The Best Managed Server Hosting for Your Business
Website owners DREAD server downtimes for a reason.
From brand promotion to revenue generation, everything comes to a standstill when servers are down. It’s estimated that the average cost of server downtime per hour is between $301,000 and $400,000 USD. But you can avoid that with the help of managed server hosting.
We’ll discuss how managed hosting works and explain the benefits it offers.
Our Picks for Best Managed Web Hosting
- HostPapa
- Cloudways
- A2 Hosting
- HostArmada
- SiteGround
- DreamHost
- BlueHost
What is managed server hosting?
Managed server hosting involves renting a third-party’s server and having the third party operate the server for you.
Look at it this way: you don’t have the time or capacity to acquire and run your own server. So, you reach out to a third-party service provider for help. The service provider sets you up with a dedicated server for your website. The provider also performs such activities as network configuration, software updates, data security, and server monitoring for you.
Think of it as done-for-you, server-based web hosting.
Why managed server hosting?
Managed server hosting is commonplace in the web hosting space. Here’s why:
Less spending
A lot goes into acquiring and operating your own server. First of all, you need to buy the server and set up operational space to hold it. After that, you need to contract ISPs and assemble a tech team. All those expenses can take a heavy toll on your finances. But managed web hosting saves you the trouble by providing everything you need in one place. And it is usually at a reasonable price.
Solid technical and security support
It takes an able technical team to keep a website working properly. But the problem with an in-house tech team is that sometimes, personnel aren’t experienced enough. And that increases a business’s risk of security breaches and server downtime.
In the case of managed server hosting, however, service providers usually have a highly-skilled team on standby 24/7. The team typically comprises:
- cybersecurity officers to keep tabs on data security
- network admins to ensure a stable server operation
- software engineers to install and update software as-needed, etc.
Scalability
Your business site has hit a winning streak, and more customers are signing up. Now what? You may need to scale up your services.
Managed web hosting will help you do that by providing as many servers as you need. You’ll also get a flexible bandwidth that lets you level up at will.
Reliability
Let’s face it: There’s little you can achieve with a slow network. Crawling connection speeds will prolong loading times and make your customers unhappy. But you can avoid that through managed web hosting.
Managed hosts typically invest in high-capacity, low-latency networks that can process vast volumes of data with little delay.
Aside from connection speeds, managed hosts also undertake disaster recovery operations to safeguard your server from fire and flood. That translates into more server uptime for you.
What to look for in a managed server hosting service
Use the following metrics to evaluate candidate managed hosts:
Features
It’s important to choose a managed service that offers the packages you need. Different managed hosts offer different tiers of service. Tiers may include:
VPS: This service works like a virtual operating system (OS). It allows you to spice up your website with choice software, e.g., chat widgets.
DDoS: Cybercriminals may try to inundate your website with traffic in order to prevent real users from gaining access. A managed host may provide the tools and support to fend off these attacks.
Pricing
Going in for a managed web service that is too expensive is counterintuitive. Yes, you can find a managed service that is both affordable and high-quality. Just do your due diligence.
Speed
Your website’s performance hinges on the underlying server’s speed. So, try to test the network speeds of candidate-managed hosts before you settle on one.
Customer service
A customer-centered managed web solution will make you look good to your own customers. We suggest making that your top priority.
Uptime
Max uptime requires that a provider has an adequate power supply, a reliable connection, and a solid technical team. Look out for these traits before committing to the provider.
Best web hosting products
There are many managed web hosting products on the market. Here are our top picks:
1. HostPapa
You can transfer your existing website to HostPapa, or have the service build you a new one. HostPapa’s primary focus is WordPress hosting. It offers free domain registration, a free SSL certificate, and unmetered bandwidth. Users will also get access to scalable computing resources and a smart VPS manager.
HostPapa uses an enterprise-grade website firewall and malware protection to secure client websites. Their technical support team is also highly experienced and always available.
Pros
- Free domain registration
- Free SSL certificate
- No-risk 30-day guarantee
Cons
- Renewal rates are quite high
- Automatic backup is reserved for the business pro plan
- “Unlimited email addresses” is reserved for the business pro plan
2. Cloudways
Migrate your website to Cloudways for free with just a few clicks and start taking advantage of their fantastic performance and security features. At $10/mo for their base plan, you already get 25GB of storage, 1TB of bandwidth, and 1GB of RAM.
Cloudways provides OS-level firewalls to filter malicious traffic, built-in SSL encryption, IP whitelisting, bot protection, 24/7 site monitoring, and regular security patching to minimize future vulnerabilities. Their tiered technical support team is also fantastic, even letting you upgrade your support to have one of their Senior Support Engineers act as an in-house extension of your team!
