Whether for a startup or a large-sized business, managed WordPress hosting can get you rock-solid security and blazing-fast performance. No wonder why several managed WordPress hosting providers rule the market. However, with WordPress hosting mushrooming every now and then, it has become hard to choose the best option. In this article, you will:
- Understand what managed WordPress hosting is.
- See the benefits of having one.
- List the best-managed WordPress hosting providers.
Contents
What is Managed WordPress Hosting?
Managed hosting offers additional services along with server space to help you efficiently run your site. Your hosting providers back up your website, update and perform security checks as well as monitor your hosting space on your behalf.
Managed WordPress hosting focuses on WordPress sites — everything from server structure to support experts are optimized for WordPress sites. This hosting also focuses on performance, security, daily backups, WordPress updates, website uptime and scalability.
This type of hosting is particularly useful to anyone who wants to be free from technicalities and work entirely on building their website content.
Benefits of Managed WordPress Hosting over Generic Hosting
Unlike generic hosting, managed WordPress hosting is specifically designed with the latest technologies, such as PHP7 and Nginx. Such technologies make your WordPress site both secure and fast. But this isn’t the only benefit that makes it superior to generic hosting.
Improved performance
Managed WordPress hosts fine-tune everything from the hardware to the software for running WordPress sites only. This technique dramatically improves the speed of your websites.
Built-in server-level caching tools improve website performance so you don’t have to invest your time in configuring extra plugins. They also feature CDNs, worldwide server locations, and instant-scaling technology for better performance.
Safety and security
Managed WordPress hosting service providers continually monitor and upgrade their hosting systems with the latest WordPress security updates. These providers also use WordPress-specific security layers, such as firewalls and login hardening, to prevent any malicious attempt. On top of that, the providers enforce strong passwords, two-factor authentication and limited logins. Some of the managed WordPress hostings even scan malware and remove them.
Performance monitoring
For consistent performance, continuous monitoring is essential. Managed WordPress hosting providers ensure your site never faces downtime. They will also notify you when your website has nearly used all of its available resources like memory. On-time notification will give you enough time to contact a support technician and fix the issue before it is too late and your consumers take a hit.
One-click staging environment
Editing directly to your production site could lead to the white screen of death. It is the reason why you should make small changes in a staging environment. Managed WordPress hosting provides a staging environment — a copy of your website in a development environment. It is a safe place to experiment before pushing changes to production. You can get a staging site with your plan or as an additional add-on.
Automated updates
WordPress updates keep your site secure. The latest versions are packed with more features and are more robust. Managed WordPress hosting service providers automatically update the core WordPress software, PHP, Apache, MySQL and other technologies. Sometimes, they also provide theme or plugin updates.
Automated backup and restore
Unfortunate incidents can occur anytime, which can lead to the loss of essential data. To be prepared for such scenarios, you might have to back up all of your data. Managed WordPress hosting usually includes daily backups. It also ensures all your site data remains safe. Some of the hosts might also offer on-demand backups. The managed WordPress hosting also provides an option to restore backups quickly and run the site immediately.
The Best Managed WordPress Hosting
While these benefits sound overwhelming, choosing the best-managed WordPress hosting service provider for your business could be equally daunting, especially when the list is long. Here’s Benzinga’s narrowed-down list.
1. Best Overall: WP Engine
WP Engine has established itself as a leader from being the first company to offer managed WordPress hosting to a renowned name today. It is the best in the industry for some excellent reasons.
WP Engine is capable of keeping the site performance at peak with an accurate response time. Even under the highest traffic, it performs well for all sites, be it a simple personal blog or a complex website. Security, speed and reliability are the most powerful features of the provider. But its customer support system is incredible, too. It has highly skilled experts to address any technical issue instantly.
Its plan starts from $30 per month, which can be $25 per month if you sign up for a yearly plan.
2. Best for Beginners: Bluehost
For those who have planned to launch their site for the first or second time, Bluehost is the solution. It offers cost-effective hosting plans without compromising on quality. Bluehost is among a very few providers that are recommended by WordPress officially. Their support system is incredible, and one of the biggest reasons why they are popular.
Once the user signs up for a plan, Bluehost provides complete assistance in setting up the server and getting plugins and themes installed. For further support, live chat and phone customer support are available 24/7.
Its plan starts from AU$12.20 per month. If you go for a 36-month term, you will have to pay AU$6.72 per month. The price doesn’t include GST. The plan auto-renew at regular rates.
3. Best for Enterprises: Liquid Web
Liquid Web specializes in maintaining the heavy-weight site’s performance even under high traffic. The provider is suitable for medium to large websites. The managed WordPress hosting from Liquid Web is originally delivered by its digital commerce cloud platform called Nexcess. The provider is known for super-fast load time and a dedicated support team.
The additional benefit it offers is the automatic plugin updates with visual comparisons. Plus, it includes an image optimization plugin to boost page speed.
Its plan starts from $19 per month and has no hidden charges. If you go for a yearly subscription, the plan will cost $12.67 per month.
4. Best for High Traffic Webistes: Kinsta
Kinsta is a premium WordPress hosting solution for websites receiving high volume traffic. It uses Google-created and maintained infrastructure to host a WordPress website. WP Engine also uses Google Cloud Platform, but Kinsta uses LXD managed hosts, ensuring increased security and stability.
Its site maintenance and monitoring system are excellent. Kinsta keeps checking each supported software like PHP closely and if it goes down, the provider tries to start it automatically. Auto WordPress database optimization is another vital feature.
Its plan starts from $30 per month with included free migrations and a hack-fix guarantee. If you go for the yearly plan, you get 2 months of free service. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Best for All Types of Sites: Siteground
Siteground is among those fewer providers recommended by WordPress. It has comprehensive solutions for WordPress sites. It offers an automated WordPress installation feature and WordPress Starter that lets the user create a powerful and fully-functional site in no time. Its unique in-house performance optimization and superb security are among the top-rated features.
WordPress transfer is super easy with Siteground. Users can opt for a free SiteGround Migrator plugin or get an expert for professional website transfer.
Its plan starts from $14.99 per month. The special price offered is $6.99 per month, which is applicable when an annual purchase is paid in advance. Also, special prices apply to the 1st invoice only. After that, for all subsequent renewals, regular prices are applicable.
6. Best for Beginners: Hostinger
Hostinger is a simple-to-use and budget-friendly solution for anyone who wants a website for his business. Apart from lightning site speed, it offers Cloudflare’s protection, an SSL certificate and free CDN.
It has some excellent website integrated features like WP-CLI, GIT and SSH. Plus, there’s an array of customizable themes to choose from, and it continuously fine-tunes its platform to ensure 99.99% uptime.
Its plan starts from AU$2 per month. When you renew, the plan will cost you AU$5.03 per month.
Let the Managers Manage
A powerful managed hosting provider determines the success of your website. Managed WordPress hosting service providers offer plenty of additional services to keep your site humming. While making your final decision remember that your ultimate aim is to hand over your site in safe hands so you can put all your effort into growing your business.
