WordPress hosting vs web hosting is a topic that causes a lot of confusion in the hosting industry, and that’s why we are going to get head-first into this post. To run an online business, you need web hosting. Choosing the best host can improve your site’s visibility in search engines, enhance sales, and supply you with valuable tools and packages. But the main question is what you should look for when deciding between web hosting vs. WordPress hosting.
Despite their similarities in name, web hosting and WordPress hosting are relatively separate services. There are some critical distinctions between the two, and both have their benefits, policies, and service providers.
WordPress-specific hosting is not required to make your site effective with WordPress. Many businesses provide regular sharing options to WordPress users. Nonetheless, these packages frequently include helpful features that might help improve the long-term functionality of your website. This blog will help you compare the two types of hosting and decide which is best for your WordPress blog. So, how about we go read?
Table of Contents
What is Web Hosting?
Website hosting is the process through which a hosting provider makes disc space available on a web server for a website to store its files. By storing and serving up a website’s source code, media files, and other components, web hosting services enable you to make your website accessible via the World Wide Web. Each and every one of the websites that you have ever visited has been housed on a server.
The type of hosting plays a significant role in determining the amount of space granted on a server to a website. The primary forms of hosting are shared, dedicated, VPS and reseller. The server technology employed, the degree of oversight provided, and the availability of ancillary services are the primary determinants of the best option. In simple words, web hosting is renting or buying space to house a website on the World Wide Web. To be accessible via the internet, files like HTML, CSS, and pictures must be stored on a server.
What is WordPress Hosting?
You’ve probably heard about WordPress if you’ve considered starting a personal blog, launching an online startup, or giving your business a professional website upgrade. You’ve probably also discovered WordPress hosting if you’ve heard of WordPress.
Web hosting services come in many flavours, but WordPress hosting services are a specific breed because they are built around the content management system and its needs.
Though WordPress hosting isn’t standardised, and plans might vary from one provider to the next, they all aim to do the same: making WordPress easier to use, faster, and safer for their customers. Even when you don’t have to buy a WordPress-specific plan to use the platform, doing so will give your site a performance boost, increased security, and some time-saving advantages like a one-click WordPress install (or having it pre-installed) and automatic updates for WordPress.
What is Shared Hosting?
Shared hosting is an economical and popular hosting option for beginners and small businesses alike. With shared hosting, your website shares a server with other sites; this means the resources such as CPU, RAM, and disk space are shared among all sites on the same server.
One of the primary advantages of shared hosting is its affordability. Shared hosting plans tend to be much cheaper than WordPress hosting plans, making them an attractive option for those on a tight budget.
Due to shared resources, performance can be compromised if one website on the server experiences high traffic or utilises excessive resources. Furthermore, by sharing a server with other websites, there is an increased risk of security breaches if one of those other sites experiences issues.
Advantages of Shared Hosting
At present, Shared Hosting is one of the most popular and cost-effective options for website hosting. In this article, we’ll cover its advantages as a great choice for hosting your website, including its shared server resources and bandwidth.
Cost-Effective
Shared hosting is economical because multiple websites are hosted on one server, meaning the cost is shared among website owners. This makes Shared Hosting the most economical choice for hosting a website. Furthermore, Shared Hosting providers usually provide flexible payment plans at affordable costs to make it even more accessible and convenient for website owners.
Easy Setup
Shared hosting makes setting up and managing a website much simpler, as website owners don’t need any technical knowledge or skill sets to get going. Your Shared Hosting provider takes care of all server-side tasks such as server upkeep, software upgrades and security – freeing you to focus on improving content and performance instead.
Scalability
Shared hosting is a scalable option, as website owners can upgrade their hosting plan as their traffic grows. Shared hosting providers offer various plans tailored towards websites with different traffic levels so website owners can choose one that meets both their needs and budget. This makes Shared Hosting an accessible, practical choice for businesses of all sizes.
Resource Allocation
Shared hosting providers guarantee that all websites hosted on their servers receive equal resources such as CPU, RAM, and storage space. Furthermore, they monitor the server to guarantee no website uses too many resources which could affect performance. This guarantees websites hosted on a shared server are stable, fast, and dependable.
