As a beginner planning to create a website, you may have come across terms like ‘managed WordPress hosting’ and ‘regular hosting.’ In this article, we’ll look at these two hosting options in-depth and help you understand the difference between managed WordPress hosting and maintenance vs. regular hosting and doing updates yourself.
What is Managed WordPress Hosting and Maintenance?
Managed WordPress hosting is a specialized hosting service specifically designed for WordPress websites. With this type of hosting, your hosting provider takes care of all the technical aspects of running a WordPress site, including:
- Server optimization: Servers are optimized for better performance and faster load times for WordPress websites.
- Automatic updates: The hosting provider updates your WordPress core, themes, and plugins.
- Security: The hosting company will implement advanced security measures to protect your site from hacks and other online threats.
- Daily backups: Your website will be backed up regularly to ensure easy recovery in case of data loss or damage.
- Expert support: Managed WordPress hosting providers have a team of WordPress experts that offer dedicated support to help you with any issues you may face.
What are Regular Hosting and DIY Updates?
Regular hosting, also known as shared hosting, is a more general type of web hosting that supports multiple types of websites, not just WordPress sites. With regular hosting, you’re responsible for managing your website, including:
- Server optimization: You may need to manually optimize your server configuration to improve your WordPress site’s performance.
- Manual updates: You have to manually update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to keep your site secure and up to date.
- Security: You’re responsible for implementing security measures and monitoring your website for potential threats.
- Backups: You must create a backup strategy and schedule to safeguard your website data.
- Support: While hosting providers offer general support, they may not have WordPress-specific expertise to assist you with specific WordPress issues.
Pros and Cons
To help you decide which option is best for you, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both managed WordPress hosting and maintenance and regular hosting with DIY updates:
Managed WordPress Hosting
Pros:
- Hassle-free experience: Focus on your content and business without worrying about the technical aspects of your website.
- Enhanced performance: Enjoy faster load times and better user experience with server optimization.
- Better security: Advanced security measures help protect your website from threats.
- Expert support: Get help from WordPress experts when you need it.
Cons:
- Higher cost: Managed WordPress hosting is generally more expensive than regular hosting.
- Limited flexibility: Some hosting providers may limit your ability to customize certain aspects of your website.
Regular Hosting
Pros:
- Lower cost: Regular hosting is generally more affordable than managed WordPress hosting.
- Greater flexibility: You have more control over your website and its configuration.
Cons:
- Time-consuming: Managing updates, security, and backups can be time-consuming.
- Requires technical knowledge: You may need to learn technical skills to manage your website effectively.
Final Thoughts
Managed WordPress hosting and maintenance is an excellent option for beginners who want to focus on their content without worrying about the technical aspects of their website. On the other hand, regular hosting with DIY updates is suitable for those with some technical knowledge and who want more control over their website at a lower cost.
Ultimately, the choice between managed WordPress hosting and regular hosting depends on your needs, budget, and how much time and effort you’re willing to invest in managing your website
