What Is WordPress Hosting? Everything You Need to Know
If your company has a WordPress website, then WordPress hosting may be the perfect tool for you. Here’s everything you need to know about these services.
With so many websites now online, you may find it amazing to know that almost 40% of them are powered by the same content management system. This is WordPress, and it has become so popular due to its flexibility, ease of use, and ability to scale.
But if you already run one of these sites, do you know how important the right hosting is? If not, then we are here to help. Read on as we give our essential guide on WordPress hosting.
What Is WordPress Hosting?
Web hosting is the place where all the files for a website get stored. When creating or designing the website, they will generally live locally on your computer. However, when you want others to access them on the internet they need a place where they are kept.
Hosting companies keep these files on a server. When you choose a hosting company, you are essentially renting out space on their servers where you can store your files.
WordPress hosting differs from standard hosting, in that it is optimized to run WordPress websites. You will often get lots of tools designed for use on the platform. It could have features such as support staff, backup features, one-click install, and software updates.
The main differences are that web hosting is an umbrella term. Hosting can cover any number of web services, from streaming sites to applications. WordPress hosting only houses websites using the WordPress content management system.
What is Managed WordPress Hosting?
Managed hosting for WordPress can be viewed as a step up from standard hosting. With managed hosting, you do not just pay for the space on the server. The people who operate it will also oversee the site for you, organizing speed, site security, and performance.
One of the most famous of these is WordPress.com. This managed hosting is owned by the person who created WordPress itself. When you sign up with them, all of the themes and plugins for the website come with a monthly fee along with optimization.
However, these services may have some drawbacks. WordPress.com, for example, does not allow you as much freedom to build your site. It limits your choices to ones it has prescreened, particularly when it comes to plugins and themes.
Why WordPress?
As the most used content management system on the web, it powers some of the busiest websites online. eBay and the New York Times both use WordPress for their online home.
Much of this is because of how easy it is to use. With just a few simple additions, you can get a website looking fantastic and add the functionality you need. This can often be done quickly and cheaply.
Hosting Plans
The WordPress hosting company you decide upon may offer you a number of hosting plans. These are different ways in which hosting is organized.
Shared Hosting
When you choose shared hosting, you share a server with other websites. That means all your files are stored in the same physical place. It is great for people who are starting up, or only have a small amount of traffic.
The downside is that if your website grows, and others on the server do the same, you may run out of space. This can mean a lag in performance until you decide to migrate to somewhere with more room.
VPS Hosting
Virtual private servers (VPS) are like a shared hosting plan. However, you have your own amount of allotted space. This allows a greater level of control for those on smaller budgets.
Dedicated Server Hosting
A dedicated server is your own private server for use solely by your company. Of course, it is a much more pricy option. However, it brings the benefit of total control and lots of space.
This is best reserved for larger companies or ones that operate solely online. It is also a great choice if you plan on scaling your business up.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is a relatively new idea, and stores all of your files online using cloud infrastructure rather than physical servers. They are a good low-cost option for those who want fluidity when scaling up. Their only downside is that fluidity itself, and if you get boosts in traffic it may show in how much you are paying.
Pros of WordPress Hosting
The WordPress hosting benefits are vast for anyone wanting to create a website, for business or pleasure. Any hosting plan should be set up with WordPress compatibility. This means it will have the latest version of its programming language, PHP, installed.
Any decent WordPress hosting service will also have a commitment to security. Threats to your site will change almost daily, and you need technical expertise to keep them at bay.
In addition, you should be looking for sites that have automatic updates. WordPress will update a number of times in a year, to increase efficiency and respond to security issues itself. Doing it manually is possible, but it can become tiring so it is better to have someone do it for you.
Finally, quality WordPress hosting will always have specialized support. This should be from staff who understand the system and can help you work out any problems.
Finding Hosting
Now you know the benefits of WordPress hosting, you just need to find a great company to do it for you. Decide on a budget and work out what your needs are. Before you know it, you are sure to have a great place to host your site.
Your first stop should be J W Host. We have a number of hosting options, including managed hosting and VPS services. Click here to see our services and let us secure your website’s future starting today.
