You might be wondering, what is managed WordPress hosting? It that something that makes sense for me?! And do I go with HostGator or which one?
I use Flywheel (which is why I’m thrilled that they’re a sponsor of #100DaysofSEO), and they’re like a different planet when it comes to hosting. I’ll explain why below. But first internet friends, we’re going to cover all your managed WordPress hosting questions quickly and help you get the answers you need!
What is managed WordPress hosting?
Managed hosting differs from shared WordPress hosting in that your website isn’t sharing hosting with a bunch of other random, unrelated websites. On top of the hardware and WordPress expertise, a managed host typically includes additional services and features designed to simplify the burden on site owners. (That’s where the “managed” part comes into play.) Managed hosting plans often include:
- attention from WordPress experts
- the best WordPress security practices
- faster websites and better performance
- one-click staging sites
- easy website management
From the way they structure their servers to the people they hire for support, you can trust that a managed WordPress host is truly an expert in your site’s CMS.
Who is it for?
Managed WordPress hosting is a great option for many, including: creative agencies or freelancers who build websites for clients, website owners who don’t want to deal with the technical aspects of running a website, in-house marketing teams who want more website control and might not want to work with the IT department, bloggers and influencers who rely heavily on their websites.
Are there any downsides?
The cost of managed WordPress hosting can be higher than other options, especially if you’re on a shared platform. It’s also only an option for WordPress (so you can’t use other content management systems… but why would you in 2019?!). Also, they don’t offer services like domain registration and email setup. They focus on what they’re best at, which is WordPress.
There are several options when it comes to choosing a managed WordPress host. The OGs in this space are: WP Engine, Pressable, and Pantheon. GoDaddy recently hopped into the managed WordPress hosting space. But don’t even think about that. Stay away!
My recommendation is Flywheel because of the amazing service and support I’ve received from them. When LeadPages broke my website and they couldn’t even help me figure it out. I also had my developer friends stumped and my old host HostGator was no help at all.
I moved my website to Flywheel and they fixed the issue in like 10 minutes. It was awesome! Their support people are also really fun to talk to. All around a great experience!