WordPress Hosting & Management Service Basics
What Is a Web Hosting Company?
If you are looking for a straightforward answer to this question, you have come to the right place. A web host is an online service provider that allows individuals and businesses to create websites. Typically, a web host will provide you with a simple but functional website, along with email accounts, domain names, and a storage area (known as the “cloud”). The latter provides you with the freedom to store and access your data from any location and device.
Why Do I Need A Web Hosting Company?
There are numerous reasons why you might need a web host. If you are looking to create a professional-looking website for your business, you will need a web host with the necessary functionality, along with expert support in order to get the most from your investment.
What Type Of Web Hosting Service Should I Get?
When considering a web host, you should look for a service that provides you with robust features along with a fast and reliable website.
Additionally, you should look for a web host that offers you 24/7/365 support via phone or email, in case you have any questions regarding setup or use of your website. Some of the more popular web hosts are Bluehost, Hostgator, and WordPress.com.
How Do I Choose A Top-Notch Web Host?
In choosing a web host, it is important to look for a company that is reputable, offers a money-back guarantee, and has a proven track record.
As a general rule, you should go for the gold standard: a dedicated IP address that will not expire, and an experienced and knowledgeable staff that is available to help you 24/7 via phone, email or live chat. In case you want to learn more, just visit AWWwards.com, an independent review site for web hosts.
How Do I Set Up A Web Host?
In order to set up a web host, you will need to first purchase a domain name from a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy. Once you have your domain name, you can log in to your hosting account and click on the «install WordPress» button. At this point, your hosting provider will walk you through the process of installing WordPress to your site.
After WordPress is installed, you will be able to log in to your hosting account and click on the «Settings» button. Here, you can configure your WordPress site as you see fit. In case you need help, the hosting provider’s support team will be happy to assist you.
How Do I Maintain My Web Host?
Like any other website, your web host will need constant maintenance in order to keep it operating at its optimum capacity. The recommended schedule for updating and maintaining your site is once a month. This will ensure that your website is always available and does not suffer from any unforeseen glitches or crashes.
In case you are worried about lacking the skills to update and maintain your website on your own, you can always hire the help of a web developer or web designer. For a more affordable option, you can try utilizing the services of a content strategist or copywriter. Just remember that these are just some of the possible services you might need in order to keep your website running smoothly.
Do I Need An SSL Certificate For My Website?
In a nutshell, yes. An SSL certificate is a security feature that provides a safe online shopping experience for your customers by encrypting all the data that is being transferred between your customers and your website. Without an SSL certificate, all the data that is being transferred is unencrypted, and therefore, vulnerable to hackers, identity thieves, and even government agencies.
Getting an SSL certificate is fairly simple. All you need to do is visit the website of a trusted SSL certificate provider, and follow their simple instructions. Once you have purchased the SSL certificate, install it on your website.
An SSL certificate can protect your site from being hacked, as well as provide a sign of authenticity to your customers by displaying a green lock or a yellow lock on your site’s URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The closer the lock is to being fully green, the safer and more authentic your website appears to be.
What Is A DNS Settings File?
When you set up your website with a web host, you will be provided with a recommended settings file. This is a small file that contains the DNS (Domain Name System) records for your website. For the sake of simplicity, the DNS settings file is also known as the «hosts file» or the «resolver file».
Basically, the DNS settings file tells your computer how to get to your website, and how to resolve (or find) your domain name to a physical address, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address.
In case you are not familiar, a DNS server is a device that looks up domain names and IP addresses for you when you are trying to go online. When you set up your website with a web host, the latter will provide you with a DNS server.
As a general rule, the more entries you have in your DNS settings file, the faster your site will load. So, if you are still deciding which web host to go for, just make sure they offer you a lot of flexibility with your DNS settings file.