As a website builder, Elementor has gained popularity recently for its user-friendly interface and wide range of features. However, in order to fully utilize the capabilities of Elementor and not bog down your site speed at the same time, it’s important to have a reliable and performance-optimized web host. In this article, I’ll dive into the key factors to consider when selecting a web host for Elementor in 2023 and recommend a top choice based on these criteria.
Time to First Byte (TTFB)
One important metric to consider when choosing a web host is the time it takes for the first byte of data to be transferred from the server to the visitor’s browser, also known as the Time to First Byte (TTFB). A low TTFB can lead to faster page loading times, which is beneficial not only for user experience but also for search engine rankings.
According to Google, 53% of mobile site visits are abandoned if pages take longer than 3 seconds to load. Therefore, it’s important to select a web host with a consistently low TTFB to ensure fast loading times for your Elementor-powered website.
Backups
Accidents happen, and it’s important to have a backup plan in place in case something goes wrong with your website. A good web host should offer regular backups of your website data to ensure that you can easily restore your site in case of a problem. Look for a host that offers daily or even hourly backups, as well as the option to download and store backups on your own local computer.
Security
With increasing instances of cyber-attacks and data breaches, website security is more important than ever. A good web host should have measures in place to protect your website and its data from malicious actors.
This can include features such as SSL certificates, firewall protection, and regular security updates. It’s also a good idea to choose a host that offers monitoring and alerts in case of security breaches or suspicious activity.
CDN Access
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a system of distributed servers that deliver web pages and other content based on the geographical location of the user. By using a CDN, your website’s content can be delivered faster to visitors, as it is served from the nearest possible location.
Many web hosts offer CDN access as an add-on service or include it as part of their hosting package. If you have a global audience or expect a high volume of traffic, it’s worth considering a host that offers CDN access to improve the performance and speed of your website.
Extras
In addition to the core features mentioned above, there are a few extra considerations that can make a web host stand out for use with Elementor. These can include:
- Integration with popular WordPress plugins and tools, such as Elementor, to make it easy to manage your website
- Support for staging environments, which allow you to test and preview changes to your website before making them live
- Automated migrations to make it easy to move your website to a new host
- Scalability options to allow your website to grow and handle more traffic as needed
Agency Management
If you run a web design agency or manage multiple websites, it’s important to choose a web host that offers agency-specific features and tools. This can include features such as bulk account management, reseller options, and white-label branding. Look for a host that makes it easy to manage and maintain multiple client websites from a single dashboard.
My Top Recommendation: Cloudways
After considering the factors discussed above, I chose Cloudways as my choice for a web host for my clients. Cloudways offers fast TTFB times, regular backups, advanced security measures, and CDN access as standard features. In addition, they offer a range of scalability options to suit the needs of growing websites. Pricing is also insanely low compared to some of their competitors.
They also have agency-specific features, including bulk account management and white-label branding, making them a great choice for web design agencies. Overall, Cloudways delivers excellent performance, security, and management tools for Elementor users.
