Managed hosting: Questions and answers

• What is managed hosting?
  
  Managed hosting is where the hosting company monitors and maintains your server hardware, operating system, and all supported applications and scripts, freeing you to concentrate on growing your website and your business.
   
• Do I need managed hosting?
  
  That depends. Do you have the expertise required to install and maintain your server's operating system and software packages? Can you install and configure scripts? Can you perform regular backups? Do you have someone on your staff who has this expertise?
  
  If you answered yes to all of these questions, you probably don't really need managed hosting. Otherwise, you probably do.
   
• Is managed hosting expensive?
  
  Managed hosting does cost more than an unmanaged dedicated server, but it costs less than hiring someone with the skills required to properly manage your hardware and software for you. Prices have dropped to the point where a managed hosting plan is certainly within reach of most anyone who can afford to rent a dedicated server.
   
• Do all web hosting providers offer managed hosting services?
  
  No. You will have to check with the prospective hosting companies' websites to see if they offer managed hosting plans. While most web hosting providers that offer dedicated servers also offer managed hosting services, some of them do not.