Running a WordPress website can be complicated enough. With so many options out there, you may find yourself with more questions than answers. So before you rush into anything, take the time to read up on managed WordPress hosting to see if it’s right for you.
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What is Managed WordPress Hosting?
In short, it’s a service that takes care of your site and its infrastructure, so you don’t have to. All you need to do is install your favorite theme and go. These packages typically include some form of security, backup, frequent updates, and more. Read on for their pros and cons and decide whether they’re right for you.
Benefits of Managed Hosting
- Better performance, reliability, and uptime.
- When you pay for managed hosting services, your site is run on better hardware.
- Software upgrades are handled for you.
- Server maintenance is taken care of by professionals.
These factors contribute to a faster site that’s more reliable than one hosted in a shared environment. As a result, you can focus on content creation and let go of server administration or performance issues headaches.
Cons of Managed Hosting
The biggest con to managed hosting is it is much more expensive. You’re paying for a support team that will take care of all your issues, whether small or big. If you plan on managing your own hosting, the cost is no longer an issue, but there are some other cons to consider as well. In general, depending on your server configuration and use case, manually managed hosting can be much easier than its automated counterpart.
What Types of People Should Use Managed Hosting?
Every person who uses a managed WordPress hosting service is different, and so is every situation. In order to determine whether or not managed hosting is worth it for you, there are three types of people you should consider.
- Minimalists – These are people who don’t want to spend much time managing their website but still want to retain control of it. These people should definitely look into Nexcess managed hosting services if they don’t have a lot of experience with managing servers and code.
- Prosumers – These are people who want to be able to customize their site and its features on a limited basis; for them, managed hosting is a great idea because it allows them to have these customizations but not spend all of their time fiddling with code.
- People with experience – These are people who have been around for a while and know what they do when it comes to managing servers. They have specific needs that can only be met by a dedicated server.
If you don’t know much about servers, managed hosting is probably right for you; otherwise, dedicated hosting might be your best bet.
What Do You Need in a Good Host?
Before getting into specific features offered by different hosts, it’s worth taking a look at some of the things you should expect from any host you choose to work with.
Things to Consider Before Signing Up for a Managed Host
First and foremost, ask yourself if your website’s visitors require more than basic hosting. Second, ask yourself if you have time to manage a server; would you prefer having someone else do that for you?
Making up your own mind about managed hosting is a lot easier when you’ve looked at all of the angles. You’re able to assess how it will affect other aspects of your business and determine whether or not it makes sense for you.