A robust hosting provider is crucial for the success of any website, including WordPress sites! A managed WordPress host is essential to ensure your website works quickly. It should also have strong security and consistent uptime.
Imagine a scenario where you no longer must deal with server management or the complexities of web hosting. Managed WordPress hosting allows you to escape from these time-consuming tasks and focus on important aspects such as building quality websites for clients. Also, creating custom WordPress themes or growing your agency’s presence.
This guide will delve into all the important aspects of managed WordPress hosting that you need to know.
What is managed WordPress hosting?
As the name suggests, managed WordPress hosting is tailored specifically for WordPress sites. This means that every aspect of the hosting service is optimized for WordPress, from server configuration to the support team’s expertise.
Managed WordPress hosting providers are specialists in WordPress, ensuring that their hardware and support perfectly match your CMS needs.
Beyond the hardware and expertise, managed WordPress hosting typically includes additional features and services that alleviate the burden on site owners.
Managed WordPress hosting is perfect for anyone building a business on WordPress—creative agencies, freelancers, E-commerce entrepreneurs—or anyone looking to reclaim their time with a dependable hosting partner. It is also an excellent solution for enterprise sites and in-house brands! We will understand the benefits in detail.
The benefits of managed WordPress hosting
Overall managed WordPress hosting offers a tailored experience specifically for WordPress sites, allowing you to focus on building quality websites, creating custom themes, or growing your presence.
| Why Managed WordPress Hosting should be your choice | ||
| 1 | Expert Support | Specialized WordPress support for issues like plugin conflicts and theme problems. |
| 2 | WordPress Security | Built-in security features, including nightly backups, malware removal, and two-factor authentication. |
| 3 | Improved Performance | Faster load speeds and better uptime, with features like CDNs and instant-scaling technology. |
| 4 | Staging & Local Environments | Easily test changes in a staging environment before going live. |
| 5 | Additional Features | Workflow tools, collaboration features, and educational resources. |
| 6 | SSL Certificates | Simplified SSL certificate setup, often with free options available. |
| 7 | Reselling Hosting | Opportunities to resell hosting with support from managed providers. |
| 8 | Easy Site Management | Centralized management, including automatic updates for WordPress core, PHP, themes, and plugins. |
| 9 | Development Tools | Access to tools like error logs, cache management, and SFTP. |
| 10 | Focus on Business | Managed hosting handles technical aspects, allowing you to focus on growing your business and improving skills. |
Here is a detailed explanation of each benefit.
1. Support from WordPress experts
While hosting companies provide support, managed WordPress hosting stands out because its support team specializes in WordPress. This means they can accurately identify issues like plugin conflicts, theme problems, or server-level concerns. They know the best settings for optimal performance and can offer trusted recommendations for any WordPress-related queries.
Since managed WordPress hosting focuses solely on one CMS, the support team is more knowledgeable and can assist with many WordPress questions. While you might find good support with other hosts, you have a better chance of getting expert help from a partner like BigRock that specializes in WordPress.
Additionally, managed hosts often prioritize customer support, offering services like 24/7 chat, in-app ticketing, and community forums. Choosing managed WordPress hosting is like having a dedicated IT team of experts to manage a business!
2. Best practices of WordPress
Even if your website has never experienced a security breach, keeping security in mind is crucial. Managed WordPress hosting comes with built-in security features and expert support, but it cannot guarantee you 100% security.
For instance, many managed hosting providers offer nightly backups of your site, which you can restore easily if something goes wrong. In addition to backups, managed hosts configure their servers specifically for WordPress security, minimizing the need for extra security plugins. You will also benefit from features like strong password enforcement, two-factor authentication, and limited login attempts.
One of the most valuable securities features a managed WordPress host provides is malware removal. If your site gets infected with malware or harmful scripts, the support team can often help clean it up.
Be sure to understand your provider’s malware removal process so you can respond swiftly if needed.
3. Faster sites and better performance
As mentioned earlier, a managed WordPress hosting provider’s entire tech setup is specifically designed for WordPress. This means your WordPress site will enjoy better uptime and faster load speeds, especially if it is currently with a non-specialized host.
Other hosting providers might offer caching, but they often do not consider the specific needs of WordPress sites. With a managed WordPress host, you will benefit from their expertise in optimizing servers based on your themes and plugins.
Managed WordPress hosting providers also offer performance boosters like Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), global server locations, and instant-scaling technology.
Feeling overwhelmed by these terms? Do not worry. With a managed host, these powerful features (which are usually tricky to configure) are easy to set up!
While you can optimize your WordPress site with other hosting providers, it requires a lot of effort on your part. This is where a managed host shines, freeing you from server maintenance so you can focus on your clients and business.
The security and performance benefits alone make managed WordPress hosting worthwhile. With a reliable infrastructure and expert support, your brand and business will be safeguarded against downtime and hacks.
