Choosing between WP Engine and GoDaddy for your WordPress hosting? Dive into our comprehensive comparison of their core features, performance, security, and pricing. Discover the pros and cons of each platform, real-time speed data, and insights into their hosting dashboards. Whether you prioritize budget, speed, or security, our review will guide you to the best choice for your unique WordPress needs. Ready to make an informed decision? Let’s explore WP Engine vs. GoDaddy Managed WordPress Hosting.
Do you want to host multiple WordPress websites on a single server?
You can easily manage multiple domains from a single place by hosting them on one server. Plus, it helps save costs as you won’t need to purchase separate servers for each website.
In this article, we will show you how to host multiple websites on one server.
Why Host Multiple Websites on One Server?
If you’re planning on expanding your business from one website to more, then it’s a feasible option to host them on a single server.
That’s because it is easier to manage them from a single place. It can be time-consuming and inconvenient to log in and out of multiple WordPress websites on different servers. If all your websites are on one server, then you can simply switch between them from the same dashboard.
Hosting multiple sites on a single server will also help save and be more economical for your business.
Many hosting providers offer dedicated hosting where you have full control over the server and allow you to set up more than 1 website.
Instead of purchasing individual hosting plans for each site, you can choose a plan that allows multiple WordPress sites on one server. This will also allow you to fully utilize your server resources.
That said, let’s see how you can host multiple websites on one server.
Select a Hosting Service and Buy Domains
Before you can add any website to a server, the first step is to purchase a hosting service and domain names for your websites.
Choosing a WordPress Hosting Provider
There are many services to choose from, but we recommend Hostinger. It is a fast-growing web hosting provider that offers different types of hosting options.
For instance, you can get premium shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, managed hosting, and more.
In the Hostinger WordPress Starter plan, you can add up to 100 websites, get free email, an SSL certificate, unlimited bandwidth, managed WordPress, and more. You also get 1 free domain name, but you’ll need to purchase other domains.
The best part is that WPBeginner users can get up to 81% OFF on WordPress hosting plans. Simply click the link below to claim the offer.
Another advantage of using Hostinger WordPress plans is that WordPress comes pre-installed. You don’t have to manually install WordPress for your websites.
If you’re looking for alternatives, then you can also use Bluehost or SiteGround to add multiple sites to one server.
Purchasing Domain Names for Your Website
After choosing a web hosting platform, the next step is to purchase domain names that you’ll need to host on a server.
Hostinger lets you buy a new domain or transfer an existing domain. To purchase a domain, simply go to the ‘Domains’ tab from your Hostinger dashboard.
From here, simply select the ‘Get a new domain’ option.
Next, you can search for a domain name.
Go ahead and enter a keyword or brand name in the search bar.
From here, you’ll see a list of URL options along with different domain extensions and prices.
Simply select an option you want and click the ‘Buy domain’ button.
Next, a popup will open with different billing periods for your domain name.
Go ahead and choose a billing period.
After that, you can complete the checkout process by choosing a payment method and purchasing the domain name.
You can repeat this process to purchase as many additional domains as you’d like.
Alternative Method: If you don’t want to buy a domain from Hostinger, then there are many domain registrars that allow you to register a domain name with ease. For instance, you can use Domain.com as it offers top-level extensions, an easy domain registration process, and a bunch of features.
Adding Multiple WordPress Sites to One Server
After selecting a hosting provider and buying domain names, you can add multiple sites to one server.
From your Hostinger dashboard, you can go to the ‘Websites’ tab and click on the + Create or migrate a website option.
Next, Hostinger will walk you through the process of creating a new website on the same server.
For instance, you can select a website type. This includes an online store, blog, business, portfolio, and other types.
After that, you’ll need to select whether you’d like to create or migrate a website.
If you already have a website on another hosting platform, then you can transfer it to Hostinger. Simply select the ‘Migrate my website’ option and follow the steps.
For this tutorial, we will select the ‘Create a new website’ option.
Next, you can select a platform to build a new website. Hostinger will offer 2 methods, where you can use WordPress with artificial intelligence (AI) or use Hostinger’s website builder with AI to create a site.
Go ahead and choose the ‘WordPress with AI’ option.
From here, you’ll need to enter login details for your account.
Simply choose a language, select an administrator email, enter a password, and click the ‘Continue’ button.
In the next step, Hositnger will ask you to add WordPress plugins to your site.
You can simply select the plugins you want to install and click the ‘Continue’ button.
After that, you will need to select a website design.
Hostinger will load the default theme, but you can click the ‘Browse more templates’ option to view more designs.
From here, you can choose a different theme for your website.
