Best WordPress Hosting for 2017 – What to Consider

Every year, new WordPress hosting plans come to market promising to make webmasters lives easier, but what exactly should you look for in a hosting provider? We’ll explore the various features to consider along with pricing to help you make the right choice for your business.

Features To Consider

The following are some of the most important features to look for in a web host:

• Disk Space (Unlimited Disk Space) – If your website receives a lot of traffic, you’ll need enough disk space to store all of its content including images and other files. Find out how much space you need by taking into consideration the following:
• Pages (Unlimited Pages) – How many pages do you intend to have on your site? Find out how many MB you need by taking into consideration the following factors:
• A 200MB website with a moderate amount of content will need around 400MB of disk space.
• A 500MB website will need around 1000MB of disk space.
• A 1GB website will need around 1500MB of disk space.
• A 2GB website will need around 2000MB of disk space.
• Bandwidth (Unlimited Bandwidth) – Your site can’t expect to receive a high level of traffic if it doesn’t load fast enough for the user. You’ll also need enough bandwidth to serve all of your site’s content, including videos, to your visitors. Check out how much bandwidth you need by taking into consideration the following factors:
• The amount of content on your site (pages, videos, etc.)
• How many people visit your site on a daily basis
• What’s the size of your site’s current database (e.g., MySQL database)
• How often do you plan to publish new content (e.g., blogs, news articles, etc.)?

Pricing

Web hosts usually group their pricing plans based on the size of the disk space you’ll need. Typically, you’ll find three pricing levels:

• Basic (Budget Conscious) ($2.95/mo) – This is the cheapest option available which usually comes with an important limitation: the disk space is shared with other sites. You can’t control the size of your own personal files on the server. The good thing is that you don’t need a lot of space to run a basic site. A 2GB site costs just $5.45/mo.
• Economical (Ultra-Light Web Host) ($5.45/mo) – The economical option allows you to host a personal blog or small business site that generates enough revenue to support itself. The disk space is also shared with other sites so you can’t give it a huge amount. A 2GB site with this option costs just $5.45/mo.
• Pro (Industrial-Strength Web Host) ($11.45/mo) – This option is great for those who need a lot of disk space and want to be sure that their site will function properly. A 5GB Pro site costs $22.95/mo plus you’ll have to pay for an additional year at this pricing level.

You can also take a look at the following chart to get an idea of how much disk space you need based on the size of your site:

As you can see, the amount of disk space needed is relatively high when compared to the size of your site. Remember, the more content you have, the more disk space you’ll need. A good rule of thumb is to select a web host that provides sufficient disk space for the amount of content you have in mind.

Support

As your site grows, you’ll want to consider looking for a web host that provides 24/7/365 support. Even if you don’t need help often, you’ll still need someone to hand when things go wrong. Unfortunately, not all web hosts are created equal, and some of them don’t provide the best support when things do go wrong. It’s a good idea to look for a reputable company that offers a money-back guarantee if you meet with any problems.

Type Of Hosting

Do you want to host an e-commerce store, a blog, or just a personal site that’s nothing more than a collection of files and folders? Each type of hosting has its perks and quirks, and it’s important to remember what you need from a hosting provider. As always, it’s best to look for the best value based on your own personal needs.

SSL Certificates

An SSL certificate is a must for those who plan to do online shopping as it assures the safety of your personal information while browsing the web. However, not all websites that offer SSL certificates are created equal, so it’s vital to do your research before purchasing one.

There are several reputable companies that provide SSL certificates. Simply do a quick internet search and you’ll find numerous options to choose from. It’s a good idea to purchase an EV certificate that expires after a certain period of time so that it’ll be renewed automatically.

Data Center Location

The location of a data center is significant because if you’re near the physical location of the data center, you’ll be able to receive service immediately when your site goes online. The majority of web hosts provide geographically diverse data centers so that none of their customers are far away from someone who can help. Keep in mind that the further the data center is, the more expensive the bandwidth will be.

Controlling User Behavior

This is a very relevant factor for those who want to monetize their blog or website. Do you want to make sure that your users only engage with your content for specific purposes? You can control the behavior of your users within their account settings, but it’s not always easy to do so. Some web hosts allow you to moderate content, block spammers, and implement privacy policies. It’s essential to take into consideration what you want to keep private as the choices are either/or. You can’t have both!

Additional Considerations

There are other aspects to consider when selecting a web host. For example, do you want your site to be completely mobile-friendly? Some hosts don’t provide the best user experience for those who browse the site on the go. Other options to consider are whether or not you need help installing WordPress to setting up automatic backups. You can also look at whether or not the hosting company is US-based as many prefer to avoid having to deal with US government regulations. Keeping all of this in mind can help you make the right choice for your business.

Additionally, you should look for a web host that’s been around for a while and has a good reputation. The longer a company has been in operation, the more experienced they are likely to be at providing a good service and the less likely you are to experience problems. Older websites tend to work better as they’ve been tested and proven over time.

Last but not least, take a look at the reviews section of the hosting company’s website. If possible, look for independent reviews as they’re likely to be more accurate than those from marketing departments of the hosting company. All in all, this is a pretty complex decision and it’s not something to rush into. Consider all of your options and then make the right choice for your business.