Originally developed as only a blogging tool, it’s become a robust content management system (CMS) which now powers a whopping 32.3% of all websites on the internet! It’s no wonder since it’s free, open source, easy-to-use, highly customizable, SEO-friendly, and fairly secure.
All you need to do to keep it running properly is consider the following five factors when choosing WordPress hosting plans.
1. SPEED
Not only does site loading speed make for stellar user experience, but site speed is also a confirmed ranking factor, meaning faster website translates to higher rankings in Google.
Good service providers will be able to keep data transfer times low even under heavy load. You can check the load on your server’s CPU, RAM, and disk space usage in your cPanel.
2. SUPPORT
Whether you’re a newbie or a WordPress wizard, excellent customer support is crucial for your blog’s long-term success. You’re going to face issues like internal server errors, connection time-outs, the “white screen of death”, etc., so you will need a host that employs knowledgeable and prompt support staff.
To find this out, first check if the hosting provider is marketing itself specifically towards WordPress users; then check whether they provide enough help/support documentation and WordPress-specific guidance; lastly, verify how many channels of support the hosting provider offers: live chat, ticket system, telephone, forums, and emails.
3. SECURITY
WordPress, being so popular as a CMS, does naturally fall victim to a large portion of brute force attacks and other hacking isses every year. The faster you recuperate from a hack, the less severe its repercussion on your website and users. In many cases, you will require your hosting to help with the recovery efforts, so you have to understand how quickly your hosts’ support team responds, how You can reach them, and how competent their support resources are. Make sure your WordPress hosting provider offers all of these security features, if not more:
. Firewalls
. DDoS Protection
. Virus Protection
. Security Protection
. Spam Filter
. SSL Security Certificate
. Domain Name Privacy
4. SCALABILITY
Managing expectations is important in the world of blogging, but the sky’s indeed the limit – with a whole bunch of blood, sweat, and tears, your blog can grow into a massive business. So, whichever hosting provider you choose should allow you to effortless upgrade your plan for more web space.
5. RELIABILITY
Customer reviews and surveys can tell you a lot about the provider’s reliability.