The first time I started using WordPress was in 2008 when my former company (Dealtree.com) needed to start a blog. I was sceptical about wordpress, but simplicity to use for our marketing staff made it a great fit for the purpose of serving articles, information and otherwise static content.  Today WordPress has become a powerful platform that can be used for purposes well beyond the blog.  10 Years ago in 2013, I started hosting wordpress websites for friends, clients and non-profits.  Today, I still do that but I know use a few types of hosting, based on the requiresments and needs of the client.  This is a review of the technologies in the hosting services I use. – Garry Heath

When it comes to hosting a WordPress website, there are various options available, including shared hosting, VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting, and AWS (Amazon Web Services) Lightsail. Each type of hosting comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, making it important to consider your needs and requirements before making a decision.

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is a type of hosting where multiple websites are hosted on a single server. This means that resources such as CPU, RAM, and storage are shared among all the websites hosted on the server. Shared hosting is the most affordable option and is ideal for small businesses or personal blogs with low traffic. Most shared hosting plans come with an easy-to-use control panel, such as cPanel, which makes it easy to manage your website and its resources. One of the downsides of shared hosting is that it may not be suitable for websites with high traffic as the server resources are shared among multiple websites. This can result in slow website loading times and poor website performance. Additionally, if one website on the server experiences a sudden spike in traffic, it can affect the performance of the other websites on the same server.

VPS Hosting

VPS hosting is a type of hosting where a physical server is partitioned into multiple virtual servers. Each virtual server operates independently and has its own set of resources such as CPU, RAM, and storage. VPS hosting provides more resources and control than shared hosting, making it ideal for websites that require more resources and have higher traffic. With VPS hosting, you have complete control over your server environment, allowing you to customize your server settings and install custom software. VPS hosting plans also come with root access, which gives you complete control over your server and its resources. One of the downsides of VPS hosting is that it requires technical expertise to set up and manage the server environment. Additionally, VPS hosting plans can be more expensive than shared hosting plans, making it less suitable for small businesses or personal blogs with low traffic.

AWS Lightsail

AWS Lightsail is a cloud-based hosting service that provides an easy-to-use interface for hosting websites, applications, and databases. AWS Lightsail is ideal for developers and small businesses who want a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective hosting solution. AWS Lightsail offers a range of hosting plans that come with different resources such as CPU, RAM, and storage. The plans are designed to be scalable, meaning you can upgrade or downgrade your resources based on your needs. AWS Lightsail also comes with an easy-to-use control panel that makes it easy to manage your website and its resources.

One of the advantages of AWS Lightsail is that it is highly scalable and can handle high traffic loads. Additionally, AWS Lightsail provides a range of security features, including firewalls and DDoS protection, to keep your website secure.

One of the downsides of AWS Lightsail is that it requires technical expertise to set up and manage the server environment. Additionally, AWS Lightsail plans can be more expensive than shared hosting plans, making it less suitable for small businesses or personal blogs with low traffic.

Which Hosting Type is Right for You?

Choosing the right hosting type depends on your website’s needs and requirements. If you have a small business or personal blog with low traffic, shared hosting may be the most suitable option as it is affordable and easy to manage. If you have a website with higher traffic or require more resources, VPS hosting or AWS Lightsail may be a better option as they provide more resources and control. When it comes to choosing between VPS hosting and AWS Lightsail, it comes down to your technical expertise and budget. VPS hosting provides more control and customization options, but it requires technical expertise to set up and manage. AWS Lightsail, on the other hand, provides an easy-to-use interface and scalable resources, but it can be more expensive. Another factor to consider is the level of security required for your website. AWS Lightsail offers a range of security features to keep your website secure, such as firewalls and DDoS protection. VPS hosting can also provide a high level of security, but it requires technical expertise to set up and manage the server environment. In conclusion, choosing the right hosting type for your WordPress website depends on your website’s needs and requirements. Shared hosting is ideal for small businesses or personal blogs with low traffic, while VPS hosting or AWS Lightsail is more suitable for websites with higher traffic or requiring more resources. When choosing between VPS hosting and AWS Lightsail, consider your technical expertise and budget, as well as the level of security required for your website.