I initially started Tistory to earn AdSense revenue from my blog. Back then, traffic was low, and I thought all I needed was to write good content. I expanded by installing WordPress on AWS Lightsail for more flexible settings and revenue structures, but I figured I didn't need to know cPanel or WHM.
But as my sites grew one by one, the situation changed.
I went through trial and error during this process. When I first used reseller hosting, I mistakenly thought each domain required its own account. So I created five cPanel accounts from the start. Only later did I learn that 'add-on domains' allowed multiple sites on a single account.
Looking back now, if I had just known from the start "how many sites I would manage and in what structure" and "whether WHM and cPanel were the right tools for me," I could have saved a lot of money, time, and setup stress.
This article is a summary to help those new to cPanel avoid unnecessary trial and error. You can find information about "What is cPanel?" in this article.
Whether it's a monetized blog or an emotion-based service, WordPress sites today are complex systems, not just simple bulletin boards.
- Brand introduction site using Elementor
- GPT-based chatbot site
- WooCommerce-integrated shopping mall site
- A blog site monetized with AdSense
To run all of these, basic hosting just won't cut it. If you choose "cheap hosting that works well," you'll start seeing 502 errors when traffic spikes. Ultimately
, your hosting's performance is directly tied to your revenue, just as much as your content quality. Now, let's go over the truly essential criteria one by one.
💡 Useful Performance Tips for Choosing WordPress Hosting (Based on Traffic Handling)
4GB RAM / 2vCPU / SSD / Automatic Backups / cPanel-included Managed Hosting:
This is the bare minimum you need to not just "run" WordPress, but to "operate" it effectively.
Failing to meet these requirements will lead to slowness, errors, downtime, and stress before you even see any revenue.
✅ Minimum Specifications for WordPress Operation
- Minimum RAM: 4GB or more
- 👉 Essential for memory-intensive plugins like Elementor, WooCommerce, AI automation plugins, etc.
- 2vCPU or higher
: Handles cron jobs, AI automation, and concurrent visitor requests
- 👉 Required for stable processing of cron jobs, real-time visitors, and automated bot requests
- SSD or NVMe storage
- 👉 WordPress involves heavy disk read/write operations; HDD causes speed issues.
- 👉 NVMe offers faster data processing, benefiting SEO and user experience
✅ RAM 4GB or more is a mandatory requirement
"Even if you say you only use a few plugins, just using Elementor—a WordPress theme editing plugin—requires at least 512MB base memory and uses 1-2GB during editing. Plugins
like Elementor, WooCommerce, and AI automation consume memory in real-time. (Especially WooCommerce demands more server memory during page loading as the number of products increases.)
With less than 2GB of RAM, even accessing the admin page slows down, or errors occur during saving. Running just an AI plugin + cache plugin + security plugin on a single blog eats up 3GB in no time.
✅ At least 2vCPUs are also essential.
Within WordPress, various processes run simultaneously:
cron jobs, auto-scheduled posts, visitor requests, thumbnail generation, and more. (Especially if cron jobs aren't properly configured, memory consumption can double. You can find more about cron jobs here.)
With only 1 CPU, it can't handle the load, causing the site to slow down or freeze. If you anticipate
automation systems + concurrent users, 2vCPU is an absolute minimum requirement.
✅ SSD is standard; NVMe is not optional, but strategic
While most hosting providers now offer SSDs as standard, the perceived speed differs drastically between SATA and NVMe. Both are SSDs, but NVMe uses the faster PCIe interface for data transfer, boasting read/write speeds up to 6-7 times faster than SATA SSDs.
Moreover, even among SSDs, speed varies significantly based on IOPS (input/output operations per second), cache presence, and controller performance. For mobile-centric blogs or image-heavy sites, choosing NVMe SSD isn't an option—it's a strategic necessity.
🛡️ Essential Management Features & Security Stability for WordPress Hosting
Just as important as RAM and CPU are "ease of management" and "data security." While keeping
your site running smoothly is crucial, the true measure of operational skill is "how quickly you can recover when problems arise."
- SSL Certificate Availability
- 👉 Lack of HTTPS harms SEO
- 👉 Always verify if cPanel supports free Let’s Encrypt integration
- Includes automatic backups + security integration?
- 👉 Data protection and recovery systems are essential, especially for monetized blogs
- 👉 Without backups, recovery is impossible if server issues occur
- ❌ Conditions to avoid (especially if you're not a developer)
- Requires manual setup of email, SSL, and domain
- 👉 For non-coding users, server setup time directly delays work
- 👉 Hosting with WHM or a managed control panel is far more advantageous
- Requires manual setup of email, SSL, and domain
🔐 SSL certificate provision (HTTPS is not optional)
Without HTTPS, users see 'Caution' warnings in their browsers, and search engines (like Google) penalize your SEO score. Most cPanel hosting supports free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate integration. Always verify this capability.
"Non-SSL sites" struggle to gain trust in today's world.
💾 Automatic backup + security integration included?
For monetized blogs especially, content and data are your assets.
