Godaddy Managed WordPress Hosting vs cPanel?

It’s been a tough year for many webmasters. Between depressed organic search traffic and massive email marketing platform fees, it’s not been easy to keep the lights on. While the latter is set to improve in the coming year, as email marketing platforms adapt to higher cost prevention measures and brand protection plans, it’s important to find a reliable, affordable and preferably free web host for your business or personal website.

One critical decision you need to make is which type of hosting you should go for. While it’s tempting to jump at the first platform that pops up in the search results, it’s important to remember that not all managed wordpress hosting is created equal. To help you find the best cheap web host which supports WordPress 4.0+, we’ve put together a detailed guide on the differences between cPanel and Godaddy Managed WordPress hosting so you can pick the right one for your needs.

A Quick Comparison: The Basics

Let’s dive into a quick comparison between the two web host platforms. This will only take a few minutes of your time but it’ll help you decide which one is the best suited for your needs. For the sake of this comparison, we’ll use Bluehost as the example web host. Although Bluehost is the cheapest of the two at just $2.95 per month, they also offer the least features. So, if you’re looking for a simple, clean install of WordPress with no frills, then Bluehost is your perfect match.

As you’ll see later in this guide, both cPanel and Godaddy offer an excellent value for money. However, if you’re looking for advanced features, you may want to consider one of the higher-priced hosts, like those from Bluehost or WP Engine. Let’s take a look at the comparison.

Features (Or Lack Thereof)

One of the first things you’ll notice when comparing cPanel and Godaddy Managed WordPress hosting is the wide disparity in feature set. Without getting too deep into the weeds, let’s look at what each platform offers. While cPanel has pretty much every feature you could want or need, including a few you didn’t even know you needed, Godaddy Managed WordPress hosting is pretty bare bones. If you ask us, that’s a good thing.

Here’s the thing about the basic web host features which support WordPress. While cPanel is the king of all things web, having all the different apps and tools to make your life easier, Godaddy does not. For example, the number of databases which you can have running simultaneously is limited to four. Also, you get only one website on the free plan. So, if you’re looking for a reliable, free and simple to use web host, then cPanel is your answer. But if you want to have a presence on the web, then Godaddy isn’t the right choice.

Cost

As we’ve established, Bluehost is the cheapest of the two hosting platforms but that doesn’t mean it’s the best. In fact, if you compare the cost of the two platforms across various hosting plans, Bluehost comes out on top, particularly on the larger packages. So, if you’re looking for a reliable, cheap solution which can grow with you, then Bluehost is the right choice. On the other hand, if cost is a concern and you have a limited budget, go with Godaddy Managed WordPress hosting. In this case, it’s better to spend a little more money now on an expert service which can prove its worth, rather than pay twice as much for the same basic service later on.

Support

One of the biggest draws of cPanel is the superior support which is available via live chat or email. Whether you’ve used the service or not, you’ll almost certainly know what we mean when we say that cPanel is very well regarded in the WordPress community. So if you’ve ever used the platform, you’ll know that it’s very easy to get help and support from experienced volunteers. Also, as a cPanel user you’ll enjoy the peace of mind which the service provides. Finally, when you need help or if something goes wrong, there’s always someone there to lend you a helping hand.

On the other hand, Godaddy is well regarded for its 24/7 phone support but that doesn’t mean it offers the best overall experience. In our opinion, the support which you receive via email is quite good but, in terms of live chat, we’d rate it below average. Still, if you’re looking for a cheap solution with above average support, go with Godaddy.

Reliability

As we’ve established so far, Bluehost is the best choice if you need a reliable, cheap web host for your WordPress site. In terms of uptime, the service maintains a 100% success rate which is great news for anyone who’s ever experienced an outage on a web host. On the other hand, if you need something which will always be up and running, go with Godaddy Managed WordPress hosting. In this case, it’s better to spend a little more money now on an expert service which can prove its worth, rather than pay twice as much for the same basic service later on. Reliability is one of the major factors which determine the success of a hosting company. If you need a highly reliable service which is also reasonably priced, go with Bluehost. But if you’re looking for an offline provider, go with Godaddy.

Repairs

As we’ve established so far, Bluehost is the best choice if you need a reliable, cheap web host for your WordPress site. In terms of repairs, the service has an excellent uptime record which is great news for anyone who’s ever experienced an outage on the web host. So, if you’re looking for a service which will always be available to help you out when you need it, go with Bluehost. But if you’re looking for an offline provider, go with Godaddy.

Final Takeaway

To help you decide which type of hosting you should go for, we’ve put together a quick guide to the differences between cPanel and Godaddy Managed WordPress hosting. As you’ll see, there’s a lot of similarities between the two platforms but also some stark differences. Ultimately, it’s all about what you’re looking for and what you can afford. If you need a web host which is simple to use and doesn’t demand excessive resources, go with Bluehost. But if you need something a little more advanced or you have a limited budget, go with Godaddy Managed WordPress hosting.