Welcome to the August 2025 roundup from JLC Web Design Solutions. This month we tackled two topics that many small‑business owners and budding developers ask about every day: how web hosting really works, and if PHP still has a place in 2025. Below you’ll find quick takeaways, plus links to the full posts if you want the deep dive.
Ever wondered what actually keeps your site online? In plain language, web hosting is just a fancy way of saying “a computer that stores your files and shows them to visitors.” The guide breaks down the three main types – shared, VPS, and dedicated – and explains when each makes sense. Shared hosting is cheap and fine for a hobby blog, but you’ll hit performance limits as traffic grows. VPS gives you a slice of a larger server, offering a balance between cost and control. Dedicated servers are the heavy hitters: you get the whole machine, perfect for high‑traffic e‑commerce sites.
We also cover newer options like cloud hosting and managed WordPress services. Cloud hosting spreads your site across many servers, so it can handle spikes without crashing. Managed WordPress takes care of updates and security for you, which is great if you’re not a tech geek. The article ends with a short checklist to help you pick the right plan – think about budget, expected traffic, and how much technical work you’re comfortable handling.
PHP has been around forever, but is it still worth learning? The short answer: yes, but with a twist. PHP powers WordPress, Drupal, and many custom web apps, so there’s still a huge market for developers who can tweak themes, build plugins, or maintain legacy code. If you aim to work on WordPress sites, PHP is almost mandatory.
On the flip side, newer languages like JavaScript (Node.js) and Python are stealing some of PHP’s spotlight. The article weighs the pros – mature ecosystem, abundant hosting support, and a steady stream of freelance jobs – against the cons, such as slower adoption for brand‑new projects and the perception that PHP is “old school.” We also look at salary trends: PHP developers in the UK still earn competitive rates, especially when paired with front‑end skills.
Bottom line: learning PHP now can boost your employability, especially if you pair it with modern tools like Laravel or Symfony. The post gives a simple roadmap: start with the basics, build a small WordPress plugin, then dive into a modern framework. It’s a practical path that keeps you relevant without chasing every new language hype.
Both posts aim to give you actionable advice you can apply today. Whether you’re choosing a hosting plan for a new site or deciding which programming language to add to your toolkit, the goal is to cut through the jargon and get you moving forward.
Got more questions? Drop a comment on the individual articles or reach out to our team. We love helping small businesses and developers make smart, budget‑friendly choices that pay off in the long run.
Confused about web hosting? Get the whole picture. This guide explains how website hosting works, why it matters, and how to pick the right plan.
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Thinking about learning PHP in 2025? Here's a direct look at PHP's current role, real-world impact, and where it actually fits for jobs and web projects today.
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