Hosting advice for new WordPress website - what basics do I need from the hosting company?

[vanl2001]

Ok, I want to create a WordPress website for my dog training business. I need to find a host for it, but choosing between what is available out there is proving a bit dificult because I don’t quite understand the different features they offer. I was wondering if some of you could help me with a few questions I have:

1. What is the difference beetween web hosting space (is this what namy websites refer to as simply ‘storage’?), MySQL space and SQL space?

2. Why do some hosting packages offer 1 website but multiple MySQL databases?


Websites like GoDaddy (with poor reviews) offer huge storage (100GB +) for little money with their most basic package, whilst what seems to be better hosting companies, such as VidaHost, offer 10GB web space and 50GB bandwidth with their medium package.

3. I have plans for uploading quite a few pictures and adding videos to my website (I could not give you a number of them at the moment, and during the first year it probbly won’t be that many videos), but just so I have an idea of what sort of storage do I need initially, what should I be looking for? Is 10GB enough, 100GB too much?

4. Is there anything else I should look out for when choosing a host? Any ideas of the minimum types of features I need?

Initially I am looking for something cheap I am afraid, as it is all I can afford.

Looking forward to your feedback…

 

[Jolt.co.uk]

Ok, I want to create a WordPress website for my dog training business. I need to find a host for it, but choosing between what is available out there is proving a bit dificult because I don’t quite understand the different features they offer. I was wondering if some of you could help me with a few questions I have:

1. What is the difference beetween web hosting space (is this what namy websites refer to as simply ‘storage’?), MySQL space and SQL space?

2. Why do some hosting packages offer 1 website but multiple MySQL databases?


Websites like GoDaddy (with poor reviews) offer huge storage (100GB +) for little money with their most basic package, whilst what seems to be better hosting companies, such as VidaHost, offer 10GB web space and 50GB bandwidth with their medium package.

3. I have plans for uploading quite a few pictures and adding videos to my website (I could not give you a number of them at the moment, and during the first year it probbly won’t be that many videos), but just so I have an idea of what sort of storage do I need initially, what should I be looking for? Is 10GB enough, 100GB too much?

4. Is there anything else I should look out for when choosing a host? Any ideas of the minimum types of features I need?

Initially I am looking for something cheap I am afraid, as it is all I can afford.

Looking forward to your feedback…

Most major hosting providers support WordPress.

Some providers (like us) include an easy installer for it via Softaculous or similar.

It doesn't sound like you have too heavy space requirements but its worth getting plenty so you don't have to worry about it.

And lastly, I recommend you choose a cPanel based host just for the ease of account management / tools.

 

[ryedale]

Being realistic , based on similar sites we host, 1GB would be more than ample, no harm in having a bit more but you shouldn't need it

If you put your videos on YouTube or Vimeo , then you simply embed them in your site and they don't take up any space on your account

Most hosts offer multiple databases so that people can try out different versions of a site or perhaps host subdomains for things like forums

You only need one for your main site

Level of support offered is the most important factor in your case and it's worth taking the time to read feedback. A lot of larger hosts will just refer you to knowledge base articles , you need someone who will work directly with you to get you up and running

 

[vanl2001]

Thank you for your advice. I am just looking at your website.

So, what would you say is the minimum web hosting space , MySQL space and SQL space I need in numbers?

I am just trying to understand what I need before I make a decision...

 

[Nuno]

Vidahost offer a one click install, a choice of cloud or cpanel, they are good on their helpline and keep all the techy stuff life-is-too-short-to-bother-with up to date and working.
If you are new to WordPress you will need to focus your attentions there rather than worry about hosting. Getting a website up and working is more important than the mechanics behind it.

(And no. I have no connection with Vidahost apart from being a client.)