You can also click the ‘Show More’ button at the bottom to load more templates.
Once you’re done, simply choose a design and click the ‘Select’ button.
Next, Hostinger will ask you to enter a brand name and a description of your business.
It uses ChatGPT to generate a few pieces of content for your website. Once you are done, simply click the ‘Continue’ button.
You can also skip this step by entering a name and brief description and then clicking the ‘Skip, I will write content later’ option at the bottom.
After that, you’ll need to enter a name for your website. Hostinger will show 2 options, you can either select the ‘buy a domain or ‘use an existing domain’ option.
If you haven’t purchased a domain name yet, then you can select the ‘Buy a Domain’ option and get one with Hostinger.
However, if you already have multiple domains on another provider, then you can select the ‘Use an Existing Domain’ option.
For this tutorial, let’s choose the ‘Use an Existing Domain’ option.
Next, you will need to enter the domain name and click the ‘Continue’ button.
A popup window will now open with details for pointing the domain to Hostinger nameservers.
You can see your domain’s existing nameservers and the required nameservers you’d need to change in the domain registration service. The instructions will vary depending on the domain registrar you’re using.
If you need help with domain transfer, then Hostinger offers step-by-step guides and documentation. You can also reach out to their support for further assistance.
Note: You’ll also need to ensure that the domain you’re transferring is not locked by the current registrar and that 60 days have passed since initial registration.
After noting down the nameservers, you can click the ‘Continue’ button.
Hostinger will then start to set up your website. It will take a few minutes for the setup to complete.
The final step is to click the ‘Connect’ button under the Connect Your Domain option after you’ve set nameservers in your domain registrar.
Once connected, you can view your website from the Hostinger dashboard.
Simply visit the ‘Websites’ tab to see your newly added site.
You can now repeat these steps and click the ‘+ Create or migrate a website’ option to add as many websites as you want to a single server.
Bonus: How to Create More Sites Using WordPress Multisite
A WordPress multisite allows you to run and manage multiple websites from a single WordPress installation. You’ll see multisite networks used by large corporations that need separate domains for each department, universities and schools, news outlets, online businesses, and more.
There is a slight difference between hosting multiple sites on a single server and a WordPress multisite.
In a multisite, you have the same parent domain (example.com), and the new sites are subdomains (blog.example.com). They can share plugins, users, and other elements based on your settings.
On the other hand, hosting multiple sites on a single server means you have different domain names for each website. They’re all completely separate from one another.
You can easily set up a WordPress multisite using any web hosting service, including Hostinger. Once it’s set up, you’ll be able to add multiple sites to the network and manage them from the same dashboard on one server.
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Explore our in-depth WP Engine review to uncover the advantages of choosing this top-tier managed WordPress hosting solution. From unparalleled speed and robust security to 24/7 expert support, WP Engine stands out as a premier choice for WordPress websites. Dive into real-time performance data, exclusive features, and see why WP Engine is a game-changer in the hosting world.
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In this post we take a look at companies offering managed WordPress hosting. These companies have in-house WordPress experts and have built their hosting system from the ground up to be tailored for the specific needs of a WordPress site.
There’s no shortage of managed WordPress hosting companies on the market. However, features and prices vary significantly from one web host to another. If you haven’t used managed hosting before, it can be hard to determine which companies offer the best services for your money.
In this post, we’ll introduce you to some of the best managed WordPress hosting companies. We’ll discuss the features they offer, their prices, and why you should consider using each host. Let’s get to it!
What is Managed WordPress Hosting?
Before we get to business, let’s briefly recap what managed WordPress hosting is. Managed hosting plans offer in-house services to maintain, optimize and secure your website for better performance.
With most managed hosting plans, you get access to features such as:
Those are just some of the features that most managed WordPress web hosts offer. Some companies might provide you with more advanced functionality and performance, usually at higher prices.
Overall, managed WordPress hosting focuses on giving you the best possible performance for the CMS (content management system). If you’re a WordPress enthusiast, you can optimize and maintain your websites yourself on any sort of host out there. However, managed plans take care of most maintenance and security tasks and let you focus on growing your site.
7 Best Managed WordPress Hosting Companies
This section will introduce you to the best managed WordPress hosting companies on the market. We’ll evaluate each company according to its performance, features, and price. We’ll break down what makes each web host unique and who should consider using it!
1. SiteGround
SiteGround is well-known for offering some of the cheapest managed WordPress hosting plans. It has packages starting at $3.99 per month, drastically lower than what most competitors offer.
Although SiteGround tends to score well in performance, it has mixed reviews for WordPress support. If you can look past that or have experience fixing issues with WordPress, SiteGround offers an impressive list of features for its price point.
