Managed vs Self Hosted WordPress: Which is Better?
You may be wondering whether to opt for a managed or self-hosted WordPress website. Each one has its perks, but which is better? Let’s compare the key differences and determine which would be the best choice for your needs.
Features
A managed WordPress website provides you with the features of a traditional WordPress installation, along with the perks of having a team of experts maintain and enhance it for you. This could include things like free backups, free domain privacy, free weekly updates, and much more. The price for this kind of service can be anywhere from free to affordable.
A self-hosted WordPress website provides you with all the features of the software, along with the perks of having full control over the look and feel of your site and can install and configure any plugins you might need. This could mean a bit more work in terms of installation and maintenance, but you’ll have full access to all the features when it comes time to use them. The price for this kind of service can vary, but it could be anywhere from affordable to costly, depending on the plan you pick. You’ll need to consider the cost of either a free or paid domain when renting or buying a self-hosted website. With a free domain, you’ll need to find a suitable sub-domain for your site and then configure the A record (domain lookup) for your domain to point to your hosting company’s IP address.
Security
Keeping your WordPress site secure is essential, especially since the software is so popular and is regularly updated by its developers, along with all the plugins it’s been installed with. Malicious hackers constantly target WordPress sites, looking for ways to get into them and steal credit card information or other sensitive data. In addition to this, hackers sometimes use tools, such as a brute-force attack, to try and access your site. A managed WordPress website is fully secured by the experts at your hosting company, meaning they’ll monitor and protect your site from hackers, as well as looking after any maintenance issues that might arise.
A self-hosted WordPress site is only as secure as you make it, meaning it’s completely up to you to ensure it’s safe from intruders and malicious code. You could secure it by installing a security plugin, such as WordFence, which can help protect your site from cybercriminals and maintain its overall security. Make sure you’re always comparing the prices of different WordPress hosting plans to stay ahead of the game and find the most suitable solution for your needs.
Maintainance
In addition to security, maintaining your WordPress site means fixing any bugs that might arise and keeping it up to date with the latest WordPress versions. Experts at your hosting company will take care of all of this for you, so you don’t need to worry about any issues that might pop up. Maintaining a managed WordPress website is a lot easier than doing it yourself as a solo entrepreneur or small business owner, as you don’t need to worry about the many steps involved in fixing something yourself.
A self-hosted WordPress site requires you to constantly monitor and maintain it. You’ll need to check for any issues and take care of them yourself, or pay a professional to do it for you. You might want to consider the cost of an experienced WordPress support person if you have more complicated questions about the software or need help with the installation process. They might be able to help you save you a ton of time and frustration and get your site up and running smoothly.
Uptime
Another important consideration when choosing a web host is how well they perform in terms of site uptime. After all, a down website is literally worthless to your business. Experts at your hosting company will tell you whether or not your site is compatible with their servers, along with all the other hosting companies they work with. In terms of uptime, you want to look for a host that has a good track record and provides excellent support in case you experience any issues.
A managed WordPress website will have all the necessary plugins configured to work with the experts at your hosting company. This means your site will automatically backup regularly and provide you with fast and easy access to your backups should you lose any content.
A self-hosted WordPress site is also backed up by the team of experts who built and maintain it. This is usually enough to ensure you a safe and reliable platform, but it’s still up to you to ensure it functions properly at all times.
The main takeaway from all of this is that you shouldn’t just focus on the features when choosing a hosting provider. Instead, you should look at the support, maintainance, and security as well. These are all important considerations, especially if you’re planning on running a business from your website. You wouldn’t want to end up with a compromised site that hackers can use to steal your customers’ data, would you?
In the end, it all depends on what you’re looking for. If you need a simple and fast solution, then a managed WordPress website may be exactly what you’re looking for. You can install and configure a blog in no time and begin monetizing it right away. If you’re looking for a more secure and reliable option that’s regularly backed up and maintained, then a self-hosted WordPress site might be the better option.