Moving your business online comes with its share of challenges. On the one hand, this step would allow you to reach a global audience and cut costs, among other perks. On the other hand, you’ll have to keep an eye out for cyber security threats, such as phishing, malware, and supply chain attacks.
A secure web host can mitigate these risks to some extent, but it may not be enough to deter hackers. Even a minor data breach could ruin your business, leading to hefty fines or lawsuits. With that in mind, consider choosing a managed web hosting service to protect your online store.
Managed hosting can save you time and money while improving website security. Not only does it provide a higher level of support, but it may reduce overhead costs and minimize downtime. Moreover, it allows for seamless scalability and can make it easier to grow your online business.
But how does web hosting work, and why do you need it? And what’s the difference between managed and unmanaged web servers? Let’s find out.
What Is Web Hosting?
Choosing a web host is one of the first steps to starting an eCommerce store, website, or blog. Think of it as a digital home for your online business.
Your product photos, videos, blog posts, and other digital assets have to be stored somewhere—hence the need for a web hosting service. The web host will store your files on physical or cloud-based servers, making them accessible to a global audience.
This process is similar to renting a house, whether you’re after a private room or the entire place. With web hosting, you’re renting space on a server, but you can also rent the entire server for increased security and privacy.
Most servers nowadays are up and running 24/7, so customers can access your website around the clock. This allows you to take appointments, sell products, accept payments, and answer customer inquiries anytime, anywhere.
Managed vs. Unmanaged Hosting: What’s the Difference?
Web hosting providers offer different plans at different price points. These include, but are not limited to:
- Shared hosting, where multiple websites reside on one server;
- Dedicated hosting, where one server hosts a single website;
- Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting, where the server is split into “virtual” pieces, each hosting one website;
- Reseller hosting, which allows users to buy, customize, and resell hosting services;
- Cloud hosting, which uses a network of physical and virtual servers to store files;
- Managed hosting, where the web host is responsible for server security and maintenance, software updates, backups, and more.
The latter option is available to customers using cloud, dedicated, or VPS hosting services. If you go this route, the web host will assist you with security patches, third-party apps, website backups, and other technical aspects.
Managed servers require less time commitment from end users. These services usually include 24/7 technical support and advanced security measures, plus other perks, such as access to content delivery networks (CDNs) and website analytics.
With unmanaged hosting, you’ll be responsible for updates, maintenance, optimization, and security patches.
This option gives you full control over the server, but it can be costly and time-consuming. For example, you may need to hire a server administrator and cyber security experts, resulting in higher operational costs.
Managed Hosting, a More Secure Option for Online Businesses
When starting an online business, you may not think much about security risks. Your eCommerce store is brand new and has just a few customers, so why would hackers go after it?
As it turns out, hackers are more likely to target small businesses than larger companies.
According to a recent report, small enterprises with fewer than 100 employees will experience 350% more social engineering attacks than larger organizations. Additionally, companies of all sizes experience similar rates of phishing attacks, conversation hijacking, scamming, and other types of attacks.
Moreover, 50% of small businesses have fallen victim to cybercrime, and about 60% of those attacked end up closing their doors.
Given these risks, it makes sense to have proper security measures in place. A good starting point is to switch to managed web hosting.
Managed servers usually include malware detection and removal systems, spam filtering tools, and advanced firewalls. Plus, they are monitored 24/7, allowing the host to detect and respond to cyber threats in real-time. Wix and other managed hosting providers may also offer the following:
- Advanced online encryption
- Secure online payments
- Server access logging
- Two-factor authentication
- Permission-based access control
- Free SSL certificates
- Automatic backups
- Operating system (OS) updates
- Intrusion detection systems
If you opt for unmanaged hosting, you’ll need to handle these aspects yourself. This would leave little time for marketing and sales, customer service, and other business activities.
Sure, you may hire an in-house cybersecurity team, but the costs will run into thousands of dollars per month.
Why It Makes Sense to Use a Managed Server
A managed server will do more than just keep your website safe. With this option, you may also benefit from regular backups, high uptime, fast loading times, and other perks.
For example, some hosting plans include search engine optimization (SEO) and web analytics tools. These features allow you to better understand customer behavior and deliver personalized experiences at every touch point.
Managed hosting is also highly scalable, and you can upgrade or downgrade your plan as your business needs change. What’s more, the web host may implement load balancing to handle spikes in traffic and prevent downtime.
Some features, such as staging sites, page-level reporting, and CDN integrations, are particularly important for online stores.
For instance, managed hosting providers will conduct regular audits and implement specific security measures to ensure PCI compliance. This set of requirements is meant to protect cardholder data and applies to all businesses that accept credit or debit card payments.
These perks come at a price, but you will still pay less than what you’d pay if you did everything yourself. Plus, you’ll have more time to focus on the core aspects of your business.
Last but not least, managed hosting is by far the best choice for entrepreneurs with little or no technical knowledge.
With this option, you won’t have to worry about server downtime, PHP exploits, or DNS clustering. Your web host will take care of these aspects and answer any questions you may have.
Make the Best Choice for Your eCommerce Store
Choosing a web host is one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of running an eCommerce store. But, as you can see, this factor can impact the customer experience, business security, marketing, and ultimately, your revenue.
Unless you have strong technical skills (and plenty of free time!), it doesn’t make sense to use unmanaged servers. These services may seem cheap, but the costs will add up in the long run.
Your best bet is to register with a managed web hosting service provider. With this option, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your website is in good hands. Plus, managed hosting plans often come with SEO tools, advanced firewalls, drag-and-drop website builders, and other perks.
Most importantly, managed hosting provides the support you need to grow your business. From payment processing to data backups, your host will handle all the technical details so you can focus on sales.