Whether you are exploring hosting options for your business or expanding your online business to support growth, you have likely encountered options such as Managed WordPress hosting and Enterprise WordPress. But which should you pursue?
This article will define these two options, provide a high-level comparison, and help you identify 4 key business needs that may signal the necessity to leap from from Managed WordPress to an Enterprise WordPress environment.
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Enterprise WordPress or Managed WordPress?
In late 2023, BigBite, an enterprise WordPress agency released a State of the Enterprise WordPress report that provides many insights of how organizations are using Enterprise WordPress, as well as high satisfaction rates and expectations for continued implementation. In summary, it shows that Enterprise WordPress is being widely adopted as a powerful choice for enterprise brands worldwide.
Yet, the term “enterprise” may cause some confusion. This is because a small to mid-sized business or site owner does not necessarily need to be an “enterprise” to enjoy the advantages of Enterprise WordPress. Conversely, an enterprise organization may only need the advantage of a Managed WordPress environment. It really depends on what a business site owner requires from their WordPress site, and what their goals are.
We will also be moving past Shared WordPress plans. While BigScoots delivers Shared WordPress Hosting services to many of our clients, this article will focus on business capabilities and resources that may only be available in fully Managed WordPress Hosting plans or higher. With those expectations set, let’s jump in.
Choosing Managed WordPress Hosting
While most site owners are familiar with Managed WordPress Hosting, let’s define it upfront to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
What is Managed WordPress Hosting?
Managed Hosting Hosting is a hosting service where providers manage the technical aspects of WordPress websites so that site owners can focus on content creation or business development without dealing with back end complexities.
Managed WordPress Hosting providers act almost like a lawn service that keeps the user site maintained and growing well, removing technical concerns so that site owners can focus on other things.
Why Managed WordPress Hosting?
Managed WordPress Hosting services are typically selected for the primary purpose of attaining the following business benefits and advantages:
- Simplified WordPress Management: Hosting providers take on the responsibility of site updates, backups, and other burdensome management tasks.
- WordPress Performance Optimization: Hosting providers have access to optimize server configurations for WordPress and ensure that client site load times and performance are at optimal levels.
- Cost-Effective Management: Hosting plans often bundle essential services like hosting, maintenance, plugins, and support to provide a cost-effective solution for businesses with budget constraints.
Who Are Managed WordPress Users?
Managed WordPress Hosting is ideal for bloggers, small businesses, or anyone who wants a hassle-free WordPress experience. However, this does not mean that it is not appropriate for large businesses or enterprises. It’s not about the size of the business, but rather the performance or service expectations.
There are global billion-dollar organizations that run sites that experience very little site traffic and/or use very static content throughout their site. As such, these sites require very little bandwidth, compute, or other resources. Therefore, a Managed WordPress plan may be perfectly appropriate to support these sites.
On the flip side, there are extremely small organizations that experience tremendous amounts of site traffic and /or use extremely dynamic content. While their organization size may be small, their sites require large amounts of compute power, bandwidth, etc. Many also have stringent security requirements. Some may need customizable solutions. Enterprise WordPress Hosting may be more appropriate to support these sites.
Ultimately, if you prefer simplicity, ease of management, and would prefer to leave the technical details to experts, Managed WordPress is probably the perfect fit for you.
When to Make the Leap to Enterprise WordPress
Deciding when to make the leap to Enterprise WordPress can be a little more tricky. While every situation is unique, it is not uncommon to reach a point when you need benefits and features beyond what should be expected from a Managed WordPress plan.
The following shows the journey of when it may be best to consider WordPress for enterprise needs, followed by a more detailed definition of Enterprise WordPress.
What is Enterprise WordPress Hosting?
Enterprise WordPress Hosting can generally be defined as a hosting service where providers deliver advanced WordPress options to meet the demands of enterprise-level businesses, including large-scale websites with high traffic and extensive functionalities. This might be why Enterprise WordPress is sometimes referred to as WordPress on steroids.
Why WordPress for Enterprise?
Organizations considering Enterprise WordPress hosting plans are commonly looking to gain additional benefits and features that they need beyond the most common Managed WordPress plans, including:
- Rapid Scalability: Enterprise WordPress can effortlessly accommodate and scale high volumes of traffic and content without sacrificing performance.
- Customization: With Enterprise WordPress, many site owners have greater control over the design and functionality of their platforms, enabling them to create a tailored user experience.
- Advanced Security: Security is paramount for enterprise websites, and Enterprise WordPress offers robust measures and regular updates to safeguard your data and protect against threats and cyber attacks.
- Compliance Support: The foundation of most Enterprise WordPress platforms can typically help to support different hosting compliance requirements.
Who Are Enterprise WordPress Users?
Enterprise WordPress users are commonly identified as marketers, business owners, content managers, or IT specialists. But again, the profile of an Enterprise WordPress cannot be limited to a size, or even type, of business. It is a site owner who not only understands the value of a dynamic online presence but knows how to harness the power of Enterprise WordPress for business purposes.
Ultimately, if you require advanced customization, full control over your website, and the resources to manage a complex setup, Enterprise WordPress is the perfect fit for you.
BigScoots WordPress Consulting Can Help
Whether you already know which plan you need, or need help to choose a plan that is most appropriate for your needs, BigScoots can assist.
BigScoots has been delivering site-specific Managed WordPress Hosting since 2010 and is today one of the best Managed WordPress hosting providers by Net Promoter Score (NPS). But BigScoots offers more than just Managed WordPress.
BigScoots also owns and operates its hardware infrastructure, providing robust hosting capabilities to support Enterprise WordPress services, WooCommerce applications, managed dedicated servers, fully managed cloud virtual private servers (VPS), and custom-built solutions.
Additionally, BigScoots offers experienced engineers and developers who can deliver additional WordPress consulting on client site services such as:
- WordPress Speed Optimization Services
- WordPress Maintenance Services
- Custom WordPress Development
When it comes to web and WordPress hosting, BigScoots has the skill sets, the infrastructure, and the support to help you find answers and succeed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between Enterprise WordPress and Managed WordPress boils down to your specific needs, preferences, and resources. Whichever option you choose, rest assured that WordPress provides a solid foundation for building and growing your online presence.
If you cannot decide between Managed WordPress Hosting or Enterprise WordPress (or a custom solution), start a chat now with an always-available BigScoots team member. Our team would be happy to provide a complimentary review of your unique needs and help you find a solution that fits you perfectly.
