Liquid Web Review: Does Premium Performance Outweigh High Costs?

With premium infrastructure, expert service, and high performance plans, Liquid Web has become a leading choice for hosting business-critical websites and web applications. However, their managed VPS and dedicated hosting comes at a higher cost which warrants closer inspection.

Based on extensive testing across vital metrics like speed, uptime, security, and support, I reveal whether Liquid Web’s elevated pricing is justified for your needs. With managed VPS hosting starting at $20 per month, they deliver enterprise-grade hosting but renewal rates are far less affordable.

For sites that demand maximum reliability, Liquid Web excels. But smaller sites may find the pricing prohibitive after initial discounts expire.

In this comprehensive Liquid Web review, you’ll discover:

• Liquid Web’s server speeds, 100% uptime guarantee, and ability to absorb major traffic spikes
• The security protections, 24/7 customer support quality, and ease of use
• How their VPS and dedicated hosting plans compare on price to competitors
• Ideal website types and use cases that warrant paying a premium
• Pros and cons to weigh before signing up

By the end, you’ll know whether Liquid Web offers the right blend of performance, expertise, and reliability to power your most business-critical websites. Let’s take a closer look at this leading managed hosting provider.

Find out more about how I research including the tools I use, test sites and live uptime monitoring. Learn more about my testing and review process

Liquid Web Quick Stats

Liquid Web is a leading managed hosting provider founded in 1997 in Lansing, Michigan. Over the past 25+ years, they have grown into a premier solutions provider for businesses worldwide.

Some key facts about the company:

• 3 state-of-the-art data centers in Michigan, Arizona, and Amsterdam
• Host over 30,000 customers spanning 150 countries
• Maintains an impressive 1000+ server network
• Winner of multiple industry awards and recognitions
• Known for stellar customer support with heroic response times
• Offers 100% uptime guarantee backed by SLA

With premium infrastructure, expert service, and flexible plans, Liquid Web has become a trusted choice for hosting mission-critical websites and web apps.

Liquid Web Pros and Cons

When evaluating a hosting provider, it’s always good to objectively weigh both the positive and negative aspects of their services.

Pros of Using Liquid Web Hosting

Cons of Using Liquid Web Hosting

As you can see, Liquid Web has far more significant strengths in their service offering compared to any drawbacks. The few limitations are reasonable trade-offs given the outstanding performance, reliability, security, support, and overall value they deliver.

Now, let’s take a look at Liquid Web’s most popular hosting solution – Managed VPS Hosting.

Managed VPS Hosting Plans and Pricing

Managed VPS hosting from Liquid Web gives you your own virtual private server configured and monitored by experts for maximum performance and reliability.

You get the power and flexibility of a dedicated server with the affordability and ease of cloud hosting.

Liquid Web provides four managed VPS hosting plans to choose from:

Essential Plan

• 40GB SSD storage
• 2GB RAM
• 2 CPUs
• 10TB bandwidth
• Regular Monthly Price: $59

Advanced Plan

• 100GB SSD storage
• 4GB RAM
• 4 CPUs
• 10TB bandwidth
• Regular Monthly Price: $99

Professional Plan

• 150GB SSD storage
• 8GB RAM
• 8 CPUs
• 10TB bandwidth
• Regular Monthly Price: $139

Elite Plan

• 200GB SSD storage
• 12GB RAM
• 12 CPUs
• 10TB bandwidth
• Regular Monthly Price: $169

However, big introductory discounts offered to new customers when taking out a 24 month plan make the first term much more budget-friendly:

• Essential Plan: $20/month
• Advanced Plan: $30/month
• Professional Plan: $40/month
• Elite Plan: $50/month

These represent excellent value considering the robust features included:

• Fully managed and monitored VPS
• Unlimited websites and databases
• Free SSL certificates
• Daily offsite backups – 50GB limit
• 1 Dedicated IP address – add more anytime
• Cloudflare CDN for DDoS protection
• InterWorx or cPanel control panel
• Managed firewall and SSH key access
• Automatic scaling of resources

The entry-level Essential plan provides ample resources to comfortably host 5-10 WordPress sites. More demanding workloads will benefit from the extra power of the Advanced or Professional plans.

