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With countless web hosting providers cropping up, it’s become a simple task to avail cheap hosting services. However, when businesses decide to avail hosting services, they get confused whether they need to avail managed or unmanaged web hosting. Knowing the difference between the two types of services can help you decide the right option for your needs.
Here’s a quick look into the two kinds of hosting services and the benefits or pitfalls associated with them.
Dedicated or Managed Web Hosting
Managed hosting is something like owning a dedicated, small IT division for your business. Your hosting provider will offer email and phone support for technical problems, general server related advice, and emergencies. Your present and future requirements will be assessed by reputed web hosting firms to find the best suitable platform for your business, which in turn saves your time and your web developer’s time that otherwise would be spent for problems arising due to wrong server speed, security issues, and conflicting programs.
Managed Hosting Benefits
Here are few aspects that your business can benefit from while using managed hosting:
- 24/7 website monitoring
- Instant, Chat, Email and phone support
- Server customization and configuration to match individual business requirements
- Day-to-day backups of emails and website to several locations
- Core server-side software update
- Daily malware/antivirus security scans
- Management of domain, sub-domain moves, database changes, and mailbox modifications
- In case of website crash, your host can get it back online with minimal delays
- Configuration auto-scaling ability
Shared or Unmanaged Hosting
Unmanaged web hosting is certainly a very cost-effective means to take your business online, particularly if you are establishing a website for the first time and you are running tight on your budget. As indicated by the name, the same server is shared between several websites, which implies you have scaled economies. It’s not required to establish a server’s technical side and there are several programs that can be installed easily so that you can get online quicker.
Unmanaged Hosting Pitfalls
Unmanaged hosting may seem to be an affordable solution, but it comes with its own share of downsides, and here are few pitfalls associated with the same -
- You may not be able to avail a host of advanced features.
- If the same server is shared by too many websites, there may be adverse effects on your site.
- The scaling abilities of your website are hindered.
- Few scripts like firewalls and auto backups may not run.
In spite of these downsides, unmanaged hosting is sufficient for small businesses, but not suitable for all kinds of businesses. If your business has just started or if you business’ core does not involve creating a strong online presence, then just an unmanaged hosting solution may be good enough. On the other hand, if your business is growing online, managed hosting is the way to go. The choice depends on your individual business preferences, budget, and other considerations.
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