Without daily automatic backups, recovery may be impossible after server failures, hacks, or configuration errors. If a server migration becomes necessary, it can incur significant costs and time. Hosting
without a backup system means you could lose everything if problems arise.
Backups are insurance. When running WordPress, backups should be performed regularly.
❌ Avoid these conditions (especially if you're not a developer)
- Requires manual email account setup
- Requires manual SSL certificate issuance/installation
- Requires manual domain DNS connection
These tasks are highly stressful for users without server knowledge. Especially for non-coding users, content-focused bloggers, or marketers, "time = revenue," so you shouldn't waste time on complex configurations.
In such cases, choose WHM or managed hosting. Most tasks—domain, email, SSL, backups—can be set up with just a few clicks.
워드프레스 블로그는 잘 만드는 것보다 잘 지키는 것이 더 중요합니다.
SSL + 백업 + 관리 UI가 포함된 관리형 호스팅을 고르면, 문제가 생겨도 스트레스 없이 빠르게 복구할 수 있습니다.🤔 Is WHM & cPanel absolutely necessary for running WordPress?
When I first started with WordPress, and when many people begin using WordPress, one of the most common questions I get is,
"Do I really need to use WHM or cPanel?"
The correct answer is, "It depends on your operational approach and purpose." The tools needed differ between someone running just one blog and someone managing multiple sites simultaneously.
First, let's briefly review when WHM & cPanel usage is unnecessary and who we recommend using them for.
| When WHM & cPanel are unnecessary | Recommended for |
|---|---|
| Single site operation | Managing multiple domains |
| Portfolio use | Monetized blog + outsourced site creation |
| Low-traffic websites | When email, FTP, or reseller account management is required |
| Front-end only | When backup, monitoring, and account permission separation are needed |
✅ When sufficient without WHM & cPanel
In the following cases, WHM is not strictly necessary:
- When operating a single site
- For portfolio or personal branding purposes
- For low-traffic informational websites
- When working almost exclusively on the frontend without handling the backend
In these cases, hosting providers like Hosting KR or Gabia, which offer single WordPress installations or basic cPanel hosting, are usually sufficient for stable and straightforward operation.
✅ Who absolutely needs WHM & cPanel?
However, if any of the following conditions apply, you should definitely consider a managed hosting plan that includes WHM.
- Professionals (website creation + monetization sites)
- Need for AdSense + WordPress automation + blog + managing multiple domains
- Operating subdomains and multiple sites
- Includes sites created by outsourced developers
- Freelance web developers/designers
- When managing multiple client sites under separate accounts
- When needing individual settings for email, FTP, subdomains, etc.
- Hosting resellers or solo web agency entrepreneurs
- When independent accounts & permission settings are needed for each client
- When you want integrated management including automatic backups and monitoring
Professional operators are typically those running AdSense sites on various topics, automation companies using WordPress and AI, or WordPress-based website development agencies. If you use WHM, you can easily manage both backend and frontend through a single dashboard, integrating domain management, backups, SSL, and email.
For freelance web developers and designers, if you need to provide an independent environment (account, domain, FTP, email) for each client site, WHM is overwhelmingly efficient for separating and managing each client under distinct accounts.
For hosting resellers or solo web agency founders needing 10+ accounts, manual management without WHM is sheer torture. WHM transforms productivity itself by providing a single-view solution for backup, monitoring, traffic management, and account permission separation across all sites when reselling or running a small web agency.
WHM isn't necessary for simple WordPress blog management. However, as the number of sites you manage grows, you start outsourcing website development, or you take on revenue-generating projects, an environment without WHM will start eating away at your time.
👉 Be sure to assess whether WHM is necessary based on the number of sites you'll operate, accounts you'll manage, and domains you'll oversee.
2025 Price Comparison Chart by Hosting Provider (Including cPanel, 4GB+ RAM)
Below is a comparison of recommended hosting providers selected while personally operating a WordPress blog.
(※ Selection criteria: Minimum 4GB RAM, 2vCPU, SSD, backup/security included, cPanel provided as standard)
| Category | FastComet (Cloud 2) | Hostinger (KVM 2) | UltaHost (VPS Pro) | GoDaddy (Deluxe) | Hosting.kr (Value Plan) | AWS Lightsail ($84) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $53.86 USD | $9.99 USD | $29.99 USD | Approx. $8.2 USD ₩10,999 KRW | Approx. $6.2 USD ₩8,499 KRW | Total $40 $24 + cPanel $15.99 |
| CPU | 2vCore | 2vCPU | 2vCPU | Details Private | Details Private | 2vCPU |
| RAM | 4GB ECC | 8GB | 8GB | Private | Private | 4GB |
| Storage | 80GB SSD | 100GB NVMe | 200GB SSD | 50GB NVMe | 25GB NVMe | 80GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | 4TB | 8TB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 4TB |
| cPanel/WHM included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ❌ (Requires paid add-on) |
| SSL / Email / Backup | ✅ All included | ❌ No backup | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Partially included | ❌ Manual configuration SSL auto-update feature configuration Email backup not possible Instance backup configurable |
| Managed status | ✅ Fully managed | ❌ Unmanaged VPS | ✅ Selectable | ✅ Default managed | ✅ Korean UI Managed | ❌ Unmanaged |
| Recommended Uses | Full-scale WordPress operation | High-spec + Self-managed | Blog + Automation | Entry-level + Domestic Audience | Domestic Personal Blog | Developer-Focused + AWS Integration |
FastComet Cloud 2 is the most stable choice for users who want to run WordPress seriously. It's a fully managed structure that includes both backup and security features, so you don't have to spend time on server configuration. It even includes WHM, allowing you to efficiently manage multiple sites. The price is $53.86 per month, which is somewhat high, but it's well worth it for those who also handle outsourced site development or automation systems. It's especially suitable for users who want to focus on their core work or reduce management stress.
