The foundation of any successful website is reliable, high-performing hosting. The server environment influences site speed, security, and SEO – which directly impacts traffic and conversions.
For those new to web hosting, the multitude of plans can be confusing. Shared hosting provides affordable options, but has limitations in resources. On the other hand, managed WordPress hosting offers tailored solutions, but at a higher cost.
Shared hosting continues to power millions of websites with its economical plans. However, the market share of managed WordPress hosting grows every year, thanks to its security and performance benefits.
Today, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of shared versus managed WordPress hosting, and we will explore the best hosting providers available for each option. My aim is to provide you with the insights needed to make informed hosting decisions for your WordPress sites.
Remember, reliable hosting is the price of admission for a successful online presence.
What Is Shared Hosting?
Shared hosting is a type of hosting where multiple websites share the resources of a single server. This means that your website will be hosted alongside other websites on the same server. Shared hosting is often the most affordable option for hosting your WordPress site, making it a popular choice for those on a tight budget.
Pros
- Cost-effective: Shared hosting plans are often much more affordable compared to other hosting options. This is because the costs of the server are divided amongst multiple customers.
- Easy to manage: With shared hosting, the hosting provider is responsible for the day-to-day management of the server. This includes hardware maintenance, security updates, and software installations.
- cPanel control: Shared hosting often comes with user-friendly control panels, that allows users to manage various aspects of their hosting account easily. From managing files and databases to setting up email accounts and installing applications, cPanel simplifies website management tasks for users without technical expertise.
Cons
- Limited resources: Since multiple websites share the same server, resources such as CPU, RAM, and bandwidth are also shared. This can result in slower loading times and decreased performance during periods of high traffic.
- Security concerns: Shared hosting leaves your website vulnerable to security risks. If one website on the server is compromised, it can potentially affect the security of all the other websites hosted on the same server.
- Lack of server customization: With shared hosting, you have limited control over server configurations. This can be a drawback for more advanced users who require specific settings or software installations.
What Is Managed WordPress Hosting?
Managed WordPress hosting is a specialized hosting solution specifically designed for WordPress websites. It offers a higher level of performance, security, and support tailored to WordPress sites.
Pros
- Enhanced performance: Managed WordPress hosting providers optimize their servers and infrastructure specifically for WordPress, resulting in faster loading times and improved website performance.
- Enhanced security: Managed WordPress hosting includes advanced security measures, such as malware scanning, automatic updates, and proactive threat detection, to help protect your website from vulnerabilities.
- Expert support: Managed WordPress hosts often provide dedicated support from WordPress experts who can assist with any technical issues or inquiries related to your website.
Cons
- Higher cost: Managed WordPress hosting plans are typically more expensive than shared hosting plans due to the added performance, security, and support features.
- Plugins Blacklist: Some managed WordPress hosting providers may impose restrictions on certain plugins or customization options to ensure the stability and security of their servers.
- Technical dependence: With managed WordPress hosting, you rely on the hosting provider to handle server maintenance, updates, and optimizations, which means you have less control over these aspects of your website.
Best Shared Hosting Providers
Shared hosting is the most common and affordable type of hosting to get started with a new website. Here are five of the best shared hosting providers in the industry:
SiteGround
Siteground is another popular shared hosting provider known for its impressive performance and customer support. Their shared hosting plans start at $2.99 per month (annual plan).
Check SiteGround Pricing PlansKey features of Siteground include:
- 10GB Storage space
- Free domain for 1st year and unlimited SSL certificate
- ~10,000 monthly visits with out-of-box caching
- Free daily backups and restore options
- Managed WordPress & Woocommerce enabled
- AI anti-bot system for enhanced security
Bluehost
Bluehost is a reputable hosting provider, recommended by WordPress.org. They are offering shared hosting plans starting at $2.95 per month for first year on promotional basis.
Check Bluehost Pricing PlansSome of their notable features include:
- Free domain and SSL certificate for 1st Year
- 10GB SSD storage
- Free CDN (content delivery network) through Cloudflare
- Managed WordPress
Hostinger
Hostinger is known for its budget-friendly shared hosting plans, with prices starting at $3.19 per month (annual plan).
