What’s the Difference Between Godaddy WordPress and Hosting?
If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward explanation of what the difference is between WordPress hosting and content delivery network (CDN) hosting then this article is for you. We’ll cover the essentials of what each one is, including pricing, features, and convenience so you can make the right choice for your needs.
Pricing
WordPress hosting and CDN hosting are both quite affordable, especially when you consider the functionality they offer. In the case of WordPress hosting, you’re paying for the software, which is constantly updated and maintained by the server’s owner. When you run a WordPress website, you get to utilize all the features of the software, including a free domain name and the ability to store and process any type of data you want.
CDN hosting is when you outsource the delivery of your web content to servers located somewhere else. This is typically accomplished using a content delivery network (CDN). The benefits of having your web content delivered by a third party (CDN) include the following:
- Increased performance due to better network performance
- Better security due to better isolation of your website from other sites on the network
- No downtime because the content is stored redundantly
- A global audience due to the content being distributed across the world
Features
The great thing about both WordPress hosting and CDN hosting is that the vendors offer an incredible level of services and features. Just like with any other vendor, you’re going to receive a different level of support and feature set depending on what level you choose. This is particularly evident in the case of WordPress hosting. You can’t go wrong with the most popular content management system (CMS) on the planet, right?
One of the crucial differences between WordPress hosting and CDN hosting is in how the web servers store and process your website data. WordPress hosting is fully managed by the host, meaning they take care of configuring the servers and keeping them updated with the most recent software. In the case of CDN hosting, your data is stored in the cloud and processed by the Content Delivery Network (CDN). Some of the benefits of CDN hosting include the following:
- Increased performance due to better network performance
- Reduced administration tasks due to the use of a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
- No downtime because content is constantly being refreshed
- Optional features like global CDN caching, security through obscurity, and content locking
- An audience worldwide due to the content being available and accessible from anywhere at any time
- Anonymized tracking and reporting for websites and apps using Google Analytics
Convenience
As we mentioned above, the great thing about both of these hosting platforms is that they are incredibly convenient. If you want to create a blog or website for yourself, it’s quite easy to get started with. You can literally download WordPress to launch a professional-looking website within minutes. For the less tech-savvy, there are many hosting companies offering one-click installation so you can get up and running with a custom domain without needing to know anything about server configuration.
The key differences between WordPress hosting and CDN hosting are:
- The control and security of your own server (i.e the ability to administer and secure the server yourself)
- Managed hosting where the host takes care of securing your server and updating your content
- Whether you use a simple WordPress installation or a fully-configured, professional-looking site
In summary, if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for all of your web hosting needs then go with either of these platforms. They both offer fantastic value and are easy enough to use that even beginners can get their feet wet with little effort. If, however, you need something a little more complex than the average blog or website then consider a managed WordPress hosting solution where you outsource the server administration to a skilled team of professionals.