WordPress hosting vs web hosting

In this post, we will tackle the confusion that seems to keep popping up in the hosting world with the terms WordPress hosting vs Web Hosting.

Using some form of web hosting is essential if you want to move your business online. Choosing the right host can boost your site's SEO, increase your sales, and provide tools and packages to help your business. But what is the difference between WordPress hosting and web hosting, and which is the best option?

WordPress hosting and web hosting are two completely different types of hosting and they should not be confused. There are some key differences between the two, and they each have their own advantages, plans, and providers. Here is a guide to WordPress hosting versus web hosting and how to differentiate and choose between the two.

WordPress hosting vs web hosting - are they the same?

What is WordPress hosting?

In short, WordPress hosting is a form of web hosting optimized for running WordPress websites.

With a WordPress host, you will receive a lot of tools and services designed specifically for WordPress sites. These may vary depending on the WP hosting service you choose, but they often include features like one-click installation, automatic software updates, and a team of dedicated WordPress support staff to provide you with customized support.

What is web hosting?

Web hosting is a more general term that describes the process of an individual or organization purchasing a website to make their website available on the Internet.

A web host works by allocating space on the server to store files associated with your website and by providing an Internet connection for your site. This allows your website to display live on the Internet and appear in search results.

Web hosting is pretty much an umbrella term, and there are a lot of different types of web hosting, as well as different service providers and features. If you are planning to create a website for your business, you will need to use some form of web hosting because you will not be able to make your site online without a host.

What is the difference between web hosting and WordPress hosting?

The main difference between web hosting and WordPress hosting is that web hosting is a comprehensive and extensive service whereas WordPress hosting refers to a specific niche designed specifically for WordPress installations.

Web hosting is a more general service and refers to any hosting service that stores website files on a server to make the website live on the Internet. A web host caters to a wide variety of site builders, and websites stored on one of their servers may run on thousands of different platforms.

On the other hand, WordPress hosting is a definite niche in web hosting. WordPress hosting can also use shared servers to host multiple websites simultaneously, but unlike web hosting, each website on a shared server will be a WordPress site.

A WordPress host specifically caters to WordPress installations and provides solutions, services, and support tailored to the performance of WordPress.

How to choose the best hosting option for your business

With over 338,561 web hosting providers available worldwide, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your business – especially if you're still trading between WordPress hosting versus web hosting.

Both options have advantages and are available from a wide range of providers in a variety of plans. To choose the best option for your business, consider the basic things that a business needs in a web hosting service:

Dedicated 24/7 customer service
Support domain name management
Basic security features
Uptime guarantee
Server access

WordPress: Quick Overview

WordPress powers 35% of all websites on the internet right now - and with 4% annual growth, that number is expected to rise. WordPress is a very popular website builder and is used by companies like eBay, The New York Times, and Sony to build and run their websites.

According to research, WordPress is the most widely used CMS, with more than 1.1 million new domains registered every six months. If you're looking to build a commercial website or migrate your existing site, WordPress is a leading site builder - and a noteworthy hosting option as well.

WordPress is an easy-to-use, simple and fully customizable hosting option, and using a WordPress hosting service alongside your WP site will improve your site's performance and results.

Benefits of WordPress hosting

Improve security. WordPress hosts offer servers that are equipped against the threats specific to WordPress along with a dedicated team who will stay on top of security issues and ensure that your site is safe and secure.
Speed in setup and performance. The website creation process is incredibly fast using pre-configured web technologies, and WordPress servers ensure fast loading times and fast uptime from the moment your site is live.
Better plugin functionality. You won't need to use many plugins with a managed WP hosting, because performance, security, and caching will all be optimized by the host. And for the plugins you want or need, sites hosted on WP are optimized to work with the most popular of them, which can be updated automatically.
Easy to add SSL certificates. Most managed WordPress hosting plans allow you to add an SSL certificate to your site with just a few clicks, without any additional fees.
Automatic updates. Your website will receive automatic updates and upgrades, and security packages can be added to every website on the server simultaneously.
custom support. When you use a WordPress hosting service, you will have access to dedicated customer support services, experts in resolving WordPress issues.

Who Should Use WordPress Hosting?

If you build your website with WordPress, you will benefit greatly from using WordPress hosting. WP hosting perfectly integrates with websites built with WordPress and will improve your site's performance, security, and provide automatic updates. You don't have to use WordPress Hosting if you have a WordPress website, but combining the two creates the ultimate package.

Those looking for a managed hosting plan will benefit from WordPress hosting as well. WordPress hosts often offer managed services, where your site is run and maintained for you by WP experts. This is a great option for those who have limited time or experience running a website.

Web Hosting and WordPress Hosting Plans

Whether you choose to use WordPress hosting or web hosting, you will have to choose a hosting plan. Shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated server hosting, and cloud hosting are popular services offered by both WordPress hosts and web hosts.

WordPress hosts also offer some additional managed hosting services that can help get your site running.

Here are six of the most popular hosting plans available:

Shared Hosting - When you use a shared hosting plan, your website will share a server with other clients. This is a cheaper and easy to setup option, which makes it ideal for those who are building a beginner website or don't have a lot of site traffic.
Virtual Private Servers - VPS plan is similar to shared hosting; You will share your server with other users, but you will be more isolated and have your own dedicated space. This plan is ideal for those on a lower budget who want a higher level of control and customization.
Dedicated Server - If you have a high-traffic website and need improved performance and fast loading speeds, a dedicated server is a good choice. Dedicated servers provide you with complete customization, improved reliability and the opportunity to expand your business; But it is a high investment option.
Cloud hosting - This is a relatively new type of hosting, where your website is hosted on a cloud infrastructure rather than on a physical server. This hosting plan has a lot to offer for those looking for cheaper scalability and stability, but prices aren't always fixed, so if your site experiences an increase in traffic, you may see an unexpected spike in costs.
Managed WordPress Hosting – A lot of WordPress hosting providers offer a managed service, where the host manages and manages all the technical aspects of your WordPress site for you. Managed hosting plans can run across any of the hosting plans mentioned above, and offer the best levels of security, performance, and configuration.
Optimized WordPress Hosting – If you are looking for a hosting plan that offers pre-installed features and technologies to optimize your site, then Optimized WordPress Hosting is a great option. Enhanced WordPress Hosting is a full package plan and comes with pre-installed WordPress hosting, servers optimized for WordPress, built-in WordPress security, and expert WordPress support.

The plan you choose depends on your budget, the amount of traffic your site receives, and how much help you want from your host in running your site.