Best Managed WordPress Hosting – What You Need to Know

WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, powering over 27% of the internet. In 2020 alone, it was estimated that there were over 1.7 billion active monthly users on the platform.

Although WordPress is a very powerful tool and is incredibly popular, making it one of the best CMSs available, this doesn’t mean it’s perfect for every situation. Like any other technology, it has its pros and its cons, which you should know and understand.

Why Managed WordPress Hosting?

With a content management system like WordPress, even more so than most other CMSs, keeping up with the latest versions and security updates can be a Herculean task. This is where managed hosting comes in: keeping your WordPress install up to date and secure is what the host is responsible for, so you don’t have to worry about itchy software versions or being locked out of your own site due to forgotten password requests.

On the other side of the coin, you have the platform itself, which is incredibly powerful but also incredibly complex and customizable, meaning it can be tricky to get configured just the way you want it. When you’re starting out or even if you’re an experienced user, it’s usually best to go with a managed WordPress hosting provider, which will take all the frustration out of the process.

What Type of Hosting Do I Need?

There are three different types of hosting you’ll usually come across when browsing the WordPress hosting comparison chart: shared, VPS, and dedicated servers. Each has its perks and quirks, so it’s important to know the differences.

Shared hosting is where multiple websites share the same server. This means that all the websites will interact with each other (i.e. share resources like storage and bandwidth), as well as the server itself. This type of hosting is usually the cheapest option, but for a reason: if one of the sites goes down, so does the rest.

In a VPS hosting arrangement, also known as virtual private server hosting, you’ll have your very own dedicated server, which is essentially a stripped down version of the same thing shared hosting has to offer. This means that everything is isolated and only you, the site owner, have access to the server and its resources. This type of hosting is usually the best of the three in terms of security as it prevents any one site from being compromised. The downside is that it’s a little bit more expensive than shared hosting and, in cases where you need more storage than the provided GBs, you’ll have to pay for more than what you’d need for a standard shared hosting plan.

Dedicated hosting, finally, is where you have your very own server with no other sites sharing it. This means that you can ensure complete reliability and eliminate connection errors and latency problems. This type of hosting is usually the most expensive one, but in cases where you need a very reliable and stable platform, it’s the best option. The downside is that you’ll need to figure out a way to keep the machine powered on 24/7, so you’re either looking for a dedicated team of engineers to set up and maintain, or you’ll need to consider investing in backup power supplies and storage solutions to ensure you can restore your website in the event of a power outage.

Knowing which type of hosting to choose can be a difficult decision, especially when you’re not sure how reliable the provider is or if they offer the features you’re looking for. The good news is that we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons that will help you pick the right hosting plan for your needs. Let’s take a quick look at each type of hosting in turn.

Shared Hosting vs. VPS Hosting

Shared hosting is where multiple sites share the same server, whereas VPS hosting is where you have your very own virtual private server. This means that the sites share resources like storage and bandwidth, but the server itself is isolated and only you, the site owner, have access to it. In cases where you need a stable and secure platform for your website, VPS hosting is the way to go. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of each.

  • Shared hosting
  • VPS hosting
  • Shared hosting
  • VPS hosting

Shared hosting Pros:

  • Cheap
  • Easy to set up
  • Relatively easy to administer
  • Shared hosting
  • VPS hosting

Shared hosting Cons:

  • Limited Storage
  • Bandwidth is limited
  • Less Security
  • Limited Storage
  • Bandwidth is limited
  • Less Security

Dedicated Hosting vs. VPS Hosting vs. Shared Hosting

Dedicated hosting is where you have your very own server with no other sites sharing it. This means that you can ensure complete reliability and eliminate connection errors and latency problems. This type of hosting is usually the most expensive option, but in cases where you need a very reliable and stable platform, it’s the best option. The downside is that you’ll need to figure out a way to keep the machine powered on 24/7, so you’re either looking for a dedicated team of engineers to set up and maintain, or you’ll need to consider investing in backup power supplies and storage solutions to ensure you can restore your website in the event of a power outage.

VPS hosting and shared hosting are both good options if you need a stable platform for your site, but if you need a much more reliable solution, dedicated hosting is the way to go. Let’s take a quick look at the benefits and drawbacks of each type of hosting in turn.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting Pros:

  • High Reliability
  • Stable Performance
  • Easy to administer
  • High Reliability
  • Stable Performance
  • Easy to administer

Dedicated hosting Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Larger Clients/CMSs supported
  • More Complex
  • Expensive
  • Larger Clients/CMSs supported
  • More Complex