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Choosing the Right Hosting Plan: Shared Hosting vs. WordPress Hosting

When you are about to host your website, you have different options. Among them, Shared hosting and WordPress hosting are two common types. It would help if you chose the appropriate hosting package for your needs. But how do you decide on the one that fits your website? To help you figure this out, we will compare Shared and WordPress hosting.

Shared Hosting in a Nutshell

Web hosting allows you to rent a server space for your website. This helps you get your site online so that people can visit it. There are different types of hosting plans, and each one is different in terms of price and benefits.

One of the most popular options is shared hosting, where you’ll share the server’s resources with other websites hosted on the same server. This contrasts with dedicated hosting, where a single website has a whole server. Shared hosting is an excellent choice for small businesses and startups due to its low cost.

While the cost of shared hosting is the primary benefit, there are some potential downsides (which we will discuss later in this article). Moreover, a standard shared hosting plan is one of many options; you can also choose something more specific to the platform you are using.

WordPress Hosting in a Nutshell

As the name suggests, WordPress hosting is designed specifically to meet the needs of WordPress websites. This can include optimized servers, one-click WordPress installation, automatic updates, and specialized support for WordPress-related issues.

WordPress hosting is an extended term. It comes in various forms: shared, VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting. Depending on your required support and assistance, these plans can be managed or unmanaged.

Managed WordPress hosting means the hosting provider will optimize the server to ensure your website runs smoothly. Unmanaged WordPress hosting, on the other hand, requires you to handle these aspects yourself. And it is less expensive when compared to managed hosting.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Shared Hosting

As mentioned, the main advantage of shared hosting is the low cost. This eventually makes it the best option for new websites requiring only a few resources, like a blog.

Since multiple websites are on one server, downtime, and technical issues are typically resolved much quicker than on dedicated hosting servers. On top of this, The hosting provider takes care of all maintenance and server management, freeing you up to focus on your website. This also means you don’t need any server management knowledge.

However, there are some essential disadvantages tied up to shared hosting.

The main disadvantage is that you are sharing resources with other websites on the same server. For example, if another website is getting high traffic, you may need more resources for your website at that time.

A tremendous negative impact of a shared environment is your neighbour’s actions. For example, suppose another website on the same server engages in malicious activities or violates search engine guidelines. In that case, it can impact the search engine ranking of all websites on that server, including yours. This can be particularly damaging if your website relies heavily on search engine traffic.

Advantages and Disadvantages of WordPress Hosting

The main advantage of WordPress hosting is the increase in performance. Websites will have better security, better load times, automatic updates and backups, and knowledgeable support about WordPress.

And WordPress comes preinstalled, which is excellent for those new to web development.
Many hosts provide managed WordPress hosting plans, meaning the host will take care of the burnt work on the server. Thus, as a web developer, you can focus more on designing web content and less on optimizing.

The main disadvantage is the higher price tag. While you certainly get more for your money, many small and new websites don’t require this level of service.

Another disadvantage is that managed WordPress hosting will limit the flexibility and customization of your website due to plugin restrictions. You will have less control over your website as it attempts a one size fits all approach. This is a big no for those who like to tweak their settings.

The Game Plan

Now that you have explicit knowledge of Shared vs WordPress hosting, you need to answer the following question:

How much are you willing to pay?

For most people, the cost is the primary factor. If you are a startup, you could quickly go a year without making money. Thus, picking the option that best suits your budget is essential.

Do you have a new or old website?

If you have a new website, you will have less traffic and may only require a few resources to get started. But if you have an existing website, you must have precise statistics on your traffic. As a result, you will need more resources, so plan accordingly.

What type of content are you planning?

Different types of content use varied resources. For example, websites like blogs are only text-based and require a few resources. At the same time, websites that rely on images, videos, and photo galleries use more resources.

Do you know how to manage your server?

While more people attempt to make a website, expertise to manage your site is becoming less common. You will need help managing your server if you are starting.

Do you want to limit yourself to WordPress?

Choosing a WordPress hosting plan will be a big mistake if you want to try other platforms rather than WordPress.

How to Decide Which Type of Plan Is Best for Your Site

Shared and WordPress hosting are both viable options, making it difficult to choose one. But comparing the two can make your decision easier.

Cost is an essential factor to consider when you are just starting. As mentioned, Shared hosting is generally cheaper, making it a good choice for those with a limited budget.

However, you will find that some WordPress hosting plans can be just as affordable as other platform-agnostic options. For that reason, it’s worth choosing a WordPress hosting plan because it provides additional benefits tailored to the needs of WordPress sites.

You can also look into managed WordPress hosting if you have the budget. While pricier, it can be a good option for those who want a more efficient and secure site without handling performance and security concerns themselves.

Ultimately, the best hosting option depends on the specific needs of your business and website. You can choose the right hosting plan by carefully assessing your requirements, budget, and traffic expectations. Whether it’s shared hosting, WordPress hosting, or managed WordPress hosting, selecting a plan that addresses your needs can help ensure the success of your website.

However, if you mistake picking the wrong plan, remember that switching or upgrading plans is easy. Also, if you are unsatisfied with your web host, you can always transfer to AEserver. We provide free site migration with our Managed WordPress hosting plan.