Our Guide To WordPress Hosting

Choosing a hosting provider can be stressful, especially if you do not know all the industry jargon and precisely what you need for your website. With so many options and budget playing a significant part, it is easy to get bamboozled and opt for what "looks" the part, which, sadly, is not what you need a lot of the time! In this blog, we will explore WordPress hosting and what you must look for in your hosting company to ensure your website runs smoothly.

What Is WordPress Hosting?

WordPress website hosting is a term used to describe website hosting designed explicitly around the requirements WordPress needs to run smoothly. Whist WordPress can be hosted on almost all types of servers, it is best to have it fine-tuned to hosting WordPress more so if you are running a high-demand website that has eCommerce features such as WooCommerce. 

The Different Types Of WordPress Hosting

Four main types of WordPress hosting are available, each with its benefits and pitfalls. Depending on the size and performance requirements for your website will depend on which hosting you require. We have outlined the basics of each hosting type below. 

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is like living in a big dormitory with other website owners. Your website is hosted on a single server and multiple other websites, and you all share the server's resources. This can sometimes impact performance, making it less suitable for high-traffic sites or online stores. Shared hosting is ideal for simple websites without many resources, like a small brochure site or a personal blog.

Here's why shared hosting can be a good choice:

1. Affordability: Shared hosting is typically the cheapest option, as you're splitting the cost of the server with other website owners. It's great if you're starting or have a tight budget.
2. Easy to use: Shared hosting providers often include user-friendly control panels and tools to help you manage your website; there is no need to be a tech wizard to get your site up and running.
3. Basic features: Most shared hosting plans come with essential features like email accounts, website builders, and one-click app installations, making it easy to create and maintain your site.
4. Managed services: The hosting provider takes care of server maintenance, security updates, and technical support, so you can focus on creating content and growing your website.

VPS Hosting

VPS hosting, short for Virtual Private Server hosting, is like renting your little piece of the internet. You get a private space on a physical server split into multiple virtual compartments. Each compartment is its server, giving you more control and resources than shared hosting.

Imagine living in an apartment building. You share the building with others, but your apartment is your own private space with its resources. VPS hosting is similar – you share a server with others, but your virtual space is all yours.

Pros of VPS hosting:

1. More control: With VPS hosting, you're the boss. You can tweak settings, install custom software, and manage resources, making it perfect for growing websites or online stores.
2. Better performance: Since you're not sharing resources with other websites, your site or app runs smoother and faster. Say goodbye to slow load times.
3. Scalability: Need more resources? No problem. With VPS hosting, you can quickly add more RAM, storage, or processing power to keep up with your site's growth.
4. Enhanced security: Your virtual space is separate from others on the server, so if a neighbouring site gets hacked, yours stays safe and sound.

Cloud Hosting

Think of cloud hosting like this: a bunch of remote servers connected through the internet, managed by someone else. Instead of just one server, your data gets stored and managed across several, making things run smoother and faster.

Picture working on a group project. Instead of keeping your work on individual computers, you store everything in a shared online folder. Everyone can work on it anytime, from anywhere. Cloud hosting is pretty much the same idea but for websites and apps.

Pros of cloud hosting:

1. Scalability: If your site or app gets super popular overnight, cloud hosting can handle the extra traffic using more server resources. And when things slow down, you can scale back and save some cash.
2. Reliability: With your data spread across multiple servers, your website or app keeps running on the others if one goes down. No downtime, no problems.
3. Cost efficiency: Cloud hosting means you only pay for what you use. No need to buy and maintain pricey physical servers that eat up your budget.
4. Security: Cloud hosting companies are pros for protecting your data from hackers and other threats. Plus, they back up your data regularly, so if something goes wrong, you're covered.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting is like having your mansion on the internet. You get an entire server just for your website, which means all its resources are exclusively yours. This type of hosting is perfect for large, high-traffic sites or resource-intensive applications that require top-notch performance and control.

Picture living in a spacious, private home where you don't have to share anything with neighbours. That's dedicated hosting in a nutshell. Here's why dedicated hosting is worth considering:

1. Maximum performance: Since you're not sharing resources with other websites, your site or app can enjoy lightning-fast load times and optimal performance even during high-traffic periods.
2. Complete control: With dedicated hosting, you can configure the server exactly how you want it, from the operating system to the hardware. You're in the driver's seat, making it perfect for custom applications or specific requirements.
3. Enhanced security: Having your server means you're not at risk from security issues on neighbouring sites. Plus, you can implement your security measures tailored to your needs.
4. Dedicated resources: You get 100% of the server's processing power, memory, and storage, which means your website or app can handle large amounts of traffic and resource-heavy tasks without issue.

What To Look For In WordPress Hosting

Performance

OK, so word of warning, pretty much every hosting company on the internet will make claims about being the fastest, the safest and the only choice you need for your website. Price is not a good indicator now, as even some of the most expensive hosting we have encountered as an agency was well below par in our experience.

Uptime

Uptime measures the time your server is working or not working. 100% uptime is the goal but a well-prepared server company or hosting provider maybe; things happen outside of everyone's control. So as close to 100% is better, most server companies will advise offering a 99.9% uptime guarantee to account for any downtime outside their control, such as power outages or network issues. 

Caching

Caching is a vital part of website performance, and whilst on-site caching systems are OK, they do not offer the same level of performance as server-side caching systems such as LiteSpeed. It is best to choose a WordPress hosting provider that has a caching system in place and servers that are optimised for WordPress. 

Up-to-Date Technology

Technology moves fast, and the quick and top-shelf equipment last year is probably slow and outdated this year. Ensuring you pick a hosting provider that stays updated with the latest technology and methods is paramount for your website's success. Look out for things such as:

• SSD storage 
• Redundant load balancers
• Connection speed
• Number of processors
• Level of RAM

Backups

Backups are an essential maintenance feature for any website, and their benefits far outweigh the cost of having them as part of your hosting package. Some hosting providers include this as standard others will require an additional fee; either way, ensure you choose one that offers it! 

Support Services

Not all WordPress hosting providers will have a support team on hand should you need them, and trust us when we say that paying a little extra to have this is worth it! It is one of those things you don't know you need - till it's too late! Support services can get your website back up and running quickly should it go down, troubleshoot problems or even get you back into your site should you get locked out. 

Summary: WordPress Hosting

There are probably hundreds of WordPress hosts to choose from and probably thousands of options between them, so it can take a little time to ensure you get the right one. The most important thing is that the hosting provider is a good fit for your website and your goals - as finding out they don't fit later down the line can mean it's too late to remedy quickly. 

Quick Tip: Price does not always indicate better or worse; however, budget hosting providers have to cut corners to be able to offer the services they do for the price they do, so they are not always the best for your site. Top-tier pricing does not always mean top-tier service, so research before purchasing hosting!

How Can E2E Studios Help? 

We are a team dedicated to web development, web design and SEO. Based in Stockport, Greater Manchester, we have been helping business owners all over the UK and beyond with their website needs, including WordPress maintenance. We offer stand-alone maintenance and combined hosting and maintenance packages to suit all shapes and sizes of websites. If you need help keeping your WordPress website in tip-top condition, contact the team today!