When comparing the WordPress.com Business plan and Elementor’s Business hosting plan, both priced around £240 per year, we need to evaluate their features, flexibility, and suitability for our specific needs.
WordPress.com Business Plan (£240/year):
• Hosting and Storage: Provides managed WordPress hosting with 50 GB of storage. 
• Customisation: Allows installation of custom themes and plugins, granting flexibility in site design and functionality.
• Support and Analytics: Includes 24/7 expert support (which is VERY GOOD AND ACTIVELY ENGAGES TO DO THINGS) and integration with Google Analytics for detailed site performance tracking. 
• Additional Features: Offers a free domain for one year (WE DON'T NEED THIS) , removal of WordPress.com ads , and access to (SOME BUT NOT ALL) premium themes. 
Elementor Business Hosting Plan (£239.88/year):
• Hosting and Storage: Offers managed WordPress hosting (THIS IS GOOD AS IT MEANS WE DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS WHICH IS MAIN REASON FOR USING WORDPRESS DIRECTLY) on Google Cloud infrastructure with 20 GB of storage (SO THIS IS 30GB LESS - MAY NOT BE AN ISSUE FOR OUR USE CASE) , 50 GB monthly bandwidth, and support for up to 50,000 monthly visits. 
• Page Builder Integration: Comes with Elementor Pro, a powerful drag-and-drop page builder, facilitating intuitive site design without coding. (SEEMS LIKE A GOOD PLUS POINT)
• Performance and Security: Features include a built-in Content Delivery Network (CDN) via Cloudflare, SSL certificates, daily backups, and robust security measures (ANOTHER GOOD PLUS POINT ESP CLOUDFLARE). 
• Support: Provides 24/7 premium support. (WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? IS IT HUMANS? IS THERE ANY LIMIT? WILL THE ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH OUR SITE?)
Considerations:
• Flexibility: A straightforward setup with the ability to install various plugins and themes, WordPress.com’s Business plan offers that flexibility. 
• Design Control: If having advanced design capabilities with a visual builder (WHICH REALLY MEANS POINT AND CLICK) is a priority, Elementor’s plan provides seamless integration with its Pro page builder. 
• Performance Needs: Consider our site’s expected traffic and resource requirements. Elementor’s plan specifies limits on storage, bandwidth, and monthly visits, which may be pertinent depending on our site’s scale (i suspect not a problem)
Conclusion:
Both plans offer robust features suitable for different scenarios.
WordPress.com’s Business plan is ideal for users seeking a traditional WordPress experience with extensive plugin support.
Elementor’s Business hosting plan caters to those who prioritise design flexibility (this MAY suite you) and an all-in-one solution with integrated page building tools.
Our specific needs (ocd to details?), technical comfort (none, it would seem?), and growth expectations (this last means how much space and how many visits. Unless you later included customer engagement the space looks adequate (not brilliant) and the visits are more than adequate)
One final question is about once our site is built, are we locked in to £300 a year of can we downgrade - which we can and do do in the Wordpress version. Maybe this does not matter if the business takes off.
Also not included is the price of paying someone to maintain the site, regardless of the host.
I have not yet checked but I expect Elementor will be available to use, for a fee, on the Wordpress hosting version. More work required for this aspect.
In this regard, using the Elementor plug in on Wordpress the pricing would be one of Essential or Solo
So $60 or $85 per annum extra, so I seem to think the Elementor hosting that includes this is about £300 a year form year 2 and Wordpress at £240 a year PLUS this plugin is about the same at around £300 a year (very roughly).
SIDENOTE
You might want to consider integrating this technology I am using to write this review. The website is hosted by Wordpress directly.
I wrote the original rather clumsy layout myself and them left it.
Later for my hobby I created another Wordpress hosted Wordpress site for £3 pcm (i.e. £36 per YEAR) which is very limited in space only 6GB if I recall correctly, but perfectly ok for text like you see here.
For images, of which my hobby site has hundreds, I never upload image files (That’s how they will catch many), I link to them from another site of mine (for photographers). This is not relevant to you except as an illustration of how the use case matters a great deal; they make all the difference.
So, this text you see here is written in a tech called “markdown” or what we call “md” for short; A.i. knows all about it and will render work in md if asked.
There is a tech “war” going on between the “format apps” like Word and Presentation apps where vast amounts of time and code are invested in how it all looks, when in fact what matters is how it all reads; the content.
Here’s the killer point: this md updates automatically to my Wordpress site and any changes/edits I make update practically instantly, without me having to do anything in Wordpress - ok except click “save”, but no need to open it, close it or any other time waste.
And I can do all this from my phone app.
So here I go, I click “publish update ok” job done.
Zero Web site expertise needed. In fact I just realised where above I say “click”save” ” even that is not required.
NOTE
It’s important to note that while Cloudflare offers additional security enhancements, WordPress.com implements its own security protocols, including firewalls, to safeguard websites hosted on its platform. Therefore, integrating Cloudflare is optional and depends on your specific security and performance requirements. And: Cloudflare is free (and easy if techy to implement)at our level.
push-pin-in-small-hole for ten seconds reset started the restore process,
then the front small display offered several methods of how to connect to do setup.
One of these is ‘web 192.168.1.1’, but that conflicted with the tcp link router also on that ip. I recalled that the ISP Router was allocating via its DHCP the WAN address of 192.168.40.229 so I tried that in a browser and it connected successfully. Asked me to create account details so I used my existing account, then after that slightly laborious process it offered me restore from the latest cloud backup which is currently in progress & worked very nicely.
From the Unifi Support Team
About your query, please note that the .unf backup file will only restore the configurations of the Network Application, whereas the .unifi backup will restore all the Application and OS settings of the UniFi Console.
Following all this I have re-jigged the setup a little to provide both fibre optic fail-over to 5G and balancing, plus provision for complete failure of the main router which requires a manual DHCP scope tweak once activated.
Emergency Access Plan — Restore Access to the UniFi Ultra & LAN
Since the UniFi Ultra is offline, the priority is to regain access to the Ultra and restore LAN connectivity by first temporarily bypassing it.
Immediate Recovery Steps
1️⃣ Connect Backup Router to Fibre Router
• Goal: Give the Backup Router direct internet access.
• Steps:
• **_Connect Fibre Router LAN → Backup Router WAN port._**
• This ensures the Backup Router gets an IP from the Fibre Router.
🔹 At this stage, the Backup Router should have internet.
2️⃣ Connect LAN Devices to Backup Router
• Goal: Restore LAN connectivity for other devices without relying on the UniFi Ultra.
• Steps:
• **_Disconnect the LAN switch ethernet cable from the Ultra._**
**_• Connect that LAN switch cable to the Backup Router LAN._**
• Now, all devices that were on the UniFi Ultra LAN should get DHCP from the Backup Router.
🔹 At this stage, LAN devices should be online but under the Backup Router instead of the Ultra.
Plan to Regain Access to the UniFi Ultra Using the Jump Box (Windows 11 Stick PC)
ipconfig to check we are on the backup router’s LAN
and Look for an IP in the Backup Router’s range.
🔹 At this point, the Jump Box has internet via the Backup Router.
Step 2: Prepare the Jump Box for Direct Ethernet to the Ultra
Since the Ultra is unreachable, we need to manually set a static IP.
1. Enable Wi-Fi on the Jump Box and connect to the Backup Router’s Wi-Fi.
• This ensures we don’t lose internet when we disconnect from the switch.
2. Manually Configure an Ethernet IP in the UniFi Ultra’s Subnet say (192.168.4.4):
• Go to Windows Settings → Network & Internet → Ethernet.
• Click on Change Adapter Options.
• Right-click on Ethernet Adapter → Properties.
• Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties.
• Set:
• IP Address: 192.168.4.4
• Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
• Default Gateway: 192.168.4.1
🔹 At this point, theJump Box will be able to communicate with the UniFi Ultra directly.
Step 3: Connect the Jump Box to the UniFi Ultra
• Remove the Stick pc's Ethernet cable from the switch.
• Plug it directly into(any of) the Ultra’s LAN ports - NOT the WAN port
🔹 Now, we should be able to access the UniFi Ultra.
Use unique email addresses AND passwords for everything
Every login you create, use a different email.
This is done by being able to create a “filter” or “rule” preferably in the cloud, so you may need your own domain e.g. “mydomain.com”, but you are in business so you will have that already… won’t you?
For example to create a log in user email for example.com enter the email grey.example@mydomain.com and in your domain email filter setup send all incoming emails that start with “grey.” to one email account for this purpose. Hey it could even be a gmail or hotmail account you monitor at your convenience.
and a unique password, easy to remember
It’s worth knowing it is length not complexity that makes passwords more secure. by all means use a long “core” password, but have a short version for those times when the domain name is silly long in itself.
So, impossible? No, do as follows. Think of a “core” password, one that complies with all the usual requirements, such as over 8 characters, has upper and lower case, inlcudes a number, includes a special character (I suggest “!”). So this might be ” Myfavpw1! ” and this part you will always use, but now add the name of the domain for which you are creating the login. This will be at the top of the window you are in, so this might be example.com . This will always be the domain showing there when logging in (if not, change it when you see it). So your password for this site will be: “Myfavpw1example” and thus you always know the first part and for the second part you need only look in the browser window for the domain name.
Given BOTH your email login and your password
are now unique, all criminal attempts to re-use your credentials to access other sites will fail. This is why I object to “Paypal” disclosing our login email address to all and sundry; it shares 50% of our paypal login credentials all over the planet.
1. Simplified Network Infrastructure – PoE allows you to power devices such as access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones directly through the network cables, eliminating the need for separate power sources.
