What you need in a blog host

Nov 05, 2009 in information

There are some basics you need to install WordPress and as the next version (2.9) comes out there will be additional requirements.

You need a MySQL data base which is the backbone of your blog. The files that are on the server itself do not include your posts and the vast majority of the information about your blog. Those are included in the data base and the files that display are pulled dynamically from that data base.

Now like all things there are different versions of MySQL and you should look for a host that is using 4.1.2 or higher fro the upcoming release of version 2.9. You can see a post I did a while ago on this topic at Getting Prepared For Future WordPress Updates .

You will need a host that is running php. (Very rare that you will not find one.) The php version should be version 5 but all of the current versions will run on php 4 but that will be changing with the release of WordPress 2.9.

Now I am not a techie but there are features in php 5 that work differently than php 4 and WordPress 2.9 will be taking advantage of these changes to run WordPress. That is the extent of my techieness.

Finally the biggest thing in looking at a blog host is their support and up time. Two hosts that I have used and like are Host Gator and Zoot Host .

Any host that meets the requirements above and has great support will work for hosting your blog so just test the support and asks the questions before you sign up.

About the author

Mike Paetzold got started blogging in 2003 and has become an expert on using WordPress. He has become known as The WordPress Guy.

After being an under ground niche marketer using his blogs he has surfaced to share some of the ways he uses blogs to enter various niches profitably.

Get the details at Profitable Blog Steps

Technorati Tags: blog host, blog hosting requirements, web host, wordpress 2.9

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Disclaimer: Some of the links mentioned within this post or posts it may lead to are my affiliate links and in such case I will get compensated for recommending those products. However, I will never recommend something that I don’t personally believe in and I welcome your questions and feedback.

7 comments

Fred Lotgering
Twitter: lotcon
on November 5, 2009 at 8:05 am

Thanks for the warning Mike.

Using hosting with the wrong (mostly old) versions of MySql and PHP can cause problems.

Any server upgrades to MySQL and PHP can also create havoc (as I experienced with the phpBB forum a while ago, reason for me to change hosting). Most server upgrades are unannounced.

Better to make some backups soon again….

Fred
Fred Lotgering´s last blog ..12 Second Commute – 12SC launch November 30

[Reply]
Luca Di Nicola
Twitter: rsonline
on November 5, 2009 at 9:52 am

I’ll check with my host to see if they meet the new requirements. I agree with Fred it’s time for another back up.
Luca Di Nicola´s last blog ..How To Increase Blog Traffic By Using A Twitter Retweet Plugin

[Reply]
Robert
Twitter: nar321
on November 5, 2009 at 3:17 pm

HostGator is “the Bomb”. There are WP plug-ins for backups. you can do a full backup from HG’s cpanel.
Robert´s last blog ..Favorite Non-Profit

[Reply]
Doug Champigny
Twitter: CaptnAffiliate
on November 5, 2009 at 7:29 pm

Thanks for the update, Mike – it’s nice to know in advance what the potential issues are, if only to know how much time to allow for doing the upgrades.
Doug Champigny´s last blog ..The Easiest Way To Make Affiliate Marketing Money!

[Reply]
Joel Osborne
Twitter: JoelOsborne
on November 5, 2009 at 8:34 pm

Great advice. I wanted to just restate what you mentioned about the support of a web host. That is such an important issue that many people over look. If your site goes down (which will happen), it’s important to be able to call up the host and get your site back online quickly.
Joel Osborne´s last blog ..Blog World Tour – Become A Blog Star!

[Reply]
Andre Arnett on November 5, 2009 at 9:01 pm

As always thanks for the update on the coming changes. Really like being able to stay a step ahead so makes it imperative I stay up with these posts. Thanks.
Andre Arnett´s last blog ..Try These Google Search Options

[Reply]
Earl Netwal
Twitter: EarlNetwal
on November 6, 2009 at 7:04 pm

Not familiar with Zoot Host, but I was very happy with Host Gator Support when I did have a major self inflicted problem.
Support is critical.
Earl Netwal´s last blog ..How Article Marketing Benefits Your Business

[Reply]