If you are looking for a web host that supports the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) as well as offers a free domain, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will introduce you to the best values for web hosting, as well as provide some helpful tips on getting the best out of your new hosting account.
Best Overall Value For Web Hosting: GoDaddy
When you host your website with GoDaddy, you gain access to a fully managed WordPress platform as well as 1 GB of storage space, a free domain, free backups, and much more.
You can even purchase a dedicated IP that can be used for email marketing, product updates, or any other purpose you choose.
One of the reasons GoDaddy is so popular is because of its excellent support. It offers a money-back guarantee if you meet the right conditions. This is a great security measure as it eliminates the fear of losing a site because of a technical error. Furthermore, their WordPress hosting plan is especially affordable and highly valued among webmasters. It starts at just $2.95 per month, with many benefits.
Cloud vs. Dedicated Vs. Shared Web Hosting: What is the Difference?
There are three basic types of web hosting; cloud hosting, dedicated hosting, and shared hosting. Let’s examine the differences between them.
In cloud hosting, your website is stored on a remote server that is maintained by an outside party, known as the cloud provider. While this seems rather simple, there are a few things that you need to know before you make your decision. These include the performance of the server, the control panel, and whether or not the cloud provider offers support.
Dedicated hosting is when you lease a set amount of space on a server that is fully managed by you. In this type of hosting, you have full control over the server and its resources. You can increase and decrease the space as you see fit, as long as you pay the bill on time. Typically, dedicated hosting is the most expensive option, but it’s also the most reliable.
Shared hosting is when you rent a portion of a server that has been pre-allocated to other customers. In shared hosting, you share the server with other users, so you incur the risks associated with this type of arrangement. If you host your website on a shared server, then you have no control over the server, its performance, or its functionality. You just need to ensure that you meet the minimum requirements for hosting.
Dedicated vs. Shared Web Hosting: What is the Difference?
Shared hosting entails that you host your website on a server which is already hosting a number of other websites. This type of hosting is extremely popular because it’s very affordable for entrepreneurs and small businesses that just need a simple place to host their website. Your website will be sharing the server with other customers, so you need to be careful about how much traffic you generate.
Dedicated hosting entails that you lease a set amount of space on a physical server that is fully managed by you. In this case, you have complete control over the server and its functions, and you can scale the number of CPU cores, disk space, and the like as you see fit. If you have a limited budget, then dedicated hosting is the way to go. It’s also the most reliable option, as you have direct access to the server’s hardware and you can test it before you launch.
The Pros and Cons of Each Type of Web Hosting
Each type of web hosting has its perks and drawbacks. Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
Cloud hosting offers the advantage of scalability, as you can add more servers or upgrade existing servers as your needs change. However, this type of hosting has its drawbacks, as you have no control over the server’s performance, and traffic is shared with other users. Most businesses that use cloud hosting also experience some downtime due to server instabilities or hardware failures. This type of hosting is also more expensive than the other two options. In most cases, you will have to pay for extra features that are not included in the basic cloud hosting plan. Finally, due to the constant changes in the technology, you will inevitably encounter problems with the platform that you are using. This would require you to re-establish your website on a different platform, which is not a trivial task.
Dedicated hosting has the advantage of stability, as you have full control over the hardware and software that is available to your website. This type of hosting also has the advantage of security, as you have direct access to the server’s hardware and can perform necessary repairs or upgrades without having to rely on a third party for assistance.
Shared hosting has the advantage of affordability, as this is the type of hosting that virtually anyone can afford. However, this type of hosting has the disadvantage of insecurity, as you share the server with other users and have no control over the server’s stability or security. In most cases, shared hosting is the worst choice for a business website, as you cannot ensure that your website will always be available due to the lack of resources, or that your website’s security will be maintained or enhanced due to the nature of shared hosting. Finally, as you are sharing the server with other consumers, you cannot guarantee that the resources that are available to your website will be sufficient to meet the needs of your visitors. This type of hosting is also less resource-intensive than the other two options, which means that your website will likely experience performance problems.
The Biggest Differentiator Between Hosts: Control Panel
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a web host is the control panel. This is the interface that you will use to establish your website’s domain, edit its content, and make other important configurations. The control panel also provides you with 24/7 support in the event that you have problems with your website, as the control panel is where you will contact the support team.
In this regard, you need to examine the various control panels that are available for download. Some of the more popular ones are cPanel, DirectAdmin, and Virtualmin. Each one of these control panels offers a different set of features. For instance, cPanel is the most popular control panel and provides you with a wide range of features, including a free domain, free email accounts, free backup, and more.
Additional Tips For First-Time Webmasters
If this is your first time establishing a website, then there are a few tips that you need to follow to ensure that your website is as secure and functional as possible. First, make sure that your website is protected by a SSL certificate. An SSL certificate encrypts the exchange of information between the web server and the browser, preventing cyber criminals from obtaining your websites’ login credentials.
It is also crucial to maintain a healthy balance between content and ads on your website. Too many ads and not enough content will make you lose a good part of your audience, which can seriously damage your business. However, too much content and no ads will make you lose money, as you will not be able to sell any affiliate products.
Final Takeaway
To recap, we mentioned earlier that there are three types of web hosting; cloud hosting, dedicated hosting, and shared hosting. Let’s examine the differences between them.
In cloud hosting, your website is stored on a remote server that is maintained by an outside party, known as the cloud provider. While this seems rather simple, there are a few things that you need to know before you make your decision. These include the performance of the server, the control panel, and whether or not the cloud provider offers support.
Dedicated hosting is when you lease a set amount of space on a server that is fully managed by you. In this type of hosting, you have full control over the server and its functions, and you can scale the number of CPU cores, disk space, and the like as you see fit. If you have a limited budget, then dedicated hosting is the way to go. It’s also the most reliable option, as you have direct access to the server’s hardware and you can test it before you launch.
Shared hosting is when you rent a portion of a server that has been pre-allocated to other customers. In shared hosting, you share the server with other users, so you incur the risks associated with this type of arrangement. If you host your website on a shared server, then you have no control over the server, its performance, or its functionality. You just need to ensure that you meet the minimum requirements for hosting.