Web Hosting vs WordPress Hosting – Which One Do You Need?
If you’re running a business, then you know that you need a website. And if you’re going to have a website, then you need to host it somewhere. If you build your website using WordPress, there are many WordPress-specific options you have when it comes to choosing a hosting plan. But do you need web hosting or WordPress hosting? And what’s the difference?
In this blog post, we’ll break it down for you and help you decide which type of hosting is right for your business by answering:
- What is web hosting and what does it include?
- What is WordPress hosting?
- How is WordPress hosting different from regular web hosting?
- How to choose the right web hosting for your website
- Factors you should consider when choosing a WordPress host
- The benefits of using WordPress hosting for your website
- Who should use WordPress hosting?
- Do you need managed WordPress hosting?
- Is There a Downside to WordPress Hosting?
- When should you use web hosting instead of WordPress Hosting?
- Choosing between web hosting and WordPress Hosting
- Web hosting vs WordPress Hosting: The Verdict
What is web hosting and what does it include?
Web hosting is a service that allows you to host your website on a server. When someone types in your domain name (like “yourname.com”), their computer will connect to the web hosting company’s server and load your website.
Your website is made up of files – usually HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, as well as images and other media files. When someone visits your website, the web hosting company’s server will send them those files so they can view your website.
Web hosting companies typically provide a certain amount of storage space for your website, as well as bandwidth (the amount of data that can be transferred to and from your site each month). They’ll also give you a domain name and one or more email addresses.
In order to host your website, you’ll need to purchase a web hosting plan from a web hosting company. The cost of web hosting plans vary depending on your requirements, the amount of storage space and bandwidth you need, and other features like domain name registration and email addresses.
If you don’t have a lot of technical or web development talent, it can be much more time and cost-efficient to pay a hosting provider to manage hosting your website.
What is WordPress hosting?
WordPress hosting is a type of web hosting that is specifically designed for WordPress websites. WordPress hosting providers offer special plans and features that are tailored to WordPress sites, like automatic updates, one-click installs, and 24/7 support.
Some of the best WordPress hosting sites are:
If you’re using WordPress to build your website, it’s important to choose a WordPress-specific host that offers these features and services. This will ensure that your website is running smoothly and that you have access to all the resources you need to keep your site up and running.
How is WordPress hosting different from regular web hosting?
WordPress hosting is different from regular web hosting options in a few key ways:
- WordPress hosts are specifically designed to host WordPress websites. They offer features and services that are tailored to WordPress sites, like automatic updates, one-click installs, and 24/7 support.
- WordPress hosts typically include built-in caching and security features specifically for the WordPress CMS that are sometimes not found on basic web hosting sites. This ensures that your WordPress site is running smoothly and is secure from hackers and other threats.
- WordPress hosting services often include additional resources and tools that are helpful for managing and developing a WordPress site, like access to themes and plugins, automatic backups, site builders, quick WordPress installs, and WordPress software support.
If you’re using WordPress to build your website, it’s important to choose a WordPress hosting provider that offers these features and services.
How to choose the right web hosting for your website
Now that you know the difference between web hosting and WordPress hosting, how do you choose the right type of hosting for your website?
Here are a few tips to help you decide:
- If you don’t have any technical or web development expertise, you may want to choose a WordPress hosting provider. This will ensure that your website is secure and running smoothly, while also saving you time and money so that you can focus on building your site.
- If you plan on switching to a different content management system or a custom-built site in the future, standard web hosting may be the better option.
- If you’re using WordPress to build your website, make sure to choose a WordPress-specific host that offers features and services like automatic updates, one-click installs, and 24/7 support. This will ensure that your website is running smoothly and that you have access to all the resources you need.
- Make sure to read reviews of different web hosting providers before you choose one. This will help you to find the best provider for your needs and budget.
- Compare the prices and features of different web hosting providers before you decide which one is right for you. Be sure to consider what type of website you’re building, how much storage space and bandwidth you’ll need, and other features like domain name registration and email addresses.
- Ask friends and family for recommendations of good web hosting providers. They may have had a great experience with a particular provider that you should consider.
Once you’ve decided on the type of web hosting you need, it’s important to choose a reliable and reputable provider. Read reviews of different web hosting providers to find the best provider for your needs and budget.
At Aland Cloud, we have a great track record of happy customers on our hosting plans.
Factors you should consider when choosing a WordPress host
When choosing a WordPress host, there are a few factors you should consider:
The price: Compare the prices of different hosts to find one that fits your budget. Sometimes a lower price can mean lower quality, and you’ll end up spending more time and money fixing issues.
The features: Make sure the host offers the features you need, like automatic updates, one-click installs, and 24/7 support. Be sure to consider what type of website you’re building, how much storage space and bandwidth you’ll need, and other features like domain name registration and email addresses.
