There is no doubt that WordPress is one of the most popular CMS platforms today. Not only is it used everyday by millions of bloggers, it also powers thousands of other websites whose primary role is more business-oriented. Considering it is easy to use and offers a lot of plugins to help your blog rank higher in search engine results, it’s no wonder more and more people are turning to WordPress to power their website.
For this reason, most web hosting companies now offer specialized WordPress hosting plans to meet the demands of the public. But when it comes to choosing the best hosting plan to accommodate all the needs of your WordPress website, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lost. If you are planning on getting a hosting plan for your WordPress site, you’ve come to the right place as we’ll introduce you to the most common types of hosting and point out the features you need to be on the lookout for.
What are the different hosting types and which one is best for me?
If you have just started building a website, choosing the right hosting plan may seem daunting. However, once you know the difference between hosting plans and what features to look for, the selection process becomes much easier. Here are the common hosting types and their uses:
1. Free WordPress Hosting
WordPress.com can host your website for free. Just sign up to their website and create your own site instantly. If you are new to the industry and just trying to test the water first, then this hosted version of WordPress might be the best way to test out the platform and get familiar with how to manage your site. But, if you plan to use the site for commercial purposes, then it is highly suggested to get your own dedicated domain name. Having all the rights to your domain name means it is easy to brand your website and get more traffic.
2. Shared WordPress Hosting
Shared hosting is one of the most popular options and what most people start out with. It’s affordable, with the prices ranging between $5 and $10 per month. The reason for such a low cost is the fact that you are sharing server resources with many other website owners. For a great price, you can get access to more WordPress features and configuration settings; such as the ability to install third-party themes and numerous plugins. The shared server is best for small startup websites or bloggers who don’t require a lot in terms of bandwidth or the number of daily visits.
3. VPS WordPress Hosting
VPS stands for Virtual Private Server and it is more advanced than shared hosting; you’re still sharing the resources of the server with other people but that number is significantly smaller. Prices vary here depending on the hosting provider but you have slightly more control over the configuration and customization of your server. It’s a great choice for business who have outgrown the needs of shared hosting either because they want to host their own applications or are expecting increased traffic.
4. Managed WordPress Hosting
Managed WordPress hosting is usually recommended for popular sites who receive millions of visitors per week. If your site is already popular, and you have a handful of other things to do, then managed hosting is the best option. In a managed hosting plan, you are paying for both the server and the support system to manage your site.
What features to look for when choosing the right hosting plan
After gathering initial details about the type of hosting suitable for the kind of site you want to build, you should also keep in mind the following features;
1. Security
Security should be your top priority when choosing a hosting plan. It is crucial to always check your site for malicious plugins and unauthorized logins to protect your site and all the data stored inside. For a topnotch security protection, managed hosting is an excellent choice. They will always update your site and look for any security breaches to ensure your data is protected.
2. Bandwidth
A lot of WordPress hosting plans offer an excellent bandwidth limit at a great value while some even offer unlimited bandwidth. However, you should be very cautious in choosing your bandwidth limit. If you don’t expect a lot of traffic initially and you have no plans of uploading large media files, then 50GB of bandwidth should be more than enough.
3. Disk Space
For a small WordPress site which is only for personal use, disk space might not be an issue. But your disk space does determine how many images or other media files you can upload to your site. If you know right from the start that you will be uploading large files, then the more space you have the better off you’ll be. If, on the other hand, you’ll only be adding a few images here and there, then there is no reason to go beyond 10GB of disk space.
4. One-Click Installers
While WordPress itself is easy to install, it’s even easier when you use a one-click installer which is commonly offered by most, if not all, hosting providers. It makes it easier to enter the necessary information without having to worry about configuring the database wrong.
5. Drive Type
The drive type is also another thing to consider when purchasing a hosting plan for your WordPress. The two common drive types used are the HDD (Hard disk drive) and the SSD (Solid State Drive), but the latter is mostly preferred by many. Solid State Drives allow you to retrieve data easily and quickly. Plus, it allows your WordPress pages to load faster. InMotion Hosting is popular for their hosting plans with high-performing Solid State Drives.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best hosting provider for your WordPress website is not difficult when you have a firm grasp on the things you need to focus on. Use the tips above to guide you as you research the hosting companies. Which hosting company are you using? Are you happy with them? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
