A website is an essential part of any business. Whether you’re a professional brand building websites for clients or a small business owner who just wants to have a presence on the internet, you’ll need a reliable web host that you can depend on to get your site up and running in no time.
It’s no secret that web hosts can be complicated, with many misconceptions surrounding the subject. From getting your site up and running to choosing the right hosting plan, not knowing how to go about it can leave you paralyzed with fear.
If you’re looking for the perfect host for your needs, you’ve come to the right place. Here we’re going to clear up all the jargon and talk you through the process of comparing and selecting the best fit for your needs.
What is a web host?
A web host (also known as web server) is a company that provides you with a space on the internet to share your content with the world. There are many different types of web hosts, but they all provide the same essential service — getting your site up and running on the web.
A web host acts as your digital storefront, functioning as a one-stop-shop for all your web-related needs. Depending on your budget, you can pick up a basic shared hosting package for a couple of dollars per month, or afford a luxury plan and enjoy the benefits of a dedicated server.
What is the difference between shared hosting and dedicated hosting?
Shared hosting is when a company provides you with a shared web hosting environment, meaning you and other users of the service are allotted shared resources (i.e. storage, bandwidth, etc.).
If you have a small website that you’re looking to launch and don’t want to overburden yourself with financials, then shared hosting is a great choice as long as you’re not going to be using all the shared resources at once.
Dedicated hosting, on the other hand, provides you with a private space on the internet and all the resources required to run a stable, professional-looking website. If security is a concern and you don’t want others to access or tamper with your site’s content, then dedicated hosting is the perfect choice.
You can also opt for a hybrid plan, which provides you with some of the perks of both dedicated and shared hosting.
Why should you opt for managed hosting services?
Managed hosting services provide you with a team of technical support specialists who are available to help you with anything that you may need, depending on the type of hosting plan you select. For example, if you decide on a dedicated hosting plan, you’ll enjoy the benefits of having your own private space on the internet with all the security features you could want, but also have the ability to scale up your web server resources as needed. If you opt for a managed shared hosting plan, you’ll still have the autonomy to scale up or down as needed but won’t have to worry about much else except maintaining a stable connection to the internet.
The biggest advantage of managed hosting is in its simplicity. You won’t have to worry about setting up your server, choosing an ideal server location, or figuring out complex load balance algorithms for your needs. The platform will handle all that for you, and all you have to do is focus on creating content for your site.
Which hosting plan should you go for?
As much as we’d all love to have everything figured out at the click of a button, reality doesn’t allow for that kind of efficiency when it comes to choosing a web host. It’s all about finding the one that’s best suited for your needs.
To determine this, you’ll have to do some research into what features are most important to you. In general, shared hosting is a great choice for startups who need to keep their budgets in check. If you’re ready to take your site to the next level and want to enjoy the benefits of a bespoke hosting experience, then opt for a dedicated server.
Now that you know what a web host is and the various types of hosting plans available, it’s time for you to select the one that’s best suited for your needs. To do this, you’ll have to navigate the world of web hosts and their different packages, determining which one is the best fit for your needs. Remember, as much as you want to take the stress out of hosting your website, it’s still an essential part of doing business on the internet. Without a strong web presence, you’ll have a very hard time convincing people to give you their business.