Should You Use Managed WordPress Hosting or Shared Hosting?
When you’re launching a WordPress site, it’s easy to default to the cheapest hosting option you see. But if you’ve ever had your site slow to a crawl—or worse, disappear altogether—you know not all hosts are created equal.
As someone who builds and maintains websites for online entrepreneurs, I’ve tested a lot of options over the years. And while I love a good deal, hosting is one area where cutting corners can cost you more down the road.
Let’s walk through the difference between shared and managed WordPress hosting so you can choose what makes the most sense for your business right now.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full affiliate disclosure for further information.
TL;DR Summary
Shared vs. Managed Hosting
- Shared hosting is cheap and beginner-friendly, but you share server resources and handle your own updates and security.
- Managed hosting costs more but includes expert support, daily backups, WordPress-specific optimization, and stronger security.
- Go with shared hosting (like BigScoots) if you need a low-cost option.
- Switch to managed hosting (like Pressable) if your business depends on your website for leads, sales, or clients.
- My care plans combine managed hosting with done-for-you updates, security monitoring, and monthly reports—ideal for busy entrepreneurs.
Understanding WordPress Hosting Options
Let’s start with the basics: hosting is what makes your website visible online. Without it, all those pages and images just sit on your computer, invisible to the world.
When you sign up for hosting, you’re essentially renting space on a server so others can view your website. How that space is managed (and who you share it with) makes a big difference in how your site performs and how much support you receive.
What is Shared Hosting?
Shared hosting is exactly what it sounds like: your website shares server space with other websites, like renting an apartment in a big building. You get your own space, but you’re sharing resources like bandwidth and processing power with your neighbors.
That means if your neighbor throws a party (or in web terms, gets a traffic spike), your website might feel the effects.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly—often under $10/month
- Beginner-friendly dashboards
- Great for early-stage websites that aren’t yet business-critical
Cons:
- Slower performance during high-traffic times
- Limited support for WordPress-specific issues
- Basic security tools, often requiring DIY upgrades
- Less flexibility as your site grows
For hobby sites or side projects, shared hosting can be a great starting point. But if your website is part of how you make a living, keep reading…
What is Managed WordPress Hosting?
This is where things get exciting, well for me anyhow. Managed WordPress hosting is like having a property manager who knows everything about WordPress and takes care of all the technical stuff for you.
Most managed WordPress hosts offer:
- Automatic WordPress updates
- Daily (or even hourly) backups
- Performance tuning for WordPress
- Security monitoring and malware protection
- Expert support from people who actually know the platform
“Sounds great! Sign me up!”
The catch? It typically starts around $20-30 per month. But trust me—if you’re running a business website, that peace of mind is worth every penny.
Performance and Security Features
Speed: It Matters More Than You Think
Your site’s speed doesn’t just come down to optimizing your content and images. When you’re sharing server space with hundreds (sometimes thousands!) of other sites, your loading time can take a hit even if you’ve done everything right on your end.
Managed hosts allocate resources to your site more reliably, which often translates to faster load times and a smoother experience for your visitors.
Security: Not Just a Plugin Issue
WordPress is popular—and that means it’s also a popular target for hackers. Hosting plays a major role in your site’s ability to withstand attacks.
Typical shared hosting includes:
- Basic firewall
- Optional or limited SSL support
- Security patches you must handle yourself
Managed WordPress hosting includes:
- Free SSL certificates
- WordPress-specific firewalls
- Proactive malware scans
- Auto-updates and security alerts
Hosting is your first line of defense, and the more support you have at this level, the fewer surprises you’ll face.
Recommended Hosting Providers
After working with different hosts for myself and my clients’ sites, I’ve narrowed down my top picks for both shared and managed hosting.
Shared Hosting Recommendation: BigScoots
If you’re just starting out or working with a tight budget, BigScoots is my go-to recommendation for shared hosting. Why? Their support team is responsive, their infrastructure is better than most in this price range, and they make getting started easy.
Why I like BigScoots for shared hosting:
- Free SSL certificates
- 24/7 support (from real humans!)
- Unlimited email accounts
- Free site migration
Hot tip: BigScoots offers both shared and managed WordPress hosting. If you’re looking for the budget-friendly shared option, make sure you select “Shared” under “Web Hosting” in their Products dropdown menu.
Managed WordPress Hosting Recommendation: Pressable
I first learned about Pressable managed WordPress hosting from WP Rockstar, my web development business training program. Pressable loves what everyone in the WP Rockstar community is doing so much that they include some special perks just for us (and our clients!) in their hosting packages.
I host my WordPress Care Plan clients’ sites on Pressable.
What you get with Pressable:
- Daily backups
- Free staging environment
- Global Content Delivery Network for fast load times
- Jetpack Security (on most plans)
- Free migration and 100% uptime guarantee
Ready to Level Up Your Hosting?
🎉 Bonus: I can offer you access to their starter plan as an affiliate, even though it’s not publicly listed. It includes many of the same features as their higher-tier plans—just at a more budget-friendly price.
And for an additional $3/month, Pressable will also manage your plugin updates for you. They’ll back up your site beforehand and send you a report after each round of updates. That kind of hands-off peace of mind? Priceless.
Elizabeth is great to work with. She is reliable and always asks clarifying questions. She gives me a report each month and is always willing to work with me on big and small projects. I am so glad I found her!”
Professional WordPress Care Plans
Want all the benefits of managed hosting and someone keeping a close eye on your site every month?
That’s exactly what my WordPress Care Plans provide. They include Pressable hosting, yes—but they also include me.
Looking for peace of mind with your WordPress site? Discover how my care plans can protect your online home!
Why Your Hosting Choice Matters for WordPress Security
Still not sure why all of this matters?
In my free guide, “5 Tips to Keep Your WordPress Website Safe,” you’ll learn:
- What makes hosting your first line of security defense
- How to create a basic maintenance schedule
- Why password sharing could be putting your business at risk
- What features to look for in a secure host
It’s beginner-friendly, practical, and full of tips you can use right away—no matter if you’re on shared or managed hosting.
Grab 5 Tips to Keep Your WordPress Website Safe!
Which Hosting Service Should You Choose?
Here’s my honest take:
- If you’re just getting started, shared hosting with BigScoots is a smart, affordable choice.
- If your business depends on your site to bring in leads, sales, or clients, it’s time to upgrade to managed hosting—or better yet, a care plan.
Think of it like this: would you run a brick-and-mortar store without insurance or a lock on the door?
Your website deserves that same level of support and security.
Next Steps
For Shared Hosting:
- Check out BigScoots‘ shared hosting plans
- Download my free guide to learn more about how to protect your site
- Set up a maintenance schedule for updates and backups
For Managed WordPress Hosting:
- Explore my exclusive Pressable entry-level plan offer
- Consider adding automated plugin updates on Pressable for $3/month
- Get in touch if you’d like me to care of hosting and more for you each month
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main benefit of managed WordPress hosting?
Peace of mind. You get automatic updates, daily backups, stronger security, faster performance, and WordPress-specific support so you can focus on your business.
Will my site go down during a migration?
Usually not. Most professional hosting providers handle the migration for you with zero or minimal downtime. You can even test everything on a staging site first.
Do I need a care plan if I use managed hosting?
Managed hosting helps a lot—but care plans take it further. You get a website pro (like me!) managing your updates, backups, security, and plugin licenses every month.
