An instance we see often: your designer asks you about your hosting and maintenance plans when you commission a website. Hosting and maintenance? What does that even mean? Can’t I just build a website and let it exist? What does hosting mean? Who’s entertaining it? What kind of maintenance could a website possibly need?

Hosting and Maintenance Keywords

To make this not all sound like absolute gibberish to you, let’s go over some keywords.

Domain: Simply put, a domain name (or just ‘domain’) is what you call your website. It’s what comes after “www.” in a web address. You can purchase (or find a free) domain name from GoDaddy or Bluehost. These companies are domain registrars. 

Website maintenance: Website maintenance is the process of keeping a website up-to-date and running smoothly as well as performing optimally. Maintenance includes tasks like ensuring all the links on your site are working, regularly updating content, and fixing broken links.

Web hosting: In a nutshell, web hosting is the process of renting or buying space to house a website on the World Wide Web. GoDaddy and Bluehost offer hosting and maintenance services at an additional cost. However, they’re not always very inclusive. The good news is, you’re welcome to look elsewhere if you have bigger needs than what they offer. The important takeaway is all websites need to be hosted somewhere. 

Server: A web server delivers content for a website to a client that requests it, like a web browser. A web server communicates with a web browser using HTTP. You’re welcome to set up your own server, but it’s an advanced task many aren’t up for, and often comes with all sorts of associated costs. 

What This Means When You Do Your Own Hosting and Maintenance

As mentioned above, your hosting is buying/renting space to house your site. If you have your own server, it’s like renting an apartment. You signed on the dotted line and you’re allowed to take up this space. But part of the agreement is that you are responsible for maintaining the property, fixing issues that arise, furnishing it yourself. You’re also in charge of your own security. 

What This Means When You Use Managed Hosting

When you use managed WordPress hosting, you get the space for a great price, it comes furnished with food in the fridge, and has a security system in place. There’s a maintenance crew that fixes issues that come alongs. It comes with malware removal (you’ll just have to trust us when we say that’s a headache you don’t want to deal with) and nightly backups. 

Polarity Hosting and Maintenance

Polarity Design Team offers three hosting and maintenance packages. The Essential package includes WordPress core updates, plugin/theme updates, free malware removal, 24/7 support, an SSL certificate, caching, nightly backups, content delivery network, security monitoring, and hosting. 

The Premier package (our most popular) includes all of the above. Additionally, you’ll receive preventative maintenance, premium form plugins, monthly client reports, performance insights, and Google Analytics integration. 

Our Exclusive package is great for companies who often need updates (frequent promotions, price changes, or monthly events). It includes everything from the first two packages, plus an hour of design/update services each month to launch those promotions, discount codes, or event dates. 

Hosting and Maintenance Through Domain Registrars

Buying hosting and maintenance from your domain registrar is often similarly priced for an essential-type package but only includes WordPress core updates and plugin/theme updates. You have to do everything else yourself (or hope for the best that no issues arise, and hire someone to take care of them as they come up).

The Bottom Line

Admittedly, we’re partial. We think our hosting and maintenance plans are generous, valuable, and beyond worthwhile. That said, they’re also completely optional and you’re more than welcome to bring your own hosting or pay another company if their hosting and maintenance plans work better for you. 

If you need to chat about what works for you and get some insights on your needs, you know where to find us!