Web Hosting Geeks' Blog » managed web hosting http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog Web Hosting Industry News, Latest Trends, and Analyses. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:48:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 An Overview of the Pros, Cons, and Types of Managed Web Hostinghttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/11/an-overview-of-the-pros-cons-and-types-of-managed-web-hosting/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/11/an-overview-of-the-pros-cons-and-types-of-managed-web-hosting/#comments Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:15:22 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1467 Dedicated web hosting is usually seen as the top of the hosting industry, offering unparalleled access to customized Web server resources that are only allowed to be utilized by one webmaster at any given time. The majority of cheap web hosting plans offered by major web hosting providers are operating within the shared hosting environment, which is much less robust than dedicated hosting because you have to share a web server with hundreds of other website owners, which usually amounts to thousands of other websites.

While dedicated hosting is definitely preferable over shared or some types of VPS hosting, not all dedicated hosting types are the same. The enhanced functionality and additional capabilities offered with a dedicated server come with difficult server administration duties that must be performed to ensure optimal server performance. Fortunately, managed hosting provides an all-inclusive solution that does not require the webmaster to be familiar with Web server administration. The following paragraphs provide a brief overview of the pros, cons, and types of managed web hosting.

Partially Managed Versus Fully Managed Web Hosting

There are two main types of managed web hosting – partially managed hosting and fully managed hosting. However, the boundaries that separate these two types of managed hosting are not always made clear by individual web hosting providers. For example, what one web hosting provider may call fully managed, may be another hosting provider’s idea of a partially managed plan. In general, a fully managed hosting plan will include 24-hour customer service, on-site technical support, and fully managed server administration and performance maintenance. On the other hand, a partially managed web hosting plan would only provide services such as routine server resets, and ensuring basic functionality of the server. Partially managed hosting is therefore only ideal for webmasters on a budget that are experienced with server administration. The following are the pros and cons of fully managed hosting.

Pros of Fully Managed Hosting

Perhaps the most appealing advantage of fully managed web hosting is the ability to focus on more important tasks associated with managing an online business, while the managed hosting provider handles all of the administrative server duties on a continual basis. Since you no longer have to update, optimize, and maintain the performance of your web server, you can boost the productivity of your business in other areas, expanding your outreach into more diverse endeavors. Instead of spending several hours of your day trying to fix technological bugs within hosting control panels and performing server maintenance, you can spend the same amount of time soliciting new clients and expanding your business for greater profits.

Cons of Fully Managed Hosting

Unfortunately, for webmasters that are experienced and demand the utmost control over their web server, a fully managed hosting plan may not be the best solution. Along with the simplified server management and included technical support comes reduced freedom over the software configuration of your server. Hosting providers tend to think that webmasters that do not know how to use a Web server should not have full control over it, as they may accidentally cause software errors that will consume the time of the hosting providers employees unnecessarily. Fully managed hosting also tends to cost more than other types of dedicated hosting.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/03/11/an-overview-of-the-pros-cons-and-types-of-managed-web-hosting/feed/ 0 Variations of Web Hosting and its Benefitshttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/web-hosting-variations-benefits/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/web-hosting-variations-benefits/#comments Sun, 16 Jan 2011 17:00:44 +0000 Dmitry http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=3688 Web hosting is all about making a web page available through the World Wide Web, with an internet connection, for anyone across the world to access. As it is become a necessary need in today’s world, these services are offered for free under many circumstances. These services are offered for free as well as for paid situations.

There are several types of website hosting, as each individual’s requirements will vary. There is the free web hosting, where the user gets to host the web page absolutely free of cost. These companies will be powered through advertisements. Most of the free hosting services will go to the personal web pages as they may not need too much data base support.

Next we can look at the shared web hosting, where a web site will be hosted on the same server as many other sites. It may number from a hundred to many thousands. The server resources will be common in this case. In contrast to this there is the clustered hosting, where several servers will host the same web page.

This will be done to make the utilization of the resources much better. Then there is the managed web hosting. This will allow an individual to host his own web page, but he will not be given total control of the server. The users will not be allowed to modify this, as they may change the configuration settings. In this case the server will be leased to the client and they will not be allowed to own it.

The opposite of this is the dedicated web hosting. With this, the user will be given complete control of the server, and he will be responsible for the management of the web page. Most people who know what they need to know about web hosting, will go in for this option. The virtual dedicated web hosting is very interesting.

