There are several choices in the world of web hosting that will all bring your website onto the internet. However, each web hosting services have their own benefits. Although they all function as a place of storage for your website. The amount of storage space, power, necessity for technical expertise, server speed and reliability are different.
These are the six types of web hosting you will most often come across:
1. Shared hosting
Shared hosting is suitable for website hosting at the entry-level. It will store the website on the same server as many other websites. For example, both entities use the same server services in a shared hosting package, such as RAM ( Random Access Memory), and CPU (Central Processing Unit). Because all services are shared, the cost of shared hosting plans is fairly low, making them an excellent choice for website owners in their initial stages.
Usually, beginners will find shared hosting to be the best way to host their website. As, shared hosting plans come with lots of helpful resources such as website builders, WordPress hosting, and email client ability. Moreover, it is also flexible and the hosting provider will do all the maintenance and security updates. In conclusion, shared hosting is ideal for website owners who do not receive a large amount of web traffic.
2. Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting
The ultimate middle ground between a shared server and a dedicated server is a VPS Hosting Plan. It is ideal for website owners that requires more control, but not necessarily needing a dedicated server.
A VPS is like having access to your own personal server with an allocated number of resources and choice of a pre-installed operating system. It is an isolated microsystem based on a shared server. Although VPS hosting offers more flexibility and storage space for website owners, they are still unable to manage extremely high rates of traffic or spikes in usage. This means that the performance of the site may still be influenced by other server sites.
3. Dedicated Server hosting
Dedicated hosting allows owners of websites full power over the server on which their website is stored. That’s because you just rent the server and your website is the only one that’s stored on it. Hence, this means you have complete access to root and admin, and you can monitor anything from the security to the operating system you run.
Dedicated server are suitable for business who have confidential data or need to comply with government legislation. As, it will minimize their risk to data breach and potential revenue loss. Any enterprise that needs power over scalability and configuration will consider using a cloud server dedicated to business.
4. Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is the technology industry’s new buzzword. It’s a networking system that operates over a network and allows companies to use the computing resource like a utility. Also, local power disruptions or even natural disasters are less problematic for cloud hosted sites, as cloud hosting is decentralized.
Usually, cloud hosting plans provide secure bandwidth and a limitless amount of disk space for unlimited domains which explains why so many large businesses are turning to cloud. As, it’s an easy way to run a website with resource-intensive software, or a large number of content assets such as photos.
5. Managed hosting services
Some of the hosting services you’ll find online will probably be managed. Hosting companies provide technical services such as setup and configuration of hardware and software, repair, equipment replacement, technical assistance, patching, upgrading, and monitoring. The company takes care of the regular maintenance of the hardware , operating systems and structured programs with managed hosting.
By not allowing the user to change the server or possibly build configuration issues, the user will not obtain full power so that the provider can guarantee service quality. The customer doesn’t usually own the server. Instead, the server is being rented out to the customer.
6. Colocation hosting
This is the most effective and expensive web hosting service. For instance, the colocation provider may offer little to no service directly to the server of their client. Instead, they only provide the server with the electrical, internet connectivity, and storage facilities. Furthermore, colocation provides access to higher bandwidth speeds than a standard server room at much lower expense. You’re left to your own devices and are supposed to take care of everything including the hardware, software and services.
Conclusion
The main factors you should bear in mind when choosing a web host includes the type of website you have, the services you need, your budget and the traffic forecast.