Given WordPress\u2019s status as the web\u2019s most popular self-hosted blogging platform, it\u2019s no surprise that the managed WordPress hosting business is booming.<\/p>\n
For a monthly fee up to seven times the cost of shared hosting, many providers offer feature-rich hosting packages built especially for WordPress users. The question, of course, is whether extra features warrant the extra cost.<\/p>\n
Here, we\u2019ll discuss why you might opt for managed WordPress hosting. We\u2019ll also look at some popular shared hosts, compare their plans to WordPress-centric alternatives, and help you determine which hosting arrangement best suits your needs.<\/p>\n
WordPress web hosting is a mixed bag. The extent to which a provider \u201cmanages\u201d your WordPress installation varies quite a bit, and different hosts emphasize different feature sets in an effort to appeal to specific markets.<\/p>\n
That being said, there are some fundamental benefits nearly all managed WordPress hosts deliver; they include:<\/p>\n
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\u201cShared\u201d hosting refers to an arrangement in which your website lives on the same server as others\u2019 websites. The primary benefit of this arrangement is more sites for less cost \u2013 and for small publishers, cost savings can be a serious deal breaker.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a rundown of a few popular shared hosts\u2019 least expensive hosting packages. When it comes to costs and features, they all look really<\/em> similar.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Most shared hosting packages include comparable \u201cextras\u201d like unlimited email accounts, one-click WordPress installs, and automated backups, too. What you lose, of course, are the premium support, security features, and server configurations that managed WordPress hosting delivers.<\/p>\n Some publishers genuinely need those additional features, but do you<\/em> need them?<\/strong> Ask yourself:<\/p>\n If you answered no to all three of those questions, you probably don\u2019t need managed WordPress hosting \u2013 and that\u2019s good news! Shared hosting is perfectly adequate for most bloggers and small publishers, which means you don\u2019t need to pay a premium to keep your site online.<\/p>\n As your audience grows and traffic increases, it might make sense to pay more for a feature-rich hosting package. But hang tight for now. When you\u2019re ready for managed WordPress hosting, you\u2019ll know it. Changing web hosts will be a natural step in the ongoing management of your content, and you won\u2019t need a provider\u2019s marketing literature to convince you to switch.<\/p>\n And remember: web hosting is just a tool. A great host doesn\u2019t make a great website \u2013 that\u2019s your job. Choose a host that gets out of the way so you can connect with your readers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n