1and1 Managed WordPress Hosting: Is It Right for You?
So you’re interested in hosting a WordPress website, but don’t know where to begin. Just plugging away at random will probably get you nowhere fast, as there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than you might first expect.
You need to approach this with a plan. What is your end goal? Where do you see yourself at the end of the journey? What are you trying to achieve?
The basics of web hosting consist of storing information (also referred to as content) and making this information available to users who come across it. This basic level of service is what you get with a 1and1 account, as the company provides you with a dedicated server hosting up to 1 WordPress site. (Of course, you can install more than one WordPress site.) You don’t need to run your own email server or use their email service; all you need is a web browser to access your content.
Let’s break this down further. A dedicated server is essentially a physical device that is solely dedicated to hosting your website. This means that it is fully optimized to do so, and will not be sharing its resources with any other sites. A 1and1 server comes with one IP address (Internet Protocol) that makes it easier for users to access your content without having to type in the IP address each time they visit a new page.
Now that you have a dedicated server, you need to decide what you will do with it. Do you want to install WordPress? Do you want to use a CMS (Content Management System) like Joomla or Drupal? These are all common questions, and there are no wrong answers as long as you understand what you are doing. If you’re still deciding what type of host to go with, here’s a short comparison between the three most commonly used hosting platforms: WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
WordPress
Probably the most popular content management system (CMS) used for websites today is WordPress. If you’re looking for a free option, then WordPress is certainly worth a shot. However, despite the fact that it is free, there are a few disadvantages to using this platform.
The first is customization. WordPress is extremely flexible, which can be both a blessing and a curse. This flexibility makes it easy for anyone to use, but it also means that you won’t be able to fully customize the look and feel of your site. In most cases, you will just need to settle for what WordPress provides you out of the box. (This is somewhat similar to how Google Docs works; you can customize the colors and fonts, but beyond that, everything is pretty much the same as what Google provides you out of the box.)
Joomla!
The next platform we will cover is Joomla! Joomla! is a very popular CMS, similar to WordPress in that it is extremely flexible and customizable. But while WordPress is free, Joomla! is open-source and costs money. If you’re looking for a free option, then Joomla! is a great option as well.
Drupal
Drupal is the granddaddy of all the CMS’s we will discuss here. This content management system (CMS) was developed by the Drupal Team and is used at sites like The New York Times and the Washington Post. Because it is open-source and extremely flexible, it is a great option for those who want to fully customize the look and feel of their site. Additionally, since it is free, you won’t need to worry about paying for hosting either.
As you can see from the comparison above, WordPress, Joomla!, and Drupal are all very similar in that they are all content management systems (CMS). The main difference between them is in how you use and interface with them. For example, WordPress is probably the most flexible and the most customizable of the three, but if you’re looking for something that is already built and doesn’t require a lot of work to put it together, then go with Joomla!.
Choosing A Dedicated Server
A dedicated server is something that is solely dedicated to hosting your website. This means that it is optimized to handle a large volume of traffic, and will not be shared with any other sites. If you’re looking for a platform that is highly scalable and can accommodate a high volume of traffic, then dedicated servers are the best option available. You don’t need to run your own email server or use their email service; all you need is a web browser to access your content.
As a general rule of thumb, the more sites you have on a single server, the more complex that server is going to become. This is especially the case if you’re using a CMS like WordPress or Joomla!, as these platforms are extremely flexible and can quickly become bloated as you add more content to them. You’re better off choosing a dedicated server specifically designed for WordPress or Joomla! (or Drupal if you’re using that platform.)
Dedicated servers are great for those who want to have a lot of websites stored on them, since you don’t have to worry about running out of space due to increased traffic. If you’re looking for a free option, then Google App Engine is a great choice. Not only is it free, but it also handles all the heavy lifting regarding hosting for you. The catch is that you need to use their database, which can get messy fast if you’re not careful. Otherwise, you can use another popular free option called Heroku, which is a managed WordPress hosting service. (Dedicated servers are also used for email servers and caching. If you’re looking for a free email service, then try out Google Apps, as it is quite popular with business owners who want a free email option for their domain.)
Choosing A Managed WordPress Hosting Plan
If you’re looking for a managed WordPress host that is also cost-effective, then you should try out 1and1. This is one of the most popular managed WordPress hosting providers, as it offers a $2.95/mo. free basic plan that allows you to install one website with up to 2GB of storage. This is a limited-term offer that provides you with a free domain, and after that, you will need to pay $5.45/mo. for a semi-dedicated plan that gives you everything you need to launch your site.
This option is great for those who are just getting started and don’t have a huge budget. It also works for those who want to save money – semi-dedicated servers are cheaper than fully dedicated servers. You don’t have to run your own email server or use their email service; all you need is a web browser to access your content.
Running A WordPress Site
Now that you have a dedicated server and a plan in mind, it’s time to move on to the fun part – launching your WordPress site! You can start by creating a unique URL for your site (also known as a WordPress address or blog address) using the free tool at [WordPress.com]. This is also the place where you should register your domain if you haven’t already done so. (You also need to have a custom 404 page set up and secure WordPress login.)
One of the first things you should do after setting up your domain and WordPress is to install the Akismet plugin. This is a free anti-spam plugin for WordPress that provides built-in functionality to automatically block suspicious comments before they are published. Additionally, you can use the free service at WoofWoofVIP to protect your website from brute-force attacks (the most common type of attack is commonly referred to as a “DDoS attack”) – these are often carried out by hackers who want to disrupt your website’s availability by overwhelming it with unnecessary traffic that makes it difficult for visitors to access the information it contains.
Launching Your Blog
Once you have installed the Akismet plugin and enabled it, it’s time to launch your blog. You can do this by creating a free account at [WordPress.com], logging in, and then clicking on the Publish button. When you click this button, you are presented with a small pop-up window called the WordPress dashboard. From here, you can see the status of your site and take care of any unfinished tasks. For example, you can publish new content (articles, tutorials, etc.), check the status of your site (to see how many visitors you’re getting), and track your site’s performance in terms of bandwidth and loading speed.