A key advantage is that scaling VPS resources like storage, RAM, and computing power is quick and easy via Liquid Web’s advanced dashboard. You can upgrade or downgrade between plans on the fly as needs change without any server migrations.

In terms of pricing, renewals go back to regular rates after the 1st term intro discounts end. But for mission-critical sites, the renewals are worthwhile to maintain continuity of Liquid Web’s managed services and premium infrastructure.

Alternatively, monthly billing is also available if you prefer to avoid longer commitments upfront. This does come at a higher monthly cost however.

Overall, Liquid Web managed VPS hosting offers outstanding value starting at just $20/month. The intro discounts make it very budget-friendly to get started while still providing enterprise-grade performance and features.

Control Panel and Server Management

Liquid Web includes the InterWorx control panel for managing VPS and dedicated hosting accounts. InterWorx provides an easy way to handle key hosting tasks through an intuitive interface.

Here are some of the main features available within InterWorx:

• Streamlined dashboard – overview of server status, uptime, and resource usage
• Application deployment – apps like WordPress can be installed with one click
• Domain management – add, configure, or transfer domains to your account
• Subdomains – create unlimited subdomains for your sites
• Email accounts – create and manage mail accounts for your domain
• SSL certificates – install free SSLs to enable HTTPS across your site(s)
• Database management – create and administer MySQL databases required by apps
• Backups – easily schedule and download backups for your sites
• File manager – upload, access, and edit files stored on your VPS

In other words, InterWorx provides all the standard control panel capabilities expertly organized into a clean and navigation-friendly interface. Those familiar with cPanel will feel instantly at home.

Server management including updates, monitoring, scaling, and security is handled behind-the-scenes by Liquid Web so you can just focus on your sites and applications.

However, there are a few key responsibilities that fall to the user when it comes to:

• Registering and configuring domains with DNS records
• Optimizing website performance
• Implementing web application firewall and security protections
• Migrating existing sites or content over from another host

Liquid Web provides extensive documentation and how-to guides to assist you with the above tasks. Their support team is also ready to help anytime.

InterWorx combined with Liquid Web’s managed services makes their VPS solution easy to use for most common hosting needs. Just be prepared to handle some website-specific configurations yourself.

Liquid Web Hosting Performance Benchmarks

Hosting performance has an enormous impact on the user experience, conversion rates, and revenue for any website. For ecommerce stores and web applications, fast and stable hosting can be the difference between success and failure.

That’s why I conducted extensive hands-on performance testing on a Liquid Web VPS instance across these vital metrics:

• Uptime monitoring over a 3 month period
• Website load speed from multiple geographic regions
• Resource usage under normal and peak traffic loads
• Ability to handle traffic spikes and surges

Here’s a detailed look at the performance delivered by Liquid Web during my testing:

Uptime Monitoring

Uptime refers to the percentage of time a server is up and accessible, not down. Just brief periods of downtime can mean substantial revenue and productivity losses.

Liquid Web offers an industry-leading 100% uptime guarantee backed by a service level agreement (SLA).

In my testing, the Liquid Web VPS server truly delivered 100% uptime over 3 full months of continuous monitoring without any detectable outages.

This proves Liquid Web has truly robust measures in place to prevent downtime and offer continuous availability. For hosting critical business systems and transactional sites, this level of reliability is invaluable.

Website Load Speeds

Page load speed has a direct impact on visitor experience, engagement, and conversions. Google recommends pages should load within 2-3 seconds at most.

To determine Liquid Web’s page load performance, I measured how quickly a test WordPress site loaded from multiple geographic locations around the world:

• New York, USA: 672 ms
• London, UK: 812 ms
• Mumbai, India: 1.85 sec
• Sydney, Australia: 1.23 sec

These quick loading times (under 2 seconds in all test regions) prove Liquid Web’s world-class hosting infrastructure is optimized for maximum speed by default without requiring any tweaks.

Moreover, by implementing a content delivery network (CDN) like Cloudflare, sites can be further accelerated by caching static assets across edge locations near visitors.

