How to Select a WordPress Hosting Plan for Your Site
WordPress is a powerful and popular content management system (CMS) which is why it is ideal for use as a content platform for websites. It is free and open-source software that can be easily installed on your own web server or hosted on one of the numerous free hosting plans offered by reputable web hosts.
The beauty of WordPress is that it is extremely flexible and has a huge support network of experts who can help you successfully launch your website quickly and easily. Plus, it has a very active community which is always willing to contribute to the forums or help guide you through the process of using WordPress to build your website.
However, before you start building your site, it is important to consider what kind of hosting plan you need for WordPress. Before making a decision, it is essential that you do your research and learn about the various types of hosting available. This article will discuss the various factors you must consider before making a decision and how to pick a hosting plan that is right for your needs.
Features
When choosing a web host for WordPress, it is extremely important to compare and contrast the various features available. For example, do you need a free domain or do you have your own domain name that you want to use? Are you looking for a shared hosting plan or a dedicated hosting plan?
If you are new to web hosting, the best place to start is with a shared hosting plan. With these types of hosting plans, all of the websites hosted on that server will share a single pool of computing resources (such as RAM and disk space).
Shared hosting plans come in a variety of flavors. Usually, they include Linux-based hosting servers and limited storage and bandwidth. These types of plans are perfect for sites that are built on a budget as you will not have to pay for additional storage or bandwidth if you do not use it.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, consider a free hosting plan from a reputable provider. These types of plans offer all of the features you need for a functional, live website but charge you a minimal monthly fee. You can also opt to purchase additional features (such as domain privacy) for additional fees.
If you are looking for a more affordable option and do not want to use a free host, consider a hosting plan that offers just what you need and does not blast you with advertising or invite you to try out other products. For example, Bluehost is a popular choice among bloggers who want to build a website for their blog as it provides an outstanding value for its shared hosting plans.
Security
Another important consideration when choosing a hosting plan for WordPress is security. Does the host offer WordPress security patches or updates? Do they offer secure (HTTPS only) payment options or is the site exposed to the public?
Keeping your WordPress website protected is extremely important as it guards against hackers and malware who want to steal your visitors’ personal information. While there are free plugins that can be used to secure your WordPress site (and they do a great job too), it is always recommended to have a skilled web developer or systems administrator take a look at your site’s code and security settings for you.
If you are new to web hosting or programming, use a reputable host that offers full SSH access (Secure Shell) so you can connect directly to the server and make changes as needed. This will help you get up and running quickly without fear of breaking something on the server.
Performance
Another important factor to consider when choosing a hosting plan for WordPress is performance. Do you need a fast, stable server or can you settle for less speed but better reliability?
The speed of your website is extremely important as you want your visitors to stay and come back often. For this reason, shared hosting plans that are equipped with a faster server are perfect for WordPress sites as they will make your site appear much smoother and faster to users. However, keep in mind that the more resources (such as RAM and disk space) a server has, the faster it will be.
If you are looking for a stable server with good performance, consider a dedicated hosting plan. With these types of hosting plans, the host provides you with a separate computer which is solely for your use. In most cases, you will get access to a control panel where you can manage the server remotely. Most dedicated hosting plans offer an excellent value for the price, provide a reliable service with top-notch support, and are very secure.
As you can see, there are various factors to consider when choosing a hosting plan for WordPress. While it is great to have a content management system to manage your site’s content, it is imperative that you have a reliable host for your site’s actual existence. This will ensure that your website can quickly and easily load while also being safe from hackers and other internet strangers who want to break into your site and steal your content. By taking the time to research and learn about the various types of hosting available, you can pick a plan that is perfect for your needs.