What Are the Advantages of WordPress Hosting vs Shared Hosting?
While WordPress continues to be America’s #1 content management system (CMS), it is important to understand the various hosting options available to those who use the software. More and more businesses are realizing the benefits of a content-managed site, and many are choosing to host their sites using WordPress.
One of the primary advantages of WordPress hosting is that you don’t need to be a technology expert to get your site up and running. Even newcomers can easily manage a WordPress site using any web browser and an FTP client (File Transfer Protocol).
Another huge advantage of WordPress hosting is how user-friendly it is. Since the software is widely used, there are thousands of tutorials and videos online that can help guide you along the way. In case you’re wondering, WordPress is the world’s #2 most-used and #4 most-supported CMS. (WordPress.com, 24/7 Customer Support, 2018)
If you’re looking for a simple solution for hosting your website, you can’t go wrong with WordPress. The platform is easy to use and doesn’t require much technical knowledge to get started. Thanks to the community of developers who support the software and offer free plugins and themes to users.
On the other hand, shared hosting is relatively inexpensive and offers the ability to scale up as needed. However, if you’re looking for the absolute best performance, you may want to consider a VPS (Virtual Private Server). A VPS provides you with a dedicated IP (Internet Protocol) address and allows you to install and use unlimited amounts of WordPress, with the option to install other applications such as PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) or MySQL (Database Management System).
One of the biggest disadvantages of shared hosting is that it doesn’t offer the same ease of use as WordPress hosting. To set up a basic shared hosting plan, you’ll need to contact the hosting provider directly and ask them to walk you through the process. While this might be easily doable for experienced website owners, it can be quite tedious for those who are new to the platform. In case you’re wondering, WordPress is the world’s #1 CMS and is also one of the most downloaded and most-used software titles of all time. (Github.com, 2018).
Which One Should You Choose For Your Business?
In short, the answer is both. Think of WordPress as the master of the content kingdom. It is a full-featured platform that can be used for just about any type of website or blog. If you’ve got a talent for design, there are thousands of free templates available for you to download and customize. You can also hire a professional designer to help you bring your talent to life. With WordPress, your business can grow rapidly due to its flexible nature and abundant features.
On the other hand, shared hosting is a good solution for those who want to quickly launch a site with the ability to scale as needed. Since many hosting providers offer this service, you’ll have your pick of a variety of hosting plans from which to choose. The main difference between the two is that with shared hosting, you won’t have access to a comprehensive collection of tools and features that can help you grow your site. However, you will have the ability to upload unlimited files and will be able to access tons of free templates to customize.
WordPress Is Everywhere
Another huge advantage of WordPress is that it is a completely open-source platform. This means that you have access to the code for the software and can make changes to it if you see fit. Since WordPress is so easy to use and versatile, it has gained a massive following and is available on nearly every hosting platform. This provides you with the ability to launch your business virtually anywhere.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to build a site for profit, you may want to consider choosing a hosting service that offers businesses stability and a higher level of security. Since your site’s security is one of your major concerns, hosting on a PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliant platform is preferable. This ensures that your financial information is secure and that your payment details are not being stored or transmitted anywhere else without your knowledge.
Even more security measures can be taken when using a VPS (Virtual Private Server). With a VPS, you’re installing and using a completely independent operating system on a physically separate server. This allows you to take advantage of additional security features that are available on the hosting platform you choose. For instance, you can disable automatic backups and integrate the software with your existing systems.
More Features, Less Cost
WordPress is a very versatile platform and offers many features that you may or may not need. However, one of the biggest advantages of WordPress is that you don’t necessarily need to purchase expensive tools or applications to take advantage of its features. This is mainly because you have access to a number of free tools and plugins that can help enhance your site’s functionality.
On the other hand, shared hosting doesn’t offer all of the features that WordPress does. This is mainly because the cost of adding more features is often prohibitive. You’ll find that there are many features that you don’t need and can avoid using if you go the shared hosting route. This can help reduce your overall costs and allow you to focus more on growing your business.
More Efficient
WordPress is a very efficient platform when it comes to resources. This is mainly because it requires very little hardware to run. A basic installation of WordPress on a standard web server will only need around 300 MB of disk space and will only eat up a couple of hundred megabytes of RAM (Random Access Memory).
On the other hand, shared hosting requires a lot of hardware to run. This is mainly because the operating system and software for shared hosting is quite complex and requires a great deal of resources. In addition, due to the open-source nature of WordPress, constant updates are required to keep the software secure and stable.
As a business owner or webmaster, you may find that WordPress is the better solution due to its efficiency. This can be a huge advantage if you’re looking to save money or need to ensure that your web server has enough resources to handle your growing traffic.
Collections Of Templates
One of the biggest drawcards of WordPress is how many templates it has available for free. You don’t need to spend a single dime to take advantage of this feature. In case you’re wondering, WordPress is the world’s #1 CMS and is also one of the most downloaded and most-used software titles of all time. (Github.com, 2018)
On the other hand, you won’t find many free templates for shared hosting. This is mainly because the platform is meant for those who want to quickly launch a site and don’t have the time to invest in designing a new template. You will, however, find plenty of premium-quality templates in the shared hosting market. Some of the biggest names in design have created countless templates for customers to use. This allows you to get started quickly with a functional and attractive website.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
One of the biggest draws for searching on the web is how simple it is to find what you’re looking for. Thanks to search engine optimization (SEO), your business can gain a leg up in the competitive world of commerce simply by making sure its website is set up properly.
The two major search engines, Google and Bing, have made it easy for people to find what they want online. This is mainly because the websites and content that they find when searching are often tailored to their interests. If your business is not taking advantage of this power, it may be losing out on a potentially significant source of traffic.
To get started with SEO and gain some valuable tips and tricks for improving your site’s search rankings, visit this helpful link. The SEO game has changed dramatically over the past few years, and if your current SEO strategy is a little outdated, you may want to consider hiring an expert to help you make the necessary changes.
In summary, when it comes to deciding which type of hosting to choose for your business, the answer is simple. WordPress offers superior performance, increased security, and virtually endless features for free. This makes it the clear choice for those who want to build a powerful and profitable presence on the web.