Suppose you’re thinking about installing a WordPress site. In that case, some essential things to consider first – like your server’s PHP and database requirements. For WordPress to run correctly, your server needs to be able to handle specific tasks like storing files and running scripts. So before you get started, make sure you know what kind of server you need!
If you’re looking to set up a WordPress site, it’s important to ensure your server and PHP code meet the minimum requirements. Otherwise, you may run into problems with your website, like running slowly or breaking altogether. WordPress has these requirements listed – you can know what to look for when choosing a hosting provider.
This guide will detail the WordPress PHP and server requirements you need to create an ideal environment. We’ll give you tips on finding out what server and PHP versions you use and how to update them to meet WordPress’s requirements. Keep reading for more info!
Do You Always Need a Server for WordPress
WordPress websites need servers to function, whether you’re using WordPress.org or WordPress.com.
WordPress.org gives you the most control over your website – you host it yourself. Although WordPress.com doesn’t require self-hosting, they still use a physical server and web server software to host your website files.
If you’re a developer, it’s generally recommended that you stick with WordPress.org and use a host like Rovity. You get the benefits of a managed WordPress host like automated backups, performance monitoring, and a CDN while still controlling your server through your DirectAdmin control panel. This dashboard pack lets you create/move websites, configure speed and security settings, and analyze metrics for visits, PHP usage, and your website database.
PHP and Server Requirements for WordPress
There’s a lot of information to take in when choosing the correct PHP version for your WordPress site. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! In short, you’ll want to use the latest stable release of PHP to ensure your website runs as smoothly as possible. Keep in mind that web servers and server software also require regular updates – so make sure you do your research before making any decisions.
A web server is a piece of software that lives on a physical hardware server. Popular server software like Apache and Nginx also requires regular updates. Hence, you need to understand which versions work best with your WordPress.
First, let’s take a look at the PHP requirements. After that, we’ll move on to server requirements.
PHP Requirements for WordPress
WordPress is compatible with various PHP versions, but we recommend using PHP 7.4 or higher for the best performance.
WordPress recommends PHP versions based on how long they continue to receive support from PHP developers. All PHP releases get supported for two years, after which they enter a stage called “End of Life.”
PHP has three types of support: Active Support, Security Fixes Only, and End of Life.
They release sub-versions and security fixes during the “Active Support” phase and only when it’s necessary to resolve an extreme security issue during the “Security Fixes Only” stage. The “End of Life” stage is when they no longer provide any security or bug fixes, so your website would be vulnerable if you use that version.
If you’re using an older PHP version, it’s time to upgrade! According to the WordPress website, versions 7.4 and below are in the “Security Fixes Only” stage, which means they won’t have any new features or updates. So if you want your site to stay up-to-date and secure, switch to a more recent PHP version as soon as possible.
If you’re a web developer, you know that PHP is one of today’s most popular programming languages. But did you know that PHP has been around since 2000? In fact, the current 8.1 version of PHP was released just in late 2021!
However, all good things must end – and so it is with PHP 7.3. This version is now considered “End of Life” by the developers, meaning PHP developers will no longer support it with future updates or bug fixes. If you’re still using this version, it’s time to upgrade to something newer and better!
WordPress technically works with many PHP versions, but using an old version like PHP 3.0 will likely cause severe functionality and security issues. Even if you’re satisfied with a “Security Fixes Only” version of PHP, it’s always best to update your site’s PHP to the most recent “Active Support” release.
Check Your WordPress PHP Version – How to Find It and Update It!
You can keep track of PHP.net’s Supported Versions page to see when different versions are released. You can also check when the “Active Support” and “Security Fixes Only” stages end.
The most important thing to keep in mind when updating your PHP is knowing the current version used by your website. Luckily, there are a few ways you can go about doing this. You can check the front-end or the WordPress Admin section, examine the version.php file, or use WP-CLI – whichever works best for you.
If you’re not sure how to check and update your PHP version, we can help. If your WordPress site is hosted with Rovity’s cloud infrastructure, we’ll look at it for you and help get things updated.
Requirements for WordPress Server
When it comes to setting up a server for WordPress, there are several factors you need to take into account. Your RAM, database version, processing power, and disk space requirements will all play a role in your decision-making. In addition, you’ll also need to choose the right web server. Here’s a quick look at the standard recommendations for running WordPress on a server.
- Use Nginx or Apache with the mod-rewrite module configured
- MariaDB, version 10.1 or later. You can also use MySQL version 5.015 or later
- SSL and HTTPS support
- 512 MB of RAM
- At least 1 GB of disk space
- Minimum PHP 7.4 recommended
Now, look at why these hardware and web server recommendations make sense. I’ll try to explain it in plain English as best I can.
