I recently shifted ShoutMeLoud to KnownHost from Hostgator, and in today’s post, I am going to share with you my personal KnownHost review after having used it for nearly a year.
There are many pros and cons of KnownHost’s VPS (Virtual Private Server) which will be discussed later in this article. A VPS hosting environment is like a dedicated server within a shared hosting environment. In short, KnownHost is one of the top fully managed VPS services I have encountered.
While shopping for a VPS for my site, I came across many new hosting companies like Wiredtree, VPS.net, Media Temple, Linode, and KnownHost.
After seeing lots of feedback and suggestions from WebHostingtalk forum and fellow bloggers, I decided to make a move to KnownHost VS3 managed VPS package.
Before moving, my site was on Hostgator’s shared hosting, where I was paying less than $10/month. With KnownHost, I’m paying around $50/month, nearly five times what I was paying, but quality always comes with a price tag.
Honestly, the migration and setup were not very smooth, as I had to make many changes including add-ons to optimize the site for speed. Here is result of the migration:
It’s great to see “A” page speed grade, and I have yet to implement many options such as working on optimizing ads or implementing CDN (MaxCDN or Cloudflare) which will help me to further optimize my site loading time.
My experience with Knownhost VPS so far:
June 2016 Update: Cloudways is a better solution in 2016 for VPS.
I use KnownHost VPS to host my WordPress site, so kindly keep that point in mind while reading this KnownHost VPS review.
I signed up for a VS3 package with cPanel/WHM add-on. Here are the resources included in this package:
- RAM: 2560 MB
- Bandwidth: 6000GB
- Disk space: 70GB (RAID 10)
- 2 dedicated I.P addresses
- Custom username (Ns1.shoutmeloud.com, ns2.shoutmeloud.com)
- Free backups
- Free site migration
- Fully managed server
I’m not going to get into more technical details regarding these features, as you can read further on their resource page.
After I had bought the package, it took a couple of hours to set up my VPS machine and get the WHM and other login details. I had to register my nameserver (which is easy), and their support team will guide you for the same. I also Reduced the TTL value to a small value (300 seconds) in the DNS zone file for ShoutMeLoud, which helped in faster replication. You can always use an Internic Nameserver check tool to see the status of your private nameserver registration. Here is a detailed FAQ regarding site migration to KnownHost:
When can I put the request for migration from Hostgator to KnownHost?
Migration can be performed at the current time. Please provide us with the following details to start the migration:
- URL to access the c-panel account on the source server.
- Correct Login details for the c-panel account on the source server.
However, to reduce the downtime for the transferring of accounts, take the following steps:
- Reduce the TTL value to a small value such as 300 seconds in the DNS zone file for the sites on the source server. You have to do this in the 24-48 hour time frame before the migration.
- Once the migration is complete, change the A record for the domains in the source server to the KnownHost IP address.
- Also, change the nameservers of the domains to the nameservers of KnownHost VPS. Do this after the migration.
How much time for migration?
The time will be based on the size of the c-panel domain that is to be transferred. (Took less than 2 hrs in ShoutMeLoud’s case.)
How much time will it take to update the name server?
Normally it will take around 24 to 48 hrs to update the nameserver changes throughout the internet. By taking the steps mentioned above, it will take only the time mentioned in the TTL for the update. For example, for TTL 300sec, it will take 5min to update the nameserver throughout the Internet.
Continuing with the KnownHost review…
I usually follow my WordPress site migration guide to change hostings, but this time, I accepted the help of their free site migration feature. They moved my entire site from Hostgator to KnownHost in less than 2 hrs, and I tested this by changing my host’s file.
To put in ta migration request, simply login to your KnownHost help support portal, open a ticket, and give details for your KnownHost login and your previous host login. Once I was certain of the successful migration, I updated the name servers and pointed them to the KnownHost VPS server.
After migration, I faced a couple of permission issues. For example, I could not take a backup from the dashboard, and I could not install plugins and themes from the dashboard. However, all I needed to do was to raise a ticket and asked them to make the changes.
To scale my performance and ensure the smooth functioning of my site, I made the following changes and integrated many new modules which will help further:
(Again, keep in mind that this is for WordPress. You can ask them to make any other tweaks that may help in faster loading and improved performance of your site as well.)
