Is WordPress Hosting Required for a WordPress Site?

WordPress is the world’s most popular and fastest growing blog platform. With its emphasis on simplicity, ease of use and speed, it has become the go-to choice for both hobby bloggers and professional journalists alike looking to establish or reestablish their blog.

However, choosing the right web host for your WordPress site is critical, as it will determine the functionality and performance of your blog in relation to its competitors. Luckily, the right web host is just as important as the software itself, so in this article, we will discuss the various aspects of host selection, including the importance of shared hosting, and why some hosts are better than others.

What Is a Web Host?

A web host is a company that provides computers with storage space and a platform for websites to host on. In return, hosts charge a fee for the service.

The role of a web host is to ensure that your web pages load quickly and are served promptly, as well as to protect your blog from attacks, hacks and downtime. Essentially, your web host is like your blog’s safety net. It’s a critical consideration, especially if you’re looking for a free, shared hosting solution from a well-known website.

The Importance Of A Reliable And Responsive Web Host

A reliable and responsive web host is absolutely vital for a successful blog. If your host is down or unresponsive, your blog’s performance will suffer, and you could lose traffic and potential business as a result. Even worse, some hosts are known to cut off their customers’ access to their services if they experience even a moment of downtime.

To avoid any embarrassing surprises (or worse, customer experience), it’s best to select a host that is both reliable and responsive. It’s also important to ensure that your host is able to provide you with a satisfactory customer experience, so it’s essential that you’re completely satisfied with the level of service you receive. With that being said, here are some of the most reliable and responsive web hosts, as rated by webmasters and users worldwide.

1And1′, ‘Bluehost’, and ‘Host Gator’

1And1′, ‘Bluehost’, and ‘Host Gator’ are a few of the most popular, reliable, and responsive web hosts supported by WordPress itself. These hosts are ideal for beginner bloggers or smaller businesses that need a simple solution and don’t want to have to worry about managing servers or maintaining a high server performance.

1And1′ is the simplest and most popular web host among bloggers. All you need to do is register for a free account, and then you can use their intuitive dashboard to launch your own blog. For a limited time, you can get a special discount if you join the 1And1′ affiliate program.

Bluehost is another powerful alternative that has been around for a while and is supported by WordPress itself. Along with 1And1′, Bluehost is a recommended choice for beginner webmasters or those looking to grow a blog quickly. Like 1And1′, Bluehost’s interface is easy to use and it offers straightforward marketing tools along with a feature-packed dashboard.

Host Gator is the largest web host in the industry, with more than 2 million domains on their systems at any given time. In addition, Host Gator is highly optimized for WordPress, and their team of expert technicians is always available via live chat to provide you with the best possible experience.

While any of these hosts are sufficient for personal use, if you’re looking for a professional-looking blog, it’s best to select a dedicated server from one of these providers. The cost will vary depending on your needs, but it’s essential to consider that the cost of a dedicated server is likely to be much greater than the cost of a shared hosting plan.

Shared Vs. VPS

Shared hosting is probably the most common and least expensive type of web host. Essentially, with this type of hosting, your web host provides you with a certain amount of disk space and an internet connection, which you can use to host your website.

Shared hosting is ideal for small businesses and bloggers that want to keep costs low and don’t need to worry about performance or security. However, if you’re looking for something more professional, it’s best to select a VPS host. A VPS, or virtual private server, gives you complete control over the hardware and software that is allocated to your web host, allowing you to install all the applications and scripts you need.

Some of the most popular VPS hosts include Bluehost, Host Gator, and Endurance International. With a VPS, you get everything you need to launch a professional-looking blog in a matter of minutes.

What Type of Email Should I Use?

One of the most important aspects of selecting a web host is ensuring that you use an email service that is supported by your chosen host. If you’re not sure what type of email service to use, it’s best to select a hosted email service that offers both free and premium accounts. Using Gmail, Yahoo! Mail or Hotmail with your blog will ensure that it is fully integrated with all of Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! services, making it easier for readers to sign up and engage with your content.

How Important Is Email Marketing In Generating Leads And Sales?

Email marketing is one of the most cost-efficient and efficient ways to attract online customers, and it also happens to be one of the most effective. Not only does email marketing allow you to connect with potential customers, it also provides you with the information you need to engage with them, including their email address, and their geographical location. As a result, email marketing allows you to build a list of interested customers who can be converted into paying customers.

With that being said, it’s important to note that not all email marketing is created equal. Some companies farm out their email marketing to external parties, and while this may seem like a cost-effective solution, it can lead to a lot of unnecessary spam in your inbox. If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient way to get in touch with your customers, it’s best to select an email marketing tool that is built into your web host.

Shared, Dedicated, And VPS Hosting Explained

Now that you know the critical issues to consider when choosing a web host, it’s time to explain the different types of hosting available and how they all fit together. So, what is the difference between shared, dedicated, and virtual private server hosting?

Shared hosting is essentially the cheapest and therefore simplest option, as you don’t need to worry about any security issues, software installations, or hardware requirements. Essentially, with shared hosting, your web host provides you with a certain amount of disk space and an internet connection, which you can use to host your blog. There’s also typically a limit on the number of domains that can be hosted on a single account, so if you need to host multiple sites, you’ll need to choose a different web host.

Dedicated hosting is probably the next step up in terms of price and feature set, as you get everything you need, with the exception of an internet connection, to run a business or blog smoothly. If you want to focus solely on creating content for your blog, and don’t need to worry about its performance or security, dedicated hosting might be the perfect solution for you.

Virtual private server hosting is probably the most complex and expensive option, as you need to consider not only the price of the service, but also the amount of hardware and software you need to install in order to run your site efficiently. With virtual private server hosting, you get everything you need, with the exception of an internet connection, to run a business or blog smoothly. For more information, be sure to check out our guide to the best VPS hosting providers 2019.

In short, above all else, choose a host that is responsive, reliable, and has a support team that you can contact if you have any problems.