WordPress is currently the most popular website management system in the world. According to estimates, approximately 455 million websites worldwide use WordPress. WordPress began as a blogging system, but today it is used to build all types of websites, including image websites, large content websites, and even e-commerce websites and online stores.
Most popular hosting services are suitable for hosting WordPress websites, but it is still worth paying attention to a few essential parameters. What should WordPress hosting include?
- Linux hosting server: If you don't have technical knowledge, you probably haven't thought about the operating system of the hosting server you are about to purchase. The truth is, that's not a big deal, since most hosting servers run on Linux. However, there are still Windows servers and technologies that are not compatible with WordPress websites. If you plan to set up a WordPress website, make sure you choose a Linux server.
- Speed improvement services: WordPress sites can easily become slow, especially if they are not maintained by professionals. Server-level cache services can help make your site faster. With LiteSpeed-based hosting, for example, you can install a WordPress plugin specifically designed for these servers and use it to make your site load faster.
- Protection against hacking: Is WordPress a secure system? This is a matter of debate. In principle, if you make sure to update WordPress on time and ensure that all plugins and templates are also updated, the chances of your site being hacked are relatively low. If you want to enhance the basic security, find a hosting service that specializes in monitoring and security and offers services specific to the field. It is recommended to search and check whether there are documented cases of multiple hacks on a particular hosting service (there have been quite a few such cases in Israel). If you have read many stories about a hosting service being hacked, it is recommended to stay away from it and choose a more secure service.
- Storage space: At the beginning, your website will have a small storage space. A basic WordPress installation does not take up much disk space at first. Most websites grow over time, mainly due to the addition of text and images. WordPress websites also allow you to install plugins, and over the course of the website's life, there is a good chance that you will install plugins and extensions as needed. If you have a small image-based website, you can make do with a package with relatively limited storage space, but we recommend choosing a storage package with at least one gigabyte of hard disk space. If you have a content website that you plan to maintain for years, or an e-commerce website, it is worth choosing a storage capacity of at least 2 gigabytes.
- Backups: Restoring from a backup is an excellent solution for many problems, including data deletion, hacking, faulty plugins, and more. You can back up WordPress sites independently using plugins, but sometimes that's not enough. Good hosting services for WordPress sites perform daily automatic backups and store them over time, saving you time, nerves, and money.
- Support services for WordPress sites: WordPress site hosting does not end with simply storing the site on the server. What happens when there is a problem with WordPress? If you do not have technical knowledge, you will need to find a professional to help you. It is recommended to choose a hosting service that has professionals who understand WordPress and can provide you with assistance if necessary. It is important to make sure that it is indeed a support service for WordPress websites, and not a general hosting support service.
- Automatic installation system for WordPress: Not mandatory, but recommended. Automatic installation of WordPress and other content management systems allows you to set up websites quickly and efficiently, even if you have no programming knowledge.