The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best WordPress Hosting
WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) around. With over 27 million active websites using the software, it’s fair to say that many businesses can take advantage of the powerful platform. That’s why we’ve put together this detailed guide regarding choosing the right WordPress host. We’ll cover everything from pricing to features, so you can rest assured that you’re making the right decision for your needs.
Features You Need
Before committing to any hosting plan, it’s important to consider what feature set you need. Do you want to be able to install WordPress locally and test it out before going live? Or do you want to host your site on a separate server and access it remotely? The choice is completely up to you, but it’s worth bearing in mind that some hosting firms provide a superior experience when compared to others. Here are some of the key features that you need to look out for:
Flexible Hosting
If you want to be able to install WordPress as easily as possible and don’t want to burden yourself with setting up a complex server, then you should look for a hosting plan that provides you with flexible options. This way, you can easily create a WordPress blog for yourself, or for someone else if you’re a freelancer. You should also be able to upgrade your account at any time, without having to renew your contract. With flexible hosting, you’re not tied to one IP address or server. This allows you to use different servers for different projects or to move your site around to different locations as needed. It also means that you can host multiple WordPress sites on a single server without risking performance issues due to resource constraints.
SSD (Solid State Disk)–Optimized Storage
Solid State Drives (SSD) are a type of flash storage that is much faster than a traditional hard drive. If you’re looking for an optimized hosting plan with ample storage, then you should consider looking into a WordPress hosting plan that comes with SSD storage. In addition to lightning fast storage, you get the added bonus of increased data safety. Traditional hard drives can become unreliable over time due to mechanical issues or gradual wear and tear. However, solid state drives are built with Error Correction Code (ECC) memory, which makes them immune to many of these issues. Not only that, but SSDs also allow for much faster data backups and restores than regular hard drives. This can be a major time-saver if you’re looking to keep your data safe and free from corruption. It’s also worth noting that the majority of the premium WordPress hosting plans available on the market come with SSD storage already integrated, so you don’t have to do anything extra to take advantage of it.
Customer Support
Another important consideration when choosing a hosting provider is whether or not they offer good customer support. If you’ve ever tried to use a host that doesn’t provide acceptable customer support, then you know how frustrating it can be when something goes wrong. You don’t need to worry about that with a reputable host. In cases where you do encounter an issue, their staff will be more than happy to assist you. Their Live Chat feature is also available 24/7, so if you have any questions at all, feel free to contact them.
Scalability
Scalability is another key consideration when choosing a WordPress host. You need to ask yourself: how much do I need? It’s always good to sign up for a plan that has enough resources to accommodate your site’s growth. For example, if you’re starting a blog with the intention of becoming a fully-fledged company and deciding to outgrow the plan soon, it could be a pain to have to cancel your contract and find a new host. This is why it’s important to consider whether or not your chosen host is scalable enough to accommodate your growth. Sometimes this is as simple as choosing a plan that has a higher monthly bandwidth limit, which allows for more storage and faster speeds. Sometimes it’s as complex as paying for a dedicated IP, which gives you a unique address that you can use to access your site from anywhere. If you’re looking for a simple solution to quickly grow your site, then shared hosting might be the way to go.
Backups
It is also important to consider how much you’re willing to spend on automated backups. The majority of the premium WordPress hosting plans provide good value for money when it comes to this feature. Some firms even go the extra mile and ensure that your backups are encrypted and stored in a secure location, so that if your website has a data breach, your backups can’t be accessed by anyone. This is a huge step forward in terms of data safety and protection.
Performance
When it comes to hosting performance, you want to choose a host that offers all the horsepower you need to run your site with ease. Most premium WordPress hosting plans offer excellent performance, especially if you’re looking for a brand name. You should get the feeling that everything is running smoothly when you log in to your control panel and check the stats page. The faster your site, the better, as that’s what Google and other search engines want to see. If you’re looking for a solid performance boost, then you should consider going for a paid hosting plan. It’s also worth noting that most premium hosts offer additional tools to assist you in monitoring and improving your site’s performance. These tools can be extremely helpful, so don’t forget to take advantage of them.
Security
Last but not least, we have security. Your site’s security is very important to consider, especially if you’re a small business owner trying to keep personal and business information secure. You don’t want to choose a host that is not known for its security, as this could pose a threat to your own site’s security. When it comes to securing your site, you have a few options: You can run a professional looking WordPress blog using a dedicated IP that is accessible only from your home or office network, or you can use a free VPN service to secure your WordPress site while on public networks like Wi-Fi. The important thing is to choose a service that is known for keeping your personal information secure. When it comes to security, many hosts offer some sort of dedicated IP as part of their standard plan, so you don’t have to pay extra for this feature. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, then using a VPN is also an excellent choice, as many free-services offer this feature. You can also use plugins to enhance the security of your WordPress site. There are several popular plugins, like RevProtect, that protect your site from hackers and intrusions. Using plugins like these can help to keep your site secure and avoid risks of fraud or data theft. In terms of avoiding these risks, you should look for a website that is verified to be operating from a reliable source. Also, make sure that your host is offering customers a thirty-day money-back guarantee, along with a support contract that is priced reasonably. In case you’re wondering, all these features and considerations will help you make the right choice when it comes to finding the best WordPress hosting for your needs.