The WordPress Hosting Decision: It All Starts Here

The WP Hosting DecisionIt all starts here

Mary Anne ShewROC WP - Dec 2015

Presentation/Resource Slides:Facebook > ROC WP Group > Files

Agenda

“I know what I want.

How do I make it happen in WP environment?”

Agenda



Hosting Decision

A

• How much you know• How much you are

willing to learn• How much flexibility and

control you want

Agenda



Hosting DecisionWP OptionsKey Plugins

A B

• Organize WP settings• Install key plugins (if allowed)

Agenda



• More functions (if allowed)• Add pages, posts, media• Customize


More PluginsAdd ContentCustomize

A B C

Agenda




More PluginsAdd ContentCustomize

A B C

Today’s Topic

Today’s Topic

WP Hosting Decision

How much you already

know

How much you’re willing to invest to

learnHow much flexibility / control you

want

Assumptions

• You have set up and maintained a WP site. (Basic experience with WP Dashboard.)

• You need a solid site. (Supports a small business or non-profit organization.)

• You are thinking about moving to higher level of customization. (Move to “self-hosted.”)

• Domain name• xyz12356.wordpress.com or custom domain

yourname.com

• Where custom domain is registered

• How custom domain gets connected to hosted site

• Backups• Whether host backs up your WP site or only the entire

site

• Access to host WP backups for WP restores

• Tech support availability from hosting service

Hosting Drives Your Choices

• Email accounts• Want to use outside account, e.g., Gmail.

• Want to use your domain name; how many accounts do you need

• Which WP themes you can use

• Which WP plugins you can use (if any)

• Who does WP core, theme, plugin, and security updates

• Protection / recovery from malware and hackers

Hosting Drives Your Choices

• WordPress.com: A managed WP hosting service, free and paid options offered. One of several services offered by Automattic.

• WordPress.org: NOT hosting. Owned by the WordPress Foundation. Is the source of:• The WordPress software itself (free).

• Some themes (free; may have fees).

• 41,977 plugins (as of 12/20/2015).

First: Let’s Be Clear

Web Site Mgmt

WordPress.com: Managed WP Hosting

WordPress.org Is NOT a Hosting Service

WPInstall

Focus on your content, and they handle the rest.

WordPress software has to be installed on a paid hosting service.

Domain Name

Free domain name included. Customdomain use is $13/year. Hosting, WPupdates, security, and backups are included with free version.

Need a registered domain name. Must finda host, point domain name, install WP, and perform backups and maintenance yourself.

Themes Choose from hundreds of themes (free and paid). Paid upgrade optionsprovide more customization ability.

AFTER WP INSTALLED ON YOUR HOSTING SERVICE: Install free or paid themes. Or build your own theme with HTML, PHP and CSS.

Social MediaConnec-tions

Connect site with Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and other social networks viawidgets.

AFTER WP INSTALLED ON YOUR HOSTING SERVICE: Can insert links to social media using widgets and/or plugins.

WordPress.com Versus WordPress.org

https://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-design/

Web Site Mgmt

WordPress.com: Managed WP Hosting

WordPress.org Is NOT a Hosting Service

Plugins Features like stats, comments, and polls are included. No plugin installs allowed.

AFTER WP INSTALLED ON YOUR HOSTING SERVICE: Can install plugins to extend your site’s functionality.

Support Support via WordPress.com: Forums (free), email (paid), live chat (paid).

Visit the WordPress.org support forums for assistance. Hosting support also available.

Regis-tration

You must register for an account and abide by their Terms of Service.

No registration with WordPress.org is required to obtain a copy of WP software.

WordPress.com Versus WordPress.org

Resources:WordPress Glossary: http://www.wpbeginner.com/glossary/Beginner’s Guide for WordPress: http://www.wpbeginner.com/guides/WP.com / WP.org Comparison Infographic: http://bit.ly/1agfoPgWP.com Terms of Service: https://en.wordpress.com/tos/See also Resources Slides.

http://www.wpbeginner.com/glossary/

http://www.wpbeginner.com/guides/

http://bit.ly/1agfoPg

https://en.wordpress.com/tos/

2 Types of WP Hosting: Features(Linux Operating System Only)

1. Managed WP Hosting Feature Summary

Hosting service(*) that installs WordPress for you as part of the initial hosting setup process. (Access to Control Panel varies.)

