This document is a presentation on making hosting decisions for WordPress (WP) environments, detailing the differences between managed hosting services and self-hosted setups. It emphasizes the importance of understanding one's knowledge, willingness to learn, and the desired control over the website. Key considerations include domain names, backups, plugin availability, technical support, and the distinctions between WordPress.com and WordPress.org hosting options.

1. The WP Hosting Decision
It all starts here
Mary Anne Shew
ROC WP - Dec 2015
Presentation/Resource Slides:
Facebook > ROC WP Group > Files

2. Agenda
“I know what I want.
How do I make it happen in WP environment?”
Page 2

3. Agenda
“I know what I want.
How do I make it happen in WP environment?”
Page 3
Hosting Decision
A
• How much you know
• How much you are
willing to learn
• How much flexibility and
control you want

4. Agenda
“I know what I want.
How do I make it happen in WP environment?”
Page 4
Hosting Decision
WP Options
Key Plugins
A B
• Organize WP settings
• Install key plugins (if allowed)

5. Agenda
“I know what I want.
How do I make it happen in WP environment?”
Page 5
• More functions (if allowed)
• Add pages, posts, media
• Customize
Hosting Decision
WP Options
Key Plugins
More Plugins
Add Content
Customize
A B C

6. Agenda
“I know what I want.
How do I make it happen in WP environment?”
Page 6
Hosting Decision
WP Options
Key Plugins
More Plugins
Add Content
Customize
A B C
Today’s Topic

7. Today’s Topic
Page 7
WP
Hosting
Decision
How much
you already
know
How much
you’re willing
to invest to
learn
How much
flexibility /
control you
want

8. 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.”)
Page 8

9. • 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
Page 9
Hosting Drives Your Choices

10. • 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
Page 10
Hosting Drives Your Choices

11. • 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).
Page 11
First: Let’s Be Clear

12. Page 12
Web Site
Mgmt
WordPress.com:
Managed WP Hosting
WordPress.org Is NOT a Hosting
Service
WP
Install
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. Custom
domain use is $13/year. Hosting, WP
updates, security, and backups are
included with free version.
Need a registered domain name. Must find
a host, point domain name, install WP, and
perform backups and maintenance yourself.
Themes Choose from hundreds of themes (free
and paid). Paid upgrade options
provide 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
Media
Connec-
tions
Connect site with Facebook, Twitter,
Tumblr, and other social networks via
widgets.
AFTER WP INSTALLED ON YOUR HOSTING
SERVICE: Can insert links to social media
using widgets and/or plugins.
WordPress.com Versus WordPress.org

13. Page 13
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/1agfoPg
WP.com Terms of Service: https://en.wordpress.com/tos/
See also Resources Slides.

14. 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.
Page 14
(*) Not to be confused with “managed hosting service” in which
a customer leases an entire server not shared with anyone else.

15. 2 Types of WP Hosting: Features
(Linux Operating System Only)
Page 15
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.

16. WP Hosting Option 1: Managed WordPress Hosting
Page 16
YOUR
BROWSER
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”

17. YOUR
BROWSER
Step 1: Managed WordPress Hosting
Page 17
Domain
Name
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.com
OR yourname.com

18. Domain
Name
Managed WP
Hosting Service
Your WP
Dashboard
WP pre-
installed as
part of
their site
setup
process
Page 18
<WP Admin URL>
Login&PW
YOUR
BROWSER
THE INTERNET
xyz123456.wordpress.com
OR yourname.com
Step 2: Managed WordPress Hosting
Host’s site setup process installs WP. Sends you an email with WP Dashboard login info.
Email
Accounts
(?)
Feature WP.com Free Others
Automatic WP
core updates
Yes Yes
Email accounts None Depends on
host
Default
WP Theme

19. Theme
(Free or Paid)
Your WP
Dashboard
Page 19
Domain
Name
YOUR
BROWSER
THE INTERNET
Step 3: Managed WordPress Hosting
xyz123456.wordpress.com
OR yourname.com
Choose and install your theme (AS ALLOWED BY HOST).
Email
Accounts
(?)
<WP Admin URL>
Login&PW
Managed WP
Hosting Service
Feature WP.com Free Others
Theme
choices
Limited to the
361 free and
paid themes
they offer
Theme
choice may
depend on
host
Install different theme

20. Theme
(Free or Paid)
Your WP
Dashboard
Page 20
Domain
Name
Some
Plugins
THE INTERNET
Step 4: Managed WordPress Hosting
Choose and install plugins (AS ALLOWED BY HOST).
Email
Accounts
(?)
xyz123456.wordpress.com
OR yourname.com
<WP Admin URL>
Login&PW
YOUR
BROWSER
Managed WP
Hosting Service
Feature WP.com Free Others
Plugins Includes
popular plugin
functionality;
no installs
allowed
Depends on
host; some
plugins
blacklisted;
NO backup
plugins
Install plugin—maybe

21. Theme
(Free or Paid)
Your WP
Dashboard
Page 21
Domain
Name
Some
Plugins
THE INTERNET
Step 5: Managed WordPress Hosting
Understand your WP backup options (AS ALLOWED BY HOST).
Email
Accounts
(?)
xyz123456.wordpress.com
OR yourname.com
<WP Admin URL>
Login&PW
WP
Import/
Export
Host-Based
WP Backup
&Storage (?)
YOUR
BROWSER
Managed WP
Hosting Service
Feature WP.com Free Others
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.