1 – Web Server
There are different server types, but we usually refer to a piece of software or hardware that works together when we talk about web servers. The term “web server” is used more loosely when referring to web hosting. Your site files might get stored on a powerful computer-based physical web server. But once people access and download those files, they’ll use a software web server.
Requirements for Hardware Web Servers
No matter which brand of machine your host uses for hosting WordPress sites. Some hosts prefer Windows; others opt for Linux or macOS computers.
The most critical factor is the hardware’s processing power, disk space, and RAM when choosing a web host. In the following sections, we’ll cover these factors in more detail. You should also make sure your host regularly upgrades its hardware. Hosting providers have cooling systems in their data centers and enforce physical security measures to prevent intrusion into their data centers.
Requirements for Software Web Servers
A web server’s software side delivers your website content to visitors. It allows you access to server data on your control panel. This is done by taking the data stored in a data center machine and presenting it to your users who want to view or manage it.
WordPress suggests Nginx or Apache as the optimal web server software options for operating WordPress. However, you don’t technically have to use either of them – any web server will do. Each has its own advantages, so choose what’s best for you.
Which web server to use for your WordPress site is a question with many answers. While WordPress recommends Apache for its name recognition, customization potential, and reliability, it’s important to consider other options. Apache is probably the best option for the average user because of its name recognition and wide range of customization options.
But if you want to get the most out of your WordPress site, Nginx may be a better choice. Nginx offers features that other servers don’t. Isolated containers can improve performance, and privatized server resources can keep your site running smoothly even under high traffic loads.
Do you know Nginx’s caching capabilities are top-notch, making it an excellent choice for busy sites? Rovity’s web server solution uses Nginx to package all performance-optimizing aspects and play as the primary content delivery solution. This makes it easy for you to get the most out of your website.
There are many ways to optimize a WordPress site. Still, the most significant performance boost comes from the web server and hardware it’s hosted on. You could manage your own server, but going with a service provider like Rovity, AWS, or GCP is more common.
Are you looking for a provider offering efficient and secure data centers? You can check out top providers like AWS, GCP, Azure, etc. However, keep in mind that most providers sell their servers as unmanaged hosting environments. That’s where Rovity comes in – we provide users access to customized, robust server infrastructure while offering user-friendly features and added server management tools.
2 – Disk Space
If you’re looking for a server to host your WordPress site, don’t worry – the application has a shallow minimum disk space requirement of just 1 GB. In other words, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a server that can accommodate your website.
As you add resources to the core WordPress application, disk space becomes an important consideration. WordPress data files like installed themes, plugins, and media will consume disk space on your hard drive. And this will impact how fast the processes and data get loaded onto your server’s CPU.
When it comes to server performance, many people focus on processing speed. But the processor isn’t the only factor determining how quickly your site runs. The hard disk also plays a role in determining your site’s speed and capacity. While processing is vital, don’t forget about the storage disk!
The amount of disk space you need for your WordPress site depends on how much it will grow. Suppose you have a lot of media-heavy pages and blog posts, with images constantly added. In that case, you’ll need more storage space. But low disk space levels should be sufficient if your website is mostly just a personal blog, with only a few small images here and there.
When choosing your hosting plan, you need to consider how much disk space you’ll need. Rovity offers the best SSD storage plans in the market. Our plans start at 2 GB of disk space and go up to unlimited disk space using our dynamic add-on feature. If you exceed your limit, don’t worry – we have overage options to keep your site running smoothly.
What type of hardware you use will affect how well your hard drive performs. Most hosts and server providers will install a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) inside the physical servers. Here’s the difference between them:
SSD: If you’re looking for a hard drive less susceptible to physical damage and faster transmitting data, you should consider an SSD. Although they are more expensive than HDDs, using an SSD makes them well worth the investment.
HDD: This older hard disk uses internal mechanical components to move. These drives are perfect for storing data you don’t need to access regularly or files that don’t require quick loading times. Plus, they’re an economical option compared to other storage devices like SSDs.
Some web hosting providers often store databases on SSDs, while placing other assets – like images or videos – on HDDs. This helps strike a balance between price and performance.
If you’re using WordPress, using a server with an SSD is good. SSD-powered servers will deliver your data reliably and efficiently, and you’ll have room to grow your website. Innovative hosting providers like Rovity use 100% premium NVMe SSDs to store any data -we don’t like to compromise on performance.
3 – Database
If you’re looking for the best database software with WordPress, MySQL version 5.6+ or MariaDB version 10.1+ are your best options. And you should definitely use the best practices for anything related to databases.
Are you looking for a host that offers the latest MariaDB? Look no further than Rovity. We also provide 24x7x30 automated backups to keep your data safe and secure.
4 – Random Access Memory (RAM)
Many factors determine server performance, but one of the most important is random access memory (RAM). RAM is located between the CPU and hard disk. It is responsible for preparing the data from the storage disk and sending it to the CPU.