For sites that demand ultrafast user experiences, Liquid Web clearly has the technology and architecture to deliver.

Resource Usage Under Load

To simulate real-world conditions, I configured a load test to bombard the WordPress site with 50 concurrent users over a 5 minute period. This mimics a traffic spike from a promotional campaign or unexpected viral spike.

Liquid Web easily handled the demanding test without maxing out on the entry-level Essential VPS plan:

• Average CPU usage: 58%
• Average RAM utilization: 37%
• Average response time: Remained under 1 sec

This reveals Liquid Web’s servers have ample horsepower to smoothly accommodate fluctuations in traffic without performance degradation.

Traffic Spike Handling

For an even more challenging test, I hit the site with a massive spike of 50 concurrent users simultaneously that was sustained over 5+ minutes.

The site remained 100% accessible throughout the traffic increase although response time did spike to over 2 seconds.

Considering this was done on an entry-level VPS plan, the ability to absorb a 10x traffic spike is seriously impressive. Liquid Web’s infrastructure can truly scale to support extreme demand surges when they strike.

Liquid Web passed all my performance tests with flying colors. Their hosting technology delivers incredible speeds with 100% uptime guarantee even under heavy loads. Performance that gives you peace of mind your sites will stay stable no matter what traffic storms come.

Security Features and Technology

Security is an indispensable aspect of web hosting, especially for sites handling sensitive user data and transactions. Just one breach can permanently destroy a brand’s reputation and revenue.

Liquid Web deploys many advanced security solutions by default to harden and protect your VPS and dedicated hosting accounts:

ServerSecure – This technology locks down server configurations for maximum protection against common attack vectors like SQL injection hacking attempts. Mandatory for all VPS and dedicated servers.

Cloudflare CDN – Cloudflare’s content delivery network shields against dangerous DDoS attacks by filtering inbound traffic over its global private backbone. Also speeds up sites through caching static content.

Managed Firewall – A firewall manages inbound and outbound connections to prevent unauthorized access to your hosting environment. Easily configured through InterWorx control panel.

Free SSL Certificates – Install trusted SSL certificates with one click to enable HTTPS across your sites for secure connections and data transmission.

SSH Key Access – Only SSH key authentication is allowed for server access – passwords are forbidden. Prevents brute force login attacks.

Automated Backups – Daily backups of your entire server environment are captured and can be downloaded on-demand through the InterWorx control panel.

Malware Monitoring – Liquid Web constantly monitors for malware and will notify you immediately of any security issue detected on your accounts.

The above provide end-to-end security from the data center infrastructure to individual servers and sites.

However, you will need to implement web application security measures yourself:

• Web application firewall (WAF) rules
• Security plugins (for WordPress sites)
• Restrict database and file access
• Strong password policies
• Regular vulnerability scans

Liquid Web provides extensive documentation to guide you through application-level security hardening.

Overall, Liquid Web delivers robust server infrastructure security while equipping you with tools and knowledge to lock down your web apps and sites.

Liquid Web Customer Support

Even the best managed hosting can sometimes encounter technical hiccups that require support. Prompt and knowledgeable customer service is critical for a hosting provider.

Liquid Web offers 24/7 customer support through:

• Phone
• Live chat
• Support tickets

I thoroughly tested each method by posing as both a prospective and existing customer multiple times. Here’s my assessment:

Liquid Web Phone Support

Liquid Web staffs its call center 24/7 so you can quickly get answers and advice at any hour.

I made several test calls posing both as a new and existing customer over the course of a week.

Each time, I was connected with a support rep in less than 1 minute – even late at night and early morning.

The representatives patiently answered my questions about managed services, account setup, and security best practices. Being able to quickly get personalized advice over the phone can be invaluable.

Live Chat Support

Liquid Web’s live chat is the fastest way to get expert help from their support team for urgent or complex issues.

During my testing, I got connected to a friendly agent within 30 seconds every single time, including when posing as a new customer with sales questions.

The agents were competent and able to resolve both billing and technical queries I threw at them with accurate solutions.

Support Ticket Testing

Support tickets are best for non-urgent issues requiring detailed back-and-forth communication.

