Hostonce WordPress Hosting: Do You Need Hosting for WordPress?

Why do you need hosting for WordPress? It is common for users to be confused about whether they need web hosting for their WordPress website. The confession is there because there are two WordPress types: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. We will remove this confusion as we proceed through the article to hosting types and how Hostonce WordPress hosting is a good choice.

Key Takeaways

• WordPress is a friendly CMS
• Pros and cons of WordPress help you decide if it is worth it
• Knowing the right hosting type results in the best WordPress experience

Is WordPress a web host?

WordPress.org is a content management system (CMS). It is not a host. Flexibility makes it one of the most popular choices of site owners as it suits any kind of website. WordPress.org is self-hosted. You should purchase web hosting separately for it.

WordPress.com is not a web host despite offering web hosting in its services. WordPress.com is hosted. Its plans already have hosting. It is rather a service that allows a custom version of the WordPress software.

WordPress.org vs WordPress.com

We must highlight the key differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org with pros and cons so you can choose the best platform for you.

Pros of Using WordPress.org

• Custom Domain. You have full control over your web address. All you need is to conduct a domain name search and register the available one.
• Super Customizable. Install plugins and themes to create a site that works and looks the way you want.
• Good for SEO. WordPress SEO plugins have practical suggestions to maintain the best SEO practices. WordPress.org even allows you to create custom permalinks.
• Monetization. It is possible to use WordPress or place advertisements to create an online store.

Cons of Using WordPress.org

• Security. WordPress is secure. You will still have to perform due diligence before you install new tools on the website. Make sure not to expose your site to unwanted files since anyone can develop themes and plugins.
• Maintenance. Only you are responsible for update management for WordPress software, themes and plugins.
• Steeper Learning Curve. Beginners must do additional research to enjoy the full potential of the platform.

The WordPress software is downloadable for free. The cost of using WordPress.org is dependent on the domain name and premium plugins or themes. The hosting provider you choose will also have its expenses.

Pros of Using WordPress.com

• Easy setup. Just choose a plan and sign up to have a website. Bingo!
• Beginner-friendly. The dashboard of the platform is simple and has multiple built-in features.
• Security and maintenance. WordPress.com handles the site hosting, security, and WP updates for you.
• Access to many themes. WordPress offers a variety of themes. You do not have to look anywhere else.

Cons of Using WordPress.com

• WP domain. Your web address will have a WordPress.com subdomain like https://yourwebsite.wordpress.com.
• No monetization. You cannot place ads on your free website. You do not receive revenue from WP ads. The free site does not have eCommerce functionality. 
• Advertisement. WordPress places ads on free sites. You must upgrade to a paid plan to remove them.
• Little flexibility. You cannot use a custom theme or plugin on a free site. This limits your customization options and site functionality. 

Hosting Types for WordPress

The right hosting plan is important. Make sure that your plan meets WordPress requirements:

• HTTPS support
• MariaDB version 10.5 or MySQL version 8.0 or greater
• PHP version 7.4 or higher

There are three common hosting types for WordPress with those requirements. The three types are cloud hosting and shared hosting and managed WordPress hosting. 

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting uses a combination of multiple servers to host your site. This ensures excellent uptime as more servers will keep the website running even if one goes down. Cloud hosting offers:

• Easy management of a cloud hosting account.
• Tight security.
• High uptime and availability.
• AI website builder.

Cloud hosting is pricier than managed WordPress hosting and shared hosting. It starts at $7.45/month.

Shared Hosting

Websites use the resources of a single server in shared hosting. It is not built considering WordPress; your hosting provider must meet all requirements. Shared hosting offers:

• Affordability that starts at $1.95/month.
• Managed service.
• One-click installations for WordPress.

Managed WordPress Hosting

The server configuration for WordPress is optimized in managed WordPress hosting. That makes it compatible with unlimited MySQL databases and multiple PHP versions. There is an advantage of automatic backups and updates. You do not have to do it manually. Managed WordPress hosting offers:

• Easy installation.
• Great performance.
• Excellent security.
• Managed service.

The managed WordPress hosting plan at Hostonce starts at $1.95/month.

Conclusion

Your choice between WordPress.com and WordPress.org depends on your level of purpose and comfort with hosting for WordPress sites. Pair your selection with a reliable host like Hostonce for a seamless experience. You should know which hosting type will be efficient for your goals: cloud hosting, shared hosting, or managed WordPress hosting. Hostonce offers all three at affordable pricing!

Frequently Asked Questions