So as I mentioned earlier in my other post, I am starting a blog soon. I want to use the wordpress platform and currently looking for a hosting company that can work smoothly with wordpress. Also, what would be the difference between shared hosting and non-shared? What would you recommed? Which hosting companies offer the "one click" wordpress installation thing? Will any of these hosting companies offer a free domain with the purchase of the hosting package? Sorry for the possible "novice" questions and thanks in advance for the advice.
Just get a cheap hosting plan with mysql/linux you do not want a free domain or you have to deal with trying to get them to transfer it into your name. Shared plan is fine for now. Nigel
A nice inexpensive host that a lot of people use and recommend is HostGator. I use is with Wordpress and it works perfectly. They do have the one-click Fantastico install for Wordpress. If you need a domain name with hosting, they have that too. If you scroll to the bottom of their home page, there is a link to their most recent coupon. Start with shared hosting - it the least expensive. You sure wouldn't need your own (expensive) dedicated server starting out. Edit: I just looked and HostGator has great pricing for hosting, but their domain name (registrar) service is too expensive. You're better off with NameCheap or Moniker.com for a domain name.
Hostgator is one of the best Hosting service provider. I am running a website on another service provider, it gives the best results when no of user is less and increase the loading time exponentially as user increase. On the other hand Hostgator provide steady loading time. ( use loadimpact [dot]com to check the loading time speed according to no of users. So i highly recommend host-gator for you
Try with HostGator, they are best for shared hosting. Shared hosting means, you will share one IP and computer with thousands of people. But for starting, shared hosting is ok. Although hostgator has one click wp installation, but don't do that! When you use fantastico to install some script, you will not be able to transfer them to some other server. Also they occurs lots of error. Here is a very good wordpress installation guide for the beginners: http://www.thepesta.com/wordpress/wordpress-installation-guide-best-way-to-install.html If you need some help, you can PM me. Like to help people Dpn't try free hosting! They are not reliable, and there is no uptime guarantee.
A manual install of Wordpress is always the best way to start. For new users, that one-click is tempting but manual installs avoid problems down the road. This is the Wordpress Famous 5-Minute Install and the first time will take a lot longer, but it is preferable. Don't forget to go to YouTube and search for Install Wordpress Manually. With a Fantastico install, upgrades become problematic, and everybody knows your SQL database name and user name. I also agree with The Sufi on free hosting. That is just about the worst hosting you can get. It often puts you in a 'bad neighborhood' as people use free hosts to do goofy things like warez and spam, and, with you on the same IP, your site reputation will be damaged by this association. Also, without charging you something, there is no incentive for them to provide decent load times and decent service.
Shared Hosting means shared resource which means it will be divided amongst a lot of people. Non-shared hosing might refer to reseller, VPS or dedicated hosting. Reseller hosting resources would still be shared though at a lesser ratio in most probability while a VPS or a dedicated hosting would not be shared. Having said that even VPS would be shared with other users in a dedicated box and if you use too much resources then your host might tell you to move from their hosting or upgrade. The only proper authentic non-shared hosting is dedicated server but they dont come cheap. For a starter, shared hosting is the way to go. If needed you can upgrade or move to the next levels as per your need if the traffic increases and thereby server resources consumption increases. HostGator is the most popular shared hosting but it might be a tad bit expensive for a new user. So, decide as per your needs.
I would have to say that Hostgator are one of the best companies I have ever dealt with - both online & offline. Their support is incredible. They have (from what I can tell) 24 hour live chat, so when you have an urgent problem you can get it fixed there & then. Their customer service is unrivaled in my opinion.
Wordpress will not likely be up to date otherwise but that is largely a non issue as well. It takes about 3 seconds to upgrade it from the wp admin panel. Nigel
My advise is that go for manual wordpress install. From my personal experience I can say that there might be times when Fantastico installations break down. Manual installation takes a few minutes more but I always do manual installations. Upgrades are automatic within wordpress and so that is not a problem.
You need MySQL 5 for latest Wordpress version 3.2, use an earlier versions (3.1) as this is giving some problems. The new basic requirements are PHP 5.2.4 and MySQL 5.0.