- Removed WP Super cache and added W3 Total Cache
- Implemented Google Page Speed module (very useful)
- Integrated SuEXEC to install plugins and themes from the WordPress dashboard
- Implemented FCgi PHP handler, but later disabled it and changed the script handler to suPHP
- Increased MaxProcessCount from 500 to 1000
That is all I have done, and since my first day of downtime due to the many missing modules noted above, I faced little down time. Once the site was running very smoothly, I installed many other WordPress plugins that I could not install earlier due to a lack of server resources.
Pros and cons of KnownHost’s fully managed VPS:
This KnownHost review would be incomplete without a discussion of both the positive and negative sides of their hosting package.
I would love to rate KnownHost as 5/5 for their excellent server optimization and resources and support. However, at the same time they lack a couple of important features such as live chat support and phone support.
I will say, though, that they do offer a speedy and thorough email response that is very helpful indeed. Also, all of the technicians have displayed excellence in managing KnownHost’s fully managed VPS servers, and they are very helpful and friendly.
You can set a different priority level for your support ticket and expect a reply accordingly. Any ticket marked with critical priority gets an instant response (my best was 3 minutes, and worst was 14 minutes).
Also, if you compare the pricing of KnownHost’s fully managed VPS to other alternative options, you will find the price to be reasonable. Use the KnownHost coupon: KH15LIFE to get a 15% discount for the lifetime.
Overall, if your WordPress site is growing and you need to add more resources, a fully managed VPS is your best bet. For a normal blogger with limited technical skills, KnownHost’s server is a solid choice.
Check out KnownHost (30 days money back guarantee)
I hope this KnownHost review of the VS3 package will help you to make a decision for your site. If you are looking for an alternative to Knownhost, then you should check out Cloudways hosting.
If you have any questions or thoughts to contribute, please do so using the comments section below.
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- $45
So, in considering VPS vs. cloud and managed vs. unmanaged hosting, I’ll share my story.
I was planning to move from Dreamhost VPS to Cloudways, in order to get more server resources for less $. After a week of testing and setup, I came to the conclusion that Cloudways does make cloud hosting much more achievable for an intermediate user, though it is still far from managed hosting.
I had problems with http to https WordPress migrations and http URLs not redirecting properly, despite having a redirect in the .htaccess at Cloudways. I chatted with support a few times and they never could figure out or resolve the issue.
I then noticed transactional emails from my WordPress installs, including my business contact form, was not working. I later discovered that I needed to purchase an add-on for my server to have email capabilities. Once I purchased, the add-on, it required additional setup, which got the WordPress transactional email working, but not my contact forms.
Overall, I’m happy with Dreamhost VPS, if I had problems like the ones above, their support would figure out and resolve the issue the first time around. For now, I’ll likely stay with Dreamhost VPS, though if I do consider switching, KnownHost or Rose Hosting VPS will be at the top of my list.
Cloudways is sort of a step between managed and unmanaged hosting. I felt like I was always going to be tracking down and solve complex technical issues which I don’t have time to do while trying to run a business full-time.
Advice? When would you go Cloudways, and when would you go Knownhost?
@Brandon
It’s a tough one as both are equally good. Usually, it depends upon the platform on which you want to host your website. The kind of technical support that you need. I can recommend one when I have more specifications from you regarding traffic, bandwidth, CPU requirement. If you are not sure of it, then go with Cloudways as you can quickly upgrade resources from the dashboard.
Dear Harsh,
Where to change TTL, as in WHM’s ‘Edit DNS Zone’, there are various entries for MX, A, SOA, CNAME, TXT, etc and all have separate TTL ???
Thanks in anticipation !
@ADv
That needs to be changed from your domain service provider. For making changes in WHM, I suggest you to open a support ticket and let knownhost staff do that for you.
Thanks for the review about KnownHost. I am also thinking to migrate there.
@Aamer
That’s a good choice. With managed VPS, you will have not any issue. You just need to work closely with technical team at the time of migration and verifying the migration, which will be friendly and new learning experience. Do come back later and share your review and feedback about known host.