The reviews: Read reviews of different hosts to find the best one for your needs.
The support: Make sure the host offers good customer support in case you need help with your website.
The resources: Make sure the host offers enough storage space and bandwidth for your website.
The ease of use: Make sure the host is easy to use so you can manage your website without any problems.
The level of technical expertise and web development experience you have: If you don’t have any technical or web development expertise, paying a hosting company to maintain your website may be more time and cost-effective.
Ask friends: Many people have websites for personal or business reasons now. The recommendations of friends and family members who have experience with WordPress hosting providers should also factor into your decision. They may have had a great experience with a particular host that you should consider.
Once you’ve decided on the type of web hosting you need, it’s important to choose a reliable and reputable provider.
The benefits of using WordPress hosting for your website
- WordPress hosts typically include built-in caching and security features that are not found on regular web hosts. This ensures that your WordPress site is running smoothly and is secure from hackers and other threats.
- WordPress hosts often include additional resources and tools that are helpful for managing and developing a WordPress site, like access to themes and plugins, automatic backups, and WPBeginner’s own exclusive tools and tutorials.
- WordPress hosts are typically very reliable and have a good reputation for providing quality customer support.
- WordPress hosting is often more affordable than traditional web hosting, making it a great option for small businesses and bloggers on a budget.
Who should use WordPress hosting?
WordPress hosting is a great option for anyone who wants to build a website using the WordPress platform. It’s easy to use, reliable, and affordable, and it offers a range of features and tools that make it perfect for managing and developing a WordPress site.
- Bloggers who want to start a new blog on WordPress
- Small businesses that need an affordable, reliable host for their website
- Ecommerce stores that want a simple way to build an online store with WordPress’s additionally plugins like WooCommerce.
- Anyone who needs additional support and resources, like access to exclusive WordPress tools and tutorials
WordPress hosting is often more affordable than traditional web hosts, and many providers offer discounted rates for longer-term plans. When choosing a host, make sure to consider the price difference between their monthly or annual plan vs paying in one
Do you need managed WordPress hosting?
Managed WordPress hosting is a type of hosting that is designed specifically for WordPress websites. It includes features like automatic updates, malware scanning and removal, and one-click restores, making it easy for you to keep your website running smoothly. If you don’t have technical or web development expertise, managed WordPress hosting may be the best option for you.
Is There a Downside to WordPress Hosting?
If you are building a website for your small business, there really is no huge downside to using WordPress hosting for your website. It’s easy to use, reliable, and affordable, and it offers a range of features and tools that make it perfect for managing and developing a WordPress site.
One of the main drawbacks of a WordPress host is in its name: If you’re planning on migrating your site to a different CMS, or expanding beyond the capabilities of WordPress, you may outgrow a WordPress host. For larger or more complex sites that require additional hosting resources (like CPU power, memory and storage), a standard web host with cPanel and WHM will be a better option.
WordPress-specific hosting also can come with a higher price tag. If you’re on a tight budget, it might be worth considering a standard web host and using caching or security plugins to get the same benefits. Depending on your needs, this could save you some money.
If you’re looking for a host that’s easy to use and offers tools designed specifically for WordPress users – then go with a WordPress host. If you need more resources or features than what most WordPress hosts offer (like cPanel), then it may be worth considering other hosting options.
When should you use web hosting instead of WordPress Hosting?
If you’re looking to build a site on WordPress, but don’t plan to use the platform in the long-term (or if your needs outgrow standard WordPress features), then web hosting may be a better option. Traditional web hosts can sometimes offer more resources and tools than most of their WordPress counterparts, including cPanel & WHM, SSH access, additional storage and bandwidth, and the ability to host multiple domains on a single account.
If you’re needing something more customizable for advanced website work, web hosting may be the right option for you.
WordPress is a great platform for creating websites, but it can’t do everything. Web hosting offers more features and resources that make it easier to build a website from the ground up – even if you’re not using WordPress as your content management system (CMS).
Web hosting vs WordPress Hosting: The Verdict
Is WordPress hosting always the best choice for your website? If you’re a beginner, or don’t want to spend a ton of your time managing your site, WordPress hosting may be the right choice for you. It’s easy to use and offers a ton of great features that make it perfect for building or maintaining a website – especially if you’re just getting started with web development.
But…if you want more advanced tools, resources, or options than what most WordPress hosts offer, you may need to look into a traditional web host. They can provide more flexibility and power for larger or more complex sites, and give you the ability to do things that are not possible with WordPress hosting alone.
In the end, it’s up to you – what are your needs, wants, and budget?
Conclusion
Choosing the best hosting for your website can be a daunting task. In this article, we’ve outlined the difference between web hosting and WordPress hosting and when each one is most appropriate. We hope this information will help you make an informed decision about which type of hosting is best for your needs.