WordPress Hosting vs. Web Hosting – Everything You Need to Know

Creating a successful website starts with choosing the right hosting solution. When choosing between WordPress hosting and general web hosting, many users struggle to understand the differences and determine which option best suits their needs.

Each type of hosting comes with unique features and is better suited for specific types of websites. This blog post will explain the different web hosting options and clarify any confusion around choosing the right one for your website.

What Is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is a broad term that refers to all services designed to make websites accessible on the internet. 

All web hosting providers offer server space to store a website’s files, images, databases, and other assets.

There are various types of web hosting. The most common way to classify them is in four main categories:

• Shared Hosting: Multiple websites share a single server’s resources, making it a cost-effective option for small sites.
• VPS Hosting: Users share a physical server, but each website operates in its isolated environment. It provides more control and scalability than shared hosting.
• Dedicated Hosting: Users have access to an entire server for their website, giving them full control over performance and security. This is suitable for large or high-traffic websites that are maintained by experienced web developers.
• Cloud Hosting: Websites are hosted across a network of virtual servers, providing high reliability, scalability, and flexibility.

As you can see, this distinction refers to the technology that web hosting providers use to distribute their services. 

Web hosting is an umbrella term that can also refer to specialized web hosting services, such as WordPress hosting. 

Hosting can be specifically configured for content management applications like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Moodle, etc. This means that the hosting environment is optimized to support the technical requirements and performance needs of the chosen application.

With managed hosting for specific applications, you’re getting a hosting environment designed to help your chosen platform thrive. Whether you’re using WordPress, Joomla, or another platform, specialized managed hosting offers convenience, reliability, and performance optimized for your CMS.

Whether it’s shared, cloud, VPS, or dedicated hosting, all the main types mentioned above can be considered WordPress hosting if they’re tailored for WordPress websites.

What Is WordPress Hosting?

WordPress hosting refers to web hosting that is specifically optimized for WordPress websites. These hosting environments are configured to enhance WordPress performance, security, and compatibility. 

This specialized hosting option often includes features like pre-installed WordPress, automatic updates, and built-in caching mechanisms. All these features are designed to make WordPress websites faster and more secure.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is WordPress a Web Host?

No, WordPress itself is not a web host. WordPress is a content management system (CMS) used to create and manage websites. It is open-source and free to use. 

WordPress users need to choose a hosting provider, whether it’s general web hosting or a specialized WordPress hosting provider, to make their website accessible on the internet.

2. Does WordPress Include Hosting?

No, WordPress.org doesn’t include hosting and you will need a hosting service for it.

That said, there is an important distinction between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. 

WordPress.org is the official site where anyone can download the free, open-source WordPress software.

On the other hand, WordPress.com is a hosted platform managed by Automattic (the main company behind WordPress). It includes a custom site builder that is based on the free, open-source WordPress.org project.

If you use WordPress.com, hosting is included as part of the platform. If you choose to use WordPress.org, the self-hosted version, you will need to arrange for hosting separately. 

There are certain benefits of using WordPress.com, such as ease of use and access to additional proprietary features and tools. However, WordPress.org is significantly more popular due to its flexibility and open-source nature, powering over 40% of today’s internet. 

3. Do I Need WordPress Hosting? Is WordPress Hosting Worth It?

WordPress hosting is worth it if you’re running a WordPress site and want the best possible performance, speed, and security. 

Managed WordPress hosting offers benefits such as automatic updates, staging environments, and enhanced support, which can be a significant advantage. This is especially true for non-technical users or businesses aiming for scalability.

Key Differences Between WordPress Hosting and Web Hosting

Understanding the key distinctions between WordPress hosting and general web hosting is essential to choosing the right service for your website.

1. Infrastructure and Server Environment

The server infrastructure in WordPress hosting is specifically designed to support WordPress. 

This includes server configurations, caching mechanisms, and sometimes even specific hardware optimized for running WordPress smoothly. 

General web hosting servers, on the other hand, have a more versatile setup to support various types of websites and CMS applications. However, this also means they lack the performance and security of specialized hosting plans. 

2. Tools

WordPress hosting dashboards are optimized for managing WordPress websites. 

A good WordPress hosting service includes additional features such as automated updates, WordPress plugins, and migration services. 

