Choose hosting for the site you run, not the logo on the pricing page.
Start with the workload
A brochure site, WooCommerce store, publishing site and membership platform have different CPU, database, cache and operational needs.
Managed vs self-managed
Managed WordPress hosting reduces server responsibility. VPS or cloud infrastructure offers more control but also more operational work.
What performance claims miss
Look at PHP workers, database resources, persistent object cache, backup/restore, staging, CDN, logs and support response—not only a headline speed score.
Plan the exit before the move
Know how to export files and database, how DNS is controlled and whether email, redirects, cron or proprietary features make migration harder later.
OFFICIAL / PRIMARY SOURCES