Is WordPress Cloud Hosting Worth It?
WordPress is one of the most popular and most used content management systems (CMS) around the world. It is incredibly popular with content creators and marketers who use it to build blogs, websites, and social media accounts.
However, as great as WordPress is, it isn’t free. You can download and install the software on your own host (web server), but to use all of its features you will need to subscribe to a hosting plan from a reputable company.
Most people assume that WordPress hosting means you give up your own domain name and sign up with a service that sells you space on a remote server. While this might be true for some, it’s not necessary. You can have your own domain name and install WordPress on a remote server.
In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between managed WordPress hosting and WordPress cloud hosting and how to decide which one is right for your business.
Managed WordPress Hosting
Managed WordPress hosting is, as the name suggests, when you purchase a plan from a reputable company, they will take care of the technical stuff so you can focus on what’s important to you. This could include installing and updating WordPress, taking care of security, and providing additional tools and features.
As a business owner, you have a choice between managed and unmanaged WordPress hosting. With the latter, you are responsible for setting up the server and installing WordPress on it. You also get to choose the programming language and framework for your site (Laravel, Code Igniter, etc.).
Though this might be a good option for someone who is tech-savvy and comfortable working with web servers and programs, for someone who doesn’t have the time or patience for such tasks, managed WordPress hosting is ideal. You can get started for free with most providers, and the best ones offer a robust dashboard where you can manage all the aspects of your site without needing to log in to the back-end.
WordPress Cloud Hosting
As the name suggests, WordPress cloud hosting is when you rent a space on a remote server that is run by someone else. You don’t own the server, but you do control what’s on it. This is a popular option for people who want to keep their content legally protected as well as those who want to avoid any downtime.
With this option, you don’t need to worry about installing WordPress as the provider will take care of that for you. All you need to do is point your domain to the website and you’re good to go. If you’re worried about losing your content or worried about downtime, this is the option for you as you don’t need to worry about updates or security issues. However, this does come with its downsides as you can’t really customize the appearance of your site (without paying a lot).
Which One Should You Opt For?
So you’re deciding between managed WordPress hosting and WordPress cloud hosting. Which one should you go for? There are several factors to consider. These include your budget, your existing knowledge, and your targets audience. Here’s a quick comparison:
Budget
Budget is always a key consideration whenever you’re planning to launch or update a new website. You don’t want to invest in expensive tools or software unless you have a sufficient budget to support it. This is why many content creators and marketers opt for free WordPress hosting. Though there are cheaper options available, nothing beats free. You can get started for free with most providers and even the best ones offer a robust dashboard where you can install and manage WordPress without needing to log in to the back-end.
Existing Knowledge
Whether you’re an experienced web developer or someone who is just starting out, there is always knowledge that you need to learn. You should consider investing in additional training (i.e., learn to code) or hiring a web developer to help you build your website. The better you are at something, the more you’ll get paid for it. Though this is somewhat different with WordPress as you can learn to build your own website relatively easily, everything else (e.g., security, updates, etc.) needs to be learned.
Targets Audience
Your target audience should play a big role in your decision-making process. For example, if you’re targeting small business owners, you might want to consider a managed WordPress hosting plan as they will be more suited to your needs. Alternatively, if you’re targeting web designers or just someone who loves to decorate their blog with unique articles, you should go for a WordPress cloud hosting plan as they will give you the freedom to do whatever you want.
Ultimately, it depends on you and what you want to achieve. If you’re looking for a solution that is cheap and easy to setup, managed WordPress hosting is the way to go. However, if you’re looking for a more robust solution that allows you to fully customise the appearance of your site, you should opt for WordPress cloud hosting.
To help you decide which one is right for your blog, we have compiled a list of everything to consider before launching or updating your website.