If you have been in the market for a new website, you have probably been asked if you have (or need) Web Hosting for your site. If this question perplexes you, then read on. There may be some answers here for you.
What is Web Hosting?
The internet is essentially a collection of networks that are all connected in one way or another. Websites are some of these connections that store various types of information, which is then delivered to the end user via these networks.
As with any information, it needs to be stored somewhere for someone to access it. A hosting company provides this storage in the form of a server (basically a fancy hard drive) and keeps it secure until there is a request from a browser somewhere in the world to view it. Your website is basically a window for people to see into the information you have stored.
The hosting company does a lot more than just upload information to a server though. They consistently monitor things like security, site speed and traffic. If any of these metrics become an issue, these professionals jump into action and try to resolve these issues. So, having a reliable hosting company is important to ensure your site is available at all times.
Types of web hosting
As if things weren’t complicated enough, there’s even more to consider when deciding on what type of hosting is best for you:
Shared Hosting
As the name suggests, the server is shared by several clients and/or websites. This means that the cost of the space on the server is spread between all parties involved. The drawback is that if there is a security breach on 1 site, the rest are generally all effected as well, and if there is a lot of traffic on one site, then the other sites get slowed down until the traffic subsides.
This is why these packages usually have limits on how much traffic and other resources your site is “allowed” to use. This type of hosting is perfectly fine for most small businesses that don’t expect masses of visitors per month.
Virtual Private Server (VPS)
VPS hosting is one of the more popular choices for hosting, mainly for security reasons. VPS hosting uses virtualization technology to provide dedicated resources to various clients on the same server.
This is a good option for website owners who higher levels of traffic, but not enough to warrant investing in an entire server just for their site.
Dedicated server
For ultimate security and stability, a dedicated server is by far the best option. This is a server that is reserved purely for a single user. Whoever has this server can load various sites and other resources, but no 3rd parties will be stored in the same place, and therefore resources will not be affected by other sites.
How do I know what’s best for me?
Before you decide on your hosting needs, you need to determine the following:
- How much traffic do you expect? If you are expecting your site to see incredibly large numbers of visitors every month, then you should probably consider dedicated hosting. If you have a small site that only has information about you and/or your business, then shared hosting is probably just fine for you.
- What type of information will you be passing to and receiving from your visitors? If the answer is something like credit card information, wills and testaments or identity numbers, then you may want to consider more secure options.
- Do you need custom software and/or hardware setup? This is generally only for the more advanced sites. Nevertheless, if it applies to you, then a dedicated server is what you will need as this will allow you to manage this set up separately from other users.
Hopefully, this has helped demystify the world of web hosting for you. If not, you are welcome to contact us any time for advice on what the best options are for you. Rusty Studios offers hosting with Lite Speed servers and integrated content delivery network. See our packages here.
