Cloud vs WP Engine: Which One Should You Choose?
Most website owners know that a web host is essential for their websites. Without a web host, your site will not exist, anywhere in the world. This fact alone makes the web host an essential part of any webmaster’s arsenal.
In the last couple of years, the web hosting industry has changed dramatically. Not only do you need to consider the web host’s price when making a decision, but you also need to look into the reliability of their service and the level of support that they provide. In addition, you need to look for a web host that is up to date with the latest technologies so that you can take advantage of the latest features.
As much as possible, you want to find a low-cost, high-quality web host that is also reputable and supports the latest technologies. Sounds like a tall order, right? Let’s take a look at two popular web hosts that fit the bill perfectly – cloud hosting and WordPress Engine.
Cloud Hosting
With cloud hosting, all the computing power and storage that you need is provided “in the cloud.” This means that you do not need to have anything more than a reliable internet connection to use cloud hosting. In fact, you do not even need to own a computer or tablet to use cloud hosting. This is in stark contrast to traditional web hosting, where you need to have a physical computer or tablet to use the service. The benefits of this are countless. You no longer need to worry about having enough computing power to support your website. All you need is an internet connection to use cloud hosting.
Although there is no single right answer when it comes to choosing a cloud hosting provider, here are just a few of the many reasons why you should consider cloud hosting.
Reliability And Performance
When you are choosing a web host for the first time or for a second time, you should look for a hosting company that is a reliable provider. One that is committed to providing a secure and stable environment for your site. In addition to reliability, you should also look for a cloud hosting company that assures you of good performance. This is important because the last thing you want to do is launch a website and have it barely crawl at best. Not to mention the frustration of not being able to reach your audience because your server is overloaded.
In order to determine the performance of a web host, you must look at a variety of factors. First, take into consideration the location of the datacenter that provides the service. Ideally, you want to avoid going with a hosting company that is located in a remote area or one that is in a datacenter that is over 100 miles away from you. The closer the datacenter to you, the faster your site will load, and the less likely you are to experience problems.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a web host is the amount of bandwidth that they provide. The bigger the package, the more generous the bandwidth will be. If you are looking for a fast loading website, go with a web host that provides a large amount of bandwidth. Alternatively, if you are on a tight budget, go with a web host that provides a smaller package but also offers a high speed Internet connection. Keep in mind that most web hosts will not disclose this information to you, so you will need to do some research on your own. Alternatively, you can contact the hosting company and ask them directly.
Scalability
You should choose a web host that can scale to fit your needs. This means that they can add more computers or servers to the network, when needed, in order to handle additional traffic. For example, if your website starts receiving a large amount of traffic from a particular country, you will want to choose a web host that provides services in that country. That way, you can be sure that your website will be available to the majority of your audience.
Many web hosts offer “scalable” services, so if you decide to go that route, make sure that they have sufficient resources available so that your site can be up and running quickly. This is especially important if you are looking to grow your site significantly.
Technology
As mentioned previously, you should choose a web host that is up to date with the latest technologies. This means that they install and configure the software packages, such as WordPress, that you want to use on your site. In addition, they should be willing to provide ongoing maintenance and support for the software that they provide. You should not have to worry about getting your site down for a few hours every month because they are unable to provide adequate support due to lack of knowledge.
If your main priority is to have a quick and reliable site that you can update easily, go with a cloud hosting company that provides excellent support via email. Alternatively, if you want to have a cutting edge site that is trendy and up to date with the latest trends, look for a web host that offers a custom designed WordPress theme or one of the many popular third-party themes.
Cost
The cost is a key consideration when making a decision regarding a web host. You want to have a low-cost option, preferably one that is free. This is because the lower the cost, the more you will be able to do. For example, if you want to have a blog with some minimalism-related content, you may want to consider a free blog hosting service. This is a great option if you want to keep things simple and do not need the extra features that a paid service provides. Or, if cost is no object and you want to have the best possible site, consider a premium blog hosting service.
As you may imagine, the cost of a web host can vary significantly. Some of the more reputable hosting companies, such as Bluehost, sell their services for relatively low prices. However, these prices often include a free domain and other valuable perks, like free WordPress themes and plugins. Keep in mind that the cost of a web host is not just the price that you pay each month, but also the cost of the computer equipment that they hire to operate their servers. This is why it is important to look for a web host that can scale to fit your needs. This will greatly reduce the cost that you incur each month, without affecting the quality of the service.
Features
Some web hosts offer additional perks, such as free domain privacy, free backups, etc. These are great features and can help you save a great deal of money and effort. In addition, some hosts provide a community feature, where you can interact with other site owners via a chat room or community forum. This feature can be a great way to get support from others who are experiencing the same problems that you are. Most web hosts provide these types of features for free, as part of their basic service.
In choosing a web host, you must consider all of the above factors. In addition, make sure to read reviews, watch videos, and speak with other customers, as much as possible. This will help you make the right choice and prevent you from making a mistake that could end up costing you a lot of money.
Final Takeaway
When choosing a web host, it is important to look for a provider that can scale to fit your needs, is reliable, and offers a great deal for their cost. If you are still in doubt, consider these three points: (1) how long have they been in business, (2) does a quick research-based SEO check rank their servers well, and (3) are they committed to providing a fast and stable environment for your site? Keep in mind that these are just a few of the many factors that you should consider when choosing a web host. In addition, it is a good idea to read reviews, watch videos, and speak with other customers via chat or forums, as much as possible, in order to make the right choice. This way, you can be sure that you are getting the best possible service for your money’s worth.