2. Cost Savings – Reduces the need for additional power adapters and simplifies cable management.
3. Remote Power Management – You can restart or schedule power for connected devices via the UniFi Controller.
4. PoE+ and PoE Support – The UDM SE includes:
• 2x PoE+ (802.3at) ports for higher power devices (e.g., UniFi Wi-Fi 6 APs).
• 6x PoE (802.3af) ports for lower power devices (e.g., security cameras).
If PoE is essential for your setup, the UDMSE is a better choice.
Certainly! Here’s a detailed comparison between the UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra (UCG-Ultra) and the UniFi Dream Machine Special Edition (UDM-SE):
UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra vs. UniFi Dream Machine Special Edition
Feature
UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra (UCG-Ultra)
UniFi Dream Machine Special Edition (UDM-SE)
Device Type
Cloud Gateway
All-in-One Network Appliance
Processor
Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 at 1.5 GHz
Quad-core ARM Cortex-A57
Memory (RAM)
3 GB
4 GB
Storage
Not specified
128GBSSD
Networking Interfaces
2.5 GbE RJ45WAN Port
1 GbE RJ45LAN Ports (one remappable to WAN)
2.5 GbE RJ45WAN Port
10G SFP+ WAN Port
1 GbE RJ45LAN Ports
10G SFP+ LAN Port
PoE Support
No
Yes (8 ports: 6× 802.3af, 2× 802.3at)
Integrated Wi-Fi
No
No
UniFi OS Applications
UniFi Network
UniFi Network, Protect, Access, Talk
Rack Mountable
No
Yes (1U Rack Size)
Display
0.96” LCM Display
1.3” Touchscreen
Dimensions
160 x 160 x 31 mm
442.4 x 43.7 x 285.6 mm
Weight
0.5 kg
5 kg
Price
$129 USD
$499 USD
Key Differences:
• Device Type & Purpose: The UCG-Ultra is designed as a compact cloud gateway suitable for small to medium-sized networks, offering essential routing and security features. In contrast, the UDM-SE is an all-in-one solution integrating advanced routing, switching, and application hosting capabilities, making it ideal for larger or more complex network environments.
• Networking Interfaces: The UDM-SE provides a broader range of connectivity options, including additional LAN ports and 10G SFP+ ports for high-speed connections, which the UCG-Ultra lacks.
• PoE Support: The UDM-SE includes PoE support, allowing it to power devices like access points and IP cameras directly through its Ethernet ports. The UCG-Ultra does not offer PoE capabilities.
• UniFi OS Applications: While both devices run the UniFi Network application, the UDM-SE also supports additional UniFi applications such as Protect (for video surveillance), Access (for door access systems), and Talk (for VoIP), providing a more integrated solution.
• Form Factor: The UCG-Ultra features a compact, desktop-friendly design, whereas the UDM-SE is rack-mountable, catering to different deployment preferences.
Conclusion:
Choose the UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra if you need a cost-effective, compact gateway for straightforward networking tasks without the need for PoE or advanced application hosting. Opt for the UniFi Dream Machine Special Edition if you require a comprehensive, all-in-one solution with advanced networking features, PoE support, and the ability to run multiple UniFi applications, suitable for more demanding network environments.
Note: Prices are approximate and may vary based on the retailer and region.
By limiting the DHCP scope to just a couple of reserved IPs, you ensure that:
✅ Only your laptop & the Ultra can connect to TP-Link’s WiFi.
✅ No unintended devices will join the TP-Link WiFi network.
✅ You can expand the DHCP range if the Ultra fails and you need to restore wired LAN access.
How to Implement This in TP-Link:
1. Reduce DHCP Scope
• Set DHCP range to 10.10.19.26 – 10.10.19.27 (for just our Stick PC & Ultra). So extra manual ip connects work fine.
• This prevents random WiFi devices from joining.
2. Reserve Static IPs for Critical Devices
• Default Gateway: 10.10.19.25
• Laptop WiFi: 10.10.19.26
• Ultra WAN2: 10.10.19.27
• (If needed, allow one more for an emergency device)
3. Verify DHCP Settings
• Check Lease Time (longer lease means fewer refresh issues).
• DNS: 8.8.8.8 & 1.1.1.1
4. Future Recovery Plan
• If the Ultra completely fails, manually increase the DHCP range to allow wired access for LAN devices.
• Alternatively, manually assign an IP (10.10.19.50 or similar) to a wired device for emergency access.
Result
✔ Normal operation: Only the Stick PC & Ultra can get IPs via WiFi.
✔ If Ultra fails: Expand manually DHCP or assign manual IPs to restore access.
✔ 5GSIM can still provide access if needed.
This setup keeps TP-Link isolated and secure while allowing quick reconfiguration in an emergency as well as both fail-over and balancing. There being two levels of fail-over where first is for broadband drops and fails and second is where the main Ultra router ceases to function. 🚀