Technical Support
Shared hosting providers offer technical support to their customers. Website owners can contact the provider if they experience any technical problems or questions. Generally, this team is available 24/7 and can assist with server-side tasks, software updates and security measures.
Security
Shared hosting providers take every measure to keep their servers secure, employing firewalls, antivirus software and other measures to prevent unauthorised access and protect websites from malware and other threats. Moreover, Shared Hosting companies usually perform regular backups of websites hosted on their servers so website owners can easily restore their site in case any data loss occurs.
Easy to Manage
Shared hosting is user-friendly, offering website owners a simple control panel to administer their website. This enables website owners to perform various tasks such as creating email accounts, managing databases and installing software without needing technical knowledge. This simplifies website ownership so that website owners can focus on content creation and performance instead.
What is the Difference Between Web Hosting and WordPress Hosting?
Honestly, it’s not that different. WordPress hosting is a subset of the larger field of web hosting. Statistics show that 35% of all websites run on WordPress. The simplicity of the action is to blame. The platform doesn’t require significant technological knowledge. You will only need a few tries to get the hang of it and learn. WordPress is preconfigured and optimised on all hosting tiers. It aids the productive operation of such websites and their ability to deliver results.
It’s not that the results you get from web hosting or shared hosting are useless. Due to its specialised nature, WordPress hosting can cater specifically to the requirements of the WordPress platform. That is why it helps WordPress websites run more dependably.
So, the next time you question which is the best web hosting for WordPress, you know the answer!
Furthermore, web hosting services include VPS and dedicated hosting as well. A more comprehensive definition denotes the basic hosting arrangement with no pre-installed or preconfigured web applications. The main distinction between regular web hosting and WordPress hosting is this. When a WordPress site outgrows its hosting, especially WordPress hosting, it must be moved to a different, more capable host. It’s perfect for starting over or establishing an online identity. WordPress websites will need VPS or dedicated hosting once they receive more visitors. At first, Virtual Private Servers are ideal because they are both economical and potent.
Advantages of WordPress Hosting
1. Increased security
WordPress hosts provide servers that are protected against WordPress-specific attacks and a specialised team that monitors security concerns and ensures your site’s safety and security.
2. Setup and performance are quick
Using pre-configured web technologies, the website setup procedure is exceedingly rapid, and the WordPress servers provide fast loading speeds and uptime from the minute your site goes online.
3. Improved plugin functionality
With a managed WordPress hosting service, you won’t need as many plugins because the host will optimise performance, security, and caching. In addition, WP-hosted sites are built to work with the most popular plugins, which may be automatically updated.
4. Simple SSL certificate installation
Most managed WordPress hosting plans let you add an SSL certificate to your site with a few clicks and at no extra charge.
5. Updates are performed automatically.
Your website will be automatically updated and upgraded, and security packages can be added to all websites on a server simultaneously.
6. Customised assistance
When you use a WordPress hosting service, you’ll have access to dedicated customer support services from WordPress professionals.
If you like, you can continue to use regular web hosting for your WordPress site. Technically, all you need are the most recent versions of PHP and MySQL, standard features of any Linux-based web host. However, you will be responsible for various optimisation and maintenance duties. For example, you must regularly upgrade your WordPress installation, a vital security measure. If you find these chores burdensome or want to save time on them, WordPress hosting may be well worth the expense.
How to Choose Between Web Hosting and WordPress Hosting?
Before picking between shared web hosting and WordPress hosting, consider the type of site you want to build and the type of website owner you are. Consider the following inquiries:
1. Do I want to build a WordPress website?
WordPress hosting is not for you if you answer no. In this case, proceed to determine the optimal web hosting type and plan for your requirements.
You will want standard web hosting if you do not intend to use a WordPress host to develop a website.
2. Can I maintain a website on my own?
If the answer is no, managed WordPress hosting is an excellent option because the web host frequently handles WordPress-specific upgrades, backups, and caching. It’s also a good choice for someone who values practicality in site management.
You can choose between WordPress and traditional web hosting if you answered yes. Whether you favour convenience or a hands-on approach to website maintenance, this decision may also be influenced.
