Managed hosting means that a service provider takes care of the entire hosting process. In contrast to cheap discounters, maintenance work is carried out automatically in the background, which means that you are spared cryptic requests from your hoster.
The following, admittedly fictitious but not far-fetched, example shows what can happen if you "go cheap":
An error occurred while executing the script...
Mail on day X from website operator to usually helpful computer person:
SubjectAn error has occurred Do you have any idea what is wrong with our homepage? When calling up the page, an error message from the Contao system appears. Under the heading "What's the problem?" it says: "An error has occurred while executing a script. Something is not working properly."
Anything.
Does not work. Not working properly. SubjectRe: An error has occurred
I can have a look. I need current access data.
Downtime: 1st day.
Day X+1
Nothing happens.
Downtime: 2nd day.
Day X+2
SubjectRe: An error has occurred
I see the error is still there. Please check, but as I said, I would need current access data.
SubjectAW: Re: An error has occurred
Oh yes. It would be great if you could have a look. I've already looked for access data. But then I somehow lost my way, sorry. Could it be these? We've also asked the support team about this host thing and what's wrong with it.
They must be having difficulties, I'll give you some advice.
SubjectWG: Ticket 54321: Error on homepage Kd.Nr. 12345
Thank you for your request. We will take care of your request as quickly as possible.
Please note the following current information:
PHP version 5.6 was deactivated on day X at around midnight. The new standard version for all hosting packages is PHP 7.0.
Unfortunately, we are unable to support you with any necessary adjustments to scripts/applications and ask for your understanding.
Due to the PHP update, there are currently longer waiting times in the hotline and longer processing times for your support requests. SubjectAW:Re: An error has occurred
PHP - they wrote something about this a few weeks ago. What is that? Do we need it?
SubjectRe:AW:
Yes, the PHP version could be the problem. Your Contao version uses methods for database access that no longer exist. An update is due. I'll have a look, but I won't be able to do it until tomorrow.
SubjectAW:Re:
Yes, ok. By the way, why do we have a database?
Downtime: 3rd day.
Day X+3
SubjectAW:Re:
Now you can only see a white page!
Re:AW:Re:
Yes, with the current LTS version of Contao it's a bit of a fiddle. The database accesses are PHP7 compliant, but a few other parts are not quite. It's more like PHP6 ;o) I'm working on it, I'm sure it will be ready tomorrow.
Downtime: 4th day.
Day X+4
Re:AW:Re:
So, running again for now.
SubjectAW:Re:AW:
Thank you very much!
Downtime: 5th day.
5 days with an unavailable website can come quickly and unexpectedly. For the website operator in this little story, they were obviously bearable.
A standard hosting package provides the basis for operating your own web software under your own responsibility and management, and management always requires knowledge. Anyone who does not know - and does not want to have to know - what PHP is and which version has which features is almost certainly dependent on support.
In managed hosting mode, the conversation described above would not have taken place in the first place. Those involved could have devoted themselves to more pleasant topics, such as the weather, while the necessary updates would have been carried out inconspicuously by the hoster in the background.
It's a math problem: If 5 days of downtime mean economic damage, an investment in managed hosting can quickly pay off because it is designed from the outset for the secure operation of precisely the software used and therefore focuses on the secure interaction of all components used in suitable current versions.