Slow-loading pages. Connection errors. The “white screen of death.”
These are the most common hosting-related issues plaguing WordPress websites today.
Choosing the right web hosting for your WordPress site can help you avoid these disruptive, and potentially costly, errors.
A reliable and secure web hosting environment can ensure that your website receives maximum uptime, proper security measures, powerful storage capacity, and user-friendly options for managing your online platform.
On the other hand, if you decide you only care about saving money in the short run, a poor web host can lead to drastic consequences for both users and your business.
The challenge in finding a good web host is weeding through all of the technical jargon and sales pitches to identify what you actually need.
Types of web hosting providers
Many hosting services are available today, each with its own list of pros and cons. Knowing which one to choose can make all the difference in creating a successful WordPress website.
Whether you’re looking for basic hosting, faster loading speeds, increased flexibility, or improved security measures, each web host caters to distinct users’ needs.
Shared Hosting
In a shared hosting setup, multiple websites are stored on a single server, all sharing memory, disk storage, and bandwidth resources.
Pros
Cost: As its cost is only a fraction of that of dedicated servers, it is often the preferred option for personal and small business websites.
Cons
Slow load speeds: Generally speaking, websites hosted on the same server will experience slower loading speeds due to the competition for limited system resources.
Web outages: You are much more likely to experience website outages because other websites use too many resources from the shared server.
No free SSL certificates: Often, with shared hosting platforms, you must purchase and install your SSL certificates which is a core ranking factor for SEO.
Security vulnerabilities: While most providers offer some form of malware detection and removal services, there will always be a risk multiple sites on a single server can access one another’s data.
Dedicated Hosting
Here, web hosts lease an entire “dedicated” server to a single client or organization, which can house as many websites as needed. This allows for more control and customization options compared to shared hosting.
Pros
Increased performance: Dedicated servers perform better as they have more resources and fewer restrictions than shared servers.
Greater control: With a dedicated server, the customer can complete control over the server configuration and install any required software.
Increased security: There is no risk of other websites on the server affecting the site’s security.
More flexibility: You can configure your dedicated server to meet specific business needs, making it a more flexible option.
Cons
Higher cost: Dedicated hosting is generally more expensive than shared hosting.
Technical expertise required: Running a dedicated server requires technical knowledge, making it less suitable for those without specialized expertise.
Increased responsibility: With a dedicated server, the customer is responsible for server maintenance, security, and backups.
Scalability limitations: Dedicated servers may not be as scalable as shared hosting, making it more difficult to upgrade as the site grows.
VPS Hosting
Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is similar to dedicated and shared hosting and is often the middle ground between the two.
A VPS hosting plan is when you need more bandwidth than standard shared hosting, but don’t quite need all of the bells and whistles of a dedicated hosting plan.
The hosting provider essentially carves out your virtual space on a dedicated server with set limits, so you’re not competing with everyone else on the shared server.
Pros
Increased performance: VPS hosting performs better than shared hosting, as each virtualized environment has its own resources.
Increased control: VPS hosting provides greater control than shared hosting, as customers have root access to their virtualized environment.
Improved scalability: VPS hosting is more scalable than shared hosting, making it easier to upgrade as a site grows.
Better security: It provides better security than shared hosting, as each virtualized environment is isolated.
Cons
Higher cost: VPS hosting is more expensive than shared hosting but less expensive than dedicated hosting.
Technical expertise required: Running a VPS requires certain technical knowledge, making it less suitable for those without technical expertise.
Increased responsibility: With a VPS, the customer is responsible for server maintenance, security, and backups.
Limited customization: VPS hosting provides limited customization compared to dedicated hosting, as the physical server is shared among multiple customers.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is a type of hosting service that uses a network of servers to provide web hosting services.
The servers are connected, and resources can be easily scaled up or down based on the website’s needs. It provides greater performance, scalability, and reliability than shared hosting but is also more expensive.
Pros
Scalability: Cloud hosting provides easy scalability, allowing resources to be quickly added or removed as needed.
Reliability: It is also highly reliable, as it uses a network of servers to provide web hosting services, reducing the risk of downtime.
Performance: Cloud hosting can perform better than shared hosting, as resources can be easily scaled up or down depending on the website’s needs.
Cost savings: This upside is closely tied to scalability and performance. You can save more if your website requires limited resources.
Cons
Complexity: Cloud hosting can be complex, requiring a certain level of technical expertise to manage.
Cost: It is more expensive than shared hosting, especially if many resources are needed.
Security concerns: Cloud hosting can pose security risks if proper measures are not implemented.
Dependence on the internet: This type of hosting depends on a stable and fast internet connection. If the internet connection goes down, the website will not be accessible.
Managed WordPress Hosting
Managed WordPress hosting is specifically optimized for WordPress websites.
In a managed WordPress hosting environment, the hosting provider handles the technical details of running a WordPress site, such as software updates, security, backups, and performance optimization.
It is a good choice for businesses and individuals who want to focus on content creation and marketing rather than the technical details of running a website.
Managed WordPress hosting provides a hassle-free experience for running a WordPress site, with many providers offering easy site management tools and 24/7 support.
Pros
Simplified management: This hosting makes running a WordPress site straightforward, with many providers offering easy-to-use site management tools.
Improved performance: Since it is optimized for WordPress, you’ll have improved performance and speed compared to traditional shared hosting.
Enhanced security: Robust security measures often protect websites from hacking and other security threats.
Expert support: Managed WordPress hosting providers typically offer expert support, with many providing 24/7 support to help resolve any issues.
Cons
Higher cost: It can get more expensive than traditional shared hosting since the hosting provider is responsible for the technical details of running the website.
Limited customization: Managed WordPress hosting can limit customization options. The hosting provider may only support specific plugins and themes.
Dependence on the provider: You might have to depend on the hosting provider, especially if you do not have the technical expertise to manage the site independently.
Lack of flexibility: Managed WordPress hosting can lack the flexibility of other hosting options, as businesses may be limited in the resources they can add or remove as needed.
All things considered, it’s essential to make a checklist of what you need vs. what you don’t. Thoroughly investigate all of the hosts on the marketplace.
But if you think you need some help with your website development process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation.