The Difference Between Website Hosting and WP Hosting

Website hosting and wordpress hosting are two phrases that can mean different things to different people. When it comes to getting started with a website or Blog, it’s important to understand the differences between the two. In this post, we will discuss the main differences and benefits of each option so that you can make the right decision for your needs.

Website Hosting

If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’re already aware that website hosting refers to the platform or technology that your website is built on. In the case of WordPress, it’s on a Linux-based server. You can access the platform and its content through a web browser via the website domain name (www.yourdomain.com). More information on that can be found here. Website hosting is mostly used by companies that provide a free trial or ask you to pay monthly for the service. These companies want to grow your business by making your website more successful.

Some of the benefits of website hosting are:

  • All the essential tools you need to run and maintain your website. These can include themes (for the design), plugins (for the functionality) and hosting-specific tools.
  • Scalability. You can easily increase the storage and bandwidth by purchasing additional tools from the hosting company.
  • 24/7 customer support. If you’re ever at a loss, you can contact the hosting company and one of their experts will help you out.
  • Free backups. If you forget to run a backsafe scan once a week, the hosting company will do it for you (at no charge)
  • Money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied with the service for any reason, you can ask for a full refund

WordPress Hosting

WordPress hosting, as its name implies, is hosted on a platform that was originally designed for blogging. You can install and run your own instance of WordPress on your computer by using the provided software (called WordPress.com). When you do, you’ll notice that it is very similar to creating a standard website in terms of the tools you need to get started. The main difference is that your website is optimized for blogging and social media.

Once you have WordPress installed and are able to log in, you can use the space to publish your content. Some of the benefits of WordPress hosting are:

  • Free. The WordPress platform is considered open-source which means it is free to use.
  • SSL Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is mostly used for encrypting sensitive information such as credit card details and login credentials. It is also known as “the industry standard” when it comes to ensuring your personal information is safe while browsing the web.
  • Scalable. Like website hosting, wordpress hosting is scalable and allows you to adjust the resources based on your needs. For example, you can pay for more storage or faster speeds if you find your site is performing poorly due to too many users.
  • Robust. WordPress offers a lot of functionality which allows you to fully customize the platform to fit your needs. For example, you can add features like subscription-based plans and online booking so that your site can serve a broader audience.
  • Secure. Like other Content Management Systems (CMSs), WordPress offers the ability to secure the content that you post within the platform. You can use plugins like the popular WP Vault to easily create and protect individual blog posts and pages with dedicated passwords.
  • Reliable. Like other CMSs, WordPress is considered a reliable choice when it comes to creating blogs and websites. Thousands of sites use it to this day and it is constantly updated and maintained by some of the biggest companies in the world.
  • Simple to use. With WordPress, you won’t need any technical knowledge to get started. Simply browse to the directory where you installed WordPress and you’ll be greeted with a simple login screen. Once you log in, you’ll see a dashboard similar to that of a computerized version of Microsoft Word. From there, you can manage your content and begin building your audience.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which option is best suited for your needs. If you have a standard website, you can simply choose to go with the more expensive and feature-rich option of website hosting. Alternatively, if you are looking to build a successful blog, you can opt for the cheaper but less featured WordPress hosting.

To learn more about WordPress, be sure to check out the links below. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding this topic. We’re always happy to help!