What Should WordPress Agencies Look for in a Web Host?

WordPress agencies have a lot of responsibilities. Setting their clients up with a reliable web host is among the most important.

Think of it this way: The host you recommend reflects on you. You’ll look bad if things go wrong.

Pricing is always a concern. No one wants to overpay. But there are also matters of performance and security. A host that fails in either of these areas could be a nightmare. Thus, saving a few dollars may not be worth the risk.

So, how do you choose the right web host for your clients? Determining the best fit is challenging. Hosts tend to promote the same features. They also offer a variety of pricing options. It’s hard to tell them apart.

Let’s try to clear things up, shall we? Below are some things to look for when shopping for a web host.

A Host That Fits Your Workflow

Workflow is a pretty big deal for WordPress agencies. The goal is to increase efficiency through tools and processes. Hosting acts as the final link in that chain.

There are several areas where a host can help:

Version Control

Version control is a popular way to maintain and deploy websites. It enables you to develop your site on a local or remote repository. From there, you can use a tool such as Git to push changes to production.

That puts you in control of your codebase. You can test changes before deploying them. And you can roll back to a previous version if needed. It’s an ideal tool for mission-critical websites.

A host that supports this out-of-the-box will make life easier. Once you establish your workflow, you have a quick and efficient process.

Want to see an example of how it works? Pressable is a WordPress host that features Git integration. That makes it easy to connect your repository.

Tools That Facilitate Collaboration

Multiple team members will likely need to access your hosting account. And they may not require the same permissions. Thus, you’ll want to use a host that accommodates your needs.

Pressable hosting plans include Collaborator functionality. You can add and manage team members right from the My Pressable dashboard. From there, you can assign permissions tailored to their role.

Users can be added to specific sites. Or, you can add them to all current and future sites. They’ll have the access they need to do their job. And you get peace of mind in knowing who has access to what.

Site Management Tools

The ability to manage multiple websites is paramount for agencies. Some hosts handle this better than others.

Ideally, a host will make it easy to access every site you manage. It’s even better if they provide details like software versions. That way, you won’t have to log into each site to know where things stand.

Links to site settings and the WordPress admin are also appreciated. That means a few less clicks for you – and some precious time saved.

The My Pressable dashboard provides quick access to all of your sites. You can use it to manage things like the PHP version, backups, caching, and more.

An API for Building Custom Applications

What if your workflow requires something custom? That’s where an API (application programming interface) comes in handy.

You can use a hosting API to build custom applications. They can cover a broad range of functionality. Everything from spinning up new sites to running WordPress updates is possible.

The Pressable API is one such example. You can fine-tune your workflow and get more done without the fuss. Virtually any website or hosting management task can be included in your app.

A Focus on Security

Nothing takes up your time like security issues. Identifying and repairing them can be frustrating tasks. Meanwhile, your to-do list gets longer and longer.

WordPress is a prime target for hackers. And there are numerous methods of attack (plugin vulnerabilities, compromised admin accounts, etc.). Any weak link is likely to be exploited. The more sites you manage, the more you’re at risk.

A secure web host will help prevent these issues. They can stop suspicious traffic before it hits your site. And they can close the door on common types of malware.

For its part, Pressable offers a Web Application Firewall (WAF), malware scanning, and free use of Jetpack Security. Automated WordPress updates are there to help you avoid exposure.

And, if your site does encounter a problem, they offer expert assistance to get you up and running again.

Security is not an area where you want to skimp – especially if you manage multiple websites. Look for a host that prioritizes it.

Top-Notch Performance for Sites of All Sizes

Web performance isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. That’s certainly the case with WordPress. There are multiple ways to build a site – not to mention the variety of available themes and plugins. Each has an impact on how a site performs.

That’s why it’s better to start with a host with a strong foundation. One who employs cutting-edge practices and technologies. Ideally, they’ll have an optimized platform that caters to WordPress.

Pressable has several features that ensure speed and stability. It all starts with WP Cloud – a platform designed for scalability. Built by WordPress experts, you’ll get top-notch performance. It can even scale automatically to handle unexpected traffic spikes.

In addition, features like high-performance storage and caching ensure fast page loads. Pressable will even monitor your site’s performance and keep you in the know.

Not every host can manage the performance needs of WordPress. Be sure to choose one that has the infrastructure and expertise to do so.

Look beyond the Sales Pitch

Every web hosting company has a sales pitch. They’re fast, cheap, or flexible. However, it’s worth looking beyond those promises.

The real value is going to come from convenience, security, and performance. Those features will save you time and (ultimately) money. It will provide you and your clients with confidence.

A host that understands WordPress is also important. They need to know how it works, how people use it, and what can go wrong. That will help you avoid issues altogether.

Pressable has that expertise. As part of Automattic, their platform has been built with WordPress in mind – by the people who know it best.

Check out their managed WordPress hosting plans and find the one that’s right for your agency.