Hi everyone, if you looking to create a new website or just a blog. You might be looking for Web hosting and getting confused about which Web Hosting to go with. Read this article more to know about types of Web Hosting, probably for your next site. I will be sharing this in the series, so it is the first one you gonna read.
Before starting let us discuss what is Web Hosting and why we need the same.
What is a Hosting or Web Hosting
So simply saying Hosting or Web hosting or say a web hosting server, all refer to the same thing as hosting.
So, Hosting is like a personal computer but someone else’s. Let’s take an example, we have a personal home computer or office computer where we install some apps like MS Office or a game, which we can use locally, but no one from far away can use. In so same way hosting is a service where someone provides his computer and connected resources for our use from far away, by the connected network.
So collecting all this together, Hosting is a computer with resources like OS, a hard drive connected over a network, available for use by someone over the internet.
We require hosting to install our web app and make it available to people all around the world for use. So now moving to types of Hosting.
Types of Web Hosting Services
We have two types of Web Hosting.
1. Shared Web Hosting
2. Dedicated Web Hosting
Shared Web Hosting
It is a big hosting where some resources are common and available for use by multiple users. Let’s say we have a machine with 100 CPUs, 10 TB hard disk, and 1024 GB RAM. So In this case there can be more than 100 users using this system, without interacting with any other user. As the resources are shared anyone can use the same resource as and when required.
The benefit of this is if one user has some free resources and another needs to do something he will use the resource as another person does not use it. After his use, the resources may be free again and can be used by another user on. This way the hardware cost is reduced, as the resources are not dedicated to anyone and can be shared when there is a requirement.
Most of the hosting companies provide this hosting as the cheaper plans for small websites like GoDaddy, hostinger, etc. This one is best for small sites with less traffic and less load.
Dedicated Web Hosting
This type of hosting as by name shows has the same resources as the shared one, but they are dedicated to a specific user and not shared. So let’s say a user wants a system of 2 CPUs, and 8 GB ram. He will be provided with the same hosting and only he will use it, no one else. This one is costlier than shared hosting, as resources are dedicated and will not be shared, even if they stay free anytime.
Hosting like VPS hosting, and cloud hosting are some examples provided by companies like GoDaddy and Digital Ocean. These hostings are best if you want more heavy sites with large traffic. Another reason is to get full control over your hosting, whatever specific you may want.
Difference between Both Web Hostings
| Shared Hosting | Dedicated Hosting |
| 1. Shared Resources | 1. Dedicated Resources |
| 2. Cheap than Dedicated | 2. Costlier than Dedicated |
| 3. Mostly no root access | 3. Root access available |
| 4. Less control over resources and software | 4. More control over resources and software |
| 5. No custom software as they are shared by everyone | 5. We can have custom software as there is no sharing |
| 6. Good for small projects/testing sites and web apps | 6. Good for large-scale and enterprise web apps and sites |
| 7. Most storage is Hard Disk Drives | 7. Storage is mostly SSD |
| 8. No Customizable environment | 8. Customizable environment |
| 9. Mostly hosts only PHP applications | 9. Can host PHP along with other applications |
| 10. Apache Server and MySql DB | 10. Choice of server like Nginx and DB PostgreSQL |
| 11. Cpanel Managed by Hosting | 11. Cpanel is not available by default, but can be installed |
[su_note note_color=”#f5f5d4″ radius=”6″]| Also Read | IP Address Says About You [/su_note]
Other Types of Hosting Classification
Based on OS
- Linux Based – like CentOs, Ubuntu
2. Windows Based – Windows 10, Windows Server
1. Linux Based
- Secure Os
- Efficient workload
- Support most of the deployments
- Cheaper than Windows Hosting
- Open Source software available
2. Windows Based
- Less Secure than Linux
- For Applications that require Windows only like ASP.net applications
- Less efficient than Linux
- Costlier than Linux Hosting
- Freemium and premium software
Based on Service Type and Usage
1. Shared Hosting
This is the most affordable option, where your website is hosted on the same server as many other websites. This means you’ll have limited resources available to you, but it’s a good option for small or personal websites.
2. VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting
This is a step up from shared hosting, where you have your own virtual server with dedicated resources. This is a good option for websites that receive a lot of traffic and need more resources than a shared hosting plan can provide.
3. Dedicated hosting
This is the most expensive option, where you have your own physical server and are responsible for maintaining it. This is a good option for very large websites that receive a lot of traffic and need the resources of an entire server to themselves.
4. Cloud hosting
This type of hosting uses a network of servers to host websites, allowing for more flexibility and scalability. It’s a good option for websites that experience sudden spikes in traffic.
5. Managed hosting
This is a type of hosting where the hosting company handles the maintenance and management of the server for you. It’s a good option for those who don’t want to deal with the technical aspects of server management.
Web Hosting Service based on Software support or different factor
There are a few other types of web hosting services that you may come across:
Colocation hosting
This is where you provide your own server hardware, but the hosting company provides the infrastructure (such as the data centre, power, and cooling systems) to house it.
WordPress hosting
This is a type of hosting that is optimized for WordPress, a popular content management system (CMS).
E-commerce hosting
This is a type of hosting that is specifically designed for online stores and includes features such as secure checkout and payment processing.
Green hosting
This is a type of hosting that is environmentally friendly, using renewable energy sources to power the servers.
