Traditionally, there are three types of hosting. The most basic one is shared hosting, also typically called web hosting. When using shared hosting you get to share the resources of a single server with hundreds of other clients. Then there are the cloud hosting and the virtual private server. In this case you get a dedicated share of server resources, which are virtually allocated to you, but pertain to one server or a group (cloud) of servers, where other websites and clients get hosted as well. And finally, there is the dedicated server, where you get a machine entirely dedicated to you.

The domain is just a name, a virtual address, which only works if it is pointed to a host server. In order for your domain to open your website, you need to subscribe for a hosting service and point your domain to that host.

A beginner’s website could cost as low as your monthly hosting fee. Many web hosting providers offer free sitebuilding tools included in their hosting plans so you make sure you choose one that offers this service included just as HostSity does.

When we say “WordPress hosting” we refer to a web hosting service that supports WordPress specifically. WordPress is generally not hard to be accommodated and many regular hosts do it perfectly. All they need is to cover several basic requirements for compatibility with the software such as to run MySQL and PHP on their servers. The real differentiating factor between hosts focused on WordPress and other, regular ones is in their expertise and dedication to WordPress - those that claim to be WordPress hosts usually offer additional support and features specifically for WP. HostSity offers managed WordPress service in all its plans, which includes automatic updates of the core and free plugins, convenience tools such as staging, WP-CLI, WordPress Starter and WordPress Migrator, and performance and security features on server level and application level via the HostSity Optimizer plugin and HostSity Security plugin.

When it comes to WordPress, managed service adds an extra layer of convenience for the WordPress site owners. Managed WP hosts like HostSity will take care of the WordPress updates, keep track of vulnerabilities and offer WAF protection and other security services, and build solutions that specifically offer WordPress performance and security boosts. This additional layer of security, speed and convenience tools is what explains the premium price range compared to regular hosting.

Yes, your WooCommerce site requires hosting if you want it to be accessible on the internet. You may work on your WooCommerce on your local computer without hosting, but if you wish to publish it live, then you need to sign up for hosting that supports WooCommerce.

WooCommerce is a plugin for the CMS called WordPress. If you wish to build an online shop, you would get both WordPress and WooCommerce installed for a start. That means that essentially the hosting requirements for servicing both of these softwares are the same. The difference is in the quantity of the server resources that may be needed to ensure the proper functioning of a site built on WordPress vs. one built on WooCommerce. Usually, online shops built on WooCommerce use more server resources than websites built on WordPress and hence, hosting WooCommerce may be more expensive. Of course, it all depends on how big your site or e-shop is and especially how big their databases are. The bigger the sites, the heavier resource users they become.

Starting an online store is easier and cheaper than you may think! One of the most popular and free ways to build an e-shop is WooCommerce, which is a plugin for WordPress CMS. If you choose to use WooCommerce, you get free and very flexible software, which does not require development skills to get you started. All you need is a hosting service that can support WooCommerce. HostSity offers managed WordPress and WooCommerce service, which includes automatic installation of the software and automatic updates to keep it fast and safe. On top of that, we provide performance and security solutions that make your online store work smoothly and generate uninterrupted revenue flow.

No, WooCommerce as a stand-alone application does not impose any fees. The software itself is free for anyone to use and there are no transaction or other fees associated. Any costs related to your WooCommerce sites depend on how you build, configure and manage it.