In this, the users are allowed use a server, where they will feel that they are using their own servers, but they will be sharing the servers with others. They will unable to access virtual space when they use this type of web hosting. The reseller web hosting is for those who want to host the web pages themselves. The accounts of these will vary in size, and they will also function for individual names.

The most expensive web hosting is the collocation type. The physical space will be provided by the hosting company, and the users will own the colo servers. Only certain facilities will be provided for the user with this hosting like the Internet, and storage. As with all services, these web hosting types can be researched before picking the right one.

Since the requirements will vary from person to person, they may choose the right one before hosting the web pages. The Internet provides all the necessary information, for both simple and complicated web pages. Those who are not familiar with the types can gain access to the information through this method.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/01/16/web-hosting-variations-benefits/feed/ 0 Managed Web Hosting for Serious Online Businesseshttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/23/managed-web-hosting-for-serious-online-businesses/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/23/managed-web-hosting-for-serious-online-businesses/#comments Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:03:57 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1016 The success of your online business is directly derived from the amount of time, money, and hard work you pour into it. If you already own an offline business then you are certainly familiar with this concept. It is not foolish to want the best for your website, as this will be your virtual home, and a digital representation of your business. Price should not be an issue when constructing an online empire, as it is important to remember that quality produces success in any venue. However, the main problem people have with web hosting is that the best plans seem to require the most knowledge to operate. For example, dedicated hosting gives you access to a private server with an immense amount of resources at your disposal. However, an unmanaged dedicated hosting plan would be quite useless to most online business owners. The solution to this problem is managed dedicated hosting.

What is Managed Dedicated Hosting?

Having a dedicated web server is almost pointless if you don’t have the ability to use it to its full potential. Web servers require frequent maintenance in order to perform optimally, and unless you have the ability to perform such maintenance yourself you’ll be paying for a hosting plan that is of very little use to you. Managed dedicated hosting offers you complete technical assistance, which means your hosting provider will handle the server administration tasks for you, allowing you to focus on the more serious tasks.

Fully Managed Vs. Partially Managed

Before you rush into purchasing a managed web hosting plan, it is important that you realize the various types of managed hosting. Some web hosting providers advertise managed hosting plans, however many of these plans still require a great deal of maintenance. What some hosting companies consider fully managed may be partially managed in the eyes of other companies. A good rule of thumb is – the cheaper the plan, the less technical support and server administration assistance you’ll receive. If you want an automated server solution then your best bet would be to find a reputable hosting company and purchase their most expensive managed dedicated hosting plan.

The Boundaries of a Managed Hosting Plan

Although you should feel entitled to quality support and superior server administration, there are some tasks that your hosting company is simply not responsible for. It can be easy to blur the line between web hosting and other internet-based industries such as web design and programming. Many people get upset when they find out their web hosting company cannot help them with a certain problem.  It can be extremely frustrating to find out that you’re paying for a top notch hosting plan and there is simply no department dedicated to helping you with your problem. To prevent this disappointment you need to understand the boundaries of your managed hosting plan before you purchase one. It may help to speak with a customer service representative to find out which parts of your online business are dealt with within your hosting plan.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/23/managed-web-hosting-for-serious-online-businesses/feed/ 0 Managed vs Unmanaged Web Hostinghttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/08/managed-vs-unmanaged-web-hosting/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/08/managed-vs-unmanaged-web-hosting/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:36:29 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=992 Although dedicated hosting plans are one of the most expensive web hosting options, many people still prefer it over other solutions due to it’s high reliability and flexibility. With dedicated hosting you’ll have access to a dedicated server that provides all of the resources needed to operate a massive website with immense daily traffic. Dedicated hosting plans offer superior bandwidth, disk space, and data transfer speed, as your server’s resources are dedicated solely to your website. This ultimately results in improved website performance and overall customer satisfaction.

Managed and Unmanaged Dedicated Hosting

While the benefits of a dedicated web hosting account are clear, many people are not aware of the various types of dedicated hosting. The two types of dedicated hosting plans are managed, and unmanaged, and the main difference between these two hosting types is the amount of responsibility the user has over server administration. To give you a better understanding of your choices, we’ll do a brief review of both kinds, so that you can make an informed decision as to which service would be most suitable for your website(s).

Managed Hosting

With managed web hosting you’ll be able to relax with complete assurance that your web server is going to be maintained by professionals on a regular basis. This means you won’t have to worry about server downtime as much, and you’ll have access to a more reliable server. This is especially true if you’re a novice in server management, as you’ll most likely be unable to manage the server with equal competence to that of your web hosting provider. Since your server will be managed by your hosting provider, you’ll have instant access to automatic server updates, which will keep your server performing optimally at all times. Managed web hosting is an optimal solution for novice and intermediate users.

