Choosing a hosting company for a WordPress site has some long term consequences. And like any long term commitment, you should make the decision carefully. Here are a few thoughts to guide you in your search.

The first consideration is for bandwidth. That’s the amount of files transferred from your web host to your users’ browser. For most blogs, the amount and size of files transferred would be small. Text, as it turns out, just isn’t that large. However, if your blog will be displaying a large number of media files – images, sound, or video – you may have larger bandwidth requirements. You may also have larger disk space needs. If this is the case, you should spend some time estimating the storage space you will need as well as the possible traffic you will be getting.

Your next choice is that of databases. WordPress requires the use of MySQL to run. Most web hosting companies provide this as a basic part of their service. Some companies even provide the use of multiple databases to their customers.

Another consideration has to do with installing WordPress. Some hosts have a convenient “single-click” install that they offer to their customers. While this may be convenient, it may also present a problem: Sometimes the version offered in the single-click install is an older version. You should be sure that the version being installed is current so that you minimize problems with plug-in incompatibilities, as well as any security issues.

Depending on how much experience you have with web hosting, or computers in general, you will also want to consider technical support. Some hosting companies offer a tiered support. Different levels, depending on your needs. Some hosts provide only email support, others email, and 24 hour phone support. Whatever type of support is provided, be sure that the quality of the support is sufficient to your needs. Ask them some questions. Are they knowledgeable? Can you understand the answers they give you for your questions? Are they patient in explaining things if you’re a beginner? It doesn’t make sense to pay a hosting company for their service if they will be unable to support that service.

Another consideration is that of payment. Most web hosting companies today will give discounts for purchases of longer term contracts. Month to month options are available as well, but with the savings you can get with the long term contracts it pays to consider the long term options. But this is why all of the above ideas are important: if the service is not right for you, then why commit yourself to a long term contract? But with some research and planning, you can find a hosting company that you will want to stay with for a long time.