Does / doesn’t do for you:1. WP+MySQL database pre-installed.2. May have limited storage.3. Limited customization, plugins.4. No access to WP files or database.5. WP core updates done by host.6. May provide malware scans and fixes.

(*) Not to be confused with “managed hosting service” in which a customer leases an entire server not shared with anyone else.

2 Types of WP Hosting: Features(Linux Operating System Only)

1. Managed WP Hosting Feature Summary

2. Self-Hosted WP Feature Summary

Hosting service that installs WordPress for you as part of the initial hosting setup process. (Access to Control Panel varies.)

Does / doesn’t do for you:1. WP+MySQL database installed for you.2. May have limited storage.3. Limited customization, plugins.4. No access to WP files or database.5. All WP sw updates done by host.6. May provide malware scans, fixes.

The usual website hosting plans. Host gives you ability to install WP/MySQL DB(*) via the Control Panel.

Does / doesn’t do for you:1. You install WP+MySQL database.2. Unlimited storage (based on plan).3. Unlimited customization, plugins, etc.4. Full access to files and database.5. You update WP core, themes, plugins.6. Check with host for malware services.

(*) Today will focus on “QuickInstall” on Self-Hosted service’s Control Panel. There is also a “5-minute” manual install process available that requires familiarity with FTP and other Control Panel functions.

WP Hosting Option 1: Managed WordPress Hosting

YOURBROWSER

THE INTERNET

Managed WP Hosting Plans

(1a) Wordpress.com (by Automattic.com)• FREE: Covered today• “Premium,” “Business” paid plans (not

covered today)

(1b) Others• BlueHost.com: “Optimized Hosting for WP”• PlanetHoster.net: (no plan shown)• DreamHost.com: “DreamPress 2”• GoDaddy.com: “Basic”• SiteGround.com: (no plan shown)• Hostgator.com: “Blog”

YOURBROWSER

Step 1: Managed WordPress Hosting

DomainName

THE INTERNET

Feature WP.com Free Others

Domain name

Default is “xyz123456.wordpress.com.” You choose prefix. Can pay to use custom domain (registered through them or preregistered elsewhere).

Custom registered domain required. Can get at time of signup or use a preregistered domain name.

Decide domain name.

xyz123456.wordpress.comOR yourname.com

DomainName

Managed WPHosting Service

Your WPDashboard

WP pre-installed as part of their site setup process

<WP Admin URL>

Login&PW

YOURBROWSER

THE INTERNET


Step 2: Managed WordPress HostingHost’s site setup process installs WP. Sends you an email with WP Dashboard login info.

EmailAccounts

(?)


Automatic WP core updates

Yes Yes

Email accounts None Depends on host

Default WP Theme

Theme(Free or Paid)

Your WPDashboard

DomainName

YOURBROWSER

THE INTERNET

Step 3: Managed WordPress Hosting


Choose and install your theme (AS ALLOWED BY HOST).

EmailAccounts

(?)

<WP Admin URL>

Login&PW



Themechoices

Limited to the 361 free and paid themes they offer

Themechoice maydepend on host

Install different theme

Theme(Free or Paid)

Your WPDashboard

DomainName

Some Plugins

THE INTERNET

Step 4: Managed WordPress HostingChoose and install plugins (AS ALLOWED BY HOST).

EmailAccounts

(?)


<WP Admin URL>

Login&PW

YOURBROWSER



Plugins Includes popular plugin functionality;no installs allowed

Depends on host; some plugins blacklisted; NO backup plugins

Install plugin—maybe

Theme(Free or Paid)

Your WPDashboard

DomainName

Some Plugins

THE INTERNET

Step 5: Managed WordPress HostingUnderstand your WP backup options (AS ALLOWED BY HOST).