Unmanaged Hosting

With all of the aforementioned benefits of managed hosting, it would seem as if there is absolutely no reason to choose unmanaged web hosting, however there are some noted benefits, and your final decision should be based on your experience level and overall site needs. Although most of the server administrative tasks will be left up to you, you will have ample help and support to facilitate the management at all times.

You will also receive hardware and technical support, so it’s not as if you’re managing the server completely by yourself. If you run a large business, and you have access o a team of technicians, then you may want to choose unmanaged hosting, you’ll be able to create a more customized server environment. Although unmanaged hosting would not be a suitable solution for a novice user, an owner of a corporation or many websites may want to consider he added benefit of complete server control.

Cost

Perhaps the most obvious difference between the two is the price. Since unmanaged web hosting gives you more responsibility over your server, you’ll be able to pay less. Managed web hosting will always be a more costly solution since you’ll essentially be paying for the technical expertise of your web hosting company on a continual basis.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/07/08/managed-vs-unmanaged-web-hosting/feed/ 0 Is Colocation Hosting Right For You?http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/21/is-colocation-hosting-right-for-you/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/21/is-colocation-hosting-right-for-you/#comments Fri, 21 May 2010 14:50:53 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=912 Finding a reliable web hosting solution for your online business is absolutely imperative, especially if you plan on expanding your outreach in the near future. Reliability usually equates to privacy, and so most serious webmasters opt for dedicated hosting plans, as it allows them to lease their own private server. However there are other options that will let you do the same thing and more with the added convenience of server management and server security.

The two alternatives to managed hosting are colocated web hosting and managed web hosting. Managed web hosting is very similar to dedicated web hosting, however instead of dealing with database and server administration yourself, the web hosting company takes care of it for for you. Colocation hosting is similar to dedicated hosting as well, however your server will be stored at a special facility, and you can even purchase redundancy for your servers.

What is Redundancy?

Server redundancy is very important for any online business that experiences high amounts of daily traffic. When you purchase server redundancy you are actually leasing extra servers that are pre-equipped with your website’s databases. This means you’ll be fully covered if one of the server’s crashes, since your site’s data will instantly be replaced with one of the redundant servers you are leasing. Colocation web hosting is one of the few web hosting solutions that gives you the option of server redundancy.

What Safety Features Does Colocation Hosting Offer?

Aside from server redundancy, colocation web hosting also gives you the assurance that all of your web servers are completely secure. Colocation hosting companies store all of their servers, including yours, in a data center facility that is specifically designed for server safety. The employees of a colocation facility are specially trained to deal with any problems that may arise and the entire facility is monitored by 24 hours surveillance. The servers are stored on ultra secure server racks and every room is fireproofed and equipped with extinguishers. By using a collocation web hosting company you can rest assured that your web servers are always safe regardless of the circumstances.

When Is Colocation Hosting Necessary?

Although colocation hosting is most often used by larger companies, anyone can use colocation hosting. If you have any concerns about server reliability, or if you would just like to be assured of the reliability of your online business, then you may want to consider colocation web hosting. One factor that will play a substantial role in whether or not you decide to purchase a collocation hosting plan is the startup cost. Unlike other hosting plans, you will need to purchase a server and you will need to pay for the technical support that goes along with it, unless you know how to set up a web server yourself.

If you want the safety of a collocation web hosting plan but you don’t have the money to purchase one, then you may want to consider a managed or dedicated hosting plan instead.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/21/is-colocation-hosting-right-for-you/feed/ 0 Managed Web Hosting For Novice Usershttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/06/managed-web-hosting-for-novice-users/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/06/managed-web-hosting-for-novice-users/#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 18:26:12 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=885 Establishing your first website can be a difficult process, as there are many steps involved that novice users are unfamiliar with. Minimize the many things you have to learn initially will help you get started by removing a lot of the stress that is associated with trying any new endeavor. The faster you get started, the sooner you start learning the process of building and maintaining your website. The last thing you want to do is overload yourself with new information in a short amount of time.

Learning the online business world one step at a time is the best way to establish your web presence in a professional manner one step at a time. This means you’ll need to choose services that are specifically designed for novice users. The first service you’ll need t consider is a web hosting service. The easiest web hosting service to manage, is on that does not need any managing at all – managed web hosting.

