When it comes to creating and managing a website, there are several factors to consider, but one of the most important is picking the right hosting service. A reliable hosting service ensures that your website remains accessible to your audience at all times. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which hosting is the best fit for your website. However, if your website is built on WordPress, WordPress hosting is your ideal choice. In this article, we will examine what WordPress hosting is, the difference between web hosting and WordPress hosting, the top reasons why WordPress hosting is the way to go, and how to choose the best plan for your website.
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What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is a service that enables individuals and organisations to store their website files on a server connected to the internet. When a user types in your website’s URL, the browser sends a request to the server to access the website files. The server responds by delivering the website files to the user’s browser. The faster the server responds, the faster the website loads, which contributes to a positive user experience. Learn more information in our easy guide to web hosting services.
What Is WordPress (WP) Hosting?
With WordPress powering over 43% of all websites on the internet as of 2021, it’s no wonder there is a WordPress hosting solution made especially for it. WordPress hosting is a specialised hosting service designed to optimise the performance of WordPress sites. This hosting service is tailored to the unique needs of the WordPress platform, providing a range of features that improve the website’s speed, security, and overall performance.
Difference Between Web Hosting and WordPress Hosting?
While web and WordPress hosting may seem similar, there are key differences between the two. Web hosting is a generic service that can host any website regardless of the content management system (CMS) used. In contrast, WordPress hosting is specifically designed to host WordPress websites. This means that WordPress hosting is optimised for the unique needs of WordPress. To learn more about the differences between these two hosting types, check out our article WordPress Hosting vs. Web Hosting: Which One Is Best for You?
Top Reasons Why WordPress Hosting Is Best for Your WordPress Site
Increased Performance
WordPress hosting is optimised for WordPress, which results in better performance and faster website speeds. The hosting service provides a range of features such as caching, content delivery networks (CDNs), and optimised servers that enhance the website’s speed and performance. A faster website not only provides a better user experience but also contributes to better search engine rankings.
WordPress hosting is optimised for WordPress, which results in better performance and faster website speeds
Enhanced Security
WordPress hosting offers security features that protect your website from common threats. The hosting service includes malware scanning, DDoS protection, firewalls, and automatic backups that ensure that your website remains safe and secure at all times.
Automatic Updates
WordPress hosting includes automatic updates for the core system files, plugins, and themes. This ensures that your website remains up-to-date with the latest security patches, bug fixes, and features.
Expert Support
WordPress hosting companies, like MCloud9, offer specialised support for websites built with WordPress, which means that they have expert knowledge of the platform and can provide better assistance when issues arise. This can save you time and money in the long run, as you won’t need to spend a lot of time troubleshooting technical issues.
Managed Hosting
Managed WordPress hosting takes care of server maintenance, updates, and backups, which frees up your time and resources to focus on other aspects of your website. This is particularly beneficial for small business owners or individuals who don’t have the technical expertise to manage their own servers.
Scalability
WordPress hosting includes scalable hosting plans that can accommodate sites of all sizes and traffic levels. This means you can start with a smaller plan and upgrade as your site grows, without experiencing any downtime.
Pros and Cons of Managed WordPress Hosting Providers
Managed WordPress (WP) hosting includes a range of benefits that make them an attractive option for WordPress site owners. However, they also have some drawbacks that you should be aware of before selecting a provider.
Pros
- Optimised for WordPress: Managed WP hosting is designed specifically for WordPress sites, with server configurations and caching systems optimised for the platform.
- Better Support: Managed WordPress hosting has dedicated support teams that are knowledgeable about WordPress and can provide expert assistance with any issues you may encounter.
- Automatic Updates: Managed hosting often offers automatic updates for WordPress core files and plugins, which ensures your site is always up-to-date and secure.
- Increased Security: Managed hosting includes enhanced security features that protect your site from cyber threats, such as malware and hacking.
Cons
- Cost: Managed hosting providers can be more expensive than other types of hosting, such as shared hosting.
- Limited Control: Managed hosting often limits the amount of control you have over your site, which can be frustrating for advanced users.
- Plugin Restrictions: Some managed hosting providers restrict the use of certain plugins, which can limit the functionality of your site.
