How to Find the Best WordPress Hosting Service for You
WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) on the web, and for good reason. It’s flexible, user-friendly, and incredibly powerful. But that very flexibility can make it a bit tricky to find the right hosting service for you.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to find the best WordPress hosting service for your needs so you can focus on building your awesome site.
The Basics
When you sign up for a web hosting service, you’ll be given a username and password. With these, you can log in to your online dashboard where you can view your server’s hardware specifications, download any software that’s been installed on the server, as well as monitor and modify various aspects of the host’s operation.
The more you know about your chosen web host, the better. This includes things like the server’s uptime, support policies, and the like. Knowing these things upfront will make the process of selecting the right web hosting service for your needs much easier. It also means you’ll have a better understanding of what you’re getting into and can make the right selection among the various alternatives available.
Features
Besides the basics, you should also take into consideration the additional features that a web host might offer. This could include things like a free domain, dedicated IP, secure socket layer (SSL) encryption, automated installation of popular CMSs, and more.
The more features a web host offers, the more you’ll like it. One thing to keep in mind is that not all features are created equal. Some hosts use premium services that offer superior features to their clients, while others might not offer as many as you’d want. You must consider what you need and how much you’re willing to spend so you can get the most out of your web host’s features.
Uptime And Reliability
This point covers two important factors: uptime and reliability. When it comes to the first, you want to make sure the web host you choose offers a high level of uptime protection. This, of course, varies from host to host but generally speaking, you can expect a solid level of uptime protection from most reputable web hosts. In the event of an outage, you should be able to get your site back up and running as soon as possible. Depending on your site’s popularity, this possibility might go up or down but generally speaking, a good web host should be able to offer some level of uptime protection to their clients.
The second factor, reliability, covers a bit of a different topic but is just as important. When you host your site on a web host, you’re opening yourself up to a certain level of risk. If you host on shared hosting, this is a risk that is shared with many other clients. When it comes to reliability, you want to be sure that in the event of an outage, your site will be back up and running as quickly as possible. This is where things like daily backups and rapid response times come in handy. Some web hosts offer reliability guarantees, which means you’ll automatically get back up and running as soon as possible in the event of an outage. Checking the reliability of a web host is fairly easy. Just look on their website for any mention of outages or take a look at their past performance.
Scalability
What is scalability? Simply put, it’s the ability to grow with the amount of traffic your site receives. You wouldn’t put up with having a site that isn’t scalable, so treat this point in the same way. The more traffic your site receives, the more important it becomes to have a site that can handle the additional load. Fortunately, most reputable web hosts offer some level of scalability and most often, it’s a requirement that shared hosts must offer.
Security
Finally, we have security. This is an important topic, especially as the web hosting industry has shifted towards more and more clients operating from remote locations or just outside of the country. Hackers are always looking for new ways to get information, and remote location makes it a bit easier for them. The best way to combat this is through the use of security tools like hoovers, which scans your site for malware and vulnerabilities.
Malware and vulnerabilities are terms used to describe harmful code or content that is often attached to unsolicited emails, file sharing websites, and the like. Hackers might use your site’s content, whether it’s a password they’ve managed to crack or a credit card number they’ve found, to their detriment. Security tools help guard against this by constantly analyzing your site for known vulnerabilities and malware so that you can be sure you’re not accidentally hosting any harmful content on your site. Being secure is an important part of selecting the right web hosting service.
Customer Support
This point covers yet another important factor, customer support. You don’t want to host your site with a web host that doesn’t provide adequate support. The more attention to detail and tools support, the better, although this can vary from host to host. If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for all of your web hosting needs, try out DreamHost, which offers premier customer support through live chat, email, and ticket submission.
Cost
Last but not least, we have cost. Most web hosts offer affordable pricing, and while it can vary from host to host, you can usually find a cheaper option among the larger hosts. You might have to look for a coupon or two online, but it’s usually worth it.
The bottom line here is that selecting the right web hosting service is not as difficult as you’d think. It just takes a bit of research, organization, and good old fashioned common sense. Don’t get blinded by advertising or overly aggressive sales tactics – think about what you need and how much you’re willing to spend so you can get the most out of your web host’s services.