EmailAccounts

(?)


<WP Admin URL>

Login&PW

WPImport/Export

Host-BasedWP Backup

&Storage (?)

YOURBROWSER



WP Backups

Done by WP.com; frequency not publicized. Not available to restore your WP site.

Daily backup of WP site by host; kept for 30 days. One-click restore available.

WP Export / Import Function

It’s what they recommend for backups by users.

Available.

Theme(Free or Paid)

Your WPDashboard

DomainName

Some Plugins

THE INTERNET

Step 6: Managed WordPress HostingUnderstand if malware scan/repair is available.

EmailAccounts

(?)


<WP Admin URL>

Login&PW

WPImport/Export

Host-BasedWP Backup

&Storage (?)

YOURBROWSER



Malware scan, fixes

Done automatically.

Depends on host. May be included or require a paid upgrade.

Theme(Free or Paid)

Your WPDashboard

DomainName

Some Plugins

THE INTERNET

Step 7: Managed WordPress HostingUnderstand tech support provided by host.

EmailAccounts

(?)


<WP Admin URL>

Login&PW

WPImport/Export

Host-BasedWP Backup

&Storage (?)

YOURBROWSER



Tech support Free Version: Community forums only (according to their site)

Look for 24/7 phonesupport

2 Types of WP Hosting: Features (Linux Operating System Only)

1. Managed WordPress Hosting Feature Summary

2. Self-Hosted WP Feature Summary

Hosting service that installs WordPress for you as part of the initial hosting setup process. (Access to Control Panel varies.)

What this type of hosting does for you:1. WP+MySQL database installed for you.2. May have limited storage.3. Limited customization, plugins.4. No access to WP files or database.5. All WP sw updates done by host.6. May provide malware scans, fixes.

The usual website hosting plans. Host gives you ability to install WordPress via the Control Panel’s “QuickInstall” feature.

What this type of hosting does for you:1. You install WP+MySQL database.2. Unlimited storage (based on plan).3. Unlimited customization, plugins, etc.4. Full access to files and database.5. You update WP core, themes, plugins.6. Check with host for malware services.

YOURBROWSER

THE INTERNET

WP Hosting Option 2: Self-Hosted WP

Ordinary Hosting Plans (Basic)• BlueHost.com: “Starter”• PlanetHoster.net: “Hybrid Mono”• DreamHost.com: “Shared Hosting”• GoDaddy.com: “Economy”• SiteGround.com: “StartUp”• HostGator.com: “Hatchling”

YOURBROWSER

Step 1: Self-Hosted WP Buy domain through host or domain registrar.

DomainName

THE INTERNET

Feature Hosting Service

Domain name Custom registered domain required. Can get at time of hosting signup or use one you already have. If already registered elsewhere, point it to your hosting service.

yourname.com

DomainName

Hosting Account

YOURBROWSER

THE INTERNET

yourname.com

Step 2: Self-Hosted WP

EmailAccounts

hostingcp.com

Control PanelLogin&PW

Manage email accounts here

Site (not WP)

Backup& Storage

Host’s site setup process is complete. Sends you email with login info to Control Panel. (NOT WP ADMIN PANEL AT THIS STAGE).


Site backup Host runs regular backups of entire site, usually weekly. You can request restores of ENTIRE site only.

Email accounts Yes; they use your domain name. Set up email accounts via Control Panel.

Step 2: Self-Hosted WP: Sample Control Panel (aka cPanel)

Managedomainemailaccounts

Use “QuickInstall”to install WP on your site

Your WPDashboard

yourdomain.com/wp-admin/

WP Login&PW

YOURBROWSER

Install WordPress.

Step 3: Self-Hosted WP: “QuickInstall” WP Setup

hostingcp.com


WPImport/ Export

EmailAccounts

Site (not WP)

Backup& Storage

Hosting Account

DomainName

THE INTERNET

Default WP Theme


WordPress software install

“QuickInstall” installs WP environment, default theme, plugin(s); creates login for Dashboard; emails admin login info to you. DO NOT USE “admin.”