Managed Web Hosting- Automated Maintenance

Even with all of the control panels, content management systems, and web applications available to help simplify site and server management, it can still be an overwhelming process of a new user that is completely inexperienced. Removing all sharp learning curves in the beginning is the best way to familiarize yourself with the web hosting industry and the art of server and site management. While users will have limited access to server functionality, and therefore less overall features and performance, they will also have less responsibility, and therefore less room for error.

Managed Hosting Security

Since the servers are being managed and administrated by professionals at all  times, you can be assured that your website’s data is safe form all intruders and virus. You can also be sure that no down time will occur due to novice user errors and other unnecessary mishaps. The hosting management team will also make sure the servers are updated with the proper anti-virus and security software at all times. With the worry of security and server reliability gone, you’ll be able to enjoy better performance, increased security, and optimal site functionality without focusing on anything but the future of your new online business.

Managed Web Hosting Price

Although the price of managed web hosting is higher than that of shared web hosting, the features and support you’ll be receiving within the package make the added cost worth it to most users, especially those with limited experience in internet technology. The added cost brings you added bandwidth, server space, security, reliability and overall performance, which are all crucial towards your site’s development as a substantial online presence. Managed web hosting includes 24 hour support for all customers, which is another reason for novice website owners to use the service. Your first web hosting experience should be about one thing only – learning.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/05/06/managed-web-hosting-for-novice-users/feed/ 0 When Do You Need Manged Web Hosting?http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/04/02/when-do-you-need-manged-web-hosting/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/04/02/when-do-you-need-manged-web-hosting/#comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:19:31 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=830 Having the right kind of hosting account for your website is crucial to the success and sustenance of your online business. Making the wrong choice could result in loss of traffic, and several other server mishaps which ultimately decrease the value and reputability of your eCommerce efforts. Poor server management and resource allocation can cause anything from slow page loads to server crashes, and even decreased search engine ranking.

If you are opening a serious online business then you will want to consider a very high end hosting account such as VPS or dedicated hosting. As in any other business endeavor, the more features and capabilities you have access to, the more responsibilities you’ll have to deal with. Since VPS and dedicated hosting accounts are generally more complex, you’ll either need to have extensive technical knowledge, or a solution that provides adequate technical support and server administration.

Dedicated Hosting Types

The most expensive form of web hosting offered by most web hosting providers is dedicated hosting. With dedicated hosting you’ll be bale to lease a web server that is completely dedicated to your site’s needs. Dedicated servers are also very powerful, and capable of handling immense traffic surges and data transfer tasks. If you own a corporation or a medium to large sized business, then you will want to consider a dedicated hosting account. However since dedicated servers are so powerful, there are also more administrative responsibilities to deal with. Thus, there are two types of dedicated hosting accounts – managed and unmanaged.

Unmanaged Dedicated Hosting

The most affordable type of data hosting is unmanaged hosting. This kind of hosting does not include technical support or on-site server administration. Instead, you’re required to handle the server administrative tasks by yourself. Since you do not have to pay for the on-site support, the cost is lowered, however most people do not have the necessary technical knowledge to administer their dedicated server remotely. Thus, the most popular form of dedicated web hosting is managed dedicated hosting.

Managed Dedicated Hosting

If you are not tech savvy, yet you have a high demand for web server resources, then you will need to consider a managed dedicated web hosting account. Managed dedicated web hosting costs more than unmanaged services simply because you have to pay for the added cost of server administration. If you are on a budget, or own a small business, then dedicated web hosting of any kind is probably not for you. The main confusion that arises when people are searching for a dedicated hosting account is exactly what is included in the service.

Some web hosting providers only offer partially managed dedicated hosting accounts, while others offer fully managed services. The less technical knowledge you have, the more support you will need. If you have absolutely no experience with server administration, then you should probably look for a reputable and reliable hosting provider that offers fully managed dedicated hosting. Fully managed dedicated web hosting is perfect for individuals that are in need of a powerful web server and maximum convenience.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/04/02/when-do-you-need-manged-web-hosting/feed/ 1 Managed Web Hosting – A Variety of Options to Considerhttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/03/04/managed-web-hosting-a-variety-of-options-to-consider/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/03/04/managed-web-hosting-a-variety-of-options-to-consider/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:16:31 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=782 Managed web hosting is the perfect web hosting solution for novice users, as it lets them enjoy the benefits of a web hosting account without having to deal with the administrative tasks that are commonly associated with maintaining your own web hosting account.

