Do You Need a Web Host to Use WordPress?
Yes, every website must be installed on a web host server to be accessible online, even WordPress. The one exception being WordPress.com, which includes web hosting with its service.
The important thing to know is that WordPress provides open-source software you use to build a website, while a web hosting service provides the hardware that connects your website to the internet. These are two different things, but it gets confusing because some sites like WordPress.com include WordPress software with all of their hosting packages.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
Whether or not you need a separate web host for your WordPress site depends on where you built it.
- WordPress.org: The official site for the open-source WordPress software that provides, free of charge, the software program that powers WordPress websites. Anyone can download this software and use it to build a website. Once downloaded you can use the software as well as paid plugins and themes, as you wish. Once finished, you’ll need to find a third party web hosting service to upload your files to in order to make it available online.
- WordPress.com: A commercial hosted platform that includes WordPress software tools. This is a paid service that allows you to build a website using WordPress tools. All WordPress.com plans include hosting, so you don’t need to purchase a separate hosting service.
All Northwest hosting plans include the latest WordPress website building software.
Website Software vs Web Hosting
Building a website is not the same as making it available online, and web hosting is not the same as making a website. When you build a website, unless you are coding from scratch, you’ll use some kind of software to do so.
But once you have your website software built you don’t just store it on your computer. Those files need to be uploaded to a server or web host, so that other users can access it. This process is made seamless by companies that offer web hosting services and include site building tools.
Open Sourced vs Proprietary Software
Open-sourced software is a software program which makes its source code available to the public. Anyone can view, modify, or distribute open-source software, and often for free. The benefits of open-source software is that it’s flexible, cutomizable, and can be used almost anywhere. WordPress is an open-source software program that powers half of the websites on the internet.
Proprietary software is designed and controlled by an owner, and it’s source code is kept private. Modifications are limited, and distribution is controlled by licensing fees. Proprietary software is often designed for ease of use. Squarespace is an example of a website builder that uses proprietary software. They make websites easy to build, but they are less modifiable, and you can’t take your website to another platform if you leave.
When Hosting is Required: Web hosting is required for any website to be accessible online. Many web hosting services include software tools to build a website. This is why the two are often confused for one another.
How Northwest Can Help
Northwest Registered Agent is a web hosting service that provides free access to the latest WordPress software, but with human support. Not a WordPress expert? You don’t need to be. With the support of our specialists, we make it easy to build a site you can be proud of.
The best part? You can manage your domain, website, hosting, and all of your other Business Identity needs all in your Northwest portal.
Learn About Northwest Web Hosting
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, only for local/offline development (on your computer) or by using WordPress.com (which includes hosting). If you want a public website with self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org), you need hosting.
It won’t be available on the internet. Visitors won’t be able to access your site.
Yes. You can build it locally or on a staging site, then move it to a live host later.
Yes. WordPress is still widely used and remains a strong option for blogs, business sites, and eCommerce.
WordPress software itself is free, but hosting usually costs money. You may also pay for a domain, premium themes/plugins, and maintenance.
You need web hosting with PHP and a MySQL/MariaDB database (most hosts provide this), plus a domain name if you want a public site.
WordPress.com does. WordPress.org provides the software, but you choose your own host.
The WordPress software is free, yes. But self-hosting still involves the cost of buying servers, networking software, domain registration, and optional paid tools.