I’m part of a group on Facebook that deals specifically with WordPress. The group consists of limitless talents of the WordPress community. After researching on your own and doing a quick search of the groups thread, you are free to ask any question about WordPress. You are more than likely going to get a few different answers from several people. All of which, have the same goals in mind. Keeping your site safe while giving you the best advice possible. In this group, I have met some seriously talented people. Some I have actually spoken with, or seen speak, at WordCamp’s and Meet Up Groups. I was not expecting though, Owners of Managed WordPress Hosting Companies putting in quality work hours to help with questions that deal with WordPress sites running on their service. I have to say that I’m part of a lot of Web Development groups out there on the FB, and no other hosting companies do it like these Managed WordPress Hosting Companies.
What blew me away the most.
Usually, you expect to see some kind of participation by a hosting company on social media sites. It’s usually someone logging in once a month to post a coupon for 3% off next years DotComFest. Sometimes, depending on the social media outlet, you get a host that will dominate a hashtag that’s trending. The person running the account will answer questions that make the company look good in the public eye. That person will also say “PM Us So we can talk about it” when something they don’t feel comfortable with answering pops up.
Stage right, enter Suzette Frank and Sarah from Media Temple. These two amazing women have yet to fail me when it comes to getting an answer for my Media Temple Domains or Hosting accounts and hooking me up with some sweet (MT) swag! It was really awesome seeing a hosting company offering services online, but in a totally different fashion. I’ll never forget who started it first.
Now it gets real, fast.
Stage Left, Enter in Josh and Ben. Josh Strebel (founder of Pagely) and Ben Metcalfe (Co-Founder of WPENGINE) show up to the party one day, and never leave. Here are two guys, major players in the Managed WordPress Hosting game, taking time out of their days to answer questions, offer advice and probably throw a few deals out there as well. This is just unheard of, am I right? Imagine if the CEO of Walmart were to be in store helping you make a decision on something. That would be epic right? Well here it is happening in the WordPress community. Now, Josh and Ben were not the first to join the group. And they are for sure not the last. But my point here, is that it shows how amazing a community can be with everybody pitching in. WPENGINE have even started their own Community Page on FB, and Austin Gunter makes support look easy. It’s just awesome to see hosts get involved.
Something really cool just happened now.
Today, a member of the Advanced WordPress Group posted something about a client of theirs being charged extra by the host, ZIPPYKID. As usual there are comments and complaints / rants offered from other members of the group. Then with perfect timing, something pretty awesome happens. The CEO of ZippyKid joins the group, solves the problem and all are happy again. I’m not sure if the main admin has that much pull in the community, but today it sure seemed like it.
To Conclude
Say what you will about the billing / pricing, support and wars to gain customers. I’ll take a managed WordPress Host over anything cheap out there. Now, (MT) is not a managed WordPress Host specifically, but they are more than capable to host your stuff. It’s really impressive to see more than a tip of the hat from some leaders in a community. I’d personally like to say thank you, and I’ll vouch for your services any day of the week. Seacrest, OUT!