WP Import/Export Available after you install WordPress software.

Via Control Panel “QuickInstall”

Default Plugins

yourname.com

Your WPDashboard

YOURBROWSER

You install desired theme and plugins.


hostingcp.com


WPImport/ Export

EmailAccounts

Site (not WP)

Backup& Storage

Hosting Account

DomainName

THE INTERNET

Theme(Free or Paid)

Plugins(Free or Paid)

You choose


WP Login&PW


Theme, plugin choices Completely up to you.

Automatic WP software updates Host doesn’t do this. See p. 30.

yourname.com

Your WPDashboard

YOURBROWSER

Establish backup function. Run it regularly.


hostingcp.com


WPImport/ Export

EmailAccounts

Site (not WP)

Backup& Storage

Hosting Account

DomainName

THE INTERNET

Theme(Free or Paid)

Plugins(Free or Paid)

Dropbox(WP Bkps)


WP Login&PW


WP site backups (Not done by hosting service)

You establish cloud storage account (e.g., Dropbox); install a backup plugin; configure settings; connect it to cloud storage.

yourname.com

Maintain WP environment.


See Resources Slides p 8-10 for charts that summarize p 15-31.


WP software, theme, plugin updates

You update via WP Dashboard, run backups, etc.

Malware scan, fixes Depends on host. Might not be included or must pay for an upgrade to get this.

Tech support Look for 24/7 phone support

Moving from Managed to Self-Hosted WP Service: Domain Name

DomainName


Cannot be used with Self-Hosted service.1. Need to register a custom

domain name

2. No ability to forward web site traffic to new domain name

Can be used with Self-Hosted service. Depending on where it’s registered:1. Thru WP.com: Need to check with

them on how to “repoint” the domain to the new hosting service.

2. Thru Managed WP service: Login to your account to see what domain name settings are available.

3. Thru Independent Registrar: Login to change DNS records.

4. Once domain name is repointed, all traffic will go to new site.

Moving from Managed to Self-Hosted WP Service: Email Accounts

EmailAccounts

(?)

If using an “outside” email service like Gmail for your email address, you can continue to use it no matter where your site is hosted. No changes are needed.

If using an email account with your own domain name on the Managed WP service:1. Set up the email account on the Self-Hosted service. The new email

account will not work until your domain name is pointed to the Self-Hosted service.

2. After your domain name is pointed to Self-Hosted service, you won’t have access to old email account at the Managed WP service.

3. Change your email account settings on Outlook, smartphones, and tablets.

4. The Self-Hosted service webmail interface may be different.

Moving from Managed to Self-Hosted WP Service: Content

Theme(Free or Paid)

Your WPDashboard

Some Plugins

WPImport/Export


Only content such as pages and posts can be transferred from Managed WP to Self-Hosted service. (Check the Export tool on your service.)• Cannot take theme with you.• Plugins (if any) will need to be reinstalled on

Self-Hosted service.

To transfer pages and posts:1. On the Managed WP service, use the

WordPress Import/Export Tool to export all your pages and posts to a file. This tool on WP.com also exports comments, categories, and tags.

2. Don’t update the site on the Managed WP service after doing this.

3. Then login to your WP Admin on the Self-Hosted service to import the file via the WP Import/Export Tool.

CAUTION: If you have a lot of content, read this before attempting to import your content: https://codex.wordpress.org/Importing_Content

https://codex.wordpress.org/Importing_Content

What We’ve Covered

WP Hosting Decision

How much you already

know

How much you’re willing to invest to

learnHow much flexibility / control you

want

Resources Slides

• Lots of info on WP.com vs WP.org• Managed vs Self-Hosted Comparison Charts• Recommended books:

If going to self-hosting: The Tao of WordPress by Chris Coyier, Jeff Starr

• Cautions about tracking content versions• Other final tips

Thanks for being here!

Mary Anne Shew

Twitter: @shewtime

[email protected]

The WordPress Hosting Decision: It All Starts Here

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