Thanks for this review. I am looking to migrate my WordPress sites from DreamHost to a new VPS provider. Knownhost is on the list, as is DigitalOcean and a lot of others. I do think I want a managed provider vs. unmannaged, but that’s just me.
Hey Harsh,
I’m doing a personal review site (linked in website) and collecting reviews for KnownHost in it. I’ve already written the page and included a tiny portion of text from this page along with a full follow link back to this page. Is that OK?
The site is unlaunched but I should be ready within a week or two. Let me know in email if you want me to remove it.
How did you manage this website with all that traffic in just a Shared Server in Hostgator?? Even with w3 cache its next to impossible. How many users do you have online usually?
Hi Harsh. I was planning for a move to knownhost VPS. But I have something to know from you. Can you enable the memcache feature at W3TC with your VPS?
Is mod_pagespeed module acting up well with wordpress or did you have to make any changes.
I have stayed away from using it but it seems to be a good option to improve load time.
Your earlier post and the reply here seems to be more convincing to me. Eespecially the earlier post (link)
Appreciate your response and in depth analysis. Kudos !
When you mention good about Hostgator., people tend to migrate to Hostgator., but since Hostgator was purchased by another company., you migrated to KnownHost., does it mean that we should also migrate to Knownhost ?
Some times your blog tends to misguide users ? Just because you are more influential to many bloggers ?
Hey Sunith
Since you questioned my credibility here, I assume you might have missed few articles which I published earlier. Anyways, I hope following answer will make you understand why this migration happened and why it was necessary. I will also answer your other query regarding “you migrated to KnownHost., does it mean that we should also migrate to Knownhost “:
1) First thing first: If you read my earlier article, you will realize why I’m moving to another host https://www.shoutmeloud.com/hostgator-to-knownhost.html You will realize what major SEO issue I faced and how I lost my 30% revenue. (Which is a lot)… I shared about the problem which I faced and what steps I’m taking to get rid of situation.
2) Hostgator is sold : I mentioned every detail and possibilities.. I asked people who are buying new hosting to look out for other options until hostgator owner Brent completely transfer the ownership…. For existing customer I suggested to take a daily backup..In case of data center changes… Search for issues with site migration or site lost due to data centre transfer …You will get many horror stories. Is int it my job to educate people about a product which I recommend and which is going under major change? Because the way I see, by the end I will be responsible for suggesting something bad or not warning against any possible issues which may or may not come…
Now, how likely you are going to trust the content of a blog when the owner sold it to anyone? How likely you going to do business with a company when ownership is changing? Don’t you feel that with management change , quality may improve or may degrade..!!
3) Scaling server: I have been on Hostgator shared hosting for year and we needed more server resource and the best option was to move to VPS and since I had a quite a good experience with Knownhost, migration is done.
4) Sunith being a blogger my job is to give options and talk about possibilities and what may or may not happen. Write about things which I implement and use and educate people on how to use it.
I’m not getting how this is misleading: I moved from a $8 hosting to $45 hosting as I required it with time… (Shared to VPS)…
Why someone will move to VPS when they don’t need it….This article is for those who need better server and more resources. I never mentioned that you should move to Knownhost..I reviewed one item which I pay for and using it.. I’m talking about it’s pros and cons and readers can make their own decision.
I always recommend newbie Blogger to Start with shared hosting as it’s cheap and good starting point.
P.s: I’m still using Hostgator for many of my sites (Shoutmetech.com, letstalkrelations.com and 5-6 other WordPress sites) (2 Baby shared hosting package) And I also setup daily full backup of all my WordPress sites on Hostgator via Managewp… Is is a bad idea to taking preventive measures when we have possibilities for anything? I never said Hostgator is a bad host, even in earlier article you will read: I talked about one specific problem which I faced any they couldn’t solve the issues…!!
Knownhost seems like a good one. If I ever move it will perhaps be them. I had a look at the prices and they are quite competitive compared to others, so I think they have good bargains. Thanks for this review and pointing out their strong points.
Knownhost is very popular for its good support, and that is what people should expect in managed services, so you get what you pay for.
Atleast knownhost do what they said, so they definitely are good.
Seems good. I am not yet sure whether i should buy a package from them. Got to do more research. Thanks for your review anyways.