Check Hostinger Pricing PlansDespite its low cost, Hostinger offers competitive features like:
- 100GB SSD Storage
- Host upto 100 websites
- Weekly backups
- Free domain for 1st year & unlimited SSL certificates
- Free 100 email accounts with 1GB mailbox storage for each account
- Free website migration from another platform
- Free 1-click WordPress installation with automatic updates
Dreamhost
DreamHost stands out for its commitment to privacy and transparency, offering a wide range of hosting services with no hidden fees. Their shared hosting plans start at $2.95 per month for an annual plan.
Check DreamHost Pricing PlansKey features of Dreamhost include:
- 50GB Storage space
- Free domain with domain privacy for 1st year and SSL certificate
- Automated daily backups
- SFTP and shell access
- Free automated wordpress migration using Dreamhost plugin
Hostgator
HostGator is a popular choice for its versatile hosting options, offering robust shared hosting plans with unlimited resources and a user-friendly control panel.Their basic hosting plan start at $4.95 per month for 1st year.
Check HostGator Pricing PlansThey have been around for over a decade and provide a range of features, such as:
- 10GB SSD Storage
- Unmetered bandwidth with fair usage policy
- Free domain and SSL for 1st year
- Automatic website backups
- SSH access and cron job scheduling
- Malware scanning security features
Best Managed WordPress Hosting Providers
With the increasing popularity of WordPress as a content management system, it is important to choose a hosting provider that can handle the specific demands of WordPress sites. Let’s look at some of the popular options.
WPEngine
Starting Price: $20/month Check WPEngine Pricing Plans
WPEngine is a powerhouse when it comes to managed WordPress hosting, offering top-notch security, blazing-fast load times, and stellar customer support. It’s a go-to for businesses that prioritize reliability and performance. Examples of popular websites hosted on WPEngine include Avada, Udemy.com and SoundCloud. Here is a list of features it offers
- ~25,000 visits/mo & 50GB bandwidth/mo
- 10GB storage
- Effortless 1-click staging & backup
- EverCache® for better performance & Global CDN
- Proactive threat blocking & security
- Automated WordPress & PHP updates
- Auto-renewing SSL and SSH access
Kinsta
Starting Price: $30/month Check Kinsta Pricing Plans
Kinsta uses the Google Cloud Platform to guarantee fast and secure hosting for WordPress sites, appealing to both beginners and tech-savvy users with its easy-to-navigate dashboard and excellent support. Notable websites hosted on Kinsta include ContactForm7, HootSuite, and MoneyForward.
- ~25,000Visits/mo
- 10GB SSD Storage
- Free CDN upto 100GB
- Automatic backups and 14 days backup retention
- Free website migration from another platform
Flywheel
Starting Price: $25/month Check Flywheel Pricing Plans
Flywheel is tailored for designers and agencies, providing a streamlined workflow and robust tools for building and managing WordPress sites. Its emphasis on collaboration and efficiency makes it a favorite. Websites like Css-tricks, Codepen, and AuthenticJobs are great examples of what Flywheel supports.
- ~25,000 visits/mo & 50GB bandwidth/mo
- 10GB SSD storage
- Free SSL certificates, FlyCache and Global CDN
- 14 days demo trial
- Daily backups with 30 days retention
- Site cloning, staging sites and SSH access
- Managed plugin updates and performance insights
- Plugin security alerts for vulnerable plugins
- Free website migration and Google Analytics add-on
Cloudways
Starting Price: $14/month Check Cloudways Pricing Plans
Cloudways stands out for its flexibility, allowing users to select from several cloud providers like AWS and Digital Ocean. It offers an optimal balance between functionality and ease of use, suitable for a wide range of WordPress projects. Popular websites on Cloudways include BricksBuider, AskJavascript, and Looka.
- 1TB bandwidth/mo
- 25GB NVME storage
- Free SSL certificates
- 3-days free trial without credit card
- Automated daily backups
- Optimized stack with advanced cache and built-in WordPress cache
- Staging sites, 1-click server cloning and SSH access
- Dedicated Firewalls and Regular Security Patching
- Server & App Monitoring (15+ Metrics)
- Free website migration
Shared or Managed WordPress Hosting – Which One is Suitable for You?
