If you’re new to web hosting, you may wonder what managed hosting is. Simply put, hosting involves a third party managing all or most aspects of your website. This includes server maintenance and security for website performance and optimization. Managed hosting can be a great option for businesses that want the peace of mind that comes with knowing their website is in good hands.

This blog post will explore the benefits of managed web hosting and why it might be right for your website.

What is web hosting?

Web hosting is a service that stores and serves websites. When you create a website, you need to put it on a server so people can access it online. This is where web hosting comes in.

A web hosting company will provide you with a space on their server and usually give you a domain name (like www.example.com) that you can use to access your website. They will also manage the server for you, ensuring it stays up and running and keep it secure from hackers.

What is managed web hosting: Explained

Managed web hosting services are those where the provider takes on responsibility for some or all of the management of the customer’s website or web presence. This can include tasks such as keeping the server software up to date, ensuring adequate backups and providing support to website owners and administrators.

The level of management offered by a managed web hosting service can vary considerably, and providers may offer different levels of service to meet the needs of different customers.

Some managed web hosting services will only offer basic server maintenance, while others will provide a much more comprehensive service that includes monitoring the website for performance issues and responding to any problems.

How does it work? 

Hosting providers that own and operate data centers typically provide managed web hosting services. These data centers provide the physical infrastructure to host websites, including servers, storage and networking equipment.

Some managed web hosting services may be provided by companies that do not own their own data centers but lease space from another provider. These companies are sometimes referred to as colocation providers.

Colocation providers typically offer managed web hosting services as an add-on to their core business of providing space for customers to house their own servers.

When you sign up for a managed web hosting service, you will typically be given a control panel to manage your website. This control panel will give you access to the server settings and allow you to make changes as needed.

Sometimes, you may be given a dedicated server managed by the hosting provider. This type of arrangement is more expensive than shared hosting, but it offers a higher level of performance and security.

Different types of hosting services

The type of hosting service you choose will depend on several factors, including the size and nature of your website, your budget and your level of technical expertise.

There are four main types of hosting services—shared hosting, virtual private servers (VPS), cloud hosting and dedicated servers.

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is the most basic type of web hosting. As the name suggests, with shared hosting, you are sharing a server with other websites. This is a cost-effective solution for small businesses and individuals with modest hosting needs.

The main disadvantage of shared hosting is that you do not have full control over the server, so you may have to put up with some restrictions regarding what you can do with your website. In addition, the performance of your website can be affected by the traffic levels of other websites sharing the same server.

Virtual private servers (VPS)

A virtual private server (VPS) is a type of hosting that gives you your virtual server on a shared physical server. This is more affordable than having a dedicated server and offers more control than shared hosting.

With a VPS, you will have your own operating system, storage, and memory allocation. This means that you will have full control over the server, and you can install any software that you need.

As you are sharing a physical server with other customers, the performance of your website may still be affected by their activities.

Cloud hosting

Cloud hosting is a type of hosting that uses a network of servers to provide scalable and on-demand resources. This type of hosting is ideal for websites that experience sudden spikes in traffic or need the ability to scale quickly.

Cloud hosting is a more flexible and scalable solution than traditional hosting. The main disadvantage of cloud hosting is that it can be more expensive than other types of hosting, and you will need some technical expertise to manage your website effectively.

Dedicated servers

A dedicated server is a single physical server leased to a single customer. The customer has full control over the server and is responsible for its maintenance and management.

Dedicated hosting offers the highest level of performance and security, but it is also the most expensive option.

When choosing a hosting service, you will need to consider your needs and budget to decide which type of hosting is right for you.

What services are included in a managed web hosting plan?

The services included in a managed web hosting plan can vary depending on the provider. However, some common features are often included.

Server Administration and Management

The hosting provider will take care of the server administration tasks, such as installing software updates and security patches. This can take a load off your shoulders and free up your time to focus on other aspects of running your business.

Technical Support

You can contact the technical support team of your website hosting provider if you experience any problems. They can troubleshoot issues and provide advice on how to fix them.

Monitoring

The hosting provider will monitor your website to ensure it is running smoothly. They will also keep an eye out for any potential problems so that they can be fixed before they cause any downtime. Automatic updates can also be included in some plans so that your website is always running on the latest software versions.

