This is the second post in our three-part WordPress hosting series. In Part 1, we covered what hosting is and why it matters for your website. In this post, we’re breaking down the main types of WordPress hosting, what they actually mean, and how to pick the one that fits your goals. And in Part 3, we’ll talk about what to look for in a hosting partner.
Let’s dive in.
Do You Really Need WordPress-Specific Hosting?
Not always. WordPress is lightweight and can technically run on most servers, as long as they meet basic requirements like PHP 7+, MySQL 5.6+, and HTTPS support.
But “can run” doesn’t mean “runs well.” That’s where optimized WordPress hosting makes a difference. It’s built to support how WordPress works behind the scenes—faster speeds, tighter security, easier updates, and better plugin support.
So if your site is just a personal blog or portfolio? You might be fine on a basic plan or even WordPress.com. But if you’re running a business, capturing leads, or relying on your site to support growth, we’d steer you toward a more capable setup.
WordPress Hosting Options (and What to Watch For)
1. Free WordPress Hosting
Yes, it exists. But we don’t recommend it.
Free hosting typically comes with major trade-offs—like banner ads you can’t control, minimal support, slower load times, and the constant risk of the host disappearing overnight. If you’re serious about your business or brand, free hosting probably isn’t your friend.
2. Shared WordPress Hosting
Shared hosting means your site lives on a server with lots of other sites. It’s affordable and beginner-friendly, but speed and performance can vary based on how many other sites you’re sharing space with.
It’s a solid choice for small businesses, especially if you’re not expecting huge traffic or running complex features. Just make sure you go with a reputable provider and understand what’s included.
3. Managed WordPress Hosting
This is where things get a lot easier. With managed hosting, the provider handles all the backend stuff for you—like updates, backups, malware scans, plugin conflicts, and more.
You’ll typically see:
- Faster site speeds
- Better caching and uptime
- Stronger security protections
- Access to test environments
- Support that actually knows WordPress
It’s perfect for small to midsize businesses that want performance and peace of mind without hiring a full-time developer.
Our pick: After years of working with platforms like WPEngine, we’ve developed our own custom-managed WordPress hosting solution designed around the real needs of our clients. It’s fast, secure, and backed by the same team that built your site. No third-party handoffs. Just reliable performance and real support.
4. VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server)
VPS hosting gives your site a reserved slice of a server’s resources. It offers more control, better performance, and fewer neighbor-site issues than shared hosting.
But it also requires more technical expertise. If you don’t have an in-house IT team, you’ll either need managed VPS or be ready to do some digging in the command line.
5. Dedicated Server Hosting
This is the big leagues. You lease an entire server just for your site(s), which gives you full control, maximum performance, and robust security—but also a hefty price tag.
Unless you’re running a high-traffic e-commerce platform or a major enterprise site, this is usually overkill. But it’s there if you need it.
So… Which One’s Right for You?
That depends on what your site does, how many people visit it, what kind of support you need, and how much you’re comfortable managing on your own.
If you’re just getting started and budget’s tight, shared hosting might be fine. If you want less hassle and more performance, managed hosting is worth the upgrade. And if you have a team that can handle backend infrastructure, VPS or dedicated might be your move.
One Last Word on Timing
Hosting choices shouldn’t come after your site is built. The right setup can impact how your developers structure the site, what features they recommend, and how much flexibility you have for growth.
If you’re not sure what you need yet, no problem. That’s what we’re here for. In Part 3, we’ll walk through what to look for in a hosting provider—and how to avoid the common traps.
Or if you’re already in planning mode, get in touch. We’ll help you think it through, no pressure.
