While it's true that WordPress, as a content management system, is free to use, the associated costs, such as web hosting, cannot be avoided. Yes, there are providers that offer free WordPress hosting, and it seem very appealing, especially for beginners or small-scale bloggers. Free WordPress hosting brings an opportunity to explore the platform, understand its operations and decide if it's the right fit for your needs without any upfront investment.
Nonetheless, 'free' comes with its own set of limitations. Free hosting services often have restrictions on bandwidth, storage space and may display ads on your site which can affect user experience. Additionally, the reliability, speed and security could be sub-par compared to a paid hosting plan. Consequently, while starting with a free WordPress hosting can be a stepping stone for beginners, upgrading to a paid plan eventually might be inevitable for better control, functionality and growth.
Does WordPress Have Free Hosting?
WordPress does offer free hosting with its basic plan, providing users with an immediate solution to launch their website. This free service includes several features that are beneficial for novices seeking to establish a web presence.
- WordPress offers a limited bandwidth for its free plan, but it works just fine for a website that needs to be live and displayed on the internet.
- Equally significant is the 1GB storage space, which, while not extensive, is sufficient for beginners building a small to medium-sized website.
- With the free SSL certificate, WordPress also ensures that your website's data transmission is secure, increasing your visitors' trust.
However, the free plan has some limitations that could deter advanced users or those seeking more control over their site.
- One of these restrictions is that you have minimal control over plugins, which may limit the functionality of your website.
- With the free plan, you also have to contend with a WordPress.com subdomain, which can make your website seem less professional.
- The lack of direct server access means advanced users cannot manage their database or connect to the FTP file manager via the website's control panel. This could be a significant drawback for those who require such features for their website.
Why Some People Use WordPress Free Hosting
Choosing Free WordPress Hosting can be a strategic decision for some, and here's why:
- It's a free way to familiarise themselves with the functionalities of WordPress before investing any money.
- If their online activity is minimal, a free plan might cater to their needs just fine.
- Occasional users might not find it worthwhile to pay for a service they seldom use.
It's important to note that free hosting may not provide the robust features, storage or tech support that paid options do. Therefore, free WordPress hosting is not recommended for high-traffic or professional websites.
Why Companies Provide Free WordPress Hosting Service
Providing free WordPress hosting can seem puzzling from a business viewpoint, but it makes sense when you delve deeper. Companies can offer free hosting for a variety of reasons. For instance, some companies offer free hosting as part of a trial period, allowing users to test their services before officially launching.
WordPress, managed by the WordPress Foundation, provides free hosting with a mission to make software available for everyone. This means they provide a platform for you to get started on your site without any initial cost.
For others, offering free hosting is a strategic move. Many internet startups use a freemium model, where they give basic services for free and charge for advanced features. The idea is to pull in users with free services and then suggest paid upgrades like domain registration, additional storage and SEO services once the user is reliant on their platform. This becomes a win-win situation for both the company and the user.
Typical Inclusions of Free WordPress Hosting
When we talk about free WordPress hosting, it involves a few key offerings. First up is disk space. Think of it as the virtual room where all your website's stuff like pictures, videos, and text lives. If you don't have disk space, you can't put anything on your website.
Next, there's something called bandwidth. This is like a virtual highway, connecting your website to your users and transferring data back and forth.
Free WordPress hosting gives you some disk space and bandwidth, but it's usually not a whole lot. Also, with free hosting, you might find ads popping up on your website. You also usually have to use a subdomain that includes the hosting company's name.
Free WordPress hosting might be tempting, considering the zero-cost aspect. However, the paid options offer advantages like improved performance, greater customisation, enhanced security and dedicated customer support. Hence, weigh your needs and resources before making a choice.
How to Upgrade to a Premium WordPress Host
To upgrade to a Premium WordPress host from a free hosting service, first, you need to evaluate your needs. Do you require more storage, better speed or tighter security? Once you've identified your requirements, research about various WordPress hosting plans.
HSJ Hosting Company offers three, fully-managed WordPress hosting plans . Each plan caters to different needs, and going through them in detail will help you make an informed decision.
After selecting the most suitable plan, proceed with the purchase. While the process is straightforward, be prepared to experience a bit of downtime as your site moves from the free server to the new premium host. However, don't fret, as this is a temporary phase.
The final step is to update your DNS (Domain Name System) settings. This step ensures that when someone types your website address, they're taken to your newly hosted site. Remember, it can take up to 48 hours for the DNS changes to propagate across the internet. After this, your WordPress site should be successfully upgraded to your chosen premium host. Enjoy the new features and enhancements that come with it!