3. Is my website secure enough?
If the answer is no, use WordPress hosting. If you choose this option, the server that hosts your website will have mechanisms to address WordPress-specific security issues. Furthermore, many managed WordPress hosting plans have pre-installed security plugins to combat malware and cyberattacks.
If you answered yes, you should choose a safe standard web hosting plan. Numerous guides and tutorials are available that detail the measures you may take to secure a WordPress website, regardless of the web hosting you use.
4. Is money an issue?
If the answer is no, paying extra money for a managed WordPress hosting plan may be worthwhile. This way, you may enjoy the comfort of WordPress hosting features and services without worrying about how it will affect site speed. If you answered yes, choose a low-cost shared hosting plan that supports WordPress.
5. Do I know enough about WordPress?
If you answered no, many WordPress hosting plans include enhanced site management, professional support, and experienced technical help. It is excellent for those with little or no WordPress expertise. However, WordPress hosting might be beneficial to specialists as well. Experienced users or those who manage several WordPress sites may find that selecting this option results in easier management.
If you answered yes, a regular web hosting plan is a good and usually less expensive option. It’s also a terrific approach to getting more involved in site management. Investigate amazing WordPress plugins to optimise the site, or use WordPress SEO tactics to increase its performance on search engine results pages.
Which Option Is Better For You – WordPress or Shared Hosting?
Ultimately, the decision between shared hosting and WordPress hosting comes down to your individual needs and budget. If you are just starting out with a new website on a tight budget, shared hosting may be your best bet. Conversely, if running WordPress is your chosen platform and performance and security are top priorities then WordPress hosting may be the better option for you.
Both shared hosting and WordPress hosting are two popular hosting options with distinct differences. While Shared hosting is cost-effective for beginners and small businesses alike, WordPress hosting optimises performance for WordPress users with additional features like automatic updates and expert support. When selecting between the two it’s essential to consider your individual requirements as well as budget constraints.
Expand My Business for Your Web Hosting Services
Web hosting is the backbone of any website, providing it with the capacity to be visible online. Without web hosting, a site would not exist. Selecting the right web hosting provider can have a major effect on your site’s performance, dependability and security.
A reliable web hosting provider guarantees your website is always accessible to customers without any interruptions, while also making sure it loads quickly – an essential factor in keeping visitors engaged and reducing bounce rates.
At Expand My Business, we specialise in website development solutions for businesses of all sizes and types. Whether you are a small startup or an established enterprise, our expertise and resources will enable your success online.
Our platform gives you access to a vast network of website development agencies, each with their own distinct strengths and specialties. This ensures that we can assist you in finding the ideal solution for your business needs no matter what budget or scale you have available.
No matter if you require a simple brochure website, an intricate e-commerce platform, or custom web application, our network of website development agencies has the skills and resources to make it happen. Our specialists cover a range of technologies and platforms such as WordPress, Magento, Shopify and more – no matter the scale!
If you need website development solutions for your business, Expand My Business is the perfect choice. Our expertise and resources will enable your success online, regardless of what size budget or needs are.
Wrapping Up
Both hosting providers have numerous commonalities but also significant variances. Web hosting encompasses all hosting services. WordPress hosting, on the other hand, comes preconfigured for WordPress sites. It’s a high-end hosting solution for the WordPress platform. In general, people think of shared hosting as web hosting. However, shared hosting is a subset of web hosting. Calling shared hosting “web hosting” is strictly incorrect.
Furthermore, double-check your criteria if you need help selecting which hosting provider to choose. It will assist you in determining which hosting is best for you.
FAQs
Do you need web hosting for WordPress?
Yes, you need web hosting for WordPress. WordPress is software that needs to be installed on a web server in order to run a website. Web hosting is a service that provides a server to store and serve your website files to visitors.
Can I use web hosting for WordPress?
Yes, you can use web hosting for WordPress. Most web hosting providers offer support for WordPress and provide tools to make it easy to install and manage WordPress on their servers.
Which is better WordPress hosting or Shared hosting?
The best option would be to use a web hosting provider that specialises in WordPress hosting, as they typically offer optimised servers and additional features tailored for WordPress sites. However, shared hosting can also work for WordPress, especially if you’re just starting out or have a smaller site.
