When the capacity and features of a shared server are no longer enough, you may want to consider moving to a dedicated server with managed hosting. Managed hosting solutions are relatively new, but worth checking out. Here we will explain how and where managed hosting may prove beneficial for you.

Many people think that there are only two web hosting options available to them. They either do it all themselves in-house or place their site with a hosting company on a shared server. The former option is really only cost-effective for companies with the resources and money to cover the potentially high manpower and equipment costs. The latter option, however, can suit most small- to medium-sized websites in an extremely cost-effective way. Over the past few years, another solution has appeared – that of managed hosting. And, as this service has developed, we’ve seen a move towards full hosting management with managed hosting solutions appearing on the market.

Managed hosting is a viable solution for companies that have established thriving web sites with large volumes of traffic. It essentially describes a situation where a hosting provider takes care of the administrative tasks and functioning of your dedicated server. This type of plan is well-suited for those who want to turn over the load of completely managing their own web server, hardware, software and other related components. Managed hosting is most commonly used by companies in need of dedicated support for the server. Many companies will guarantee an up time of 100% while maintaining servers for their clients. While this percentage remains questionable, the infrastructure, technical support and efficiency provided by a managed host tends to be much better than traditional hosting services.

This move to dedicated services has been a boon to many website owners. It offers them the option of having all the advantages of a dedicated service to meet their needs without all the related costs. However, for many people this still wasn’t the ideal solution, as not all hosting companies with dedicated plans could or would offer a full range of server and website management options. So, you would still have to manage some of the technical issues, such as server administration, yourself. This is where a managed hosting option can help cut your costs and solve your technical problems.

With managed hosting, you don’t only get to lease a dedicated web server for your site, but you can also choose from a range of support and technical services. These can take care of some or all of your hosting related needs. Services on offer will vary from hosting company to company, but most will include managed hosting options such as monitoring, advice, administration, support, security, updates and upgrades, testing and troubleshooting. This option allows you to run a dedicated hosting management service in an extremely cost-effective manner and closely mirrors an in-house operation. The difference is that you pay a package or component price for the service rather than having to shell out for equipment and the fees and salaries of external and internal technical experts.

What to Expect from Managed Hosting?

The managed approach is more expensive than traditional hosting, however, it does offer savings by providing software, hardware and other components needed to run a server into a lower priced package. These components are designed into an operating expenditure-based system and typically require a monthly fee for a fully managed service. From an IT point of view, managed hosting can be viewed similar to outsourcing the technical aspects of an online business to a more skilled team.

This type of hosting is also used by large internet businesses who want to focus efforts on the core of their business instead of dealing with the extra responsibilities that come along with managing a dedicated server. Managed hosting significantly alleviates the performance and security issues related to basic dedicated hosting and shared hosting environments as well. Although it may seem expensive on the surface, managed hosting is actually a rather cost-efficient option when considering the fact that uptime, technical support, responsiveness and a dependable infrastructure will be guaranteed at a fixed price.

Managed hosting services typically extend to database administration, private networks and security products. Some providers also include managed SQL server hosting plans. This covers the critical aspects of server administration such as database hosting, load balancing, managing storage, connectivity and server monitoring. This type of hosting also includes physical maintenance such as software and hardware servicing. This makes a great solution for individuals and businesses who prefer a fully managed service yet want to maintain a level of control over their server.

Final Thoughts to Consider

In conclusion, the managed hosting environment is perfect for online businesses who simply do not have the time to maintain a dedicated server. It gives you the ability to focus on critical aspects such as marketing the business while your server is maintained by trained experts who make sure it runs at peak performance. Additionally, all of these perks can be enjoyed without shelling out the up front money required to handle a dedicated server. With a more reliable uptime, a greater level of security and better functionality, you can be more assured that your server will continue to run efficiently and keep your online business thriving.

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By Julia Shipley