Website Hosting Providers: Choosing a WordPress Hosting Provider

When it comes to choosing a web host, there are a lot of factors to consider. For beginner webmasters, the decision may seem overwhelming. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and compiled this detailed guide for you. It contains all the vital information you need to know about hosting and gives you an idea of what to look for in a web host to fit your needs. Let’s get started.

Operating System

The operating system (OS) of your server plays a crucial role in the performance of your website. To put it simply, it’s the software that provides you with the ability to run your computer programs. More specifically, what you need to look for is the compatibility with the software you’re using — especially if you’re planning on installing any kind of WordPress plug-in or application. If you go with an open source OS, such as Linux or Unix, you’re guaranteed to get support from the community — which means potentially better performance for your website.

Since you’re going to be installing a content management system (CMS) like WordPress to manage the content on your site, you need to look for a web host that supports PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor), the programming language used by WordPress to create your blog. If you’re planning on using another CMS, such as Joomla, which is created using a similar language, you’ll need to check that the web host you choose also supports it.

Physical Location

Your physical location is going to determine the performance of your site. To put it simply, the closer your web host is to you the faster your website is going to load. Depending on your budget, you may want to consider paying a little more for a higher level of service that comes with faster speeds. Bear in mind, however, that latency is still going to be a factor — especially if you’re connecting to the web host over a slow network.

Traffic Generation

Even if you’re getting the best possible physical location for your site, it won’t do you much good if you’re getting the worst possible connection to the internet. This is where traffic generation comes in. The closer your host is to a major data center (also known as a ‘telecity’) the better. It’s always a good idea to go for a host that provides geo-redundancy, which allows you to run your site even if some servers go down. These are, generally, the most expensive options available but can still be found for a higher level of service.

Budget

Budget is always a key consideration when choosing a web host. If you’re working on a tight budget, you may want to consider going with a free option — at least until you can afford the higher-end tiers. Of course, this depends on how much you’re willing to spend. Regardless, make sure you’re aware of the cost before you make a decision.

Features

Features are also important to consider when choosing a web host. Some hosts offer additional value-added features, such as free domain privacy, free backups, etc. It’s always a good idea to look for a host that offers a ‘free’ option so you can try out the features before you buy them. As a general rule, the more features you need, the more you’re going to have to pay for them. Of course, this depends on your specific needs.

User Friendly

This factor relates to whether or not the person setting up your web host is going to be able to provide assistance when you have questions regarding the setup or use of your site. In most situations, the more user-friendly the web host, the better — at least, from a convenience standpoint.

To put it simply, if you’re just getting started and don’t quite know how web hosting works, going with a user-friendly web host is probably the best option. It’ll make configuring and using your site a lot easier for both you and your visitors.

Performance

Performance is another important factor to consider when choosing a web host. This relates to how well your site loads in relation to the amount of traffic you’re getting. The performance of your site can vary based on a number of factors — mostly, the hardware and software that’s being used. For the best performance, you need to go with a high-end dedicated server with a ton of RAM and a fast CPU).

This also depends on how much you’re willing to spend. Generally, the more you’re spending, the better the performance is going to be. Regardless, make sure you’re aware of the trade-off before you make a decision.

Security

Lastly, we have security. This is an important concern, especially if you’re sharing any kind of personal or financial information online. Most security breaches can be traced back to hacking — where a third party gains unauthorized access to your computer system. When it comes to hosting, the best strategy is to use a security plug-in that’s already built into WordPress. These products are generally inexpensive and easily installable via WordPress’ built-in automated install tool — making installation a breeze. Once installed, they automatically protect you from common hacking attempts — saving you from the hassles of constant security updates and malware removal.

If you decide to forego security, the best option is to go with a free web host. At least, until you can afford the higher-end options. These are, generally, the most expensive ones but provide the best security. As a general rule, the more you’re spending, the better the security — at least, as far as web hosting is concerned.

At the end of the day, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a web host. If you want to find the best WordPress hosting provider for your needs, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of everything to consider before signing up with a web host.

Geography

Where you choose to host your website can have a significant impact on its performance. Hosting in Germany vs hosting in the U.S has a different feel and, generally, different performance profiles. If you’re going to have users from all over the world, it may be best to host your site in a data center that’s close to your physical location — either globally (for greater performance) or nationally (for improved privacy).

Viability

This relates to whether or not you’re going to be able to get your site up and running. If you’re feeling a little unsure about this, it may be best to go with a free host until you can afford the more expensive options. These hosts are generally much more affordable and, as a result, more likely to be viable options. As a general rule, the more you’re spending, the less likely it is that you’re going to be able to get your site up and running smoothly — at least, not without some serious hiccups.

User Friendliness

This factor relates to whether or not the person setting up your web host is going to be able to provide assistance when you have questions regarding the setup or use of your site. If you want an easy-to-use web host, going with a free option until you can afford the more expensive ones is the best strategy. Most free hosts are extremely user-friendly and make setting up your site a breeze. As a result, they tend to be the go-to hosts for newbie webmasters. If you’re new to the world of web hosting and don’t quite know how it all works, going with a user-friendly host is probably the best option. It’ll make configuring and using your site a lot easier for both you and your visitors.

Cost

This relates to whether or not you’re willing to spend on a web host. If you want the best performance for your site, the answer is almost certainly yes. However, if you’re on a tight budget, going with a free host is almost certainly the way to go — at least, until you can afford the higher-end options. These hosts are generally more expensive but can still be found for a higher level of service. As a general rule, the more you’re spending, the better the performance is going to be. Regardless, make sure you’re aware of the trade-off before you make a decision.