A Complete Guide to Hosting a WordPress Site
The most in-demand skill in 2019 is likely to be WordPress hosting, as the platform powers 27.6% of the top 1 million websites in the world. It’s easy to see why; with so much functionality packed into the platform, who wouldn’t want to spend less time managing their site and more time creating content?
If you’re looking to dip your toe into the world of WordPress hosting or if you’re already a busy entrepreneur who spends all your time creating value and not enough time worrying about your website, this guide will help you choose the right solution for your needs.
What Is WordPress Hosting?
WordPress hosting is simply the environment in which your blog or website operates. The provider of the service takes care of the servers, networking, and storage, as well as anything else needed to make your site accessible to the public. All you need to do is install WordPress on your site and start creating content.
As the name would suggest, WordPress hosting offers a lot of functionality out of the box. The platform is incredibly flexible, and the fact it’s open-source means you have endless opportunities to further customise it to your needs. If you’re looking to create a traditional blog with a few posts per month, you can do that with ease by selecting one of the starter plans from the host you choose. But if you want to go above and beyond and want to have your own private blog or website, you can explore all the services offered by your favorite hosting company.
The Difference Between Shared Hosting And VPS Hosting
Most individuals who are new to online marketing or blogging will be inclined to go with shared hosting. This type of hosting gives you access to a pool of servers, allowing you to install WordPress and establish your blog or website quickly and easily. The catch is that you’re sharing the server space with a number of other websites, most of which are likely to be running on a free plan. As a result, even though you’re getting the intial security and speed benefits of the shared hosting service, you’re also likely to be at the mercy of another user.
If you’re looking to grow your business online, establishing a presence on social media, and want to create a niche brand, then the per-user pricing of a Virtual Private Server (VPS) is a better option. Essentially, a VPS is like having your own personal server which you can access from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows you to run WordPress unhampered by any restrictions imposed by the service, resulting in significantly faster speeds.
The Most Popular WordPress Hosting Providers In 2019
Based on our research, we’ve discovered that the most popular WordPress hosting providers in 2019 are:
- Bluehost
- Shopify
- Wix
- LeaseWeb
- Hostgator
- Media Temple
You may be wondering which of these you should pick based on your needs. Let’s examine each provider and their unique selling points.
Bluehost
With Bluehost, you have access to a professional-looking website with a ton of features and functionality with just one click. With this popular web host, you can install WordPress to launch your website and start blogging without needing any additional training. Plus, Bluehost is extremely affordable, and their discounts are often available for new customers. For these reasons, Bluehost is the number one choice of WordPress hosting for newbies and those who are constantly looking for ways to save money.
One of the main drawbacks to Bluehost is that they don’t provide any sort of support for WordPress itself. As a result, if you have any questions regarding the platform or the functionality it offers, you’re on your own. You’ll have to find the answers yourself. Fortunately, this is a rare issue for most people because the platform is so intuitive and the capabilities so vast. Still, if you’re the type of person who enjoys the extra peace of mind that comes with having a specialist handle your technological questions, you may want to consider alternative options.
Shopify
If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for all your eCommerce needs, Shopify is the best option. Not only do they provide a free plan that allows you to build and launch an online store, but they also offer a premium plan with all the unique capabilities you could need to grow your business.
Shopify has an entire marketplace where you can find all the apps and additional services you need to launch and grow your business online. Not only that, but you can get a dedicated account manager who will be available to answer all your questions and help you achieve your goals.
The biggest drawback to Shopify is that their prices are much higher than the competition. Plus, their fees do not include any storage, which can be a real headache if you’re running out of room on your existing server. Still, if you’re looking for a simple and cost-effective option that provides all the tools you need to succeed, Shopify is for you.
Wix
If you’re looking for a product-centric website builder that places a lot of emphasis on having a seamless user experience regardless of whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, Wix may be the ideal solution for you. Not only does Wix offer a free plan with all the basic features you need to build a website, but their team of designers and developers are available to help you create a unique and professional looking website that will appeal to your target audience.
Wix places a lot of emphasis on usability, which makes their solution very accessible to laypeople. You’ll find loads of tutorials that ramp up you up quickly and easily in a matter of minutes. Still, if you’re looking for a fully featured solution, Wix may be overkill. But if you’re a small business owner who needs a solution that’s simple to use and does exactly what you need, Wix is the perfect choice.
Another advantage to Wix is that their pricing is extremely affordable. You can get a basic free plan, which includes all the features you need to build a professional-looking website. Plus, their pricing structure is based on a monthly subscription, which is much more affordable than a one-time fee.
The biggest drawback to Wix is that their solution is browser-based, which means you’ll need to have a reliable and fast internet connection to utilize their services. If you’re looking for a more versatile solution, you may want to explore alternatives.
LeaseWeb
If you’re looking for a robust and feature-rich solution that’s completely free, LeaseWeb is the ideal choice. Not only does their solution allow you to build a website with all the bells and whistles, but you can also install WordPress to launch your blog or website. Plus, they offer a money-back guarantee if you meet the right conditions. This makes them the perfect choice for those who want to try out a new platform or want to move their existing site to a new hosting provider.
One of the main reasons why LeaseWeb is so popular is because their solution is extremely easy to use. All you need to do to start creating a website is register for an account and enter a URL that will serve as your website’s address. After that, you can start installing all the necessary plugins to make your site functional.
The drawback to LeaseWeb is that their service is quite limited when compared to the other options we mentioned. For example, you can’t install a custom theme on your site unless you upgrade to their premium plan, which costs $11.95 per month. In the grand scheme of things, the cost is not exactly prohibitive, but it’s something to consider if you’re looking for a fully featured solution.
Hostgator
Finally, we have Hostgator, the all-purpose solution for those who want to launch a website quickly and effortlessly. You have two options with Hostgator: shared hosting or VPS hosting. For those who need a simple and cost-effective solution, shared hosting is ideal as it allows you to install WordPress and start blogging without needing any additional training. Plus, you can get a free domain name with every plan.
VPS hosting is probably the preferred option for those who are looking for a hassle-free way to host a large website. With this type of hosting, you have access to a pool of servers, allowing you to install WordPress and establish your blog or website without needing any additional training. It is also likely to be faster than shared hosting, as you’re not sharing the server resources with other users. For these reasons, VPS hosting is the preferred choice for bloggers and content creators who want to ensure their content is always available.