Why Are There Different Types of Managed Web Hosting?

There are various types of managed web hosting plans available, all of which give the end user a certain degree of control. For the highly inexperienced user on a lower budget, there are completely managed plans that involve little to no administrative work. Depending on the package, the amount of work that needs to be done by the end user will vary greatly. For the users that demand the least amount of work, there is fully managed hosting, while other more experienced webmasters may opt for partially managed web hosting.

Fully Managed Web Hosting

Fully managed web hosting may sound as if it web hosting on autopilot, however this is often not the case. Therefore it is important to make sure you know what you are paying for before deciding on a particular plan. In general, fully managed web hosting is the easiest type of web hosting you could purchase. Users usually need only to specify their needs and make whatever adjustments they see fit, and the server is autoconfigured to take care of the rest for them. As mentioned before, this is most definitely the most beneficial form of web hosting for novice users.

Partially Managed Web Hosting

Partially managed web hosting is a bit different than fully managed web hosting, as the end user will need to perform more administrative functions to keep their website performing optimally. While this may sound as if it is a disadvantage to fully managed web hosting, ultimately the user has more control over the server with this kind of web hosting. While inexperienced users may not want the burden of control, more capable webmasters will find it absolutely necessary to possess full or at least partial control over their web server.

Control vs. Convenience – Which is Right for You?

If you can’t decide which kind of managed web hosting would be right for you, you may want to use this simple  comparison to decide – control vs. convenience. If you need as more control then you may want to consider partially managed web hosting. However if you are looking for the simplest web hosting plan available, then you will undoubtedly benefit from fully managed web hosting. If you are going to purchase a fully managed web hosting plan then you should make sure you are paying for a fully automated service. Likewise, if you decide upon a partially managed web hosting solution, you should make sure you fully understand what aspects of your web server you’ll be able to control.

Regardless of the decision you make, be sure it is an informed decision that you will not regret after the fact. Making the right decision the first time around will save you a lot of time, money and frustration.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/03/04/managed-web-hosting-a-variety-of-options-to-consider/feed/ 0 Choosing Between a Dedicated Server and Managed Hostinghttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/06/16/choosing-between-a-dedicated-server-and-managed-hosting/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/06/16/choosing-between-a-dedicated-server-and-managed-hosting/#comments Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:23:36 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=378 The more popular your website becomes and the bigger it grows, thus, the more likely you will get to the point where you want to automate as many as the essential management processes as possible.  With success comes more complications, something that definitely holds true for a thriving website.  When you reach this point, it is critical that you start to seek out products and solutions that can be dedicated to performing the tasks you can no longer afford to handle in order to expand your web presence.  For most, this comes down to making a decision between a dedicated server or managed hosting plan.

The Cost Aspect

While it is true that managed web hosting has traditionally been more expensive than leasing a dedicated server, if you look a little closer, you will see that there are tremendous cost savings to be obtained.  The cost benefits of managed service can be observed from the ability it provides to dramatically cut down on the resources needed to power your website or business.  With this type of solution, you can start saving by subtracting from your staffing requirements as you will not need anywhere near the amount of physical resources.  In addition, you can pocket substantial savings on operating costs, office space requirements and all the expenses needed to ensure that your business continues to run smoothly on a day-to-day basis.  Aside from saving money, a managed hosting service also spares you valuable time.  All the time-consuming tasks will be shifted the shoulders of the hosting provider while you set your focus on the less technical aspects.

Less Control, More Freedom

Indeed, a dedicated server provides you with added flexibility and complete control of your entire web-based operation.  However, with this option, maintaining your presence can become a full-time job in its own right.  For those who do not have the time or expertise to deal with the hassles that come along with a dedicated server, managed hosting providers step in to lift the burden, allowing you to expand and grow your website.  Over the years, these services have gained a reputation for being hassle free and rather cost efficient when compared to trying to maintain the same systems in-house.  In addition, there are many companies that will allow you to choose only the services you need, providing you with a comfortable level of control and the freedom to focus your efforts in other areas.

Conclusion

In theory, your job as a website or business owner should be to continuously develop new ways to increase your visibility and bottom line.  However, this is much more difficult when you are scrambling to hire a competent IT staff and trying to ensure that the systems remain available.  By opting for managed hosting service, you will have the time and freedom needed to focus on the tasks necessary to ensure the growth and stability of your web presence.  Sometimes it takes a little help to truly succeed online and a reliable managed hosting service can be that assisting crutch.

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