Hostinger KVM 2 offers exceptional specifications for its price. It provides 8GB RAM and 100GB NVMe SSD while maintaining an affordable monthly rate of $9.99. However, backup functionality requires separate configuration, and initial setup must be done independently, making it better suited for users familiar with WordPress or server configuration. If you prioritize value for money and possess the capability to handle setup yourself, this choice is highly reasonable.
UltaHost VPS Pro features a structure particularly suited for blog operators focused on automation. It includes both backup and security features, and its VPS environment allows for various experimental functions and customization. While the VPS itself might be somewhat unfamiliar to beginners, creating an entry barrier, it provides sufficient scalability and stability for intermediate to advanced users running AI plugins, cron jobs, SEO optimization tasks, and more simultaneously. For operators prioritizing automation and data optimization, few choices surpass this.
GoDaddy Deluxe and Hosting.kr Value Plan offer the easiest entry points within the domestic market. Their Korean-language UI is a significant advantage for users unfamiliar with server or hosting configurations. While the lack of disclosed specs is disappointing, they remain useful for single-site operators or portfolio-focused homepage users prioritizing ease of management over advanced features. They are well-suited for beginners focused more on content creation than technical aspects.
AWS Lightsail is a hosting option optimized for developers. While it costs around $40 per month with 4GB RAM, 2vCPU, 80GB SSD, and the paid cPanel add-on, the flexibility and scalability of AWS infrastructure are exceptional. However, tasks like instance backup configuration, SSL auto-renewal, and email account management all require manual setup, which can be somewhat burdensome for non-developers. If you're familiar with Linux CLI and AWS architecture, it can be the optimal choice for your own projects or operating microservices-based SaaS.
Ultimately, hosting selection can't be judged solely by price. What matters is how many sites you'll run, how much automation and performance you require, and how much time you can invest in management. To run WordPress well, you need to choose "infrastructure optimal for your operational goals and methods" rather than simply "cheap and functional" hosting. Only then can you avoid the stress that arrives before the profits.
🔍 Hosting Provider Recommendations by Purpose
Below is a simple guide to choosing a hosting provider based on actual operational needs. Whether you're a beginner blogger, an outsourced creator, or a tech-based operator, you can quickly find the optimal hosting solution tailored to your specific requirements.
| Purpose | Recommended Hosting | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress Automation & Monetization | FastComet Cloud 2 | Managed, excellent balance of security/backup/performance |
| High-Performance Value for Money | Hostinger KVM 2 | 8GB RAM + 100GB SSD + $6.99/month |
| Korean UI + Affordable Start | Hosting.kr Value Plan | Suitable for domestic users, easy management |
| SEO-optimized monetization blog | UltaHost VPS Pro | VPS structure with backup + security included |
| AWS-based Developer-oriented | Lightsail $84 | Strong Scalability, Somewhat Complex but Flexible |
When first starting a WordPress site, most focus on 'how cheap it is'. I too initially thought simple web hosting would suffice, running just a single blog and one monetized content piece for AdSense. But when building a brand homepage, operating automated sentiment-based services, or even managing outsourced projects, the 'configuration' and 'management system' suited to your operational goals become far more important than simple price comparisons.
Especially with the current trend of trying to solve everything with a single WordPress installation, you must meticulously consider backup, security, cPanel availability, RAM/CPU specifications, and even whether it's a VPS. Therefore, the table below organizes "which hosting suits which user" based on operational purpose.
From first-time bloggers to tech users pursuing high performance, those seeking managed hosting optimized for domestic users, SEO-based automated blog operators, and developers familiar with AWS infrastructure—everyone has distinct needs. This table acknowledges these differences, helping you find 'the right hosting for you' at a glance.
FastComet offers the most ideal balance of performance, security, and management. Hostinger provides VPS specifications with the highest cost-performance ratio. Hosting.kr is the optimal entry-level hosting for users prioritizing a Korean UI and basic features. UltaHost features an automated VPS-based structure suitable for SEO-focused blogs. AWS Lightsail, while complex, excels in flexibility and is well-suited for developer-type operators who value customization.
Ultimately, what matters isn't 'the cheapest hosting,' but 'how well it can be operated in the way I want.'
