WordPress is the most popular and widely used Content Management Systems (CMS) in the world powering around 31% of the entire web. Organizations from all sectors and of all sizes use WordPress for developing their sites. Until a few years ago, web hosting was not designed to be platform-specific. However, with an increase in the use of WordPress, a demand for WP-specific hosting increased. Subsequently, hosting providers identified the need and designed WordPress Hosting services to help site owners run and manage WP sites. While it seems logical to opt for WP hosting if you have a WP site, today, we will highlight some important aspects that you must consider before buying a WordPress Hosting plan.
Here’s What You Need to Know Before Buying WordPress Hosting
In order to get the best out of your WordPress Hosting plan, ensure that it offers the following features:
The Host Should Automatically Update the WP-Core, Themes, and Plugins
As a WordPress user, you are certainly aware of the regular updates released by the WP developer community along with the plugin and theme developers. The idea of these updates is –
- Ensuring that your WP platform is safe from the latest security threats
- Fixing bugs
- Providing you access to the latest features
These developments are made available to users via updates which are released regularly. Theme and plugin developers also keep updating their products for better performance and security. Therefore, it is important to keep your WP-core, plugins, and themes updated as soon as the newer versions are released. You can install these updates yourself through the dashboard.
If you are opting for a WordPress Hosting plan, then ensure that the provider offers automatic updates of the core, plugins, and themes as this can save you a lot of time and effort. Also, it ensures that you never miss an update.
Regular Scanning of the Website to Eliminate Security Threats
Since WordPress is an open-source platform, there is always a possibility of a cyber-attack. WordPress offers hundreds of tools and plugins to help you keep your site secure. However, you must ensure that you scan your website regularly and take corrective steps if any threat is detected immediately. Like installing updates, this is a time-consuming task and not one that you can afford to miss.
Most WordPress Hosting plans include regular scanning of your website for the identification and elimination of security threats. Ensure that the provider offers these services and deploys the latest tools for the same.
The Host Must offer Automated Website Backups
Despite the security measures taken by you, there is always a possibility of an attack going undetected. Hence, it is important to back-up your website regularly so that your data is safe in case of any disaster. Again, you can and must take manual backups of your website regularly by using a backup plugin.
If you are opting for a WordPress Hosting plan, then ensure that the host takes daily backups of your website too. This adds an extra layer of protection for your data. Remember, even if the host offers backups, always take a backup of your own.
Customer Support
In today’s times, there is no excuse for a website that is down. Users expect sites to be available 24×7, with blazing fast speeds and top-notch security. Therefore, if you face any problems, at any time of the day or night, you must ensure that you resolve them immediately. Hence, you need a host who offers a support team available round-the-clock to help you manage such issues.
Summing Up
While these tips can help you find a good WP hosting plan, we recommend that you assess the hosting requirements of your website carefully even before you start looking for a host. This will give you clarity about the features that you desire from the hosting partner for an optimum performance of your website. Research well and choose meticulously. Good Luck!