 

[ryedale]

MySQL space and SQL space are the same thing

Really, I can't see you exceeding 1gb to be realistic

We'd be happy to set you up with a four month free trial and help you get you all set up and started with one to one support

 

[ServWise]

1. What is the difference beetween web hosting space (is this what namy websites refer to as simply ‘storage’?), MySQL space and SQL space?

Wordpress requires php and mysql so as long as your hosting package supports this (almost all do) then your site should run fine. If they are like us you'll have 30 days to test that it works otherwise you can get a full refund and look elsewhere.

2. Why do some hosting packages offer 1 website but multiple MySQL databases?

Many "well known" hosts create arbitrary limits on the number of websites, emails or databases you can use in a package, these hosts will usually offer huge or unlimited space of bandwidth to entice you to sign up (This is a con and there is no such thing) and use these limits as a way of stopping you using all that imaginary space and bandwidth you;ve been sold making you upgrade to the more expensive packages. Other hosts like us offer no limits on the number of websites etc and just give you realistic space and bandwidth limits which actually reflect the space available.

Websites like GoDaddy (with poor reviews) offer huge storage (100GB +) for little money with their most basic package, whilst what seems to be better hosting companies, such as VidaHost, offer 10GB web space and 50GB bandwidth with their medium package.

I think you have answered your own question there. This practice is called overselling.

3. I have plans for uploading quite a few pictures and adding videos to my website (I could not give you a number of them at the moment, and during the first year it probbly won’t be that many videos), but just so I have an idea of what sort of storage do I need initially, what should I be looking for? Is 10GB enough, 100GB too much?

Consider that most shared hosting is not ideal for streaming video (Server bandwidth is shared between all customers on a server) which is why websites like youtube or vimeo exist and I would recommend uploading our videos to them and simple embedding them in your site.

Initially I am looking for something cheap I am afraid, as it is all I can afford.

Remember you always get what you pay for so the more you can spend the more likely you are going to have a better experience, not always true but mostly. Most of all avoid oversellers if uptime and speed are your main concerns.

 

[ServWise]

MySQL space and SQL space are the same thing

Umm not necessarily. mySQL is mySQL and SQL typically refers to Windows SQL server. Maybe you don't sell Windows hosting so are not familiar with this.

I should point out that Wordpress needs mySQL but that does not mean that Windows hosting is not suitable as most Windows hosting will also include mySQL as well as SQL server capability.

 

[Jolt.co.uk]

Thank you for your advice. I am just looking at your website.

So, what would you say is the minimum web hosting space , MySQL space and SQL space I need in numbers?

I am just trying to understand what I need before I make a decision...

10 gigs?

 

[ServWise]

So, what would you say is the minimum web hosting space , MySQL space and SQL space I need in numbers?
I am just trying to understand what I need before I make a decision...

WordPress in itself takes up less than 100MB, mostly space is taken up by images and/or video if that is what you plan to upload. The trick is to make sure that your sites images are compressed properly, it will really make a huge difference to your bandwidth costs and the speed that your website loads if images are properly compressed so learning this skill is really a important one.

Certainly if you properly optimise your files you should need much less than 1 GB of space for it and remember you can always increase it later.

Another factor is if you plan to store your mail on the server or download it to a local mail program. Mail can quickly take up space if your using IMAP (storing on the server) and not clearing it out regularly. But 1 or 2 GB should be plenty.

 

[ServWise]

One last suggestion, if you are not familiar with securing wordpress then please please find someone who it, wordpress is the most hacked piece of open-source software on the internet and we have sites being hacked every week because the owner didn't secure the site properly.

 

[nahosting]

Most people have answered your queries so I'll give a brief summary for you.

WordPress hosting can be on Windows or Linux. Virtual all hosting packages support PHP and MySQL (the database WordPress uses). You will probably need much less than 1GB of disk space for the database and website files but give yourself a few GB if it makes you feel nervous.
Cheap hosting generally equals lots of websites crammed on each server which can lead to performance issues. Nobody likes to wait for a slow website so take this into account when choosing a webhost. Your website is your businesses shop window so it wants to be the best you can afford. Take a look at our dedicated WordPress hosting (https://www.nuttyabouthosting.co.uk/wordpress) or our bronze hosting package with a bit more space (https://www.nuttyabouthosting.co.uk/hosting) and drop us an email if you have any further questions.

