If you’re thinking of launching your very own WordPress website, then the first thing you need to do is determine what kind of hosting you need. WordPress is the most popular content management system on the web today, and the way it works for you will depend on whether you decide to go for Windows or Linux.
A lot of people assume that it doesn’t matter what OS they have when it comes to running a WordPress website – but this isn’t the case. Let’s take a look at when you might consider using Windows hosting when you would be better off using a Linux system, and the differences that exist between each option.
When to Use Windows for WordPress
For most people, deciding whether to use Windows or Linux is a choice made on preference. However, if you’re a professional in the hosting space, you’ll know that there’s a lot more to consider. The first and most important thing you need to take into consideration is what kind of hosting you need.
For instance, ask yourself if you’re going to be relying on a SQL, ASP, or .NET server to keep your website functioning – if the answer to this is “yes”, then there’s a good chance that you need to go into Windows hosting. All these servers are supported by Windows, and you simply can’t find your way through them using Linux.
Unfortunately, for some people, this will be the only reason to choose Windows over Linux when it comes to running a WordPress website.
Choosing Linux for WordPress
As mentioned above, a full understanding of your hosting needs is critical to choosing the right hosting package for your company. If you need a WordPress website, along with support for a PHP or MySQL server, then you’re probably better off using a Linux hosting strategy. While it is possible to run MySQL and PHP on Windows servers, the picture that you get of your WordPress site will be completely different, and some people find that the overall experience simply isn’t as smooth as the one you can get with Linux.
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of working with Linux instead of Windows when you want an efficient and beautiful WordPress website is the fact that Linux is simply much faster than it’s Microsoft counterpart. In fact, some estimates suggest that Linux is up to 20% faster.
Comparing Windows and Linux Hosting
Because Linux and Windows Hosting solutions offer two very different experiences for people interested in setting up their own WordPress website, it’s sometimes difficult to make a direct comparison. Indeed, many people will end up making their decision on which host to use based on personal preferences and their experiences with each host.
However, one interesting point to keep in mind besides the fact that Linux is faster than Windows is that Linux is also more affordable for most people. When it comes to a shared hosting service, for instance, Windows can be up to 30% more expensive than Linux – which is a lot of money for a small business on a budget.
At the same time, if you decide that you need the support of a Windows Dedicated Server for your hosting package, then you could pay anywhere up to £70 more each month than you would for the same dedicated solution from Linux.
Another point to consider is the fact that many people find Linux to be more secure because it’s simply less targeted than Windows hosting environments. Although there’s no saying whether Linux will be hacked in the future, it’s currently been exposed to fewer problems with security than Windows environments. This might be because Windows is simply a more familiar solution for many people.
Making Your Hosting Choice
The important thing to remember is that regardless of which option you choose, both Linux and Windows are available to deliver exceptional experiences on your WordPress website. You should find that either solution works well with the content management platform.
However, most people agree that Linux seems to be the faster and less expensive option – particularly for smaller businesses who want to make sure that they stick to their budget when they’re initially growing their online presence.
Saying that, if you’re more comfortable with the Windows framework, and you know how to use it to your advantage, then you might find that you get a better return on investment from your Windows strategy. So, it is worth keeping personal preference in mind.