Servers use RAM because it’s much easier to access than the hard disk. So, more RAM results in more data being stored in an area where the CPU can access it when done with the prior process. Therefore, every server process is much faster with more RAM.
Using WordPress, you’ll need at least 512 MB of RAM to run the application smoothly. If your site is growing and you need more space for more extensive databases or media files, increasing your RAM can help.
5 – PHP Memory Limits
Use the latest PHP version when running a WordPress site. But what about your PHP memory limit?
The goal of the PHP memory limit is to prevent RAM-hogging resources from crashing your website. If you’re running a PHP-based website, you need to know the PHP memory limit. Your site can use this maximum amount of memory before it crashes. Your hosting company provider sets this limit, so you may need to speak with them if you want to increase or decrease it.
If running a WordPress site, you must ensure that your host offers enough PHP memory limit for your needs. A standard installation runs well with 64 MB, but many hosts offer up to 512 MB if you need more.
Are you using a WordPress plugin that relies heavily on PHP memory? You may need to increase your hosting limit. Your host can assist you with adjusting this setting at any time. Userfriendly hosts like Rovity offers a built-in feature to manage PHP memory limit from the DirectAdmin control panel, so you don’t need to contact the support team.
6 – Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU, or central processing unit, is vital for a hardware server. It decides how many processes can happen on the server and how fast they run.
WordPress can run on a single 1.0 GHz CPU, but that makes sense when you don’t add anything to the site. Most hosts don’t worry about processing power these days – they focus on how many cores are available, making it easier to figure out what you need. The hosts tell you this because saying 5 cores are more understandable than saying 50 GHz – less jargon and easier to understand.
CPUs from many hosts are so powerful that there’s not as much concern about RAM, mainly when operating a lightweight web application like WordPress. In fact, you can probably get away with using just 2GB of RAM on most sites.
WordPress site requirements vary based on the type of site you’re building. When it comes to your website’s performance, the processing is crucial. The server’s ability to multitask determines how well it can handle requests from visitors’ browsers. The hard disk transfers data to the CPU, and the RAM makes accessing that data from the CPU faster and easier. This, in turn, affects your site’s speed and ease of use.
As you know, the CPU is what processes data. So, more CPUs mean better performance. Suppose you have a WordPress site with tens of thousands of users accessing multiple files simultaneously. In that case, you should consider increasing the number of CPUs on your server. Four cores can process twice as many actions as two, and eight can process twice as many actions as four.
7 – Location of the Server
As more and more businesses move their operations online, the cloud has become an increasingly popular option for hosting. Your site’s data is stored on a remote server rather than your own computer or device with virtual private servers. But even with these new types of hosting, the server’s physical location still matters. The distance between your site/server and its visitors can affect loading speed.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing a server location for your WordPress website. However, we recommend going with a host with access to a global server network. With this setup, you can choose the closest physical server to your users.
If most of your website visitors are in India, you should choose a server located in India. Opting for a far-off server location like the US is not ideal if most of your users are based closer to home.
If you’re looking for an affordable WordPress hosting solution that offers quick loading times, Rovity is an excellent choice. Our Mumbai-based origin server lets your website visitors reach your site quickly. Our free CDN helps keep things running smoothly.
If you’re looking for a WordPress hosting plan that will give your site speed and performance, consider choosing one with CDN capabilities. A CDN allows you to use multiple servers worldwide to deliver your content, which can speed up loading times for visitors no matter where they are. Rovity offers a free CDN with all our hosting plans, so you can start immediately!
How to Verify a Web Host’s PHP and Server Requirements Are Compatible With WordPress
Most hosting providers list their PHP versions and other key specifications on their pricing plan page. Make sure you look at the details carefully.
If you’re looking for a web host that supports the latest version of PHP, be sure to check out Rovity. We list all of our server and performance specs on our Pricing page. Plus, we have NVMe SSD storage and many WordPress-optimized features available!
Suppose you’re developing your WordPress website using a different host. In that case, it’s best to contact their customer support to figure out if they support PHP and server requirements for WordPress.
Summary
WordPress’ PHP and server requirements are designed to secure your websites and keep them performing correctly. It’s crucial to find a web host that supports your needs, offers automated updates, and has tools to give you access to the server and latest PHP versions.
When choosing a web host, it’s essential to understand what each package offers. You can find this information on the pricing page or email the company directly. Live chat is a great way to get answers quickly if you have questions.
Team Rovity work hard to keep up with the latest server requirements, so you don’t have to worry about them. Suppose you’re already running a website on our network. In that case, you can keep an eye on your PHP version by checking the WordPress or DirectAdmin dashboard. When a new PHP release is available, upgrade as soon as possible.
When choosing a host for your WordPress site, it’s important to consider their PHP and server offerings. But what else should you keep in mind? Let us know in the comments section. We would love to hear that.
