Managed vs Shared Hosting – Which Type to Consider

Before deciding on a web host, it is important to know that web hosting is available in many different variations. Two of the most common forms of hosting are shared and managed hosting. While quite similar, the differences set these types of web hosting apart by far.

Shared Hosting

For someone who only requires a small, basic website, leasing an entire web server just isn’t practical. If this sounds like you, then shared hosting would be the perfect solution. It is cost effective and specifically designed to suite the needs of small websites. With shared hosting, the web host stores multiple websites on single server, allowing them to offer a service that is much cheaper than dedicated hosting.

Web servers are more powerful than the average computer used in the desktop setting. They offer plenty of disk space as well as RAM and CPU. The catch is that you are required to share these resources with other customers, a factor that could lead to performance and security issues. If your requirements are minimal, you should be able to find a shared hosting provider able to supply all the resources you need. However, as your site becomes more popular, it is very likely that you will exceed the resources the web host is able to provide. In this case, you need to either consider purchasing upgrades that supply you with additional bandwidth, storage capacity and other essential components. If the provider is not able to accommodate your needs, it is time to move up to a dedicated server and possibly consider managed hosting.

Managed Hosting

Websites that experience a high volume of traffic and run mission-critical business operations are best suited for a dedicated server. Unlike shared hosting, a dedicated server provides you with all the resources on the machine. This includes disk space, RAM, CPU and guaranteed bandwidth as well. On the other hand, a dedicated server calls for you to deal with server administrative tasks that can be very complex and time consuming.

In its purest form, having a dedicated server means you are responsible for all the maintenance. This includes basic administration to keep the machine thriving on a day to day basis as well addressing any security issues that may arise. Those who require a dedicated server but are not up for all the technical challenges often opt for managed hosting.

Managed hosting offers benefits to the website owner or business that either lacks the skills required to maintain a dedicated server or simply do not have the time to invest. You can generally select the options that best suit your needs, freeing you up to concentrate on other vital aspects while the server is maintained by the web host. When viewing it from this perspective, managed hosting is pretty much like outsourcing your dedicated server tasks to a third-party company.

Making a Choice

Managed hosting is the perfect alternative to the limitations of the shared server and complexity of a dedicated server. Keep in mind that these benefits come with a higher price tag. Therefore, it is very important to make sure you truly require this type of service before making an investment.