What’s The Difference Between Liquid Web and Nexcess

Liquid Web and Nexcess are both prominent names in the web hosting industry, offering a range of services tailored to different needs. While they share some similarities, their primary focus, services, and target audiences differ. This article explores the key distinctions between Liquid Web and Nexcess.

Company Overview

Liquid Web:

• Founded in 1997, Liquid Web has established itself as a leader in managed hosting services.
• Known for providing high-performance hosting solutions tailored to mission-critical sites and applications.
• Focuses on providing a comprehensive suite of managed services, including dedicated servers, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, and managed WordPress hosting.

Nexcess:

• Acquired by Liquid Web in 2019, Nexcess operates as a subsidiary with a distinct brand identity.
• Specializes in managed eCommerce hosting, offering optimized solutions for platforms like Magento, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
• Aimed at businesses looking for scalable and secure eCommerce hosting solutions.

Target Audience

Liquid Web:

• Targets businesses and enterprises with demanding hosting requirements.
• Ideal for companies needing high-availability hosting, dedicated resources, and customized managed services.
• Appeals to those who require robust security, compliance, and performance.

Nexcess:

• Focuses on small to medium-sized businesses, particularly those in the eCommerce sector.
• Suited for online retailers, agencies, and developers looking for a streamlined hosting experience with specific optimizations for eCommerce platforms.
• Attracts users seeking a balance between performance, scalability, and ease of use.

Key Services and Features

Liquid Web:

• Offers a broad range of managed hosting solutions, including:
  • Managed Dedicated Servers
  • Managed VPS Hosting
  • Managed Cloud Hosting
  • Managed WordPress Hosting
• Emphasizes high-performance and customizable hosting environments.
• Provides advanced security features, compliance support, and proactive monitoring.

Nexcess:

• Specializes in managed eCommerce hosting with services such as:
  • Managed Magento Hosting
  • Managed WooCommerce Hosting
  • Managed BigCommerce Hosting
  • Managed WordPress Hosting (with an eCommerce focus)
• Provides features specifically designed to enhance eCommerce performance, such as auto-scaling, PCI compliance, and built-in CDN.
• Offers tools and resources to optimize eCommerce websites, including performance monitoring and automatic updates.

Performance and Reliability

Liquid Web:

• Known for its high uptime and reliability, boasting a 100% uptime guarantee.
• Utilizes state-of-the-art data centers and infrastructure to ensure top-tier performance.
• Provides proactive monitoring and support to prevent and quickly resolve issues.

Nexcess:

• Offers a 99.99% uptime guarantee, ensuring reliable performance for eCommerce websites.
• Focuses on delivering fast load times and scalability to handle traffic spikes.
• Implements advanced caching and CDN integration to enhance site speed and user experience.

Support and Customer Service

Liquid Web:

• Provides 24/7/365 support with a team of hosting experts available via phone, chat, and email.
• Known for its “Heroic Support®” with fast response times and in-depth technical assistance.
• Offers a range of resources, including a knowledge base, tutorials, and webinars.

Nexcess:

• Also offers 24/7/365 support with specialized assistance for eCommerce hosting.
• Provides eCommerce-specific expertise, helping users optimize their online stores.
• Offers a robust knowledge base, guides, and educational resources tailored to eCommerce.

Conclusion

While Liquid Web and Nexcess both offer managed hosting services, they cater to different segments of the market with unique focuses. Liquid Web is ideal for businesses needing high-performance and customizable hosting solutions, while Nexcess specializes in managed eCommerce hosting, offering tailored solutions for online retailers. Understanding these differences can help businesses choose the right hosting provider based on their specific needs and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the primary difference between Liquid Web and Nexcess?

Answer: Liquid Web specializes in high-performance managed hosting services for businesses with demanding requirements, offering dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and cloud solutions. Nexcess, a subsidiary of Liquid Web, focuses on managed eCommerce hosting, providing optimized solutions for platforms like Magento, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.

2. Which hosting provider is better for eCommerce websites?

Answer: Nexcess is better suited for eCommerce websites. It offers specialized managed hosting solutions tailored to eCommerce platforms such as Magento, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Nexcess provides features like auto-scaling, PCI compliance, and built-in CDN to enhance eCommerce performance.

3. Does Liquid Web offer support for high-traffic websites?

Answer: Yes, Liquid Web is designed to support high-traffic websites. It offers robust managed hosting services with dedicated resources, advanced security features, and proactive monitoring to ensure high availability and performance for mission-critical sites and applications.

4. Can I migrate my existing website to Liquid Web or Nexcess?

Answer:

Answer: Yes, both Liquid Web and Nexcess offer migration services to help you transfer your existing website. Their support teams can assist with the migration process, ensuring minimal downtime and a smooth transition to their hosting platforms.

5. What kind of support can I expect from Liquid Web and Nexcess?

Answer: Both Liquid Web and Nexcess provide 24/7/365 customer support. Liquid Web is known for its “Heroic Support®,” offering fast response times and expert technical assistance. Nexcess also provides specialized eCommerce support, helping users optimize their online stores with in-depth knowledge and resources tailored to eCommerce hosting.