When building a website, choosing the right hosting plan is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. For those who plan to build a website with WordPress, there are two main options to consider: WordPress hosting and web hosting. In this article, we’ll dive into the differences between the two and help you determine which is right for your needs.
What Is WordPress Hosting?
WordPress hosting is a type of hosting plan specifically designed for WordPress sites. These plans are often shared and managed WordPress hosting plans, which means that the hosting company takes care of many of the technical details involved in running a WordPress site. Managed hosting plans often have features like automatic updates, regular backups, and security measures to keep your site safe.
What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting, on the other hand, is a general term that refers to hosting plans for any website. These plans can be shared hosting plans, VPS hosting plans, or dedicated server plans. Shared hosting plans are the most common and affordable option for small websites. With shared hosting, your website is hosted on a server with many other websites. This can lead to slower loading times and reduced performance, but it’s often a good option for those just starting.
Shared Hosting vs Managed WordPress Hosting
Regarding WordPress hosting vs web hosting, the main difference is that WordPress hosting plans are specifically designed for WordPress sites. Shared hosting plans, on the other hand, are designed to be more general-purpose and can work for a wide variety of websites.
Here are some of the key differences between shared hosting and managed hosting:
Shared Hosting offers:
- Cheaper than managed hosting plans
- Typically less performance than managed plans
- Limited support for WordPress-specific features
- No guarantees of speed or performance
Managed WordPress Hosts offer:
- More expensive than shared hosting plans
- Optimized for WordPress performance and speed
- Includes advanced WordPress-specific features
- Offers dedicated resources for your site
- Offers expert WordPress support
- Includes site security and regular backups
When to Choose Managed WordPress Hosts
Managed WordPress hosts are a good choice for those serious about building a high-quality WordPress website. If you’re willing to pay a little extra for faster load times, better performance, and expert support, managed is the way to go. Here are some situations where you might want to choose managed hosting:
- You want the fastest possible speed and performance
- You want to ensure that your site is secure and backed up regularly
- You need access to advanced WordPress-specific features
- You want expert support for any issues that may arise
When to Choose Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is a good choice for those just building a website. If you don’t have a lot of traffic yet and you’re on a tight budget, shared hosting is a good option. Here are some situations where you might want to choose shared hosting:
- You have a limited budget for hosting
- You’re just starting with your website
- You don’t have a lot of traffic yet
- You don’t need access to advanced WordPress-specific features
WordPress Hosting Plans
If you’ve decided that WordPress hosting is the right choice, the next step is to choose a hosting plan. Here are some of the most common shared and managed plans:
Basic Shared Hosting
Some hosting companies offer a basic shared hosting plan optimized for WordPress. These plans are usually the cheapest option and offer WordPress-specific features like automatic updates and backups. However, they often don’t include advanced features like site security or expert support.
Shared WordPress Hosting
Shared WordPress hosting plans are similar to basic shared hosting plans, but they are specifically designed for WordPress websites. These plans often include WordPress-specific features like automatic updates, security measures, and backups. They are a good choice for those who want to use WordPress but don’t need access to advanced features or expert support.
Managed WordPress Hosting service
Managed WordPress hosting service plans are the most comprehensive option for WordPress users. These plans are specifically designed to optimize WordPress performance and include features like dedicated resources, site security, regular backups, and expert support. They are the most expensive option, but they offer the best performance and support for serious WordPress users.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is a newer type of hosting that is becoming increasingly popular. With cloud hosting, your site is hosted on multiple servers that work together to provide faster load times and better performance. Cloud hosting plans are often more expensive than shared plans, but they offer better performance and scalability.
VPS Hosting
VPS hosting is a type of hosting that offers more resources and control than sharedplans. With VPS hosting, your site is hosted on a virtual private server that gives you more control over your site’s configuration and resources. VPS hosting plans are more expensive than shared plans, but they offer better performance and scalability.
Dedicated Server Hosting
Dedicated server hosting is the most powerful and expensive type of hosting. With dedicated server hosting, your site is hosted on a server that is dedicated to your site alone. This gives you complete control over your site’s resources and configuration, but it is also the most expensive option.
Managed WordPress Hosting Providers
Many hosting companies offer managed WordPress hosting plans. Here are some of the most popular:
WP Engine
WP Engine is one of the most popular managed WordPress hosting providers. They offer a variety of plans that are optimized for WordPress performance and include features like site security, regular backups, and expert support.
SiteGround
SiteGround is another popular managed WordPress hosting provider. They offer plans optimized for WordPress performance and include features like site security, regular backups, and expert support.
Bluehost
Bluehost is a popular web hosting company offering managed WordPress hosting plans. Their plans include features like site security, regular backups, and expert support.
Shared Hosting Providers
If you’ve decided that shared hosting is the right choice for you, here are some of the most popular hosting providers:
HostGator
HostGator is a popular shared hosting provider that offers affordable plans with various features.
DreamHost
DreamHost is another popular shared hosting provider that offers affordable plans with various features.
InMotion Hosting
InMotion Hosting is a shared provider that offers plans with various features, including free site transfers and a website builder.
Managed WordPress Hosting Costs
Managed plans are generally more expensive than shared plans. The exact cost will depend on the hosting company and the plan you choose. Here are some general price ranges for managed plans:
- Basic plans: $10-$30/month
- Mid-range plans: $30-$100/month
- High-end plans: $100+/month
Keep in mind that these prices are just estimates and can vary widely depending on the hosting company and the specific plan you choose.
Managed WordPress Hosting Pricing
Managed hosting plans are typically priced based on the number of sites you want to host and the amount of traffic you expect to receive. Some hosting companies offer plans that allow you to host multiple WordPress websites, while others offer plans that are designed for a single WordPress website. Here are some general pricing guidelines for managed hosting plans:
- Basic plans: $10-$30/month for a single site
- Mid-range plans: $30-$100/month for multiple sites or higher traffic
- High-end plans: $100+/month for multiple sites or very high traffic
Shared Hosting Services
Shared services are a good choice for those who are just starting out with building a website. Shared hosting plans are usually the cheapest option and offer a good balance between affordability and performance. Here are some of the most common features of shared services:
Limited Resources
With shared hosting, your website is hosted on a server with many other websites. Your site will have limited resources like CPU, RAM, and bandwidth. If your site receives a lot of traffic or requires a lot of resources, shared may not be the best option.
Limited Support for WordPress-Specific Features
Shared plans are not specifically designed for WordPress, so they may not offer the same support for WordPress-specific features like automatic updates, security measures, and backups.
Limited Guarantees of Speed or Performance
Shared plans are designed to be affordable, meaning they may not offer the same level of performance or guarantees of speed that managed WordPress plans do.
Managed WordPress Hosting Services
Managed services are the best choice for those serious about building a high-quality WordPress site. Managed plans are specifically designed to optimize WordPress performance and include features like dedicated resources, site security, regular backups, and expert support. Here are some of the most common features of managed hosting services:
Optimized for WordPress Performance and Speed
Managed plans are specifically designed to optimize WordPress performance and speed. They often use technologies like caching and CDNs to ensure that your site loads quickly and performs well.
Advanced WordPress-Specific Features
Managed plans often include advanced WordPress-specific features like automatic updates, security measures, and backups. These features help to ensure that your site is secure and running smoothly.
Dedicated Resources for Your Site
Managed plans often include dedicated resources like CPU, RAM, and bandwidth. This ensures that your site has the resources to perform well, even during high-traffic periods.
Expert WordPress Support
Managed plans often include access to an expert WordPress support team. This team can help you with any technical issues or questions that you may have about your site.
Site Security and Regular Backups
Managed plans often include site security measures like malware scanning and removal, as well as regular backups to ensure that your site is always backed up and secure.
WordPress Hosting for Multiple Websites
If you need to host multiple sites, you have a few options. You can choose a managed hosting plan that allows you to host multiple sites, or you can choose a shared hosting plan and install WordPress on each site individually. Here are some of the pros and cons of each option:
Managed WordPress Hosting for Multiple Websites
Managed plans that allow you to host multiple sites are a good choice if you need to manage several WordPress sites. These plans often offer a centralized dashboard that allows you to manage all of your sites in one place. However, these plans are often more expensive than shared hosting plans.
Shared Hosting for Multiple Sites
If you choose a shared plan and want to host multiple sites, you must install WordPress on each site individually. This can be time-consuming and may require more technical knowledge. However, shared hosting plans are often cheaper than managed WordPress hosting plans.
WordPress-Specific Features
If you choose a managed hosting plan, you will have access to a variety of WordPress-specific features that are designed to optimize performance and ease of use. Here are some of the most common WordPress-specific features that are included with managed WordPress hosting plans:
Automatic Updates
Managed hosting plans often include automatic updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins. This helps to ensure that your site is always up-to-date and secure.
WordPress-Specific Caching
Managed hosting plans often include WordPress-specific caching technologies that can help to improve site speed and performance.
WordPress-Specific Security Measures
Managed hosting plans often include WordPress-specific security measures like malware scanning and removal, as well as firewalls and SSL certificates.
WordPress-Specific Backups
Managed WordPress hosting plans often include WordPress-specific backups optimized for sites. These backups can be easily restored during a site outage or other issues.
WordPress-Specific Support
Managed WordPress hosting plans often include access to an expert WordPress support team to help you with any technical issues or questions.
Managed WordPress Hosting Plans
If you’ve decided that managed WordPress hosting is the right choice, the next step is to choose a hosting plan. Here are some of the most common types of managed WordPress hosting plans:
Basic Managed WordPress Hosting Plans
Basic managed WordPress hosting plans are usually the cheapest option and include features like automatic updates, site security, and backups. However, they may not include advanced WordPress-specific features like caching or expert support.
Mid-Range Managed WordPress Hosting Plans
Mid-range managed WordPress hosting plans include more advanced features like WordPress-specific caching, dedicated resources, and expert support. These plans are usually more expensive than basic plans but offer better performance and support.
High-End Managed WordPress Hosting Plans
High-end managed WordPress hosting plans include the most advanced features like premium WordPress-specific performance optimizations, dedicated resources, and expert support. These plans are usually expensive but offer the best performance and support for serious WordPress users.
Shared vs Managed WordPress Hosting Debate
The debate between shared hosting and managed WordPress hosting has continued for years. While both options have their pros and cons, some clear differences can make one option better suited for certain users than the other. Here are some of the main arguments in favour of shared hosting and managed WordPress hosting:
Shared Hosting:
- An affordable option for small websites
- Good choice for those who are just starting out
- Wide variety of hosting providers to choose from
- Can work for many types of websites, not just WordPress
Managed WordPress Hosting:
- Optimized for WordPress performance and speed
- Includes advanced WordPress-specific features
- Offers dedicated resources for your site
- Offers expert WordPress support
- Includes site security and regular backups
Ultimately, the choice between shared hosting and managed WordPress hosting will depend on your needs and budget. If you’re starting with building a website and have a limited budget, shared hosting may be the best option. If you’re serious about building a high-quality WordPress site and are willing to pay extra for faster load times, better performance, and expert support, managed WordPress hosting is the way to go.
Web Hosting
Web hosting is a general term that refers to hosting plans for any website. These plans can be shared hosting plans, VPS hosting plans, or dedicated server plans. Here are some of the key features of web hosting:
Wide Variety of Hosting Providers
There are many web hosting providers, so you can find a plan that suits your needs and budget.
Can Work for Many Types of Websites
Web hosting plans are not specifically designed for WordPress websites, meaning they can work for a wide variety of websites, including those built on other content management systems.
May Not Include WordPress-Specific Features
Web hosting plans may not include the same level of support for WordPress-specific features like automatic updates, security measures, and backups.
Hosting Companies
There are many hosting companies to choose from, each with its features, pricing, and customer support. Here are some of the most popular hosting companies:
Bluehost
Bluehost is a popular web hosting company that offers a variety of hosting plans, including shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated server hosting. They offer various features, including site security, regular backups, and expert support.
HostGator
HostGator is a popular shared hosting provider that offers affordable plans with various features. They also offer managed WordPress hosting plans and dedicated server hosting plans.
SiteGround
SiteGround is another popular managed WordPress hosting provider. They offer plans optimized for WordPress performance and include features like site security, regular backups, and expert support.
DreamHost
DreamHost is a web hosting provider that offers a variety of hosting plans, including shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, and VPS hosting. They offer various features, including site security, regular backups, and expert support.
Hosting Plans
If you’re looking for a hosting plan, there are many options. Here are some of the most common types of hosting plans:
Shared Hosting Plans
Shared hosting plans are the most affordable option and are a good choice for those who are just starting out with building a website. With shared , your site is hosted on a server with many other websites, which means that your site will have limited resources like CPU, RAM, and bandwidth.
Managed Hosting Plans
Managed WordPress hosting plans are specifically designed for WordPress websites and include features like automatic updates, site security, regular backups, and expert support. These plans are more expensive than shared plans but offer better performance and support for serious WordPress users.
VPS Hosting Plans
VPS hosting plans offer more resources and control than shared hosting plans. With VPS hosting, your site is hosted on a virtual private server that gives you more control over your site’s configuration and resources.
Dedicated Server Hosting Plans
Dedicated server hosting plans offer the most resources and control. With dedicated server hosting, your site is hosted on a server that is dedicated to your site alone. This gives you complete control over your site’s resources and configuration.
Managed Hosting Companies
Managed hosting companies are those that offer managed hosting plans for a variety of website types, including WordPress sites. These companies specialize in providing optimized hosting plans that offer the best performance and support for their customers. Here are some of the most popular managed hosting companies:
WP Engine
WP Engine is a popular managed WordPress hosting provider. They offer a variety of plans that are optimized for WordPress performance and include features like site security, regular backups, and expert support.
SiteGround
SiteGround is another popular managed WordPress hosting provider. They offer plans optimized for WordPress performance and include features like site security, regular backups, and expert support.
Kinsta
Kinsta is a managed WordPress hosting provider that offers plans that are optimized for WordPress performance and include features like site security, regular backups, and expert support. They also offer a variety of advanced features like staging environments and custom caching.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a hosting plan for your website, there are many options to choose from. Shared plans are the most affordable option and are a good choice for those who are just starting to build a website. Managed WordPress hosting plans are specifically designed for WordPress sites and offer better performance and support for serious WordPress users. Ultimately, the choice between shared and managed WordPress hosting will depend on your needs and budget.
