WordPress has been the leading choice for eCommerce stores for quite some time. It now dominates the market with a 62.7% share, meaning over 409 million people view sites built on WordPress every month – a clear indicator of its popularity.
To make the most of WordPress features while ensuring your customers get a positive user experience, finding the right hosting package can make a huge difference.
Since there are many hosting providers to choose from and endless package options, it can be hard to know where to start.
In this article, we’ll discuss the main differences between shared hosting and managed hosting so you can choose the best solution for your eCommerce store and find one that will work with your growing business.
Knowing the Difference Between Shared and Managed Hosting
When launching a WordPress store, picking the hosting type that is best for your business is important. Both shared and managed hosting are popular, but each offers very different options.
It’s absolutely crucial that before you dive in headfirst, you understand the main differences, and switching hosting midway is usually more complicated than starting off with the right one right away.
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What is Shared WordPress Hosting?
Shared hosting implies that your website will share server resources with other sites on that same server. Since the cost is split between the different sites using the server, this is one of the most common forms of web hosting for startups and smaller businesses as it is a more budget-friendly option.
As well as being a low-cost option, shared hosting is also a great option for those without much technical knowledge since the hosting provider is the one responsible for setting up and maintaining the server.
The main downfall of shared hosting is the limited bandwidth. Each website that is on the server has a set amount of storage space, and if one gets a sudden spike in traffic, this could potentially impact the performance of the other sites on that server.
Although shared WordPress hosting is an ideal option in the early stages of a business, it offers limited scalability options and may not work as your business grows. If you expect your store to generate high volumes of traffic, shared WordPress hosting may not be the best option for you.
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What is Managed WordPress Hosting?
For businesses that opt for managed hosting, the website is stored on a server as individual files. Every time a user visits the site, the server shares a copy of the files, which, in turn, allows them to interact and navigate the site.
Since the website is not fighting for server space, performance is more reliable, and users can typically expect faster page load times.
This makes managed WordPress hosting a good option for eCommerce stores that generate a decent amount of traffic since it offers a better level of reliability and speed.
All aspects of managed hosting are handled by the provider. This includes the management of the server, any maintenance, and the security. Support should also be available whenever needed if any issues were to arise.
Overall, managed WordPress hosting is a safer option for those e-commerce stores that require better support and reliability. If you’re expecting to receive consistent traffic spikes and don’t want your website to be down for large amounts of time, a managed WordPress hosting provider might be the best option for you to go with.
If you feel like your requirements sit somewhere between shared and managed hosting, VPS hosting is another great option that offers a balance between flexibility and performance. It essentially combines the upsides of both options.
The Key Contrasts Between Shared and Managed Hosting
To help you establish the best option for your eCommerce business, let’s discuss how various factors differ between shared and managed hosting so you can make an informed decision.
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Shared hosting |
Managed hosting |
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Price |
Shared hosting offers affordable options since resources are limited. The more basic the package, the lower the cost, and prices can start from as little as a few dollars a month. If demand grows and the package needs to be expanded, the price can quickly rise, so as good a deal as it initially sounds, be cautious of hidden extra costs. |
Managed hosting is a more expensive service as the package involves a much deeper level of support and performance optimisation. There are a variety of different providers and plans available and they can cost anything between $80 and $500 a month. Although they are a more expensive option, the risk of costly downtime is minimized. |
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Performance |
Since multiple websites are hosted on the same server, it can slow down their performance. An increase in traffic can have a notable impact on the page load speeds and hinder the user experience. For small websites, it tends not to be an issue, but the other sites within the shared server can have an impact on overall performance. |
Since managed hosting automatically adjusts resources to align with the traffic a site is experiencing, overall performance is typically much better. Not sharing server space with other websites means external influences are less of a concern. Many providers also use tools to optimize performance and ensure that traffic levels are managed. |
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Complexity |
Setting up a shared hosting package is typically very quick and easy. Since WordPress sites are so common, the majority of hosting providers make it incredibly simple to join a shared plan. This option is very beginner-friendly and does not require any technical experience. |
Since managed hosting plans are handled by the provider, the setup is fully managed by them. This means that technical experience is also not required for managed hosting plans – ideal for eCommerce store owners who want their hosting to be managed by a third party. |
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Scalability |
For growing eCommerce stores, shared hosting is only likely to be a short-term solution. Shared hosting plans offer limited bandwidth and if more and more traffic is arriving at the site, it can slow down page load times significantly. Since changing hosting providers can be inconvenient and time-consuming, shared hosting is only recommended for small-scale businesses. |
Many managed hosting providers offer auto-scaling, a service that automatically adjusts resources based on real-time traffic. As an eCommerce business grows, its hosting plan can be upgraded without the need for any disruption. This makes it a better long-term solution since the flexibility allows the plan to adjust in line with the needs of the business. |
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Security |
Security is a common concern among shared hosting plans since a business has no control over the safety of the other websites on the server. If one website faces a security breach, it can put the others at risk. Many shared hosting providers offer security features such as firewalls and SSL certificates to prevent these threats, but they are not a foolproof plan. |
Since managed hosting providers continually monitor their servers, any threats should be identified promptly. Like shared hosting plans, security measures such as firewalls and SSL certificates are likely to be in place, but because no other sites are using the same server, the risk is minimized. Because eCommerce sites process customers’ personal information and payment details, having these thorough security measures in place is essential. |
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Support |
A basic level of support is often included as standard in shared hosting packages. Customer service is available through a support ticket system or live chat, which could mean that a response may take some time to reach you. |
Managed hosting tends to include access to 24/7 support. Often, a business will have a dedicated support contact or team that they can contact if they face an issue. The response times are expected to be much quicker when using a managed hosting provider since they are responsible for the management of the site. |
How to Pick the Best eCommerce Store Provider
It's hard to choose a hosting company because there are so many to choose from.
The ideal choice for you will rely on your specific circumstances and any other wants or requirements you may have.
A shared WordPress hosting package is the perfect choice if your firm is still new or you don't have a lot of budget to work with. If your traffic is going up, though, and you want to be sure your website is ready for it, you should look at managed wordpress hosting plans because they are more likely to give you the flexibility you need.
Think about all of your possibilities and what you want your business to look like in the future. If you choose a plan that you will probably outgrow in the following few months, it will not only be inconvenient, but it may also cost you more to upgrade or migrate to a new hosting plan.
Picking the correct hosting package for your online store from the start will save you money in the long term and make sure everything goes smoothly.
Shared hosting can work for small or new eCommerce stores, but it often struggles with speed, security, and traffic spikes as your store grows.
Managed WordPress hosting offers faster performance, stronger security, automatic updates, and expert support—making it ideal for serious eCommerce stores.
Yes, managed WordPress hosting is optimized for WooCommerce, resulting in faster page loads, better checkout experience, and higher conversion rates.
Managed WordPress hosting is best for scaling because it handles high traffic, improves uptime, and ensures smooth performance during sales and peak seasons.