22. Theme
(Free or Paid)
Your WP
Dashboard
Page 22
Domain
Name
Some
Plugins
THE INTERNET
Step 6: Managed WordPress Hosting
Understand if malware scan/repair is available.
Email
Accounts
(?)
xyz123456.wordpress.com
OR yourname.com
<WP Admin URL>
Login&PW
WP
Import/
Export
Host-Based
WP Backup
&Storage (?)
YOUR
BROWSER
Managed WP
Hosting Service
Feature WP.com Free Others
Malware
scan, fixes
Done
automatically.
Depends on
host. May be
included or
require a paid
upgrade.

23. Theme
(Free or Paid)
Your WP
Dashboard
Page 23
Domain
Name
Some
Plugins
THE INTERNET
Step 7: Managed WordPress Hosting
Understand tech support provided by host.
Email
Accounts
(?)
xyz123456.wordpress.com
OR yourname.com
<WP Admin URL>
Login&PW
WP
Import/
Export
Host-Based
WP Backup
&Storage (?)
YOUR
BROWSER
Managed WP
Hosting Service
Feature WP.com Free Others
Tech support Free Version:
Community
forums only
(according to their
site)
Look for
24/7 phone
support

24. 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.
Page 24

25. Page 25
YOUR
BROWSER
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”

26. Page 26
YOUR
BROWSER
Step 1: Self-Hosted WP
Buy domain through host or domain registrar.
Domain
Name
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

27. Domain
Name
Hosting Account
Page 27
YOUR
BROWSER
THE INTERNET
yourname.com
Step 2: Self-Hosted WP
Email
Accounts
hostingcp.com
Control Panel
Login&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).
Feature Hosting Service
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.

28. Page 28
Step 2: Self-Hosted WP: Sample Control Panel (aka cPanel)
Manage
domain
email
accounts
Use
“QuickInstall”
to install WP
on your site

29. Your WP
Dashboard
Page 29
yourdomain.com
/wp-admin/
WP Login&PW
YOUR
BROWSER
Install WordPress.
Step 3: Self-Hosted WP: “QuickInstall” WP Setup
hostingcp.com
Control Panel
Login&PW
WP
Import/
Export
Email
Accounts
Site (not WP)
Backup
& Storage
Hosting Account
Domain
Name
THE INTERNET
Default
WP Theme
Feature Hosting Service
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

30. Your WP
Dashboard
Page 30
YOUR
BROWSER
You install desired theme and plugins.
Step 4: Self-Hosted WP
hostingcp.com
Control Panel
Login&PW
WP
Import/
Export
Email
Accounts
Site (not WP)
Backup
& Storage
Hosting Account
Domain
Name
THE INTERNET
Theme
(Free or Paid)
Plugins
(Free or Paid)
You choose
yourdomain.com
/wp-admin/
WP Login&PW
Feature Hosting Service
Theme, plugin choices Completely up to you.
Automatic WP software updates Host doesn’t do this. See p. 30.
yourname.com

31. Your WP
Dashboard
Page 31
YOUR
BROWSER
Establish backup function. Run it regularly.
Step 5: Self-Hosted WP
hostingcp.com
Control Panel
Login&PW
WP
Import/
Export
Email
Accounts
Site (not WP)
Backup
& Storage
Hosting Account
Domain
Name
THE INTERNET
Theme
(Free or Paid)
Plugins
(Free or Paid)
Dropbox
(WP Bkps)
yourdomain.com
/wp-admin/
WP Login&PW
Feature Hosting Service
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

32. Page 32
Maintain WP environment.
Step 6: Self-Hosted WP
See Resources Slides p 8-10 for charts that summarize p 15-31.
Feature Hosting Service
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

33. Moving from Managed to Self-
Hosted WP Service: Domain Name
Domain
Name
xyz123456.wordpress.com
OR yourname.com
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.

34. Moving from Managed to Self-
Hosted WP Service: Email Accounts
Email
Accounts
(?)
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.

35. Moving from Managed to Self-
Hosted WP Service: Content
Theme
(Free or Paid)
Your WP
Dashboard
Some
Plugins
WP
Import/
Export
Managed WP
Hosting Service
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

36. What We’ve Covered
Page 36
WP
Hosting
Decision
How much
you already
know
How much
you’re willing
to invest to
learn
How much
flexibility /
control you
want

37. Resources Slides
Page 37
• 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

38. Thanks for being here!
Mary Anne Shew
Twitter: @shewtime
mashew@BizVitality.com
Page 38