Free hosting
Some hosting companies offer free hosting, usually with the caveat that they will display advertisements on your website. This is generally not recommended, as the advertisements can be intrusive and the hosting is usually very basic.
What types of web hosting to choose or recommend
The type of web hosting that is best for you will depend on your specific needs. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a web hosting service:
The size and complexity of your website
If you have a small, static website, you may be able to get by with shared hosting. If you have a larger, more complex website, you may need a more powerful option like VPS or dedicated hosting.
The amount of traffic your website receives
If you expect a lot of traffic to your website, you’ll need a hosting plan with more resources to handle the increased load.
Your budget
Web hosting can range in price from a few dollars per month to hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the type of hosting and the resources you need.
The level of control you need
If you have the technical skills and want more control over your server, a VPS or dedicated hosting plan may be the way to go. If you want someone else to handle the technical details, a managed hosting plan might be a better fit.
Your website’s specific requirements
If you have a WordPress website, you may want to look for a hosting plan that is specifically optimized for WordPress. Similarly, if you are running an online store, you may want to look for an e-commerce hosting plan.
Overall, it’s a good idea to start with a shared hosting plan and then upgrade to a more powerful option as your website grows and your needs change.
Safety Concerns while Choosing a Web Hosting
When choosing a web hosting provider, it’s important to consider the security of your website and the sensitive information that it may handle. Here are a few safety concerns to keep in mind:
1. Data breaches
Data breaches can occur when hackers gain unauthorized access to a server and steal sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. Choose a hosting provider that has strong security measures in place, such as firewalls and frequent security updates.
2. DDoS attacks
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks are a type of cyber attack in which a website is flooded with traffic from multiple sources, causing it to go offline. Choose a hosting provider that has DDoS protection to prevent your website from being taken down by these types of attacks.
3. Malware
Malware is malicious software that can harm your website or steal sensitive information. Choose a hosting provider that offers malware protection and scans for viruses and other types of malware.
4. SSL certificates
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates encrypt data transmitted between a website and a user’s browser, protecting sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers. Choose a hosting provider that offers SSL certificates to ensure that your website is secure.
5. Backups
It’s important to have regular backups of your website in case something goes wrong. Choose a hosting provider that offers regular backups to ensure that your website can be easily restored if something goes wrong.
6. Secure Cloud Hosting
As with modern platforms and apps, we sometimes require cloud storage over old storage types available to have more performance. So a platform that provides multiple Cloud Hosting options with Storage is recommended.
Some popular Web Hosting platforms
There are many web hosting providers to choose from, and it can be difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your needs. Here are a few popular web hosting providers that you may want to consider:
1. Bluehost
Bluehost is a popular web hosting provider that offers a variety of hosting plans at reasonable prices. They are known for their user-friendly control panel and reliable uptime.
2. HostGator
HostGator is another popular web hosting provider with a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their 24/7 customer support and 99.9% uptime guarantee.
3. InMotion Hosting
InMotion Hosting is a popular choice for businesses, offering a variety of hosting plans including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their fast page load times and excellent customer support.
4. A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting is a web hosting provider that specializes in high-performance hosting, offering shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting options. They are known for their fast server speeds and 99.9% uptime guarantee.
5. GreenGeeks
GreenGeeks is a web hosting provider that focuses on environmentally friendly hosting, using renewable energy sources to power their servers. They offer shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting options.
6. SiteGround
SiteGround is a popular web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, cloud, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their fast loading times and excellent customer support.
7. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a well-known web hosting provider that offers a variety of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their easy-to-use website builder and affordable prices.
8. DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean is a cloud hosting provider that offers flexible, scalable cloud hosting plans. They are known for their easy-to-use control panel and fast server speeds.
9. Cloudways
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting provider that offers a variety of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their fast loading times and excellent customer support.
10. Liquid Web
Liquid Web is a premium web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their high-quality hardware and excellent customer support.
11. Hostinger
Hostinger is a budget-friendly web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting.
12. iPage
iPage is a web hosting provider that offers affordable shared hosting plans and a range of tools for building and managing a website.
13. FastComet
FastComet is a web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, cloud, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their fast server speeds and excellent customer support.
14. InterServer
InterServer is a web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their affordable prices and 99.9% uptime guarantee.
15. TMDHosting
TMDHosting is a web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their fast loading times and excellent customer support.
16. Namecheap
Namecheap is a web hosting provider that offers affordable shared hosting plans and a range of tools for building and managing a website.
17. WebHostingPad
WebHostingPad is a budget-friendly web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting.
18. JustHost
JustHost is a web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their affordable prices and easy-to-use control panel.
19. 1&1
1&1 is a web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their easy-to-use website builder and affordable prices.
20. Arvixe
Arvixe is a web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. They are known for their affordable prices and 99.9% uptime guarantee.
21. 4GoodHosting
Good Hosting is the best VPS hosting plan in Canada that’s equipped with all the latest tools for websites, such as DDoS protection, SSD storage, SEO, and web design services
22. Eldernode
With Eldernode you can buy a Japan VPS (Tokyo) Server with Bitcoin that provides Instant Setup. The best-performance VPS Server in the Asia region is Japan. (Tokyo). Japan virtual servers are offered at low prices, SSD Storage and high uptime.
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We hope now you have a better understanding of web hosting and you can as well decide what to choose and how to choose.
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