Shared WordPress hosting is a popular choice for individuals and small businesses who are just starting. As the name suggests, this type of hosting involves sharing a server with multiple other websites. This means that the resources of the server, such as processing power and memory, are divided among all the websites hosted on it.
However, shared hosting does have some limitations. Since you are sharing resources with other websites, the performance of your site may be affected by the traffic and activities of other users. Additionally, you will have limited control over server configurations and may not have access to certain advanced features.
While managed hosting offers numerous advantages, it is generally more expensive than shared hosting. Additionally, since the hosting provider takes care of the technical aspects, you may have limited control over server configurations and software installations.
Is Shared WordPress Hosting Right for You?
Shared hosting is suitable for:
- Budget-conscious individuals: Shared hosting plans are generally more affordable than managed hosting plans, making it an attractive option for those on a tight budget.
- Small websites with low traffic: If you are running a personal blog or a small business website with limited traffic, shared hosting can provide sufficient resources to meet your needs.
- Ease of use: Shared hosting providers often offer user-friendly control panels that make it easy to manage your website, install plugins, and make updates.
Is Managed WordPress Hosting Right for You?
Managed WP hosting is suitable for:
- Business websites: Managed hosting providers often offer additional features, such as automatic backups, security monitoring, and enhanced support, making it an ideal choice for businesses that prioritize reliability and security.
- Websites with high traffic: If you are expecting a significant amount of traffic or running an eCommerce site, managed hosting offers the scalability and performance required to handle the increased load.
- Beginner Friendly: If you are not familiar with the technical aspects of website management, managed hosting can save you time and effort by handling tasks such as software updates, server optimization, and security.
Making the Right Choice
Now that we have explored the features and suitability of both shared and managed WordPress hosting, how do you make the right choice for your website? Here are a few factors to consider:
Budget: If you are just starting and have a limited budget, shared hosting may be the more practical option. However, if you can afford the higher cost, managed hosting provides added benefits and peace of mind.
Traffic and expected growth: Assess your website’s needs in terms of traffic volume and expected growth. If you anticipate high traffic or rapid growth, managed hosting ensures your website can handle the increased demands.
Technical expertise: Evaluate your comfort and familiarity with managing a website. If you lack technical expertise or prefer to focus on content creation rather than technical maintenance, managed hosting can be a valuable investment.
Remember to also consider other factors such as customer support, server location, and additional features offered by the hosting provider.
FAQs
1. Is Managed Hosting Worth the Extra Cost?
Managed WordPress hosting is known for its convenience and ease of use. It offers a range of benefits that make it worth considering, especially for those who want to focus on their website’s content rather than the technicalities.
When you opt for managed hosting, you can rely on the hosting provider to take care of important tasks such as regular backups, security updates, and performance optimizations. This ensures that your website remains secure and functions smoothly, without you having to worry about the technical aspects.
Furthermore, managed hosting often provides dedicated support from experts who can assist you in resolving any issues that may arise. This can be invaluable, especially for beginners or those who lack technical expertise. Therefore, while managed hosting may come with a higher price tag, the peace of mind and support it offers can make it well worth the extra cost.
2. Do I need my domain and WordPress hosting from the same provider?
While it is not mandatory to have your domain and WordPress hosting from the same provider, there are a few advantages to consider. Having both services with the same provider can streamline your management processes and make it easier to keep track of your website.
When you have your domain and hosting from the same provider, you can often manage them through a single interface. This means you do not have to juggle between different platforms or remember multiple login credentials. It also simplifies DNS management, making it easier to connect your domain to your hosting account.
Additionally, certain providers may offer bundled packages or discounts when you purchase both services together. This can help you save some money in the long run. However, it is important to research and compare different providers to ensure that you are getting the best deal for your specific needs.
3. What is cloud hosting?
Cloud hosting typically offers higher uptime guarantees, with some providers offering 99.99% uptime or even higher. This ensures that your website is always accessible to visitors, maximizing its reach and potential.
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