WordPress Requirements

The Five Most Important WordPress Server Requirements

More server power is expensive - but a good investment. We show what to consider to create optimal WordPress conditions.

There are numerous tutorials for the optimization of WordPress. But when it comes to the question of the best hardware requirements, you quickly come up against limits. Because it depends on what purpose your website should serve: Some need a lot of RAM, others a particularly fast CPU.

Basically, the question of page loading speed is also a hardware question. And a question of money. Because when it comes to hosting and hardware: more power costs, but is also a sensible investment. Processing power and hosting tariff determine the basic WordPress requirements of your server. When these conditions are good, they can positively influence the conversion rate, the page interaction and your Google ranking.

Basically, the performance of your WordPress website is just like your private computer: The more power the server has, the faster programs can be executed. Large shared hosting providers usually give you the following key figures:

  • Storage space and disk type (usually also of the mail and database storage)
  • Memory
  • Server location

However, CPU performance is often neglected, which is one of the most important WordPress requirements.

Requirement 1: CPU - more cores are better

The processor chip is the heart of the server. It basically determines how many processes can be handled and at what speed. Nowadays, the type and sheer performance of the CPU is less decisive - many host use modern and thus very powerful hardware - but rather the number of cores.

The number of cores basically describes the multitasking capability of a computer. Roughly speaking, a server with two cores can handle twice as many processes in one minute as a CPU with one core. This means that a server with two cores offers significantly better conditions for a WordPress website with many simultaneous users than a server with one core.

Regarding the choice of hardware, the question of the average and maximum number of concurrent users ultimately determines what server power you need.

Requirement 2: Hard disk - SSDs significantly faster than HDDs

The hard disk is also an important WordPress requirement, but it refers to a different process. While the processor determines how many calculations can be performed and how fast, the hard disk determines how fast the data for the calculation of these processes can be loaded to the CPU.

The type of hard disk is the most important factor for better performance. A distinction is made between the cheaper and slower hard disk drives (HDD) and the faster and more expensive solid state drives (SSD).

The high speed of SSDs results from their construction: HDDs contain mechanical components that have to be moved. SSDs, on the other hand, are comparable to USB sticks: They do not contain any moving parts that have to be started up and moved.

SSDs are therefore also less susceptible to shocks and do not break down as quickly. In addition, they are significantly more ecological. Anyone who wants an uncompromisingly fast server should definitely opt for an SSD.

Some providers store the database on an SSD hard disk, but store all other data on HDDs. This solution is a compromise between economy and performance and overall significantly faster than an offer where all data is stored on an HDD.

However, you have the best WordPress conditions when all data is stored on SSDs.

Requirement 3: Memory - the more, the better

RAM, or main memory, is considered by many to be the critical component of server performance. RAM is located between the hard disk and the CPU. It prepares data from the server's memory for processing in the processor. This is because RAM can be accessed much faster than the hard disk. This means that the larger the RAM, the more computing processes can be stored "ready to work" for the CPU. Thus, the entire data processing becomes faster.

Requirement 4: PHP Memory Limit

For WordPress, besides the mere size of the RAM, a second value is crucial: the so-called PHP Memory Limit. This value describes the size of the RAM that is reserved for the execution of PHP-based processes. Since PHP has to be read for every calculation step of the theme or the plugins, the PHP memory limit determines the speed of the most important functions.

But which RAM limit offers optimal WordPress conditions? Here applies, as so often: It depends.

According to WordPress, most installations run well with 64 MB. However, the standard for most hosters is more - at least 128 MB. More powerful plans also offer 256 MB or more.

It is important to note that not only the PHP memory limit is important, but also the remaining RAM (the PHP limit is derived from the normal RAM). If the remaining RAM is too small, computing processes may be aborted.

Requirement 5: Server location - the closer, the better

The server location also has an influence on the loading speed. It is easy to imagine that the distance between user and server has an influence on the speed of page delivery: If a server in the USA has to be addressed for each request, this simply takes longer than if the server is located in Europe.

Even though the server location is certainly not the most important WordPress requirement, it can have a significant impact on the performance of the website.

Conclusion: Hardware is important, but only half the battle

When it comes to server performance, the more you pay, the more performance you get. Therefore, the most important question is which WordPress requirements are really necessary for you.

This question arises regardless of whether you are already running your website or setting up WordPress from scratch. However, if your WordPress instance is already online, it is a good idea to optimize the website first. Because this is free (although time-consuming). Only then should you think about additional performance investments.

Without choosing the right hosting plan, however, your server's performance can quickly fizzle out. Because if you have to share the hardware with dozens or hundreds of other customers, the WordPress requirements are rather poorly met. In another post, we will therefore go into the most important performance factors of hosting.

But before that, we would of course like to know what experiences you have made so far regarding hardware. Which servers have proven to be particularly fast and what can you recommend for WordPress websites, for example regarding the PHP limit? We are looking forward to your opinion.

"*" indicates required fields

I would like to subscribe to the newsletter to be informed about new blog articles, ebooks, features and news about WordPress. I can withdraw my consent at any time. Please note our Privacy Policy.
This field is for validation and should not be changed.

Did you like the article?

Your rating helps us improve our future content.

Post a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *.