Bandwidth is what makes video calls and quick file transfer possible. It is not related to connection speed, which determines the file upload speed. Bandwidth is measured in MB and GB and shows the volume of data that internet users can exchange. It’s linked to connection quality.
The amount of bandwidth you’ll need depends on the size of your site and the number of visitors to it, as well as how many pages they visit.
How much disk space do you need?
You need around 9 MB to install WordPress 4.9.5 or higher. Uploaded files occupy about 800 MB. Another 100 MB is added to that when you install a plugin.
Each WordPress template occupies an average of 25 MB. 85 MB of disk space is taken up by the MYSQL database.
In terms of bandwidth in WordPress, it follows that you would need 1GB of space on average. The majority of WordPress hosting providers offer at least that much disk space. A lot more resources will be required if you want to manage a WordPress network at the same time, however.
Different websites require different bandwidths
Websites require different bandwidth volumes depending on whether the site is a store, a blog, a company, a multimedia platform, etc. The more scripts, videos, images, elements, and content you want to have, the more space you’ll need.
Types of connections
There are two types of bandwidth connections: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical ones provide an equal speed for uploads and downloads. They are used more rarely than the second type, where it takes less time to download something than to upload it. As a website owner, you should be able to adjust the bandwidth if you want to prioritize upload speed.
Security as a factor
Issues with security can have a negative impact on your bandwidth. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks are the biggest threat to bandwidth. DDoS attacks happen when a vast volume of bots creates malicious traffic, and the server hosting your site gets an overwhelming number of requests. Your site then becomes inaccessible to regular users.
How to manage bandwidth
You’ll find your bandwidth needs increase as the number of visitors to your site grows. You should run bandwidth speed tests at regular intervals to see how much traffic your site will get moving forward. In the future, you might need to use new plugins, which might consume more bandwidth. Ensure that your hosting provider can offer upgrades. Bandwidth tends to be directly proportional to the connection speed.
How much disk space is optimal?
Disk space is the volume of data that the server can store. The size of your website determines the disk space. Most sites consist of images, text, flash, or a combination. Text takes up far less space than flash and images. Ideally, your site should be under 60 KB, which includes images and flash.
If you’re just getting started, you probably won’t need lots of space or bandwidth unless you offer film and music downloads or expect a lot of visitors. Choose a hosting service that will make it possible to upgrade disk space or bandwidth.
Which apps consume the most bandwidth?
Some apps and processes consume a lot more bandwidth than others. These include video calls and internet telephony, and some background tasks. If your site offers video conferencing services, you should move them to another server so the overall bandwidth isn’t affected.
What’s more, background tasks like security updates and database backups can deplete bandwidth very fast. Minimize the background tasks on your site for optimal quality.
How to improve bandwidth
Bandwidth shouldn’t be ignored. If it’s low-quality, search engines will punish your website. Ask your web host to increase it as a preventive measure. Check if your apps and settings are consuming too much and optimize your website’s design. Complicated, heavy designs can slow sites down.
