WordPress Cloud vs. Shared Web Hosting: Which One Is Right for You?

With all the different hosting plans available today, it can be hard to know where to start, especially if you’re not familiar with hosting. After all, not all web hosts are made equal, and it’s important to know the differences in order to choose the right fit for your needs. For starters, let’s examine the differences between WordPress.org and WordPress.com.

Features

Each version of WordPress comes with a variety of features built in. You’ll find several options when it comes to features, including the ability to create unlimited blogs, social media features, and mobile-friendly design templates. On the negative side, you’ll find that not all hosting providers support the same amount of features. For example, some hosts do not offer the ability to install plugins or customize the design of the website. Additionally, many web hosts limit the amount of storage you have. Finally, not all hosts provide the same level of support, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re hosted by a reliable company before making any important decisions.

Cost

One of the primary differences between WordPress.org and WordPress.com is the cost. WordPress.org is completely free, while WordPress.com comes with a cost associated with it. You’ll see these costs in the form of a free domain with the hosting plan and a paid plan for creating new blogs. If you want to create a free blog at WordPress.com, you’ll need to upgrade to the next highest level to do so. The cost of WordPress.com varies depending on how much you’re planning on using it, but it’s typically cheaper than purchasing a standalone domain and hosting it yourself. Additionally, if you are looking for a free domain, you’ll want to check out one of the many free web hosting providers such as Bluehost, Netlify, or AWS Amplify. Finally, make sure that the company you choose offers a money-back guarantee if you run into any problems.

Usability

Depending on how long you’ve been using WordPress, you may be familiar with the platform or you may need a crash course. For those who need help learning how to use it, WordPress.com offers a variety of tutorials, including how to create a blog in a few steps. Once you’ve created your blog, you can access the help desk from any device, including your phone. The assistance staff is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and can help with any questions you may have regarding the platform. With WordPress.org, the user experience can vary based on the amount of experience that you have. Some users have complained that it’s hard to find tutorials or walkthroughs that provide help with the software. Furthermore, if you do find the documentation, it can be hard to understand due to a lack of beginner-friendly content. The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a web host that provides a user-friendly experience, consider moving to WordPress.com as it is the officially supported platform by the WordPress.org team.

Support

The last and perhaps the most important difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com has to do with customer support. Depending on your technical skills and whether or not you have any external help, you may or may not be able to handle server-side issues yourself. If you do encounter an error on your blog or website, you’ll want to contact the company that provides your hosting to see if they can help you out. In some cases, you may have to wait for somebody to get back to you, especially if it’s not a daycare emergency. In other cases, they may be able to help you out instantly. A popular hosting service with a good reputation will almost certainly be able to help you should you need it. In the meantime, be sure to check out their FAQ pages (frequently asked questions) as well as their documentation for answers to any questions you may have about setting up the server.

WordPress Org vs. WordPress Com: What’s the Difference?

If you’re still wondering what the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com is, let’s dive into those details. First off, WordPress.com is where all the blogs with WordPress are parked. It’s also the default choice for bloggers who want to monetize their content, as WordPress.com allows for the creation and monetization of a WordPress blog without the need for a standalone server. Alternatively, WordPress.org is the place you’ll go to if you want to create and manage a blog yourself. You can do this using a variety of free services, including Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Trello, and Slack.

Shared Hosting or VPS Hosting?

Another big question many people ask when deciding where to host their blog is shared hosting or a virtual private server (VPS). As the name implies, shared hosting is when you share the server with other clients. Basically, all the blogs you create will be running on the same server. This can be a great option for people who are just getting started because everything is taken care of for you. The downside is that your blog’s performance will be limited by the capacity of the web host and the other customers using the same server as you. If you do decide to go this route, make sure to research the best deal possible because this is usually where all the scams and tricks hide. You’ll mostly find that the cheaper the shared hosting the more limited it is. Still, if you need a blog for your business, this can be a perfect fit because you can use the server for as many sites as you want. The only downside is that you’ll need to handle the server side of things yourself.

What About Email Hosting?

If you’re looking for email hosting, you may ask yourself the same questions regarding shared hosting. After all, isn’t sending a letter to someone’s inbox the definition of email communication? Well, sort of. For starters, email hosting is when you pay a company to store your emails for you. This is generally a cheaper option than having your own server and can be a great choice for those who want to get started quickly. Just remember that while this may be an affordable option, it still requires you to have a Gmail account (one of the few free email services available). Still, if you do decide to go this route be sure to check out the promotions the company may have running to attract customers.

Cloud or On-Premise Hosting?

Deciding between cloud hosting and on-premise hosting can be a daunting task. After all, isn’t all the awesome technology behind cloud computing right at our fingertips? While it’s true that many companies offer this type of hosting, it’s not really a good fit for bloggers. That’s because you might not want to rely on a third party for your web host. After all, if something happens to that company, you’ll be in a world of hurt. This brings us to our next point.

DDoS Protection

If you’re a blogger who gets targeted by hackers and trolls looking to spread hate, you’ll need some security. You might ask yourself the same question regarding cloud computing, but it’s a different story. After all, if you have your own servers, you can control the security measures much more so than if you’re relying on someone else’s hardware. Still, if you decide to go with on-premise hosting you’ll want to look into purchasing a VPN (virtual private network) to protect your sensitive data. Doing business online can be dangerous, and you must take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your customers. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so putting a guard around your network just makes good sense. Remember, if you do decide to go this route, the pricing can be rather steep. However, if you’re looking for a dedicated server, you may find what you’re looking for at a reasonable price point.

Database Engine

If you’re looking for a web host that can handle the heavy lifting for you, you may wonder what a database engine is. Essentially, this is a component of your web host that allows it to run databases such as WordPress.com and WordPress.org. The good news is you don’t need to know much about databases to use one, as all you need to know is how to enter and exit the database when required. Make sure that you don’t exceed the allowed database size, as this may cause problems. You can also prevent these problems from happening by creating an automated backup of the database whenever you import or update something to do with content.