4. One-click staging sites & local environments
You have heard the golden rule: never edit your live website. To avoid errors on your site or to cause downtime, always make changes in a staging environment where you can safely test updates before going live.
A WordPress staging environment is a key feature of managed WordPress hosting. It lets you create a copy of your site in a secure area so you can test and tweak changes without risking your live site.
This feature is incredibly useful for both site owners and developers. It makes the workflow smoother and reduces the chance of errors on your live site. Managed WordPress hosting platforms include strong security measures to keep your site safe.
Most managed WordPress hosts provide a staging site with your plan or offer it as an add-on. Setting it up usually takes just a few clicks, making it easy to keep your live site secure.
Similarly, the local environment is another important part of the development process. It allows you to make updates to your site away from the live server.
Recommended Workflow:
- Develop Locally: Begin by building and testing your site in a local development environment.
- Test on Staging: Once development is complete, deploy your site to a staging environment to test its functionality.
- Go Live: After thorough testing, deploy the last version to the live site.
Managed hosting providers understand this workflow and offer tools to help you follow it, making it easy to collaborate with clients.
1. Features beyond server setups
While having fast and secure servers is crucial for any top-performing website, one of the biggest advantages of managed WordPress hosting is the additional benefits it offers for your business.
These benefits include workflow tools, collaboration features, and educational resources. A managed host is more than just a server provider; the best ones act as a business partner.
Managed WordPress hosts often provide features that help you:
- Work together with your team, clients, or temporary contributors on site development.
- Create and use templates for themes and plugins, which are ideal for setting up pre-designed sites.
- Share demo versions of sites with clients for feedback before launching.
- Transfer hosting costs directly to clients, relieving you from managing billing.
Each managed WordPress host offers distinctive features, but choosing one that supports your preferred workflow can significantly increase the value you get from it.
2. It is easy to add SSL certificates
You know that little green padlock you see next to a URL in the browser? Or those “connection is not secure” warnings in Google Chrome? These are based on whether a website has an SSL certificate. Managed WordPress hosting makes it quite simple to add an SSL certificate to your site.
Traditionally, installing an SSL certificate could lead to a lot of back-and-forth if you are not well versed with the process.
Managed WordPress hosting providers have made this process much easier. Understanding the importance of online security, numerous managed WordPress hosting providers now include free SSL certificates through services such as ‘Let’s Encrypt.’
If your site needs more advanced SSL options, like wildcard or EV certificates, managed hosting providers can help set those up too. This support not only guarantees robust security but also underscores why managed WordPress hosting is ideal for those aiming to build, secure, and expand their online presence.
3. The ability to resell hosting
You can resell any kind of web hosting, not just managed WordPress hosting. However, WordPress is a wonderful choice because it powers over 40% of all websites. This means there is a huge market for WordPress hosting.
Managed WordPress hosting providers are especially good at supporting resellers. They often offer referral programs that give you bonuses for bringing in new customers, partner programs with extra resources to help you grow, and tools that make reselling easier.
So, if you are thinking about adding web hosting to your business, managed WordPress hosting is a smart way to go.
4. Easy site management
Hosting your sites with a managed WordPress host keeps everything meticulously organized in one place. No need to jump between different providers or setups; you have a single hub for all your sites. This is especially helpful as you take on more clients or grow your agency, saving you time when setting up new sites.
Besides offering a clean interface for managing your sites, a managed WordPress host also handles updates for you. This includes updates for WordPress core, PHP, and sometimes even themes and plugins. This can save you hours of work, especially if you manage many client sites, giving you more time to take on new projects.
Choosing managed WordPress hosting provides a smooth setup experience, benefiting both you and your clients with superior speed, strong security, and reliable uptime.
5. Quick access to development tools
Whether you are building a new site or fixing an existing one, a managed WordPress host makes developer tools easy to access directly from the hosting application.
Some hosts use cPanel, while others have custom dashboards to enhance the user experience.
Want to check error logs? No problem. Need to flush the cache manually? Easy. Managed WordPress hosts usually provide tools for these tasks and more.
Here is a quick list of useful actions you can take:
- Clear the cache
- Switch development mode on or off
- Enable wp_cache
- Activate wp_debug
- Export log files
- Manage the database
- Access SFTP
When you choose managed WordPress hosting, you get robust security and high-speed performance, as well as key features such as staging environments, local development setups, and developer tools that enhance your workflow.
These tools integrate smoothly into your workflow, letting developers test changes before going live and making managing multiple sites or clients easier. This comprehensive approach ensures an efficient and effective development process, making managed WordPress hosting a smart choice for any serious website owner.