SiteGround is another one of the web hosts that we recommend for Divi users. That means you can sign up for a plan and launch WordPress websites with Divi pre-installed.
Key Features for SiteGround:
Base plans start with 10 GB of storage space and unmetered* traffic
*We do want to note that there’s usually no such thing as unmetered traffic. There are always bandwidth restrictions (even if they’re not explicitly laid out).
SiteGround is for you if…
You want to test what a managed WordPress hosting service can offer before committing to a lengthy contract.
You’re on a budget.
You’re comfortable troubleshooting WordPress issues on your own.
Flywheel offers several types of WordPress plans, including managed options. With Flywheel, you can choose from various packages geared toward personal projects, business websites, and web development/design agencies.
One of Flywheel’s key selling points is its fantastic hosting control panel. In our experience, the Flywheel admin dashboard is one of the most user-friendly options available. That feature can be handy if you manage a large number of sites.
When it comes to agencies, Flywheel offers intuitive tools for handing off websites and billing clients directly for hosting. You can even create WordPress “blueprints,” which are backups for spinning up new websites.
Flywheel is one of the web hosts we recommend for Divi users. With Flywheel, you can launch new WordPress sites with Divi pre-installed and connected to your Elegant Themes account. That way, you can get right to work on building your next website.
Flywheel also offers one of the best local WordPress development tools. Local by Flywheel is free to use, and it can connect with your Flywheel account (if you have one).
Key Features for Flywheel:
Base plans start with 5 GB of storage and 20 GB of bandwidth
One of the biggest challenges of using Virtual Private Servers (VPSs) is that, usually, they’re not very user-friendly. Configuring a VPS can be challenging if you don’t have server management experience. That applies even to providers that offer one-click setup options for WordPress and other software.
With a Cloudways plan, you get expert WordPress support, automatic backups, easy scaling options, and server optimization. Plus, you won’t have to interact with VPSs using the command line since Cloudways offers a user-friendly hosting control panel.
If you want to use Divi with Cloudways hosting, you can easily. Our partnership with Cloudways means that you can create WordPress websites with Divi in a matter of minutes.
Key Features for Cloudways:
Base specifications vary depending on which cloud provider you use
Automated backups
Custom caching configuration
Staging functionality
Team management tools
Application monitoring
CDN add-on available
Free migrations
Cloudways is for you if…
You like the fantastic performance that VPSs offer but are not comfortable with server management.
You’re on a budget.
You value high performance.
Price:Cloudway prices vary depending on which VPS provider you use alongside the platform. For Digital Ocean, Linode, and Vultr, you have plans starting at $12-13 per month that offer 1 GB of RAM, 1 core CPU, 32 GB of storage, and 1 TB of bandwidth.
If you want an AWS or Google Cloud server, base prices rise to around $33-36 per month for roughly double the resources (2 GB of ram, 1 core CPU, 20 GB of storage, and 2 GB of bandwidth).
Pressable is run by Automattic, the same company behind WordPress. It’s worth noting Pressable isn’t the only WordPress hosting venture by Automattic, as the company also created WordPress VIP.
With Pressable, you can host your WordPress website on the same servers that support WordPress.com. That means you get access to top-of-the-line performance without the limitations of using self-hosted WordPress.
On top of all the perks that managed web hosts usually offer, most Pressable plans come with a premium Jetpack license. That means you’ll get automated plugin updates, malware scans, backups powered by VaultPress, and more.
Pressable is a Divi partner. That means you can launch WordPress websites with Divi pre-installed, and you get discounts if you sign up through our Pressable partner page.
Key Features for Pressable:Â
Base plans start with 5 GB of storage and support for 5,000 visitors
Free Jetpack premium license (starting with the Personal plan)
WP Engine isn’t only the most popular managed WordPress hosting platform globally. It also owns Flywheel. Whereas Flywheel is geared toward agencies and personal projects, WP Engine focuses on medium and large business solutions.
With WP Engine, you’ll get some of the best WordPress performance that you can find. The platform also offers many plans, with regular and “plus” managed hosting categories. WP Engine also provides “security-enhanced” and e-commerce-managed plans.
One downside to WP Engine is that its plan selection can be confusing. However, picking the right WP Engine subscription shouldn’t be a problem with the proper guidance.
Key Features for WP Engine:
Base plans offer 10 GB of storage and 50 GB of bandwidth
Custom caching configuration
Free CDN integration
Free migrations
Daily backups
Free SSL certificates
Staging functionality
Automated plugin updates*
Automatic roll-backs if the platform detects security issues*
*These features are only available with the Managed Hosting Plus and Secure Hosting tiers.
