What Is Managed Web Hosting?

Owning a website is a powerful and cost-effective way for individuals and companies to reach Hatch Digital audiences online. But for that, you’d first need web hosting.

Web hosting is basically renting server space to make a website accessible on the Internet. There are different types of web hosting, and in this article, we’ll focus on managed web hosting.

Managed web hosting is a service where the provider takes care of the technical aspects of hosting, like server management, security, and maintenance. This allows the user to focus on their project or business without worrying over the technicalities of running a website.

Read on to learn about the key features and benefits of managed web hosting for individuals and businesses, how it compares to unmanaged hosting, and how to pick the right managed hosting provider.

How Does Managed Web Hosting Work?

Whenever someone looks up your website, their browser sends a signal to the server that your site is on, asking it to share a copy. The copy of the website is then sent back to the user’s computer, where the browser displays the retrieved information for them to interact with.

This process is similar for all types of hosting. What makes managed web hosting different is what it offers on top of the hosting itself.

With managed web hosting, the provider handles back-end and admin tasks and offers additional features as an all-in-one package. It typically includes server setup, maintenance, hardware and software updates, backups, security measures, performance optimization, and technical support.

There are several types of managed hosting services:

Shared web hosting. Multiple websites will share the same server and its resources. It’s a cost-efficient, entry-level service tailored for individuals and small businesses. However, it may be limited in terms of performance, especially during traffic spikes.

Cloud hosting. Websites are run on virtual servers in the cloud or a network of servers. It has upgraded resources to ensure a fast, stable, and secure service. Cloud hosting is ideal for websites like online stores, high-traffic business websites, and complex sites with loads of data.

Managed WordPress hosting. A type of managed hosting specifically designed for websites built using the WordPress content management system. It works similarly to other types of hosting, but it has WordPress-specific features that improve performance, security, scalability, and ease of use.

In contrast, an unmanaged web host only provides a server, a pre-installed operating system (OS), and physical server maintenance. The user is given control over everything else, including its content management system, backups, security, caching solutions, and updates.