Knowing what you do or don't need in the world of web hosting and WordPress hosting can quickly become confusing. Sorting through the verbiage isn't always easy, especially if you don't already have a background in the field. Web hosting services don't have to be complicated. Making sense of the material just takes a little bit of time and understanding.
Avoid Labels
The first thing to avoid is "dressed up" labels. What does that mean? Some companies advertise WordPress hosting as a specialized service or added package, despite the fact that it provides nothing new. Compare their offerings carefully and place them side-by-side if you can. It's usually pretty easy to spot hosting companies that are simply selling you a bill of goods. Be wary of rephrased statements that don't seem to say anything new. That's a fairly obvious indication that they're just playing around with language without giving you extra services or benefits. Why pay more for the same thing? It's generally best to avoid unscrupulous companies like this entirely.
Modern Web Hosting
In order to run WordPress, you need a Linux-based hosting account, as well as PHP and mySQL support. Since the early 2000s, this has been largely standard. Yes, this means "WordPress Hosting" is often unnecessary, since you can do everything you need to do without it. The reality is that you can do 90% of what a WordPress hosting plan offers on a regular web hosting plan, assuming that it's a solid plan with a quality provider. You won't necessarily need the WordPress-tailored package. So, when is it actually worth paying more?
WordPress Hosting
Whether or not specialized hosting is worth the expense ultimately depends on what you get. One of the primary advantages is having your WordPress account hosted with a multitude of similar accounts. Having those additional WordPress installs may provide real advantages, such as resource usage that's significantly more predictable. The server's configuration should also be rather specific. As in, it ought to be specifically tailored to accommodate WordPress installs and their accounts. With an appropriate configuration and proper resource usage, you can also expect faster upgrades.
Some companies take things a step or two further. If you see a hosting company boasting about increased PHP memory, NGINX, or PHP7, you know that they've made strides towards a more advanced WordPress configuration. Those enhancements and considerations are a good indication that their WordPress-tailored hosting plans are probably worth the price.
There are other items to think about as well. Does the hosting company provide for a certain level of consistency? Is the plan that's being offered as a bundle better than what you could purchase separately yourself? Will the hosting company provide support and services better globally than you would otherwise be able to manage? Not all bonuses have to be targeted at WordPress. Look at the total package to make a determination.
In reality, not all web hosting is the same. Unfortunately, it's not always obvious whether or not you're getting your money's worth. It can take a little bit of time and careful reading to get at the details. Contact the professionals at AT&T Website Solutions to learn more about web hosting and WordPress-related services.
