Best Managed WordPress Hosting – Is It Worth the Money?
I’ve been researching this topic for a while, and wanted to finally decided whether or not to write an article about it. Generally speaking, the best managed WordPress hosting for small business is not very good, but it’s also pretty expensive.
At the end of the day, managed WordPress hosting is still pretty popular, so there’s definitely a need for it. If you’re looking to run a small business website or blog, you could simply opt for the cheaper and simpler self-managed WordPress hosting, which is what I’d recommend.
The Pros And Cons Of Managed WordPress Hosting
Before I get started, let me say that I’m not trying to recommend one product over another here. That’s not the case. I’ve used both, and I’ve also tried out a lot of the different hosting products, so I know what I’m talking about. Let’s just say that some of the products are more expensive than others, and some products simply work better than others. With that out of the way, let’s dive in.
Price
One of the first things you’ll need to decide is how much money you’re willing to spend on a web host. There’s no point in going cheap, and expecting good performance from the product. In my experience, the best managed WordPress hosting is actually pretty expensive. You’ll pay a couple hundred dollars a month, plus there’s a long list of other fees, like domain privacy, which usually costs another few dollars a month. Add up all those costs, and you’re looking at about a $600 to $800 a month, plus whatever you’ll spend on a WordPress theme (more on that later). If you’re still not convinced that managed WordPress hosting is worth it, I’d recommend you go with the cheaper and simpler self-managed option.
Performance
Depending on how many resources you have available to you, you may need to decide whether you want your website to be more of a boutique product, where visitors experience a snappy, responsive experience, or you want to push the envelope and go for a fully-featured product, and sacrifice some of that performance.
If you decide that you want to go for a high-end product, you’ll need to check out some of the hosting providers that offer managed WordPress hosting. These are the big guys, and they generally have the resources to keep up with all the demands of thousands upon thousands of customers, all while getting you the speed and the features that you’re looking for. Think of companies like Bluehost, WP Engine, and Shopify.
Not only will you have the option of Pay-As-You-Go pricing, where you only pay as you go, but you’ll also get a free domain and you don’t need to worry about maintaining a server. For those that prefer to self-manage their products, I’d recommend them to go that route. If you decide that you want to outsource your hosting, and you want someone else to take care of all the technicalities for you, then managed WordPress hosting is a great choice. Just make sure you’re not getting anything too cheap, because you’ll end up with shoddy performance, and a lot of stress, because of all the additional work that needs to be done. If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for all your web hosting needs, then check out a hosting service that specializes in managed WordPress hosting. That way, you’ll know you’re getting the best product possible, and you’ll also have someone available to help you should you have any questions or need any assistance. It’s a win-win situation.
Features
Another important factor to consider when choosing a web host is what features you want and need for your site. Typically, the more features you get, the more expensive the product is (but that’s not always the case). For example, if you want a feature that allows you to install WordPress plugins and themes, then you’ll need to pay for that feature. Most web hosts allow you to install WordPress plugins, but you’ll need to know how to do it correctly, or else you’ll end up with errors, and worse, a broken website. It’s highly recommended that you download the WordPress repository to create and maintain a local WordPress blog. Especially if you’re just getting started, it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with WordPress and its functions. It will also allow you to test out new plugins and themes very easily, and without too much risk.
There are many features that come standard with a paid web host. You’ll get a free domain, 1 GB of storage, and you can install WordPress plugins, as well as use a lot of the other features, like cPanel, and you don’t need to worry about backups, or security. If you decide to go this route, then security is not a major concern, and you don’t need to look at a VPN connection as a backup option. If, however, you’re looking for a host that offers a lot of advanced features, like caching, and load-balancing, then you’ll need to look elsewhere, as these features are mostly aimed at larger businesses. If you’re on a tight budget, then opt for the cheaper and simpler self-managed WordPress hosting, and you’ll have everything you need, and more. If, however, you’re looking for a host that offers a lot of features, then consider paying a bit more for a product that has been extensively tested, and proven to work well.
When choosing a web host, there are several factors that you’ll need to take into consideration. Price is always a major consideration, and you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting the best price possible. Performance is another important factor, and you’ll want to make sure that the web host you’re considering is up to par with your needs, and what you’re looking for in a web host. Features are also important to consider, and you’ll need to make sure that the web host you’re considering offering enough features to meet your needs. The last thing you want is to purchase a web host that doesn’t live up to your expectations, and then have to upgrade or switch services in the future. There are many different hosting providers to choose from, so please take your time, and choose the one that best suits your needs.