With regular web hosting, users have access to a more generic dashboard and need more technical expertise to manage their website.

Advantages of WordPress Hosting 

WordPress hosting offers distinct advantages. Here are some of the most notable benefits:

• Enhanced Security: WordPress hosting environments often come with WordPress-specific security features, such as web application firewalls, malware scanning, and protection against vulnerabilities commonly associated with WordPress plugins and themes.
• Faster Loading Times: Performance optimizations like server-side caching, content delivery networks (CDNs), and PHP enhancements lead to quicker loading times for WordPress sites.
• Simplified Management: Managed WordPress hosting often includes automated tasks like updates, backups, and maintenance, which is a relief for website owners focused on content and growth.
• Dedicated Support: WordPress hosting providers frequently offer support teams specialized in WordPress, which means faster, more accurate help when technical issues arise.
• One-Click Tools: Many WordPress hosting providers offer tools such as a staging environment, one-click WordPress installations, and built-in search and replace, which are specifically designed to make WordPress site management easier. 

Essential Considerations for WordPress Sites

If you’re planning to host a WordPress website, there are several important considerations to keep in mind when choosing a hosting plan.

1. Security

WordPress is popular, which unfortunately makes it a common target for malicious attacks. 

WordPress hosting providers often incorporate extra security measures tailored to WordPress-specific vulnerabilities, making it safer for WordPress sites than standard hosting options that lack these focused protections.

2. Performance

Optimizing your speed performance is essential, especially for high-traffic sites. With WordPress hosting, optimizations for caching, image compression, and faster database connections are often pre-configured to enhance speed. 

General web hosting users may need to manually set up caching and other speed optimizations. This requires technical knowledge, and usually does not offer the same results as a specialized hosting service.

3. Auto-Updates

WordPress frequently releases updates to improve security, add new features, and enhance performance. 

WordPress hosting often includes automatic updates for the core software, themes, and plugins. This ensures your site remains secure and up-to-date without the need for daily manual maintenance.

4. Staging

A staging environment allows users to test changes to their website before implementing them on the live site. 

This feature is highly beneficial for WordPress sites, especially those with complex designs or plugins. 

While some web hosting providers also offer staging, it’s a more common feature in managed WordPress hosting.

5. Migration Options

Migrating a website to a new host can be challenging, particularly for WordPress sites with complex configurations. 

Many WordPress hosting providers offer free migration services, simplifying the process of transferring an existing WordPress site.

WordPress Hosting vs. Web Hosting – Which One is Right For You?

When it comes to choosing between WordPress hosting and general web hosting, your decision should be based on your website’s specific needs, your budget, and your technical expertise. 

Here’s a breakdown of when each option is most likely to be the best fit:

1. When to Choose WordPress Hosting

• You’re Running a WordPress Site: If you’re already committed to using WordPress, choosing WordPress hosting is best. The environment is tailored to support WordPress, and offers improved performance, security, and support.
• You Want Simplified Management: Managed WordPress hosting reduces the burden of managing technical aspects like updates, security, and backups, allowing you to focus on creating content.
• You Need WordPress-Specific Features: WordPress hosting often includes features like staging environments, auto-updates, and specialized support, which are valuable for WordPress users.

2. When to Choose Web Hosting

• You’re Using a Different CMS or have a custom-coded website: If you plan to use a CMS other than WordPress, or build a custom-coded site from the ground up, a general web hosting service is a better option, as it supports various platforms.
• You’re Looking for Budget-Friendly Options: Shared web hosting tends to be more affordable than managed WordPress hosting, making it a suitable choice for smaller websites with limited budgets.

You Prefer More Control Over Server Configurations: General web hosting allows for more control over server configurations, making it ideal for users with technical knowledge who want to customize their environment to meet specific needs.

Final Thoughts on the Difference between WordPress Hosting and Web Hosting

To sum up, WordPress hosting is a sub-type of web hosting that includes specific optimizations, features, and tools to make your WordPress site faster, more secure, and easier to manage. 

If your website is not WordPress, going with a general web hosting solution is the right choice. 

If you are building your site on WordPress, go for a managed WordPress hosting, as it will help you significantly optimize your website and boost your online presence

Check out our Managed WordPress Hosting plans if you wish to start your WordPress journey today!