Having a website live on the internet necessitates the purchase of web hosting. The “hosting” aspect of web hosting refers to a service in which a company stores your website’s files, which can then be accessed via a web browser. These files are stored on a server, which is a massive computer.
Don’t worry if that sounds complicated; by the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding.
Let us have a look at web hosting basics, the advantages of using web hosting, the various types of hosting available.
Web hosting basics
Web hosting is a type of online service that allows you to put your website, web pages or web application on the internet. Signing up for a web hosting service means renting space on a physical server where in you can store files and data that your website requires.
A server is a physical computer that runs continuously to ensure that your website is available to anyone who wants to view it at any time. Your web host is in charge of keeping that server online, protecting it from malicious attacks, and transferring your content — such as text, images, and files — from the server to the browsers of your visitors.
Types of web hosting
There are a few different types of web hosting to choose from, depending on the web servers used and your skills, needs and budget.
- Shared Hosting
- Reseller Hosting
- VPS Hosting
- Cloud Hosting
- WordPress Hosting
- Dedicated Hosting
Shared Hosting
For each type of hosting, most cheap web hosting companies offer multiple plans. For example, MilesWeb, an Indian web host offers three different hosting plans for shared web hosting services. MilesWeb is also famous for its best cpanel hosting.
This is the most common type of hosting for most web hosting needs, and it’s a great choice for most small businesses and personal blogs. You share a server with other clients when you use this type of hosting. Websites that are hosted on the same server share all of the server’s resources, including memory, processing power, disc space and so on.
Advantages of shared hosting plan
- Low-cost and ideal for small-business websites
- There is no requirement for specific technical knowledge
- Pre-configured server options
- cPanel is a user-friendly control panel that takes care of server maintenance and administration for you
Disadvantages of shared hosting plan
- Server configuration is difficult to control.
- Increased traffic on other websites can cause your website to slow down.
Reseller Hosting
The hosting type that enables you to start a web hosting business is reseller hosting. Reseller hosting allows the reseller/clients to buy web hosting plans in bulk from the merchant host company. The reseller host then divides the plans according to the needs and requirements of his customers.
It is the best business option for web developers and designers.
Advantages of reseller hosting
- Brand creation
- Minimal cost plan
- Maximizes profit margin
Disadvantages of reseller hosting
- Limited server access
- Time-consuming at times
VPS Hosting
You’re still sharing a server with other users when you use a Virtual Private Server, or VPS for short. Your web host, on the other hand, sets aside an entirely separate partition on the server for you. This means you’ll have your own server space as well as a set amount of resources and memory. The VPS hosting provides dedicated IP and resources like bandwidth, SSL certificate, SSD disk space, RAM, CPU, etc.
VPS hosting can be beneficial to medium-sized businesses with a rapidly growing number of websites and traffic.
Advantages of VPS hosting
- Dedicated server space
- Traffic surges on other websites do not affect your performance
- Root access to the server
- Easy scalability and high customizability
Disadvantages of VPS hosting
- Expenses are higher than for other types of hosting
- Technical and server management expertise is required
Cloud Hosting
The most dependable solution on the market right now is cloud hosting. Your host provides you with a cluster of servers for cloud hosting, and your files and resources are replicated on each server.
Your traffic is automatically routed to another server in the cluster if one of the cloud servers is busy or has a problem. This means there will be little to no downtime, which is ideal if you have a high-traffic website.
Advantages of cloud hosting
- Maximum uptime guarantee
- Your website is unaffected by server failures
- Allocates resources according to demand Pay-as-you-go pricing — you only pay for what you use
- More scalable than other types of web hosting
Disadvantages of cloud hosting
- It’s difficult to estimate the true costs
- Root access isn’t always available
WordPress Hosting
The hosting type that hosts your WordPress website on their WordPress optimized server is called WordPress hosting.
Your site loads much faster and has fewer issues as a result of the highly optimized configuration. Additional WordPress-related features, such as pre-designed WordPress themes, drag-and-drop page builders, and specific developer tools, are frequently included in WordPress hosting plans.
Advantages of WordPress hosting
- The customer service team is WordPress-trained.
- WordPress plugins and themes that have been pre-installed
- Beginner-friendly and low-cost
- WordPress installation in a single click Excellent performance for WordPress sites
Disadvantages of WordPress hosting
- Recommended only for WordPress sites, which can be a problem if you want to host more than one website on your server
Dedicated Hosting
A dedicated server hosting allows you to have your own server. You get the maximum resources in dedicated server hosting.
No other client can host his websites on your dedicated server.
You have complete control over your server’s configuration, including the operating system and software you want to use, as well as the entire hosting environment.
In fact, renting a dedicated server is just as powerful as having your own on-site server, but with the added benefit of your web host’s professional support. This is usually geared toward large online businesses that deal with a lot of traffic.
Advantages of dedicated hosting
- Complete command over the server’s configuration
- Options with high reliability and security
- Your server’s root access
Disadvantages of dedicated server hosting
- The plans are too costly
According to the size and needs of your website, one can choose the web hosting type for his website.
Choosing a web host
Every web host isn’t the same. Your choice of host will have a significant impact on the performance of your site, its uptime, and your overall site management experience.
For starters, you’ll want a host that provides the type of hosting you require while remaining within your budget. Sure, you might want to go with the most expensive WordPress hosting option available, but if this is your first site, generally shared host will sufficient.
To conclude:
All you have to do now is choose a hosting provider, select a web hosting plan, and begin creating your website. The more time you spend in the backend of your web server, the better your understanding will become, and the topics listed above will begin to take shape.