 

[Dan_HiHosting]

Hi Vanessa,

Welcome to the forum.

Thought I'd answer your questions as well, as I have some other points.

1. Web hosting space is simply the share of disk space that you have, just like your hard drive on your computer. MySQL or SQL space limits may be imposed by some hosts, and would mean that they limit the size of the database you can have. Most decent hosts such as us don't impose such a limit. The MySQL database is used to store all the data for your web application, such as Wordpress.

2. Some hosts may offer 1 website but multiple MySQL databases, as it means you can only have one website, but can then install several systems or applications on it, as each would typically use a separate MySQL database. For example, this would let you install Wordpress on your domain at e.g. yourdomain.com, and then also a forum at forum.yourdomain.com.
Limits such as number of websites are reasonable and quite typical, as some people just need one website, whilst others want several, and it makes sense for the single website to cost less.
However putting strict limits on ungenerous MySQL database allowances, and then charging highly for additional databases is something you'll see a lot of the low quality and sadly popular "unlimited" bandwidth/storage hosts doing.
As mentioned, if you see claims of unlimited bandwidth or storage this is generally an indicator of low quality.

4. As you're on a budget and just starting out, I think it's a good idea to start with a small package and then you can always upgrade if needed as your website and business grow.

Other things to look out for are technologies that can help improve performance. For example if you're choosing a Linux host do they simply run the Apache web server (the standard service to deliver your web page), or a higher performance service such as LiteSpeed? This can significantly improve the loading speed of your website, which your visitors will appreciate and Google also considers in its search rankings.

And tools you may wish to use. Again, the very large poor hosts often use custom control panels to try tie you in and sell more products. For Linux cPanel is generally considered the best control panel, and makes moving host if you ever wish to very easy.

Softaculous is arguably the best One-Click installer, which can make installing Wordpress very easy. Some hosts like us even let you specify Wordpress when you order to have installed for you automatically.

If you're interested you can view our Web Hosting packages here: http://www.hihosting.co.uk/webhosting.html

I hope that helps.

Good luck with the website, if you have any questions feel free to get in touch through our website.

Dan

 

[David M. Coronado]

You require following version on server, in order to setup word.

PHP 5.2.4 or greater
MySQL 5.0 or greater
The mod_rewrite Apache module

Many host like Exascale(dot)co(dot)uk and godaddy(dot)com, provide one click Wordpress setup facility from hosting control panel.

 

[HostXNow]

Most hosts support WordPress and it sounds like even 2GB diskspace and 20GB bandwidth would do you for now. It takes a lot of time to be needing loads of bandwidth etc.

 

[skippydo.co.uk]

Just go for Bluehost. Unlimited space (and even websites) for buttons.

 

[ukwebhosting]

Hi

Regarding securing your wordpress install.

We have written this blog post to show our customers how to secure it, what was mentioned here is absolutely correct that Wordpress is the most hacked and attempted to be hacked web application.

https://www.pacwebhosting.co.uk/blog/essential-steps-to-secure-your-wordpress-install/

This one is also useful

https://www.pacwebhosting.co.uk/blog/backup-wordpress-to-dropbox-using-updraft/

So long as you follow the securing your wordpress instructions and also keep your wordpress install and any plug ins and templates up to date then wordpress isn't as scary as it sounds but let it fall behind and it's only a matter of time before you run into trouble.

Hope it helps!

PAC

 

[WP Blade]

we've got clients who take from anywhere from .25GB to >4GB so it really does depend on what assets your site will be hosting. Some of our larger sites are for choirs who store lots of songs for example. Most business websites will be well under 2GB though.