Backups

Your hosting provider will create regular backups of your website so that you can rest assured knowing that your data is safe. You can always restore your website from a backup if something goes wrong.

Security

Managed hosting providers often include security features in their plans. This can include things like firewalls, intrusion detection and malware scanning.

Why do you need managed hosting?

If you need more time or expertise to manage your website, then managed web hosting can be a good option. This is particularly true if you have a complex website or one that receives a lot of traffic. For a small business owner, managed hosting can be a good way to outsource some website management tasks.

Hosts may offer managed-to-host plans as an add-on service. Others specialize in managed hosting and only offer this type of service.

The benefits of managed web hosting 

When running a business, there are a million things to think about. You’ve got to keep your customers happy, make sure your products are up to scratch and somehow find time to do some marketing. It’s enough to make your head spin.

The main benefits of using a managed web hosting service are:

You can focus on your business

The main benefit of managed web hosting is that it frees customers’ time to focus on their business rather than managing their own servers. This is especially beneficial for businesses that do not have IT staff on hand to manage their servers. In addition, managed web hosting can provide peace of mind by knowing that your website is in good hands.

Managed hosting is more secure

Security is always a top priority for businesses, and managed hosting can provide an extra layer of protection. When using a managed hosting service, your provider will take care of your security updates and patches. They’ll also have systems to protect your website or application from attacks.

Support when you need it

If you have any problems with your website, you can rely on your managed hosting provider to help you troubleshoot and fix the issue. Their technical support team will be available 24/7 to help you with any problems.

Improved performance

When your server is being managed by a team of experts, you can be sure that it is always running at peak performance and is as secure as possible. They’ll monitor your website for traffic spikes and ensure that your server has enough resources to handle the load.

Managed hosting is scalable

Scalability is an important consideration for any business, and managed hosting can provide the flexibility you need to grow. In a managed hosting environment, your provider can quickly add more resources to your server as needed. You can quickly scale up your website or application as your business grows.

Pricing models to suit your needs

Another benefit of managed web hosting is that you can often get more bang for your buck. Hosting service providers can offer discounts for customers who sign up for long-term contracts and bundle services together to provide a more comprehensive package. For example, some providers may include free SSL certificates or email accounts with their plans.

There are a variety of pricing models available for managed hosting, so you can find one that suits your needs. Whether you’re looking for a pay-as-you-go or fixed-price model, there’s an option available to suit you.

The downside of managed web hosting

While managed web hosting can offer some benefits, there are also some downsides.

Lack of flexibility

If you choose a managed web hosting solution, you have less flexibility regarding the server configuration and software options. And if something goes wrong, you have to wait for the provider to fix it rather than being able to fix it yourself.

Lack of control

One of the biggest potential downsides of managed web hosting is that you have less control over your website. The provider will typically handle all of the technical aspects of your website, which means you may need to change or customize your site more with a traditional web hosting plan.

Potential for higher costs

Another potential downside of managed web hosting is that it can sometimes be more expensive than traditional web hosting. The increased cost is typically due to the added features and services included with managed web hosting plans.

How to choose a managed web hosting provider

When it comes to choosing a managed web hosting provider, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.

Support

One of the most important things to look for in a managed web hosting provider is 24/7 support. Your website needs to be up and running at all times, and you need to know that someone will be there to help if something goes wrong.

Experience and Reliability

Choose a provider that has been in business for a while and has a good reputation. You want to ensure that your provider is reliable and has the experience necessary to provide a high-quality service.

Performance

Another important thing to consider is performance. Your website must load quickly and be available when visitors need it. Choose a provider that offers fast hosting services and reliable uptime.

Custom solutions

If you have specific needs, ensure that the provider can offer custom solutions. This will ensure that your website runs the way you want it to.

Easy-to-use control panel

The last thing you want is a complicated control panel. Look for a hosting service provider that offers an easy-to-use control panel to easily manage your website.

Final thoughts

Managed hosting solution can be a great option for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to focus on running their businesses and not worry about the technical aspects of running a website. Just be aware of the potential downsides before making your decision.