PCI Compliance and WordPress Hosting – What’s the Difference?
PCI Compliance is a set of rules and regulations put in place by payment card industries (mostly banks) to ensure merchants comply with the highest standards when it comes to debit/credit card security.
If you’re new to the world of PCI Compliance, then sit tight, because this article is going to help you navigate the differences between traditional web hosts and specialist PCI compliant web hosts effectively. Plus, we’re going to tell you about a few other items that you should know or do before you start your WordPress journey.
Traditional Web Hosting
Traditional Web Hosting is what you might be familiar with if you’ve ever shopped online. When you visit a website like Amazon or Apple online stores, you’re using Traditional Web Hosting. Traditional Web Hosting simply means the host you’re connected to is taking care of the technicalities of transmitting and receiving information when you visit a website. The following are the most common features you’ll find on a Traditional Web Hosting plans:
- Free Domain Name With Registration
- Basic Web Hosting (shared hosting)
- One Email Account
- Optional Security Certificates
- PHP 5.x or higher
- MySQL Databases
- SSH Access For Admin
- Load Balancing Enabled
If all of these things sound good to you, then Traditional Web Hosting might be the right option for your needs. However, keep in mind that not all web hosts are created equal, and not all are PCI compliant. Luckily, there are some fantastic hosts out there that are both affordable and highly reliable, which is exactly what you should look for if you’re searching for a web host for your business or personal use.
Specialist PCI Compliant Web Hosting
A wide range of companies can provide you with a PCI compliant web host. Typically, these web hosts are more expensive than traditional ones, but they offer many extra features that make up for the additional cost. When shopping for a PCI compliant web host, make sure to look for the following features:
- Free SSL Certificate
- IP Address Reservation
- CCE Templates
- SSH Access For Developers (optional)
- SSH Access For Administrators (required)
- Free CDN With One-click Install
- 24/7 Live Chat Support
- Spam Filtering (optional)
- Free DDoS Protected
- Billing On-time
- Fully Stocked Library Of Resources
- Private Label Rights
Once you’ve got a PCI compliant web host, taking care of security and following the rules comes easily. With the right tools, like Wordfence, you can even set up automated emails to notify you of any rules that have been broken – without the need to monitor your site manually.
If you’re looking for a web host that can do all of that and more, then Specialist PCI Compliant web hosting might be the right option for you. If this is the case, continue reading below.
The Downsides of Traditional Web Hosting
While traditional web hosts have many advantages, they also come with some significant downsides. For one, if you’re new to web hosting, then you might feel a tad overwhelmed by all of the features offered by a traditional web host. Another significant downside is the lack of control you have over the appearance of your site once it’s live. With a traditional web host, the appearance of your site is determined by the template they provide. If you’re not happy with the results, you’re out of luck – the template is what it is. And finally, if you’re looking for a host that offers free technical support, then you might end up with a host that doesn’t have the necessary professionals available to help you out when you need it.
As great as a traditional web host can be, if you’re looking for something more customized or just want to have more control over the appearance of your site, then a specialist Web Hosting is your perfect alternative. With specialist Web Hosting you get to take a more active role in the growth of your site, meaning you can choose the templates, the domains, and even the color scheme used on your site – everything that goes into making it uniquely yours.
Recommended VPS Hosts For WordPress Beginners
If you’re looking for a reliable web host that can help you get your site up and running quickly, then you might want to check out one of these recommended VPS hosts: