As a small business website owner, one decision you may have overlooked is choosing a website host. The right hosting setup can significantly impact how visitors experience your brand, the security of your business data, how much time and stress you'll spend on maintenance, and more.
Understanding Web Hosting
Web hosting refers to the process of storing a website on a server. Servers are like big computers that specialize in delivering specific web pages over the internet when people request them. The company that owns the server is known as the web host. When it comes to web hosting, there's no need to choose between WordPress and general hosting – all WordPress hosting falls under the umbrella of web hosting.
General Web Hosting vs. WordPress Hosting
Regular web hosting is a more general purpose option that can be chosen for almost any type of website. It tends to be less customizable than WordPress-specific hosting, but it's often more affordable and flexible. However, this flexibility comes at the cost of being able to personalize your server settings to meet your exact needs.
On the other hand, WordPress hosting is a subset of web hosting that's created specifically for hosting websites built on WordPress. The main differentiator between general and WordPress-specific hosting is which features the website hosting provider has packaged together to optimize WordPress sites. These may include security measures, support, speed, and more.
Why Choose WordPress Hosting?
WordPress hosting exists primarily because it caters to the largest market share of content management systems currently being used to build websites – 60.9%. This also makes it a popular target for hackers, as there are numerous add-ons (plugins) and customizations (themes) created by various developers that can clutter up and slow down sites if not maintained carefully.
WordPress hosting typically includes features such as fast loading times, security measures, and reliable support. It's often recommended for those who don't have the skills or desire to tinker with and update their website's technical details. However, it can be more expensive than general web hosting and less flexible.
Choosing the Right Hosting Solution
The right hosting solution is crucial for creating a positive user experience and converting visitors into customers. Look for a hosting provider that offers fast loading times, reliable uptime, thoughtful security features, and scalability.
When shopping for your first website hosting company, consider the following key features:
- Fast loading times
- Reliable uptime
- Scalability to accommodate growing needs
- Transparent support options
- Performance that aligns with your current needs and makes it easy to grow in the future
A Word of Warning
Disingenuous hosts may slap the title "WordPress hosting" on a bog-standard hosting package. To ensure you're not being taken advantage of, carefully read the details of any WordPress hosting package to make sure it mentions key features that focus on WordPress-specific security, support, and speed.
Is WordPress Hosting Right for Your Business?
If you're running your site on WordPress, we recommend using a specialized WordPress hosting package. However, if affordability is critical or you prefer to tinker with server settings, general web hosting may be the way to go. If you don't have a WordPress site, there's no need to invest in WordPress-specific hosting.
Ultimately, choosing the right hosting provider is what matters most when it comes to setting up small business website hosting for the first time. Consider your current needs and look for a hosting company that offers all the features your website requires alongside reliability, support, scalability, transparency, and performance.