What "managed hosting" actually means (and what it doesn't cover)
"Managed hosting" shows up on almost every hosting plan now. It sounds reassuring, as if someone is looking after your site so you don't have to. But the word doesn't have a standard definition, and two "managed" plans can cover very different things.
That matters most on the day something breaks. Here's what a host always does, what "managed" usually adds, what it often leaves out, and the questions to ask before you sign up.
What every host does
At the most basic level, a web host rents you space on a server, which is a computer that's always connected to the internet, and keeps it running. That includes:
- Keeping the server powered on, connected and online
- Replacing hardware when it fails
- Giving you a way to get your files and database onto the server
That's it. With basic hosting, almost everything above the hardware is your job: setting up the server, applying security fixes, making backups, and noticing when something goes wrong.
What "managed" usually adds
A managed host takes on some of that work. The details vary, but managed plans usually include some mix of:
Server tuning. The server is set up for the kind of site you run, so pages load quickly and the software your site needs is already in place.
Server software updates. The operating system and the programs the server runs on get patched when security fixes come out.
Security tools. Firewalls, malware scanning and other protection at the server level.
Backups. Copies of your site made on a schedule, so it can be restored after a problem.
Support from a real person. Someone who knows the server and answers when you need help.
What it often doesn't cover
This is where the surprises happen. Even on a managed plan, these are often your responsibility unless the plan says otherwise:
Updates to your website software. Joomla, WordPress and other content management systems (the software you use to edit your site) release updates regularly. Some managed hosts handle them. Many don't.
Extensions and plugins. These are the add-ons that give your site features like forms, galleries and online stores. Every site has a different mix, and they need updates too.
Fixes on the site itself. If your contact form stops sending, or a page layout breaks after an update, many hosts will tell you the server is fine and the site is your problem.
Content changes. Adding pages, updating text and swapping photos usually aren't part of any hosting plan.
None of this is a trick. Hosting companies just draw the line in different places. The trouble starts when you assume the line is somewhere it isn't.
Questions to ask any host
Before you sign up, or the next time your plan renews, get clear answers to these:
- Who updates my website software, and how often? Ask about the core software and about extensions and plugins separately.
- How often are backups made, and how long are they kept? A backup from last night helps with a mistake. A backup from last month helps less.
- Have you restored a site from backup, and how long did it take? Backups only matter if they can actually be restored.
- What happens if the server's hardware fails? Ask how close to the moment of failure they can bring your site back.
- Who do I contact when something's wrong, and how quickly do they respond?
- Whose name is on the hosting account? It should be your business's. (We cover why in Who owns your website, really?)
If a host can't answer these plainly, that tells you something too.
How we handle hosting at 3by400
We host our own clients' sites because we couldn't find anyone who did it the way we wanted. Here's where we draw the line:
Included in hosting:
- Servers tuned for Joomla and WordPress
- Server software updates
- Core updates for Joomla and WordPress
- Security tools at both the server and the site level
- Two kinds of backups: one for "oops" moments, so we can bring your site back as it was yesterday or last week, and one for hardware failure, so we can restore your files and database as close as possible to when the problem happened
On demand, at our standard rates:
- Extension and plugin updates, because every site's mix is different
- New features, content changes, training and other work on the site itself
We don't charge an ongoing maintenance fee for that second list. You use our services when you need them and don't pay for the months you don't.
Hosting options run from low-cost shared hosting up to HIPAA-compliant standalone servers for sites that need them.
The short version
"Managed" doesn't tell you much on its own. What matters is who updates what, how backups work, and who answers when something breaks. Ask before you need to know.
If you'd like to talk through where your current hosting draws the line, or what moving would involve, see our Website care & hosting page or contact us. You can also call 678-379-9321 or email