Has anyone used WordPress.com hosting while needing direct access to the site's MySQL database? I understand that database-related tools may be available on the Business plan, but I'm unsure whether that provides actual SQL access or just limited management features. I also want to know what happens to database credentials and access if I downgrade to a less expensive plan later. The site has low traffic, so paying for the Business tier indefinitely may not be practical. If WordPress.com doesn't provide the access I need, I'm open to moving to another hosting setup.
2 Answers
Free database services and cloud trials can be harder to connect to WordPress than they first appear. You have to configure networking, authentication, backups, compatibility, and often SSL settings. Unless you specifically need a separate managed database, choosing ordinary hosting that includes both WordPress and database access will likely be cheaper and much easier.
For a low-traffic site, inexpensive shared hosting is probably simpler than configuring a VPS. Look for a provider that includes WordPress support, a control panel, database management through phpMyAdmin, and the ability to create your own MySQL or MariaDB users. A VPS gives you more control, but you’ll be responsible for updates, security, backups, and server configuration.
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