What is Managed WordPress Hosting? The Beginner's Guide

Simply put, managed WordPress hosting means someone taking care of your website.

Think of it as having a dedicated WordPress team working behind your website to take daily backups, secure it from hackers, and automatically update it.

WordPress is the world’s #1 content management system (CMS), powering over 42.7% of all websites. However, managing a WordPress website can be daunting, especially regarding security, performance, and updates.

This is where managed WordPress hosting comes in, as it offers hosting solutions that take care of the technical aspects, allowing you to focus on just content creation.

But is managed WordPress hosting for everyone? Let’s find out along with its pros and cons.

What Is Managed WordPress Web Hosting and Do You Need It?

What is managed WordPress hosting?

Managed WordPress hosting is an exclusive hosting service designed specifically for WordPress websites. It offers better features than traditional shared hosting.

If you plan to launch a WordPress site, we highly recommend managed WP hosting as it offers better security and optimized performance.

With managed WordPress, all the admin and technical tasks (such as updates, security, and performance) are handled for you so you can focus on creating content.

Managed WordPress key features include;

Latest WordPress pre-installed
Automatic core updates
Automatic daily backups
Integrated SSL to protect your website and user data
Simple migrations or free website transfers
Dedicated assistance from WordPress-savvy professionals

Here are some of the best managed WordPress hosting options if you’re interested.

Three Reasons Managed WordPress Hosting Is the Best

Here are THREE major reasons to consider WordPress hosting in 2024.

1. Easy Website Management

The #1 reason to go with managed WordPress hosting is the ability to manage your site easily.

You don’t have to worry about most technical aspects. Why? Everything will be taken care of in WordPress hosting, from installation to website transfer to automatic updates of WordPress core, plugins, themes, etc.

Also, you don’t need to install a lot of plugins on your WordPress site, including;

Backup plugins (as managed WP hosts offer free automatic backups)
Caching plugins
Security plugins

2. Faster Websites

Nobody likes slow-loading websites (not even Google).

You’ll get superior website speeds with managed WordPress hosting. You’ll get in-built caching, optimized servers, and resource management.

Your website visitors can experience faster loading times with built-in caching.

Also, WP managed hosts give #1 priority to the website’s performance, and they’ll suggest the best recommendations you can implement to improve your website page speed.

Many superior WordPress hosts like WP Engine offer industry-leading infrastructure to provide faster loading times.

3. Bulletproof security

Did you know that, Wordfence blocked 3 million attacks from 14,000 IPs targeting vulnerabilities? Discover WordPress Stats to know more.

It’s costly to protect your site from security threats and hackers. Here’s where managed WordPress hosting comes in handy, as millions of cyber attacks are blocked yearly with 24/7 monitoring and platform-level protection.

Who Should Opt for Managed WordPress Hosting?

Should you use a managed WordPress host?

Use WordPress web hosting:

If you want staging sites, as you can quickly test changes to your website before making them live.
If you want to use the WordPress platform.
If you want to let the experts handle the technical stuff and you can focus on running your website and creating content.
If you need high performance and scalability for your website.

You might not need a WordPress host:

If you’re running a hobby blog or website with minimal traffic.
If you’re looking to reduce hosting costs.
If you love DIY (Do It Yourself) when it comes to backups, installing updates, etc.

Pros and cons of managed WordPress web hosting

Let’s now delve into the pros and cons of managed WordPress hosting so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your website in 2024.

Pros of Managed WordPress Hosting 👍

You don’t have to deal with technical things, as all the WordPress hosting providers offer free automatic updates for WordPress core, plugins, and themes, so you don’t have to update manually.
Better loading times, as managed WordPress web hosting providers use optimized servers specifically configured for WordPress, leading to faster loading times for WordPress sites.
You’ll get access to 24/7 expert WordPress support.
Managed WordPress hosts offer numerous security features, such as firewalls, malware scanning, and brute force prevention systems to protect your website from hackers.
Most web hosts offer a built-in cache technology to reduce server load and improve page loading times.
You’ll get access to features like free website migration, one-click WordPress installation, etc (which simplify the website setup process).
It will be easier to manage your websites as managed hosts often offer user-friendly control panels.
Most managed hosts provide a staging feature, allowing you to test changes before making them live on your website.
Easy scalability, as you can upgrade or downgrade your pricing plans depending on your website’s traffic.
Most managed WP hosts also offer a Content Delivery Network (CDN) that helps deliver your website content faster to users worldwide.
Access to free SSL certificates, which encrypt your website data and provide a secure connection for your visitors.

Cons of Managed WordPress Hosting 👎

You’ll NOT get unlimited resources. In shared hosting, you can install as many sites as you want and still get customer support. You’ll get limited sites to install and store in managed WordPress hosting.
It is ONLY limited to WordPress CMS. You can’t install any other scripts like Joomla, Drupal, etc (unlike shared hosting).
It is more expensive when compared to other hosting types, like shared hosting.
Most web hosts DO NOT offer free email or domain registration (unlike shared hosting plans). So, you’ll have to register them with other companies such as Namecheap, GoDaddy, etc.

Read: Managed Hosting vs Shared Hosting: Which One to Pick?

Few Things to Consider While Choosing WordPress Managed Host

Here are a few things to consider while choosing managed WordPress hosting;

Compare prices for your current number of websites. Do they offer discounted prices for multi-sites?
Are there website traffic limits? What are the overage charges for exceeding them?
For better assistance, look for providers with 24/7 phone, chat, and ticket support.
Do they offer 24/7 proactive monitoring?
Do they offer free malware removal or restoring a hacked website? WPX hosting offers it (we’re using the same)
Will they migrate your existing website for free?
Make sure to read reviews from customers who are already using it (use sites like Trustpilot and Capterra).
Consider their money-back guarantee options along with an uptime guarantee. If your site is down due to hosting issues, do they offer downtime allowance based on the uptime percentage provided?

FAQs | Managed WordPress Hosting

Here are a few common questions about managed WordPress hosting.

How much does managed WordPress hosting cost?

Managed WordPress hosting costs depend on the web host you pick, the features included, and more. The price can usually range from $5 to $30 per month for basic plans and up to $200+ per month for high-performance plans.

Is managed WordPress hosting worth it?

If you’re uncomfortable managing technical aspects like security and updates, then managed hosting is worth it.

What are the best managed WordPress hosting companies?

Some of the best managed WordPress hosting companies include:
– Hostinger (Perfect for good performance on a budget)
– WPX (Great for its security features and fast customer support)
– WP Engine (Popular for its excellent performance and security)
– Kinsta (Known for its high-performance infrastructure)
– Bluehost (Popular and affordable hosting provider with managed WordPress plans)

What are the disadvantages of managed hosting?

Some of the drawbacks of managed WP hosting include:
– Higher cost compared to shared hosting
– Limited control over your server environment
– Some plugins may not be compatible with managed hosting plans

What are the features offered in managed WordPress hosting?

Most web hosts offer the following features in WordPress hosting;
– Automated updates
– Daily backups
– One-click staging
– Free SSL and 24/7 expert support

Related Resources:

Final Thoughts on WordPress Managed Hosting

If you’re looking for a hands-off hosting solution to manage your WordPress sites, managed WordPress hosting is an excellent choice.

If you want to focus only on content creation rather than technical maintenance, it’s a good investment. However, if you are OKAY managing technical aspects, you can choose cheaper options like shared hosting plans.

What are your thoughts on WordPress-specific hosting? Have any questions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.