Web Hosting

If you want to have your own website you need to host it on a Web Server. Whilst it is possible to do this yourself there are a number of issues that you need to overcome (see Home Website Hosting). For most people the best option is to use the services of a web hosting company.

What is Web Hosting

Web hosting simply means putting your website (or websites) on a server which has a connection (preferably a high speed connection) to the internet. You connect to the server using FTP to upload files and maintain your site but you don’t have to worry about internet connectivity, security and maintenance of the server (although you may choose to do so if using a dedicated server).

You usually have choice between Linux Hosting and Windows hosting. This refers to the operating system used on the server and has no connection with the operating system of your PC. Linux powers most of the internet and is the best choice unless you need Windows hosting (usually this would be because you have had a site built for you and the developers have specified windows hosting).

Types of Web Hosting

Shared Web Hosting – This is the service most people use and involves a hosting company putting many sites on the same server. There are disadvantages to this but it does mean that hosting can be offered at a remarkably low price. Click this link for more information on shared web hosting. Shared Hosting is often sold on an Unlimited basis (i.e. no limit on disk space, bandwidth, domains, databases, email accounts etc.). This keeps it simple, as when limits are stated most users get nowhere near them, but bear in mind that “Unlimited” is actually impossible and the Terms and Conditions will always include some restriction.

VPS Hosting – VPS (Virtual Private Server) Hosting is where software is used to create a series of virtual servers on a physical server. To users it appears as though they have their own server with its own resources and there is much better security than with shared hosting. Click this link for more information on VPS Hosting.

Dedicated Server Hosting – In this case the user does have a physical server to themselves. Apart from having greater resources available and there been no chance of being affected by other users, you can have an unmanaged service where you are in total control. This does though require significant technical expertise. Click this link for more information on Dedicated Server Hosting.

Cloud Hosting – This is the newest form of web hosting where a site is hosting in the “cloud” rather than on any physical server. Cloud resources can be purchased as required so it is good for larger sites where requirements may change quickly. However there are some issues to consider – see Cloud Web Hosting.

Reseller Hosting – There are many people selling web hosting who are simply reselling the services of another company. Generally the technical service is provided by the main company with the reseller able to set their own prices, deal with billing and provide support. It is this later aspect you need to be careful about if you buy from a reseller. A cheap price might not look such a good deal if your site does down and you find that you can only get support during local business hours Monday – Friday. Click this link for more information on Reseller Web Hosting.

e-Commerce Hosting – Provides additional support for sites which are selling goods or services such as a shopping cart. Click this link for more information on e-Commerce hosting.

SEO Hosting – This is a service provided by some hosts for people who have multiple sites that they want to rank on the search engines. Basically links between sites on the same IP address do not count for SEO purposes. This service allows sites to be hosted on separate IP addresses. Click this link for more information on SEO Web Hosting.

Web Hosting companies vary in the services they offer. Some such as Bluehost offer just one shared linux package. Offers such as HostGator offer a range of services which provides an upgrade path if your site becomes busy.

When choosing web hosting don’t forget to look at the host’s reputation for support, this often is the critical factor for users.

Although the above explains what hosting is, there is a lot for to think about when actually selecting a hosting plan. CLICK HERE to learn more