Try their 3-day trial without a credit card and see if it’s a good fit!
Pros
- Easy 1-click deployment
- Free migration and SSL certificates
- Powerful security and advanced features
- Great for eCommerce and WordPress sites
Cons
- No root access
- CDN and email hosting not included with base plan
3. A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting is a go-to platform for website newbies and professional admins alike. It offers solutions in managed WordPress hosting, VPS, and dedicated hosting. A2 will migrate your website to its servers for free. It will also give you unlimited SSD space, free automatic backups, and round-the-clock support.
Users will also appreciate the 20X faster turbo and 99.9% uptime commitment the service comes with. Overall, A2 Hosting delivers a strong website performance at a reasonable starter cost.
Pros
- 24/7/365 tech support
- Unlimited SSD space
- Free automatic backups
Cons
- Paid domain registration
- Starter plan lacks many features
- Renewal rates are quite high
4. HostArmada
HostArmada offers reliable, fast, and secure web hosting services with a focus on customer satisfaction. They provide a 99.9% uptime guarantee, a 45-day money-back guarantee, and 24/7/365 availability for customer service.
HostArmada offers various managed hosting services with different tiers and features such as Cloud Shared Hosting, Cloud WordPress Hosting, Cloud Reseller Hosting, Cloud VPS Hosting, Dedicated CPU Server Hosting, Open-Source Hosting, and Development Hosting. Their services include daily backups, malware scans and removal, WAF and IP firewall, free SSL certificates, website consultations, cPanel, and four channels for customer support.
Pros
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Reliable and fast performance
- Strong security features
- User-friendly cPanel
- Excellent customer support
- Various hosting services with different tiers and features
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Expensive renewal prices
- LiteSpeed web server only available with highest tier plans
5. SiteGround
SiteGround is a well-rounded web host that provides a free CDN, a free SSL, and unlimited databases to clients. The service also offers up to 40-gigabit web space and a bonus: a 30-day money-back guarantee.
By way of security, SiteGround offers top-tier SSL encryption and a strong web application firewall. In terms of connection speeds, the service offers an ultra-fast network and multiple custom speed optimizations. All in all, SiteGround allows you to run a website without having to worry about downtimes or cyberattacks.
Pros
- Customer-oriented web hosting solutions
- High-grade network security
- Easy management
Cons
- Limited hosting options
- Limited SSD space
- Renewal rates are quite high
6. DreamHost
Leveraging 20+ years of experience, DreamHost provides a 99.9% uptime. The service uses cutting-edge hardware and a quick server response feature to boost your website’s performance. And from WordPress hosting to VPS, users will enjoy an ultra-fast network as well as 24/7 expert support.
DreamHost also comes with bonus offers in web design, SEO marketing, social media marketing, and custom web development. If you’re looking to build a highly interactive website, DreamHost is the way to go.
Pros
- Near 99.9% uptime guaranteed
- Privacy-focused solutions
- Many bonus offers
Cons
- Service deployment delay reports
- May not favor website newbies
- Few 1-click installs
7. Bluehost
Bluehost is a pioneer of no-code website building. The service centers on WordPress hosting and provides related marketing tools, data analytics, and scalable growth for users. Other perks include a free SSL certificate, spam protection, and ultra-fast network speeds.
All BlueHost solutions come with automated security updates, backup data protection, and 24/7 tech support. In addition, the service can add lively web themes, customer chat windows, and payment integrations to your website upon request.
Pros
- Flexible and creative solutions
- 9% uptime offer
- Useful marketing and data analytics tools
Cons
- Starter plan has many limitations
- US presence only
- Too much upsell
What’s the difference between managed hosting and colocation hosting?
Managed hosting is when a service provider leases a server to a client and proceeds to operate the server for them. Colocation hosting, on the other hand, is when a provider avails storage space in their data center for clients’ IT infrastructure. To put it simply, a managed host provides and manages a server for you. But a colocation host only provides a cabinet to store your hardware.
Can you buy a dedicated server?
In the managed hosting space, dedicated servers are typically leased, not sold. You may, however, buy a server from a separate vendor and run it in-house. But know that a server can cost upwards of $3,000. So, if you’re a small business, renting one may be the better option.
What does CPU mean for a managed hosting server?
The server that houses your website has a central processing unit(s) (CPU). Like PC CPUs, server CPUs execute instructions to keep the system functioning. They also power the RAM, hard drive, and other server components. Good CPUs run database queries efficiently and boost your website’s performance.
Conclusion: We Give Managed Hosting an A+
Managed server hosting is one of the most popular web hosting solutions available. With benefits in cost savings, max uptime, and expert tech support, the solution is also one of the best. Try to look at all available options before you settle on one.
