Is your Managed Hosting Package Too Good to Be True? by www.thehostingnews.com

Is your Managed Hosting Package Too Good to Be True?

December 9th, 2009 By: ifcontent

Basically, managed hosting is a service which involves taking care of everything for the client with regards to the administration and maintenance of a Web server. When combined with the dedicated hosting service in which a whole server is used by the client, managed hosting offers the best package for individuals, companies and organizations which prefer to focus on their core business instead of spending some of their time managing and troubleshooting technical problems.

This is a vital service because e-commerce sites need Web servers that are always up every minute of the day, every day of the week. And because of the complex systems that need to be running all the time, companies may need to hire full-time IT employees if a managed option is not available. Moreover, security issues related to Web servers are becoming more and more sophisticated, as hackers and malware authors use more advanced techniques. This will require staff members who are security experts, staff members who will also be constantly updating their knowledge about potential threats.

The Advantages of Managed Hosting

The primary advantage of managed hosting is the fact that e-commerce companies need not be concerned about the technical and security details of managing the Web servers 24/7. There will be no need to spend money hiring IT staff to do the work for you. Moreover, if you choose to have your own staff, they will need to go to the hosting provider’s physical site regularly to check on the Web server or servers. Managed hosting eliminates this requirement. If you get your own personnel, you will also need to host regular seminars and provide training for them to make sure that they are up-to-date regarding the latest trends in Web server management and the latest in security issues.

Meanwhile, the price of a managed hosting package may appear too expensive, especially when compared to unmanaged dedicated hosting options. However, there is a need to compute the real costs of hiring your own staff, including the hiring costs, salaries, benefits, training and other related costs. When compared to the additional cost of obtaining a managed hosting package, the expenses involved in having your own people manage the Web server may turn out to be higher. This may not even include the time and effort that you will personally invest when looking for qualified IT staff.

The Disadvantages of Managed Hosting

The first disadvantage of managed hosting is, of course, the price. Naturally, it is the most expensive of the various types of Web hosting services. But, as mentioned above, the actual costs of having your own IT staff may turn out to be far more â€œimpressiveâ€.

The other disadvantage of managed hosting is that you are surrendering the control of your Web server to the service provider. This may not be a disadvantage at all if you know that you can depend on the provider and that they will be able to resolve all potential problems based on your specific needs. Moreover, most companies offering this kind of service will provide their clients with a control panel through which they can make certain changes.

All in all, even though there are disadvantages which need to be taken into consideration as well, managed hosting is definitely worth it for the average webmaster or small business owner. If you have decided to go with a managed hosting package, one important question arises:

How to Find a Great Managed Hosting Provider?

First of all, price is always a consideration but choosing the cheapest option out there is not advisable. However, getting the most expensive service may not also be the best choice. Price has to be considered in relation to other factors, such as the kinds of services that will be provided and the reliability of the service. Make sure that you look at the reviews about the different providers, although the information provided should be taken with a grain of salt (the people behind the review sites may have a more or less hidden agenda).

Bandwidth is another important consideration. However, just like price, bandwidth must be analyzed based on your specific requirements, although some safety factors must be included for future business expansion. Related to this is the speed and reliability of the host’s Internet connection. There should also be a backup connection in case the primary connection becomes problematic.

Another vital factor is the speed and reliability of customer support. You can check this at the start by sending them an email inquiring about certain aspects of their service. If they are prompt in their reply, chances are that they have a reliable customer service. If you do your job right, you will be able to quickly identify the most important:

Warning Signals That the Hosting Provider Is a Scam

The first indication is lack of certification, which means that the provider’s staff members are not certified. It is best to stay away from such a company because the quality of service for your site should not be compromised.

Another warning signal that the provider is not likely to honor its commitments to you is an unbelievably low price. You will need to make sure that you read the specifications on the kinds of services that they will render for such a price. Another indication is when the provider assures you that all kinds of services will be given without even asking what your specific requirements are.

All in All

If youâ€™re not exactly knowledgeable when it comes to server-related issues, going with a managed hosting plan is the smart thing to do because otherwise, youâ€™ll waste time and money by either trying to do everything yourself or hiring more or less experienced people to handle things for you.

Finding a great managed hosting provider is definitely not complicated at all. If youâ€™re armed with a bit of knowledge and common sense, youâ€™ll definitely be able to seal the deal with a company which will always be there for you.