WordPress admin.
- Navigate to the plugin settings.
- Locate and select “Clear/Purge All Caches” option.
Best practice tip: Stick to one caching plugin or system to avoid conflicts and redundant processing.
Best Practices for SiteGround Cache Management
Once you’re familiar with the process, here are some pro tips to stay cache-savvy:
- Auto-purge options: SG Optimizer can be configured to automatically purge cache during content updates. Check this setting under the plugin options.
- Staging environments: Always clear cache after pushing changes from staging to live.
- Monitor performance: Use tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights to detect if your cache is working effectively.
[h3-img]WordPress cache, speed optimization, performance testing[/ai-img]
Conclusion
Clearing your cache may sound like a simple task, but doing it correctly across all platforms ensures your website performs as intended and displays the most accurate version. Whether you’re using SG Optimizer, Cloudflare, or both, each tool offers efficient ways to manage and purge cached content.
Next time something doesn’t look right on your SiteGround-hosted site, remember that clearing the cache might just be the fastest—and most effective—solution.
With your newfound knowledge, you’re now equipped to handle caching issues like a pro. Don’t let outdated pages get in the way of your site’s success!