Step 4: Site Hosting

In this step, you’ll get your hosting sorted out.

Decide on the hosting you will use for your site before you move on. It would be best if you had this figured out for every page on your site, those that host your course, and your regular web pages. Depending on the learning management system you’re using, you may also need to decide on video hosting.

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Let’s get your hosting sorted out now.

If you’re using a cloud LMS for your site builder, then you don’t need any additional hosting.

You will need hosting if you’re not using a cloud LMS or you’re not using the site builder it comes with. Any page you create with your cloud LMS will be hosted for you.

Any page you create with an alternate site builder will likely need hosting. There are exceptions to this, like with leadpages, but typically, you’ll need hosting if you create your pages.

If you’re using a WordPress LMS plugin or not even using an LMS, then you need hosting.

You will also need hosting if you’re planning to build out any pages of your site not using a cloud LMS.

If you’re using Kajabi or Teachable and you plan to build all your pages with their site builder, then you may not need any regular hosting (you can always change your mind on this later). You can point your account to your domain name and be off and running.

Make sure to point the LMS to your domain (which can be a subdomain or folder).

Hosting Using a WordPress LMS Plugin

If you’re using a WordPress LMS plugin, you will need better hosting than you would if you choose any other type of LMS.

Siteground-managed WordPress is a minimum starting point. Suppose you start to outgrow that, you can get an upgraded Siteground plan or use another host. I recommend Kinsta or Liquidweb-managed hosting. These hosts work well with LearnDash and other WordPress LMS plugins.

I want to point out that you do not have to have WordPress-managed hosting for a WordPress LMS plugin. You can run these with a regular hosting account.

Having WordPress-managed hosting will save you some time and may make your site run faster. I love Kinsta’s hosting (all they offer is hosting for WordPress). I can change my theme in a staging area, and once it looks right, I can set it to live. They will also optimize elements of hosting for WordPress as well as offer better security for it.

With some hosting companies, WordPress-specific hosting is a plan they’re charging more for and is not worth the extra fee. But many companies do have particular dashboard areas set up for WordPress users to make their tasks easier. As long as you’re using a better WordPress host, then it can be worth the money.

If you’re not using an LMS at all, I would recommend sticking with essentially the same hosting options. Kinsta is only managed WordPress hosting, so you won’t use that if you’re using a site builder other than WordPress. Both Siteground and Liquidweb offer hosting that support non-WordPress sites.

You don’t always know how your tool works on a cheap hosting account. Since people are paying for your course, you must ensure it’s up and running. That’s why I recommend these hosts. They are reliable, and even though Siteground is a pretty cheap host, they have somewhat decent support. I would not go cheaper than Siteground, and again, you may need a higher plan than their cheapest plan right from the start.

Liquidweb is far superior, but pricing starts higher. I’ve used Liquidweb for at least the last 15 years. They are fantastic and also reasonably priced for a mid to somewhat higher-end host. There are other great hosts out there; many are considered higher-end to premium hosting, but I haven’t tried them. I haven’t had problems with Kinsta or Liquidweb, so I’ve not felt the need to look into other hosts.

Video Hosting

If you’re not using a cloud LMS and you’re planning on offering videos in your course, then you will also need video hosting. Vimeo is popular and reasonably priced, so I’d go with that.

Audio hosting is another possibility you may need. Blubrry is great. I have an account with Blubrry for a podcast I run. Many video hosts will also host your audio, so you may not need both if you’re including audio in your course. But for running a podcast, I suggest Blubrry.

You need to start making decisions so you can choose the right tools. Changing your hosting or LMS isn’t impossible later, but it takes time away from more critical tasks.

If you change later on, then you’re backtracking. I’m trying to help you get your business up and running as efficiently as possible. It’s well worth taking extra time now to think this through.

If you’re going with a cloud LMS and need a few pages or even plan to build a full blog, you can get cheaper hosting.

You can even go with Bluehost, which is probably the cheapest hosting. I’ve also used Hostgator in the past. Many of these cheaper plans (and even the low-end Siteground plans) will have you pay annually to get the best deals. That means you’re locked in for at least a year which may not work out well for you if you decide to upgrade to more expensive hosting later.

As I’ve mentioned, WordPress-managed hosting is also an option. It’s specialized, so it is always more expensive. You can get that from Siteground (a low-end option if you’re on a budget) to Kinsta, Liquidweb, or many other providers.

As long as you’ve figured out what tool you’re using to build your site, it shouldn’t take too long to decide on your hosting. And remember, if you’re using a cloud LMS to build out pages, you likely don’t need video hosting or hosting for your site.

Work on the task, and once it’s done, mark it off as complete. Then I’ll see you in the next training!

Task

Decide on the hosting you will use for your site. It would be best if you had this figured out for every page on your site, those that host your course, and your regular web pages. Depending on the learning management system you’re using, you may also need to decide on video hosting.

Strategic Planner

Sign up and log in to download the ‘Tool Stack’ Strategic Planner from the first task in this module. Fill it out, and then save it. Start moving your business forward!