Choosing a Host: Server Uptime, Backups and SSL Certificates
Once you’ve decided on WordPress hosting as your hosting option, it’s essential to pick a host that offers all the services you need. This includes ensuring that the hosting provider has a high server uptime. Find a host that offers server uptime of up to 99%, meaning your website will rarely experience downtime, ensuring that visitors can access your site 24/7. This is important because website downtime can significantly impact your business’s revenue, reputation, and search engine ranking.
MCloud9 offers 99% uptime and uses LiteSpeed Web Server to ensure that your website loads quickly and efficiently. To learn more about how LiteSpeed Web Server can benefit your website, check out our Why LiteSpeed Web Server Might Be Your Website’s Best Friend article.
In addition, a good host will offer automatic backups that allow you to restore your website if something goes wrong. Regular backups are important as they provide a reliable backup system for your website, ensuring you don’t lose your data in case of an emergency. SSL certificates are also vital to protect your website from online threats. These certificates encrypt information exchanged between your website and visitors, keeping data private and secure. Some hosting companies, like MCloud9, include free SSL encryption with their hosting plans.
Choosing the Right WordPress Hosting Plan
Choosing the best hosting plan is crucial to the success of your site. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a plan:
- Traffic: Consider the amount of traffic your site receives, and choose a plan that can accommodate your traffic levels.
- Storage: Consider the amount of storage you’ll need for your site’s files, images, and content.
- Security: Look for a hosting provider that offers enhanced security features, such as malware scanning and firewalls.
- Support: Choose a hosting provider that offers 24/7 support and has knowledgeable staff available to assist you with any issues you may encounter.
MCloud9 offers a range of WordPress hosting packages to suit different needs, from small personal blogs to large business websites. They also provide 24/7 support and enhanced security features to ensure your site is always up and running smoothly.
WordPress Community Support for WordPress Hosting
One of the benefits of using WordPress hosting is the vast community support. WordPress is an open-source platform, meaning it is free to use, modify, and distribute. The WordPress community has an extensive database of plugins and themes that can help improve your website’s performance and functionality. Many managed WordPress hosting plans come with pre-installed WordPress themes and plugins, so you don’t have to spend time searching for them.
FAQ for Why WordPress Hosting
What is the difference between WordPress hosting and web hosting?
WordPress hosting is a type of web hosting that is set up specifically for WordPress websites, meaning it offers improved performance and security for WordPress sites than regular web hosting.
What are the hosting options available for WordPress?
There are three main hosting options for WordPress: shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, and VPS hosting. Shared hosting is budget-friendly but may not be ideal for larger or more complex sites. VPS hosting is more powerful than shared hosting but requires more technical knowledge to manage. Managed WordPress hosting is the best choice for most WordPress sites as it offers the best balance of performance, security, and support.
Is managed WordPress hosting worth it?
Yes, managed WordPress hosting offers several benefits, including better website performance, security, automatic updates, and backups.
What are the advantages of managed WordPress hosting?
Managed WordPress hosting provides many advantages over traditional shared hosting. Firstly, managed WordPress hosts often offer improved security, faster website speed, automatic backups, and expert support. Additionally, managed WordPress plans typically come with built-in caching and optimisation tools, which can improve website performance even further.
Can I use WordPress hosting for a non-WordPress website?
No, WordPress hosting is specifically designed for WordPress websites, so it won’t be a good fit for non-WordPress sites. Some providers may offer a free trial for you to try it out.
What is cloud hosting?
Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting where your website is hosted on a network of servers instead of a single server. This can improve website performance and scalability, as your site can easily adjust to traffic spikes.
In Conclusion
Choosing the right hosting package is essential for managing your website and helping your business grow. WordPress hosting is likely the best choice if you have a WordPress site. WordPress hosting provides many benefits, including better website performance, security, automatic updates, backups, and free SSL certificates. With MCloud9, managing your WordPress site is hassle-free, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
To get started with MCloud9’s WordPress hosting, visit our website and pick the plan that best fits your needs. We offer affordable pricing and 24/7 support to ensure your website stays up and running smoothly. Don’t wait any longer to experience the benefits of using MCloud9 for your WordPress hosting needs.
