11 Best: Web Hosting for Agencies (Dec. 2023)

If you run a web design or development agency, you probably already know how stressful it is to manage multiple client accounts. Being a small business owner is a juggling act, and your success hinges on whether you can keep your pins in the air without dropping them. Web hosting, marketing, and customer service are just a few of the many moving parts of a successful operation.

If you have a huge workload, dealing with multiple login credentials is the last thing you want. That’s where the importance of web hosting for agencies comes in. But it’s not just about choosing any web host; knowing what to look for in the best web hosting for agencies is the first and most crucial step. Read on to learn more.

WordPress is the most popular Content Management System, and rightfully so. For context, WordPress is the preferred CMS for 43.2% of all websites on the internet. So, if you’re looking for a web host for multiple WordPress websites, it’s crucial to know the key factors to consider.

We’ll start with speed. First, you need a WordPress hosting provider that guarantees fast loading speeds for WordPress websites. Be sure to consider specific features such as the availability of solid-state drive (SSD) or NVMe storage and high memory.

Secondly, look for a host with at least a 99.9% uptime guarantee. That’s the bare minimum. Anything less than that will only lead to a bad customer experience.

Speaking of customer service, you need a web host you can easily contact via phone, live chat, or email when facing technical issues beyond your control.

Lastly, choose a provider that’s compatible with WordPress. By this, we mean a web hosting service provider that offers WordPress-specific features and functionalities such as one-click installation and eCommerce applications. And if you are not familiar with WordPress, you may want to choose a managed WordPress hosting plan. Managed hosting comes with server setup and configuration, performance optimization, advanced security, and automatic updates.

Above all, ensure the selected host also has powerful security features. Examples include secure sockets layer (SSL) certification, backup and restoration capabilities, distributed denial of service (DDoS) protection, regular server and network monitoring, and two-factor authentication.

Our experts have tested some of the best WordPress hosting plans for agencies. Here are our top picks for plans that allow you to host multiple WordPress sites.

Keep in mind that while the plans highlighted above have great features, narrowing them down to your client’s needs can help you choose exactly what works best for them. For example, suppose some of your clients need more storage. In that case, you want a scalable plan that allows you to expand as your client’s needs grow.

As mentioned, your clients may have unique needs that only specific hosting providers can meet. Take, for example, a client looking for Linux hosting; Windows hosting will not work for them.

The same applies to clients looking for dedicated server hosting or virtual private servers. Whatever their needs, you can always find the right hosting company to accommodate them.

Here are other options worth considering if those highlighted above do not meet your client’s unique needs.

Our experts have reviewed each hosting company above and ensured that they provide all the basic features a web hosting company for agencies should have. These include security, storage, speed, reliability, and affordability.

Reseller hosting and agency hosting share many similarities but are two different types of web hosting services designed for different kinds of customers.

Reseller hosting is a hosting service operated by an individual or company that buys vast server space and bandwidth from a hosting provider and then resells that space and bandwidth to other customers.

This type of hosting allows a person or company (the reseller) to become a middleman between a hosting provider and their own clients. The reseller typically manages their client accounts and provides customer support while the hosting provider manages the server infrastructure and technical support. Think of reseller hosting as you would renting a brick-and-mortar space in your local area, partitioning it into smaller spaces, and renting it out to small businesses.

Agency hosting works best for digital agencies, web designers, and developers who build and manage websites for their clients. With this type of hosting, the web host offers a range of tools and features specifically designed to make it easier for agencies to manage multiple websites for their clients. This may include features such as white labeling, client management tools, and automated backups.

To sum up, here’s what you should remember when discussing these two types of hosting services:

Reseller hosting suits individuals or companies looking to start their own hosting business. Agency hosting works best for agencies and web professionals looking to manage multiple websites for their clients.

Many factors come into play when choosing a hosting provider. One thing you need to know is that not every web host you see out there will work for you. Unfortunately, that’s a lesson many clients learn the hard way.

By the time you realize you need a better host, it may be too late. This explains why you should get things right the first time.

Remember that thousands, if not millions, of websites or applications offer the same services you do. That’s why a bad user experience could be the difference between reaching your objectives (e.g., financial) or losing potential clients.

First, decide on the type of server you need, whether shared, VPS, or dedicated. After that, follow these tips.

Identify your website’s requirements: Determine the type of website you want to host and its requirements. For example, a simple blog may require minimal server resources as compared with the server resources required by an eCommerce website. Consider factors such as website traffic, storage, and bandwidth requirements.

Determine your budget: Hosting plans vary widely in price. That’s why you should determine how much you can afford and what features you need for such a budget. Remember to be realistic; for instance, you’ll likely get a free email account with a cheap web host but not with a dedicated or virtual private server. The more resources you need, the more money you’ll spend.

