What is WordPress hosting?
In one sentence: It’s a platform that allows you to create and manage your own website.
WordPress hosting is simply a type of hosting that has been specifically designed to provide superior performance and security for websites. This service typically includes easy-to-use installation tools and automatic software updates, all of which are essential for keeping your WordPress site running smoothly.
WordPress hosting can be divided into two main categories – Shared WordPress hosting and Managed WordPress hosting. I’ll go over each in more detail below.
Do you need some special WordPress hosting to run WordPress?
Simply answered, no. The minimum requirements for WordPress do not require a particularly high level of hosting; all that is required is PHP version 5.2.4 or higher and MySQL 5.0.15 or higher, which are both found on most hosts today. In plain English, this means that any host can run WordPress without issue – no matter the specification.
What is Shared WordPress hosting?
When you’re looking to host a WordPress site, you’ll typically see two types of hosting options
When it comes to hosting, almost always the cheaper option is Shared WordPress Hosting.
When hosting your website with shared WordPress hosting, you’ll be sharing a server with other sites, which at times might slow your website performance.
Along with the performance updates, you’ll also gain access to a one-click WordPress installer. Although this feature is not particularly noteworthy, because cPanel already includes this capability.
Keeping your WordPress up-to-date is crucial for your website performance and security, which is the reason some WordPress providers offer automatic updates.
Some shared WordPress hosting providers may offer even more features, but the above are quite the base standard.
Now most shared WordPress hosts offer some decent discounts for the first billing cycle and then prices go back to normal.
Here is a typical pricing from a competitive shared WordPress hosting provider:
What is Managed WordPress Hosting?
The difference between Shared WordPress Hosting and Managed WordPress Hosting is quite noticeable. The Managed WordPress Hosting have all the features of the shared, but much more improved:
- Speed. Managed WordPress Hosting use better hardware specifications, which makes your website much faster.
- Security. They will take care for it and advise you if there is something wrong with your configuration.
- Caching. Better than just plugins. They do it for you.
- Staging. One click tests of your website before you make it live.
So, after all, which type of web hosting is best for you?
It all depends on your type of website you want to create.
If you’re just starting with your web hosting experience as a small website or personal blog, then the cheaper Shared WordPress Hosting might be for you.
If you plan to start with a high-traffic website and a lot of products, then go for the Managed WordPress Hosting.
One other last thing to consider is what time you’ll have to take care for your website.
If you have time and energy to learn and take care of your website performance by yourself, then choose the Shared WordPress Hosting.
On the other hand, if you can afford the additional 15$ per month and want to let all the above to be taken care of, then the Managed WordPress Hosting is for you.
You can check out our list of The Best Web Hosting Providers.
