What is Better: Shared or Managed WordPress Hosting?

Meta Title: What is Better: Shared or Managed WordPress Hosting?

Meta Description: If you have a WordPress site, you can choose shared or managed hosting services. Here is what you need to take into consideration.

When it comes to choosing a suitable hosting option for your WordPress site, you might find yourself unsure about the distinctions between shared and managed hosting. Each option has gained popularity within different business contexts, and both come with their own merits and shortcomings. Your choice of hosting can significantly impact the functionality of your website, because of it you need to be careful when making a decision.

Now, let’s see the characteristics of both managed and shared WordPress hosting options.

Shared WordPress Hosting

Shared hosting is a beginner friendly and affordable option for website that do not have a lot of traffic or content. This type of hosting is ideal for new website owners that are testing the waters.

Here is what you need to know about shared hosting:

Basic Functionality: This hosting option is primarily tailored for simple websites. If you require advanced features or extensive resources, it might not fulfill your needs effectively.

Slower Loading Speed: If another website sharing the same server utilizes a significant amount of resources, it could potentially lead to slower loading times for your site. This is because the server’s resources are distributed among multiple websites.

Potential Downtime: Certain shared hosting services might encounter issues with downtime, resulting in occasional unavailability of your site.

Inadequate for High-Traffic Sites: If your website experiences a substantial influx of visitors or rapidly gains popularity, shared hosting might struggle to cope. In such scenarios, the hosting provider will likely recommend an alternative plan.

Self-Management: Shared hosting necessitates performing tasks like backups and updates independently. This can consume a significant amount of time and could pose challenges, especially for those who aren’t familiar with these processes.

Limited Support: The customer support provided with shared hosting tends to be of a basic nature. If you require specialized assistance for WordPress-related issues, this might not be the most suitable option. The limited support means you might need to troubleshoot problems on your own or seek help from the WordPress forums.

Managed WordPress Hosting

Managed WordPress hosting offers a premium hosting service specifically tailored for WordPress websites. It encompasses additional features and enhancements aimed at optimizing website performance.

While shared hosting provides a straightforward approach to launching a website, managed WordPress hosting operates at a more advanced level. It provides an array of beneficial features suited for businesses seeking enhanced website capabilities. Here is what managed WordPress hosting offer:

Speed and Performance: Managed hosting is designed to significantly boost the speed of WordPress websites. It employs specialized tools to optimize website functionality. Some packages even include features like Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and full-page caching to further enhance site speed.

Automatic Updates and Backups: Opting for managed hosting ensures automatic application of critical updates and regular backups for your website. Whether it’s a security update or a major WordPress version update, the hosting provider handles it on your behalf. Daily website data backups are also performed, providing recovery options in case of issues.

Security: Managed hosting prioritizes security and employs advanced security measures surpassing those of standard shared hosting. This translates to heightened protection against threats like viruses and hackers.

Support: Premium managed hosting services offer superior customer support, particularly tailored to WordPress. The support team consists of WordPress experts. This assistance can be immensely valuable if you or your team lack technical expertise. Additionally, they monitor your site’s uptime, addressing issues promptly to prevent downtime.

Testing Before Launch: Managed hosting offers a feature that allows you to test site changes before they become live, referred to as a staging environment. This acts as a rehearsal space for your site, enabling you to implement modifications and verify their effectiveness before they are visible to everyone.

Scalability: Managed hosting possesses the capability to accommodate increasing visitor traffic and demands as your website expands. This scalability occurs automatically, eliminating the need to transition to a new plan. The process of “autoscaling” handles the technical aspects on your behalf.

Managed WordPress Hosting has a Few Disadvantages:

Higher Cost: This premium service comes at a greater expense compared to basic shared hosting. Prices typically commence at $25 per month but can escalate to $150 per month or more, contingent on your selections. Additionally, some companies might impose extra charges if your website attracts substantial visitor traffic.

Exclusively for WordPress: Managed hosting exclusively supports WordPress websites. If you intend to utilize different email or analytics systems, this option may not accommodate such preferences.

Plugin Limitations: Certain managed hosting services might restrict the usage of specific plugins, particularly those involving external software. Consequently, you may encounter constraints in incorporating all desired features into your site.