Find a Host With the Features That You Need
Hosting is very customizable. There is a dizzying list of features that hosting solutions can offer, from different types of tools to including SSL certificates with your subscription.
You can opt for an off-the-shelf plan which includes certain features, or you can pick a custom plan that allows you to mix and match a wide range of different features. When you’re choosing a WordPress host, you should consider the features that you need right now.
Paying for features that you won’t use is an unwise decision, though you should check whether you can add these later, should you change your mind. Some essential features that you may need include:
- Easy migration tools
- Ability to host more than one site
- Backup and security services
- 24/7 customer support
Take a thorough look at any hosting company’s site and, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in contact with them to check what features they offer on their plans.
Self-Hosting or Managed Hosting?
When deciding between different hosting solutions, you’ll need to choose between whether to manage your site’s technical side yourself or let someone else take the reins.
There are several key differences between self-hosting and managed hosting. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each approach.
Self-Hosting
Self-hosting, or self-managed hosting, is where you control every facet of the site’s technical side yourself. This gives you a fine level of granular control over your server, as you are in charge of everything, from installation to security.
However, having this amount of control over your server means that it’s harder to get started and will take more time.
There won’t be any technical support either, which means that you’re on your own if something goes wrong. Setting up a server is complicated: you need to make sure that everything is configured correctly, or you could end up footing the bill for a data breach.
On the plus side, if you have experience with web hosting, you’ll enjoy the extra control that you have over the server. If you want to add new features to the server yourself or tinker with the fine details of your setup, managed hosting will be impractical.
Managed Hosting
Managed hosting offers a streamlined experience that the average user will benefit from. Your server is managed by a third party that can optimize your server for your particular needs. For example, in this instance, they’ll be able to fine-tune WordPress so that it runs the best it possibly can.
Keep in mind, managed hosting is not a completely hands-off experience. Through the control panel, you can generate technical reports and tweak your site to a certain extent, which means that you’ll still be able to manage your server to a limited extent.
The big advantage of managed hosting is that you’ll have a robust hosting solution for your website without getting involved with the technical side of things. Your security should be rock-solid too, so there’s a lower chance of a data breach.
If you’re not particularly technically minded and want a strong foundation for your website, managed hosting is your best option.