6. They handle hosting, so you can focus on your business
Overall, the biggest advantage of managed WordPress hosting is that it takes care of all the technical details for you, allowing you to concentrate on what you love doing. The goal of managed hosting providers is to simplify hosting WordPress sites, so you can focus on improving your skills instead of learning about servers.
Besides the site benefits, the extra workflow tools will make your business run more smoothly and help you work better with your team and clients. While the cost might be higher than the shared hosting plans you are used to, you will get much more value from a managed WordPress host.
ALSO READ: How To Start Your Blog On WordPress in 6 Quick Steps
Who uses managed WordPress hosting?
This list is not exhaustive, but it highlights some typical examples of people, businesses, and websites that gain significant value from partnering with a managed provider:
- Creative agencies or freelancers who build sites for clients
- Site owners who prefer not to handle the technical aspects of web hosting
- Bloggers and influencers whose reputation relies on their site
- E-commerce sites selling digital or physical products that need consistent uptime
- In-house marketing teams seeking more control over their site without relying on IT departments
- Enterprise brands requiring reliability, scalability, and expert support
- Anyone looking to resell WordPress hosting
This does not mean only these groups will benefit from managed WordPress hosting. It is just an example of the common types of users for whom managed hosts have designed distinctive features.
Cons of managed WordPress hosting
While there are many benefits to managed WordPress hosting, there are also a few downsides to consider.
1. Managed hosting might be more expensive
The cost of managed hosting is higher than what you are used to, especially if you are coming from a shared hosting plan. While the benefits often justify the higher price, it is important to be mindful of this, particularly if you are on a tight budget.
If cost is a concern, speak with the managed hosting provider for a revised quote. They could offer you a more affordable price. But also consider the extra time you will gain by letting the host handle the technical tasks or the additional income you could earn from reselling hosting!
2. Managed WordPress hosts can handle only WordPress sites
Managed WordPress hosting providers only support WordPress sites, with a few exceptions for those that began with shared hosting and later added managed services. If your business exclusively uses WordPress, this is not an issue. If you have a website that is not built on the WordPress platform, you will need to find a different hosting provider for it.
3. Most managed WordPress hosts do not provide email or domains
While having a server for your website is crucial, you will also need a domain name and email service, especially for professional sites. Most managed WordPress hosting providers do not offer these services, so you will get them from renowned hosting partners like BigRock.
Managed WordPress hosts like BigRock focus on WordPress solutions and prefer to concentrate on providing the best-managed hosting platform for your site.
ALSO READ: 5 Most Frequently Asked WordPress Hosting Questions Answered
How to choose a Managed Hosting Provider?
Managed WordPress Hosting is designed for website owners who may not have extensive technical skills. It takes care of the core software, themes, and plugins, making your life easier and your site more secure.
When selecting a Managed WordPress host, consider the following features:
- Security and Performance Services: Ensures your site runs smoothly and securely.
- WordPress Expertise: Choose a provider that specializes in WordPress for optimal support.
- Dedicated Backup Storage: Keeps your data safe with regular backups.
- Enhanced cPanel: Simplifies site management with a user-friendly interface.
- Dynamic Upgrades: Keeps your site updated with the latest features and improvements.
- Free Website Migration: Transfers your site without hassle.
- Free Malware Removal: Protects your site from malicious threats.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Helps whenever you need it.
Lastly, check online reviews to gauge user satisfaction before making your choice. With BigRock, you can confidently pick a plan that suits your needs and keeps your WordPress site running seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Managed WordPress Hosting
Is managed WordPress hosting worth it?
Overall, managed WordPress hosting is an excellent solution for anyone running WordPress sites, especially businesses. It offers numerous benefits with few drawbacks, helping you save time and avoid the hassle of manually managing servers.
When should you upgrade to managed WordPress hosting?
Many people delay upgrading to managed WordPress hosting until it is too late. They often make the change only after their site crashes on a shared server or has been down for weeks due to a hack. This delay can result in lost revenue, clients, and trust—none of which you want to experience.
If you are encountering any of these issues, it might be time to upgrade:
- Your site’s performance is slow or inconsistent.
- Your site experiences frequent downtime.
- Your site is currently hacked.
- You want to prevent these issues from occurring.
- You are spending too much time on server optimization.
- Updating your site is cumbersome.
- You are running a business and need a partner, not just a provider.
An optimized, high-performing website can boost your earnings, while a slow or compromised site can result in significant losses. If you are questioning whether you need managed WordPress hosting, the answer is yes.
How do you move to a managed WordPress host?
If you are ready to switch, start by contacting your new hosting provider. For instance, if you are moving to BigRock, you will be offered a free migration service, and your transfer will be handled.
With all the benefits of a managed provider, switching to a new setup is straightforward. You can start with a local environment, move your site to the staging for final testing, take a backup before going live, and contact 24/7 support if you need help with anything.