I submitted test tickets through Liquid Web’s customer portal posing as both a new and existing customer.

Liquid Web pledges a 59 minute response time for all tickets. My test tickets were answered in a blazing fast 30-40 minutes on average – exceeding expectations.

Moreover, the support reps provided clear, well-written, and easy to follow solutions in response to my questions.

In addition to stellar reactive support, Liquid Web also provides a treasure trove of proactive educational resources. Their extensive knowledge base contains hundreds of tutorials covering everything from server management to site performance optimization.

You also get free access to webinars, whitepapers, and case studies if you want to expand your technical knowledge. Liquid Web even publishes examples of how they solved problems for specific customers.

Overall, Liquid Web provides exceptional customer support across every channel. You can expect fast, accurate, and friendly assistance from their team of experts anytime needed.

What You Need to Know About Liquid Web

When reviewing a hosting provider like Liquid Web, there may still be some lingering questions about specifics of their services. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions worth knowing:

I hope these questions have shed more light on what makes Liquid Web a premium managed hosting provider. While their services cater more towards technically advanced users, their world-class infrastructure, responsive support, and incredible reliability make it worth learning.

Liquid Web Alternatives

While Liquid Web excels at managed VPS and dedicated hosting, they may not meet every buyer’s requirements or budget. Here are a few alternative hosts to consider that provide great value:

One of the most affordable shared hosting providers, Hostinger offers Linux-based plans starting at an unbelievable $2.99 per month. Although lacking in power and resources compared to Liquid Web, Hostinger provides ample capacity for smaller personal sites and blogs.

Read Full review Visit Hostinger

SiteGround – For feature-packed managed WordPress hosting, SiteGround is a superb choice with prices starting at $2.99 per month. They offer a user-friendly control panel, free CDN, auto-updates for WP and plugins, and stellar customer service. Ideal for beginners.

Read Full review Visit SiteGround

Scala Hosting – For fast, developer-friendly managed VPS cloud hosting, Scala Hosting is a top choice. Plans start at $29.95 per month including SSD storage, free SSL, and the Plesk control panel. Ideal for sites built with Node.js, Python, PHP, and more.

Read Full review Visit ScalaHosting

While Liquid Web stands out for managed hosting, it’s always smart to evaluate multiple options based on your specific needs and budget.

The hosts mentioned above deserve strong consideration if you want excellent shared or managed WordPress hosting. I recommend taking advantage of free trials, consultations, and custom quotes to find the best fit.

Liquid Web Conclusion – Is It Worthwhile?

Liquid Web is clearly one of the leading managed VPS and dedicated hosting providers when it comes to features, performance, expertise, and support. But is it the right choice to trust with your business’s online presence?

Here is a summary of my key findings from extensively testing and reviewing Liquid Web’s managed hosting services:

Performance

• 100% uptime guarantee backed by real-world results
• Lightning fast loading speeds out-of-the-box
• Powerful servers easily handle traffic surges

Ease of Use

• InterWorx control panel for effortless server management
• Liquid Web experts handle infrastructure, security, and maintenance

Security

• Extensive server-level security protections
• Free SSL certificates and backups
• SSH key login requirement

Support

• Phone, live chat, and tickets available 24/7
• Under 1 minute response time guarantee
• Knowledgeable and friendly support staff

Value

• Managed VPS from only $15/month
• Big introductory discounts on all plans
• Fully customizable hosting solutions

The only potential downside is that Liquid Web is more expensive than regular shared hosting providers. However, you absolutely get what you pay for in terms of performance, reliability, features, expertise, and world-class infrastructure.

I highly recommend Liquid Web for any business running sites or applications that cannot afford downtime and demand excellent support. The managed services provide tremendous convenience, performance, and peace of mind.

For high-traffic transactional sites, Liquid Web’s VPS and dedicated servers can provide the speed, stability, and security needed to support business growth. The intro discounts make it very affordable to get started too.

Visit Liquid Web today to get an expert consultation and quote for managed hosting tailored to your needs!

Neil Beckett

Neil is an accomplished web, designer and developer with over 15 years of experience in creating and optimizing websites for small businesses and online entrepreneurs. Read full bio

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