As a professional WordPress developer with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen the evolution of WordPress hosting platforms, managed services, and security solutions. Over the years, I’ve worked with several hosting providers, and while I’ve had my share of issues, my experience with WP Engine, in particular, reached a breaking point that led me to seek alternatives for my most important site. After much consideration and research, I decided to move my most trafficked WordPress site from WP Engine to Rocket.net. Here’s why I made this decision and how the transition went.
The Breaking Point: Malware, Malware, and More Malware
Let me start by saying that WP Engine is an excellent platform in many respects. For years, I hosted numerous client sites and personal projects on WP Engine without major issues. But all of that changed when one of my most trafficked sites was hit with malware.
At first, I assumed it was a one-off issue that could be easily resolved. After all, WP Engine boasts high-level security and malware protection as part of their managed hosting services. But that wasn’t the case. The infection persisted despite their efforts to clean it. Over the course of months, my site was repeatedly reinfected with malware. This wasn’t just an annoyance—it affected my site’s performance, SEO rankings, and credibility. As a developer who prides myself on delivering top-notch solutions for my clients, this situation was unacceptable.
I worked closely with WP Engine’s support team, but unfortunately, they were unable to fully resolve the problem. The infection would disappear for a while, only to return days or weeks later. After several rounds of this, I hit my limit. Enough was enough.
The Switch to Rocket.net
I’d heard great things about Rocket.net, particularly their focus on performance, security, and customer support. Given that I was already familiar with the general landscape of managed WordPress hosting, Rocket.net seemed like a solid choice to try for this specific site. What I appreciated most about Rocket.net was their emphasis on edge cloud technology, security, and their reputation for being a fast and secure platform.
I decided to take the plunge, transferring my most trafficked site to Rocket.net. Almost immediately, I noticed the difference. There were no malware issues, and the site’s performance was top-notch. Since the transfer, I’ve had no recurring malware infections, and that peace of mind is invaluable for both me and my site’s visitors.
The Challenges of the Transfer: Redirects and Yoast SEO
While the transfer to Rocket.net went smoothly in terms of getting the site up and running, one major hurdle I encountered was related to WP Engine’s proprietary redirects. WP Engine’s platform has its own system for handling redirects, and these redirects don’t easily transfer over when moving to a new host.
This became a significant time sink for me. As you know, redirects are critical for SEO and preserving site traffic, especially when dealing with a high-traffic site like mine. I had to manually add all the redirects into the Yoast Premium SEO plugin on the new Rocket.net environment. This process involved configuring the redirects as PHP-based instead of the traditional .htaccess file, which is how Yoast handles them. While this solution worked, it took considerable time and effort to make sure every redirect was properly set up.
It was a frustrating part of the transition, but it’s a reminder of the hidden complexities that come with moving away from a platform with proprietary features like WP Engine’s. I’m hopeful that future migrations won’t be as complicated, but it’s a lesson learned.
What’s Next: A Gradual Transition Away from WP Engine
Right now, Rocket.net is hosting my most trafficked site, and I’ve been very satisfied with the results. However, I haven’t fully severed ties with WP Engine yet. Many of my other sites are still hosted there, and I plan to gradually move them to Rocket.net as time allows.
Final Thoughts
In the end, my decision to move my most important site from WP Engine to Rocket.net came down to one thing: security. WP Engine simply couldn’t resolve the persistent malware issues on my site, and after months of frustration, I made the decision to move to Rocket.net. The transition wasn’t without its challenges, particularly when it came to handling redirects, but overall, I’m glad I made the switch.
Rocket.net has proven to be a reliable host with top-notch performance and a strong focus on security. While I’m still in the process of deciding the future of my other sites, for now, I’m comfortable knowing that my most important site is in good hands.
If you’re a WordPress developer or site owner facing similar issues, I recommend doing your own research but also seriously considering platforms like Rocket.net that prioritize security and performance. It’s made all the difference for me and my business.
Key Takeaways for Developers
As a WordPress developer with over 15 years of experience, I’ve learned that every hosting platform comes with its pros and cons. It’s essential to choose the right platform not just for performance, but for security and ease of management—especially when managing high-traffic sites.
Here are a few key lessons I’ve gathered from this experience that might help other developers facing similar challenges:
1. Security Must Be a Top Priority
Malware issues are not just a temporary inconvenience; they can have long-lasting effects on your business.
Rocket.net’s superior security features, particularly their focus on edge-based security and proactive malware monitoring, have proven to be the right solution for my site. As a developer, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to choose a host that prioritizes security as much as you do.
2. Proprietary Hosting Features Can Create Headaches When Migrating
While WP Engine’s redirect management system worked well within their ecosystem, it became a significant pain point during the migration. The manual process of re-implementing redirects on Rocket.net through the Yoast SEO plugin was time-consuming, and I had to ensure that every single redirect was accurately handled to avoid losing traffic.
This experience was a reminder that platform-specific features, while convenient, can add layers of complexity when you need to migrate to a new host. It’s worth taking this into account when choosing a hosting provider. Always ask yourself: “What would happen if I needed to leave?”
3. Migration Isn’t Always Seamless, But the Benefits Can Be Worth It
Even with the redirect issues, the migration to Rocket.net was still well worth the effort. The lack of ongoing malware problems alone justified the decision. Additionally, Rocket.net’s infrastructure has resulted in better page load speeds, which benefits SEO and user experience—a huge bonus for us.
As developers, we know that migrations can be tricky, and no matter how carefully you plan, there will be unexpected bumps along the way. But if your current hosting provider is costing you business in terms of performance or security, it’s often worth biting the bullet and making the switch.
4. A Multi-Host Strategy Can Have Its Merits
Right now, I’m taking a phased approach to moving my remaining sites from WP Engine to Rocket.net. WPMUdev hosting is another high quality managed WordPress host we’ve had an excellent experience with.
Should issues arise with one platform, having sites hosted on multiple providers can mitigate risk and allow for flexibility. As a developer managing numerous client projects, this can be a smart way to diversify and ensure stability.
Final Thoughts: Know When to Move On
Every hosting provider has its strengths and weaknesses. WP Engine was a great host for me for many years, but when they couldn’t resolve the persistent malware problem on my most important site, it was clear that I needed a change.
Rocket.net has proven itself as a reliable and secure platform, and the transition, while not without its challenges, was ultimately the right decision for my business. I’m confident that as I continue to move sites over, I’ll experience similar positive results.
For developers and site owners out there, the key takeaway is this: don’t be afraid to move on from a host if it’s no longer meeting your needs. If your site’s security or performance is suffering, it may be time to explore other options. The process can be daunting, but the peace of mind and improved results are often worth it.
In the end, it’s all about delivering the best possible experience for your users and clients—and that starts with choosing the right hosting platform.
Contact us if you’re feeling overwhelmed or would like another set of eyes before you pull the trigger. We love this stuff!
Great writeup! I’ve had similar issues with WPengine.. I wonder if it’s all connected. I ended up switching hosts as well. Super aggravating.