The Tool Desk
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What is web hosting?
Web hosting is the server service and environment that makes a website’s files and software available online. A domain name is the address visitors use to find it. You can purchase hosting and a domain from the same provider or manage them separately; either way, the domain must be connected to the hosting service for visitors to reach the site.
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Hosting plans can also bundle services such as email, SSL certificates for HTTPS, backups, or support. Those features are not guaranteed by the word “hosting” or by a plan category. Check the selected plan’s terms and what each service covers.
What types of hosting are available?
Shared, WordPress, VPS, cloud, and dedicated hosting are common categories. The labels are broad rather than standardized promises: providers differ in what they manage, the resources they allocate, and the support and features they include.
| Type | What it generally means | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Shared | Multiple sites use a shared hosting environment. It is often positioned for straightforward sites with modest resource needs. | Price and renewal cost, resource limits, backup and restore, support scope, included SSL, and the route to upgrade. |
| WordPress | A plan or service configured around WordPress; the amount of management varies by provider. | Who handles updates, migration, staging, backups, support boundaries, and compatibility with WordPress’s current server requirements. |
| VPS | A virtual private server option for people who need more control or resources than basic shared service. | Managed versus self-managed responsibilities, resource allocation, scaling, backups, and the time and expertise needed to operate it. |
| Cloud | A broad category of hosting offerings; the details vary by provider. | How resources scale, the pricing model, support, data location when relevant, and backup and restore. |
| Dedicated | A server arrangement for cases that need dedicated infrastructure and can justify its cost and operational demands. | Management, capacity, redundancy, support, security responsibilities, and total cost. |
For a simple site, start by comparing straightforward options rather than assuming you need a VPS or dedicated server. Consider how much server administration you want to do: a lower-management service may be easier to run, while greater control can bring more responsibility. Compare the actual plan terms, not just the category name.
Will this host run the current version of WordPress?
WordPress.org’s current requirements page recommends PHP 8.3 or greater; MariaDB 10.11 or greater, or MySQL 8.0 or greater; and HTTPS support. It recommends Apache or Nginx, while noting that another server supporting PHP and MySQL can work. These are version-specific requirements, so check WordPress.org’s current requirements when choosing a plan.
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Account isolation is another useful question for a prospective host. WordPress.org’s Requirements page says: “Hosting is more secure when PHP applications, like WordPress, are run using your account’s username instead of the server’s default shared username.” Ask how the host isolates PHP applications between accounts; do not assume every provider handles this in the same way.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you check before choosing a plan?
- Fit for the site: Decide what the site will do and what software it will use. A WordPress site has specific server requirements; other platforms may have different ones.
- Software and HTTPS: Confirm the plan meets the software’s current server requirements and supports HTTPS.
- Included services: Check whether domain registration or connection, email, SSL/HTTPS setup, backups, restoration, and migration are included, and identify any limits or extra charges.
- Support and responsibility: Find out when support is available, what it can help with, and who handles software updates, security, and server troubleshooting.
- Resources and costs: Review storage and other resource limits, the initial price, and the renewal price. A low starting price does not establish what the service will cost later.
- Backup recovery: Check how often backups are made, how long they are retained, and how restoration works. Having backups is less useful if recovery is unclear or does not fit your needs.
For WordPress, you can also compare the provider’s documented management features and review WordPress.org’s hosting information. A listing or description there is not a guarantee that a provider will suit every site; assess the plan and terms you would actually use.
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How do you get a site online?
- Choose the site software. Identify what the site needs to do and select its platform before settling on a hosting plan.
- Select a suitable hosting category. Match resources and management responsibilities to your needs and technical comfort. Do not choose a more complex setup without a reason.
- Verify compatibility. Check the plan against the software’s current server requirements and confirm HTTPS support.
- Review the plan details. Confirm included services, resource limits, support scope, backup restoration, and renewal pricing.
- Connect the domain. Follow the selected host’s current official instructions. The exact DNS steps depend on the provider and are not universal.
- Publish and check the site. Confirm the domain reaches the site and that it loads securely over HTTPS.
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