Which Web Hosting Supports WordPress Multisite?

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) used across the web. Many bloggers and websites use WordPress as it is flexible, secure and has a large user base. Having said that, every CMS is not created equal, and WordPress doesn’t come without its quirks.

Whether you’re a seasoned web professional or a complete beginner, you might be wondering which web hosting plan is the best fit for WordPress. Below, you’ll find a short comparison of the top web hosts that support WordPress, along with pros and cons for each one.

1ρ2 Shared Hosting

One of the simplest and most popular web host configurations is 1ρ2 shared hosting. This type of hosting provides you with two web hosting accounts (a free one and a paid one) that you can use to launch your WordPress-powered website. Typically, you’ll find 1ρ2 shared hosting packages available for purchase in a very economical plan (along with a free plan) from many web hosting providers. Your site will be able to utilize all of the shared resources (such as storage and bandwidth) of both web hosts. This type of hosting is perfect for budding web professionals and designers who are just getting their feet wet with web design. Many providers offer 1ρ2 shared hosting with a free domain, meaning your site will be accessible at no charge. You’ll just have to purchase a cheap domain name (like mywpthemes.com) through a domain name registrar like namecheap.com.

Cons:

• Limited Storage: Though it’s always great to have as much storage as you can get, it’s important to remember that having a lot of space doesn’t mean you’ll always have enough room to store all of your content. Especially if you have a large number of images or other large files, you’ll likely run out of space sooner than you think. This is why 1ρ2 shared hosting is such a popular choice; it provides you with enough storage to launch and maintain your website, but doesn’t force you to store everything on one host.
• No Control Over Backend Server: Though you have complete control over the frontend (displayed to visitors) of your site, you don’t have control over the backend (running code) of the server. This means that you’ll have to rely on the host to provide a stable and secure environment for your WordPress installation. If you choose this type of hosting, make sure to purchase a dedicated IP from your host since you’ll be using it for your website and backups. Having a dedicated IP prevents your website from being flagged as malicious due to server misuse (e.g., spamming). In the event of a major security breach or if you experience significant downtime, you won’t be able to restore access to your site without first contacting the host. After verifying your identity, they might be able to help you out.
• Shared CPanel: One of the disadvantages of 1ρ2 shared hosting is the shared control panel. A control panel is a web platform that provides you with the tools to administer your website, such as uploading content and setting preferences. Since the control panel for 1ρ2 shared hosting is shared, you’ll have access to it any time you log into your account. This means you’ll have to logout and logback in to each website you visit to access tools like your email or website.
• No Ability to Install WordPress Version Different From Hosted Version: As much as we all love Google’s all-inclusive hosting plans, they don’t always provide the best experience for WordPress users. One of the quirks of 1ρ2 shared hosting is that when you log into your account and click on the WordPress icon, you’ll be prompted to download the hosted version of WordPress. This means if you’d like to use a different version of WordPress for testing or compatibility purposes, you’ll have to switch hosts or delete your website and rebuild it using the alternative version of WordPress. Though this isn’t a showstopping glitch, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for the best of both worlds (cheap price and freedom from control panel restrictions) but also need to be able to run your website on a different version of WordPress.

Advantages:

• Easy To Use: Though it’s quite easy to set up a WordPress website using 1ρ2 shared hosting, it’s not that easy to use it. The first step in setting up WordPress is acquiring a dedicated IP from your host. After that, you’ll have to download and install the WordPress software. Then, you’ll have to create a database and user account for WordPress. Once you’ve launched WordPress, you’ll have to set up an FTP account and load your website’s content into the database. This process is fairly straightforward and can be done with any average user. Of course, it depends on how much time you have and how tech-savvy you are. Still, even if you’re not that tech-savvy, you won’t have a hard time using 1ρ2 shared hosting. You’ll just have to remember a few things like creating an FTP account and keeping backups of your data.
• Cheap: Though it’s quite cheap to get started with 1ρ2 shared hosting, it’s also quite affordable. The price is quite attractive for what you’re getting. You’ll have to decide if this is a good value for your needs. If you’re looking for a free domain and the simplicity of the plan, then it’s quite easy to justify the cost. You’ll also have to remember that the cost of 1ρ2 shared hosting is fairly stable. This is especially beneficial if you want to keep your site up and running for a long time without worrying about expensive bills. Still, if you’re looking for a dedicated IP, then you might want to consider another plan.

Opting For Pro-Level Hosting

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds (the freedom to choose your own custom-branded hostname and the affordability of a shared hosting plan), then you might want to consider opting for a Pro-level web host. These types of providers give you full control over the look and feel of your site, as well as the freedom to choose a custom domain name. You’ll also have the option to install the WordPress version you want to use on your site. Though it’s not necessarily a bad thing to go with the hosted version of WordPress, the ability to install a different version provides you with more flexibility.

Best For Performance:

If you’re running a business or blog and need it to perform at its best, go with a Pro-level web host. These providers have the money and expertise to ensure your site has the resources it needs to function at its best. They’ll also give you the tools to monitor and optimize performance. One great thing about going pro is that you won’t have to worry about hitches caused by overcrowding or under-funding. There will always be enough resources available when you need them.

Cons:

• More Complex To Set Up: Though it’s quite easy to set up a WordPress-powered site using a shared hosting plan from any standard web host, it’s not that easy to use it. The first step in setting up WordPress is acquiring a dedicated IP from your host. After that, you’ll have to download and install the WordPress software. Then, you’ll have to create a database and user account for WordPress. Once you’ve launched WordPress, you’ll have to set up an FTP account and load your website’s content into the database. This process is simpler, more straightforward, and can be done with any average user. Still, even if you’re not that tech-savvy, you won’t have a hard time using a pro-level web host. You’ll just have to remember a few things like creating an FTP account and keeping backups of your data.
• More Expensive: Though it’s quite affordable to get started with a shared hosting plan from any standard web host, the price gradually increases as you move up the packages. The most affordable shared hosting plan is the one that comes with a free domain and is offered in a very economical plan (along with a free plan) from many web hosting providers. Still, if you want to go pro with a custom domain, then you might want to consider another plan.

Why WordPress Multisite?

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) used across the web. Many bloggers and websites use it because it’s flexible, secure, and has a large user base. Having said that, every CMS is not created equal, and WordPress doesn’t come without its quirks.