How to Choose the Right WordPress Hosting with CDN
So you’ve decided to go with WordPress as your content management system of choice. Congrats! Now it’s time to pick a host. If you’re reading this, I assume you’ve already made the jump to WordPress.com and are now looking for a more premium option than the free version offers. Truth to be said, WordPress is a very flexible, easy to use and a free product. However, when it comes to choosing a host, you really want to go with the best in class solution that drives your business forward.
There are many reasons why you might want to choose hosting over self-hosting, the main one being security. When you host your WordPress site with a reputable company, you’re adding a layer of security between you and whatever happens in the backend. This security layer is mainly provided by the.NET Framework, but also includes database, transfer, and storage management. The added benefit of a managed WordPress hosting plan is that you don’t need to worry about hardware upgrades or backups which are all taken care of for you. So let’s dive into the details.
What Are The Main Differences Between The Two?
Self-hosting vs hosted WordPress sites mean completely different things. Let’s explore the differences.
Self-hosting
With self-hosting, you’re taking it upon yourself to install WordPress on a server. This server then functions as your web space, meaning that all of the files and programs necessary for your website to function reside on it. There’s no middleware involved when self-hosting, which means your site’s speed will depend on your own hardware and how well you configure it. The advantage of this method is that you have full control over everything. You can install WordPress the way you want, implement custom themes and plugins, and perform all of the tasks necessary to keep your site up and running. The disadvantages are similar to any other type of web hosting. If you’re looking for professional-looking websites with lots of cool features, then this is certainly the route you should go down. However, if you’re looking for a simple blog or a platform for your business, then managed WordPress hosting might be the better option.
Managed WordPress Hosting
With managed WordPress hosting, you’re essentially outsourcing the duties normally handled by your web host to a third party company. This company installs WordPress for you, manages all aspects of the software and its configuration, provides the security layer, and takes care of backups for you. The advantage of this option is that you don’t need to have any technical knowledge to maintain a blog or a business website. You can simply create an account with the host, install WordPress, and start writing. You won’t need to worry about setting up the software or dealing with its technical aspects. As long as you obey the rules set by the host, all of the backend work is done for you. The disadvantages are similar to any other type of web hosting. The main difference is that you’ll need to create an account with the host in order to use their services. That being said, it’s very easy to set up a WordPress site with a host, and they usually walk you through the process in a simple to follow step-by-step manner.
Essential Criteria To Consider
So you’ve decided to go with WordPress as your content management system of choice. Congrats! Now it’s time to pick a host. When selecting a hosting company for your WordPress site, there are several essential criteria you must consider. In order to make the right choice, it is imperative that you objectively assess and review the features and services of each host company you’re considering. After all, you can’t build a successful website on shaky ground.
In the following section, we will discuss each essential criterion, explaining what they are and why you should consider them.
Features
Features are unquestionably one of the most important aspects of a web host. Not only do they impact how your website functions, but they also determine how professional and how user-friendly the customer experience is likely to be. To that end, it is absolutely essential that you focus on and review the features each host company offers before making your decision. Here’s a breakdown of what features to look out for:
- Basic functionality
- Customer support
- Uptime and reliability
- Scalability
- Features
If you’re looking for a simple blog or a platform for your business, then basic functionality and support are the most important considerations. These are the minimum requirements you should expect from any web host. If a host company doesn’t offer these, then they’re not likely to be of any use to you. For a business site, reliability, scalability, and features are key considerations.
Additionally, it’s essential that you examine the security features each host company offers. This is a crucial aspect of any web hosting service, as the safety and security of your business’ biggest asset is at stake – your website. If a host company doesn’t offer up security as a selling point, then they don’t deserve your business. And finally, make sure you check out the price of the different plans before making a decision.
Support
Support, like features, is another important consideration when choosing a web host for WordPress. Support determines how quickly and easily you can get assistance from the host when you need it. For example, is the live chat feature active? Does the company offer phone support and, if so, what are the call-handling procedures like? How about tutorials or guides? Are there any special offers for new customers? Does the company have a good reputation?
Above all else, you need to find a web host that is fully committed to helping you succeed. The better the support the more likely you are to succeed.
Reliability & Uptime
Reliability and uptime are essentially the same thing, but they have slightly different definitions. Essentially, reliability is the ability of a system or service to perform as it is supposed to, while uptime is the actual duration of time that a system or service is available for use. When choosing a web host for your WordPress site, you should look for one that is both reliable and has high uptime, ensuring that your website is always available to visit and that it works properly at all times.
Additionally, make sure you examine the different types of servers each host company uses. This will determine how powerful your website’s server is and, therefore, how much bandwidth and storage capacity you have. You should look for a host that uses strong and stable hardware.
Scalability
This is a broad term that simply means the capability of a system or service to expand or contract in size. Essentially, you’d want a scalable host in case your traffic grows or shrinks over time. For example, if you’ve got a small blog that eventually starts to grow in popularity, you may want to reevaluate your web host selection to make sure it can handle the extra load. Similarly, if you’ve got a large business that starts experiencing exponential growth, you may want to consider moving to a more scalable host in order to avoid potential issues down the line.
Performance
Finally, performance is a broad term that essentially refers to the speed at which a system or service can operate. For a site that primarily consists of text and images, you probably don’t need to worry about performance too much as long as you’re not experiencing any major slowness issue. However, if you’re getting frustrated by the speed of your site or if it’s becoming a concern for your customers, then performance is a key factor you need to consider when choosing a web host.
When it comes to choosing a web host for your WordPress site, you have a variety of options to choose from. Not all web hosts are created equal, and you need to make sure you’re getting the best possible service for your particular needs. With that in mind, make sure you review the different features and services each host company offers, as well as their reputation when choosing the right one for you.