Research hosting providers: Look for hosting providers that offer the type of server you need and meet your requirements. If you’re unsure where to start, here’s a list of the best hosting providers worth checking out.

Consider server type: In the world of web hosting, shared, dedicated, and virtual private servers are the three most common types of servers. The exact server for you will depend on your unique needs. Here’s an overview of what to expect from these three hosting options.

A shared hosting plan is the most affordable option and involves sharing a server with other websites. This type of web hosting works best for:

• Personal blogs
• Small businesses
• Static websites (websites that contain static content and do not need high processing power)
• Portfolio websites
• Some nonprofit organizations with limited budgets

VPS hosting is a step up from shared hosting and involves sharing a server with fewer websites. The following are examples of websites that suit VPS hosting.

• eCommerce websites
• High-traffic websites
• Certain web applications
• Resource-intensive websites

Lastly, dedicated hosting is when you have an entire server dedicated to your website. This web hosting alternative is great for:

• Large eCommerce websites
• Social media platforms
• Streaming websites
• Gaming websites
• Applications that require high-security standards

Evaluate customer support: Back to the things to look for when choosing a web host. You need one that offers 24/7 customer support. For best results, opt for one with phone, email, and live chat support, a huge knowledge base.

Check security features: No one will visit your website or use your application if they know that doing so is unsafe. For this reason, you should choose a host with strong security features, including firewalls, malware scanning, and SSL certificates.

Look for scalability: You don’t want to switch web hosts monthly just because your website or business is rapidly growing. Instead, look for hosting providers that offer easy scalability options.

Here’s a quick tip: Most web hosts offer great deals such as a free domain for WordPress users, unlimited website bandwidth, and premium site tools. You can take advantage of that to woo your clients.

Think about it this way, who wouldn’t want a free domain name?

The cost of web hosting for agencies depends on factors such as:

• The size of the digital agency
• The number of websites hosted
• The amount of traffic the websites receive
• The type of hosting plan.

That said, here are some general estimates to keep in mind.

Shared hosting plan, the cheapest option, can cost as little as $3 per month per website.

In addition, you can get a good, reliable VPS hosting plan for as low as $10 per month per website.

Finally, dedicated hosting plans typically start at $100 per month and can go up to several hundred dollars per month, depending on your needs.

Remember, you can include client hosting costs in your website management fees. That way, with a few long-term clients, you shouldn’t have to worry about not being able to afford the services of a good web host.

Remember, most clients won’t care much about the price if it’s worth the money. All you need is a good web host; the rest will fall into place.

As the name suggests, an agency hosting plan best suits web design and development agencies that manage multiple clients and websites. Here’s why.

Cost-Effectiveness

Hosting multiple websites on a single server is more cost-effective than having each one on a separate server. Think about it as purchasing web hosting services at wholesale prices.

Time Management

They say time is money, and that’s not any different in the world of web hosting. By managing multiple websites on a single server rather than managing each website independently, you’ll have more time to focus on other tasks, such as designing and developing client websites.

That’s because web hosting for agencies typically features a centralized control panel or dashboard, allowing agencies to access and manage their websites from a single location.

More Control

Web hosting for agencies offers a high level of control. To put things into perspective, agencies can customize server configurations, manage security settings, and make other adjustments to optimize website performance and meet the specific needs of their clients.

Improved Reliability

An unreliable web host will ruin your business. On the other hand, a reliable one can help ensure great performance for your client’s websites and applications. When considering reliability, think of at least 99.9% uptime, great speed, and excellent customer service.

Now you have these tips and tools under your belt, you’re ready to choose a host. If you’re still searching, you can check out our top recommendations for hosting plans of all shapes and sizes.

Whatever type of hosting plan you’re looking for, Nexcess is a solid choice no matter the scale. Our reviewer Laura Bernheim recently took Nexcess for a spin, and rated the popular host a 4.9 in the WordPress Hosting category out of a perfect score of 5.0. Here’s what Laura had to say about Nexcess:

Offering high-class managed hosting solutions for WordPress and ecommerce, Nexcess delivers stress-free web hosting experiences primed for scalability and performance. The company’s optimized cloud servers mean site owners can concentrate on their business instead of struggling to maintain their infrastructure. Go with Nexcess for any digital commerce needs.

Before signing up for Nexcess, it’s a good idea to read through Laura‘s full review to learn about all the features Nexcess offers. You can also compare it to other web hosts to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible:

• Nexcess’s Full Review
• Nexcess: 4.9/5.0 vs. Others
• Nexcess: $12.67/Mo. vs. Others

If you decide Nexcess is the right choice, keep in mind that it takes just minutes to deploy your Nexcess server space. And at $12.67 per month, it’s a bargain considering the many great features that come in any Nexcess plan.