PCI WordPress Hosting – The Right Choice for Your Business?
There is a misconception that using a WordPress host is the same as using a regular web host. It’s not. A WordPress host allows your customers to interact with you, whether they’re on the phone, email, or even the site itself (in case you’ve got some juicy new content).
Not all businesses are suited for a robust online presence. So, to help you figure out whether or not a WordPress host is right for your business, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each option.
Web Hosting
If you’ve got a limited budget and are looking for a cost-effective option, then web hosting may be right for you. Web hosting, as the name implies, is when you rent a computer that’s constantly on and allows you to install and run websites. Typically, you’ll pay a monthly fee to have access to an unlimited number of domains and applications such as webmail, wordpress, and shopping carts. In most cases, you’ll also need to purchase a dedicated IP (internet protocol) address to have an online presence. A dedicated IP is basically a phone number that only computers can use. It works like a real-life phone number but instead of connecting you to another person, it connects you to a computer that’s able to take your call.
One advantage of using web hosting is that it’s extremely affordable. Most reputable web hosting companies will have a free account that allows you to try out their service without spending a dime. If you decide that it’s not for you, they’ll even give you your money back. Another perk of web hosting is that it provides you with a sturdy foundation to launch your WordPress blog. You don’t need to worry about high traffic or performance because they’re equipped to handle that.
VPS (Virtual Private Server)
For more affordable, yet just as robust as web hosting, you can try out a Virtual Private Server. A VPS provides you with everything you need to create a website; you just need to log in and install WordPress yourself. In most cases, you’ll need to purchase a dedicated IP address along with your VPS to have an online presence. Like with web hosting, VPSs are generally very affordable. The only difference is that with a VPS, you’ll need to handle all of the maintenance yourself instead of paying someone else to take care of it for you.
A major advantage of having your own VPS is that you can have total control over the services that you offer and how you present yourself online. You can do this by installing additional software such as Hootsuite or Instapaper on your VPS. With these applications, you can manage your content (whether it’s a blog post or an article) from one platform. Additionally, you can use software like WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) to build and design your website. If you’re looking for an extremely affordable option with just as much power as web hosting, then a VPS is the way to go.
Dedicated Hosting
For businesses that need a higher performance and more advanced features, then dedicated hosting may be the right fit. With dedicated hosting, you’re renting a single server that’s solely dedicated to you. This type of hosting provides you with everything you need to create a fully-functioning website. In most cases, dedicated hosting will also include a free domain and the ability to sell and manage products online. In some cases, you’ll need to purchase a commercial-grade IP address to have an online presence. If you’re looking for a robust option that provides you with advanced features, then dedicated hosting may be the right choice.
The downside to dedicated hosting is that it’s usually more expensive than web hosting or VPS. Additionally, you can only have one website per account. If you’re looking to launch a blog or begin a business that has a physical storefront, then dedicated hosting may not be the right fit because you’ll need a separate server for your store as well.
As you can see, there are several different options to launch a WordPress blog or business website. Each option has its perks and quirks so it’s important to do a little research before making a decision. If you’d like, you can read a lot more detailed comparisons of hosting services here. Now that you know the basics, it’s time to choose what’s right for your business.