WP Engine is for you if…
You plan to host multiple WordPress websites.
You have a larger budget.
Your business is medium to large.
Price: If you look at WP Engine’s plans, you’ll notice they’re divided into four categories. Starting at $20 per month, the base managed hosting plans don’t offer the functionality we like to see in a provider at this price point.
Kinsta is a managed WordPress web host that uses the Google Cloud infrastructure for client websites. With Kinsta, you get access to some of the best-managed hosting performance on the market.
One of the most significant selling points of using Kinsta is that every plan can access the same features. You get all of the perks of managed WordPress hosting and integration with Cloudflare Enterprise. Kinsta also offers its own local WordPress development tool, called DevKinsta.
Kinsta’s prices are on the expensive end. The web host offers a “budget” option for personal and small business sites. However, most of Kinsta’s plans are geared toward enterprises, and they offer ten different tiers and custom options.
Key Features for Kinsta:
Base plan offers 10 GB of storage and support for 25,000 visits
Free integration with Cloudflare Enterprise CDN
SSL setup
Staging functionality
Free migrations
Automatic daily backups
Malware removal
White-labeled caching plugin
Kinsta is for you if…
You plan to host multiple WordPress websites.
Your budget is larger.
You run a large business or enterprise.
Price: Kinsta’s Starter plan costs $30 per month. If you plan on hosting a single website, there are far cheaper options available that offer similar features and performance.
WPX is a managed WordPress hosting provider known for its exceptional speed and reliability. The company offers a range of plans tailored to different needs, including shared and dedicated hosting options.
One of the standout features of WPX is its lightning-fast load times, thanks in part to its use of the latest hardware and software technologies. The platform also includes free CDN integration and custom caching configuration, which further boosts website speed and performance.
WPX offers several hosting plans to choose from, with the most affordable starting at $20.83 per month. Despite its low cost, this plan includes unlimited storage and bandwidth, making it a great option for small to medium-sized websites.
One potential downside of WPX is that it does not offer a separate e-commerce hosting plan, so businesses with online stores may need to look elsewhere.
Key Features for WPX:
Fast and reliable WordPress hosting
Great support, 99% of chat requests are answered within one minute
Free website migration
Lightning-fast CDN
WPX is for you if…
You need a fast and reliable WordPress hosting provider for your website.
You want a provider that offers easy website migrations and backups.
You have a budget that can accommodate a slightly higher price point for premium features and excellent customer support.
Comparing Our Top 3 Picks for Managed WordPress Hosting
Picking a web host isn’t easy. Hosting providers constantly try to outdo each other with prices and promises. With managed WordPress hosting, you have many options, all claiming to offer the best performance on the market. Let’s compare our 3 top picks below.
Whether you choose SiteGround, Flywheel, or Cloudways, chances are high that you’ll enjoy their hosting environment. In the end, it comes down to what your specific criteria are and how your budget aligns with those criteria.
Final Thoughts on the Best Managed WordPress Hosting
If you’re having a hard time choosing between the best managed WordPress hosting options, here are our thoughts on the top six providers:
Flywheel:Â This is a fantastic web host if you’re a solo developer or a WordPress agency.
SiteGround:Â With SiteGround, you get some of the cheapest managed WordPress hosting plans on the market.
Pressable:Â With Pressable, you can host your site on WordPress.com servers and take advantage of managed functionality.
Cloudways:Â If you want to use a VPS with managed hosting functionality, Cloudways enables you to choose from the best providers.
WP Engine:Â With WP Engine, you get top-of-the-line performance and features, but it’s not a cheap option.
Kinsta: This web host offers some of the best performance on the market and a sizable collection of enterprise plans.
WPX: WPX is an excellent choice if you prioritize website speed and uptime. Their plans are affordable and come with top-notch customer support.
More Hosting Reviews
While those are our top picks, we have reviewed several other managed WordPress hosting companies as well. If you would like to learn more about other hosting companies, take a look at the following reviews.
HostGator WordPress Hosting Review – HostGator’s biggest edge is its pricing. Their WordPress hosting is very affordable, but that affordability comes with some tradeoffs.
Bluehost WordPress Hosting Review –Â Bluehost is a staple of the WordPress community and is very active within the ecosystem. Their hosting panel is easy to use, but from our experience, their hosting performance doesn’t match up to our top hosting picks.
GoDaddy WordPress Hosting Review – GoDaddy’s hosting quality seems to vary. It has gotten better over the years and the company continues to double-down on the WordPress ecosystem. They are building back their reputation.
Pressable is a managed WordPress hosting service from Automattic, the same company behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce and more. Learn more in our hands-on Pressable hosting review.
