hosting

Things you should know about hosting

For anyone who has a web domain name, they need to also have a web host so that their pages can be published to the Internet.

Without the proper web host, they will not be able to gain a following online simply because their site is not publicly published.

Knowing what a web host is and how to find the right one will make a world of difference when it concerns a person’s site and their potential business.

What is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is a service that publishes actual website content to the Internet. Without a web host, a person will not have any available database space online to put their site. The web hosting company offers this space to a person so that they can publish the site online in order for other people to view it at all times. In general, a web host is responsible for giving a person this storage space online and making their entire site visible to the world.

Why is Web Hosting Needed?

The reason web hosting is needed is due to the fact that a person will not be able to publish their site online without the storage space provided to them by the hosting company. If they do not use a web hosting service, they will not be able to have their site visible to the public and they will basically just be the owner of the domain name that goes to a blank page. As you can easily see, any business or blog owner needs a web host so that their site can be put online and they can either begin making money or getting known for what they offer themselves.

Different Types of Web Hosting

There are many different types of web hosting packages for the average website owner to choose from. A person might choose a basic package that gives them a certain amount of data space storage. This basically means that the owner of the site can only upload a certain amount of things before their bandwidth has been exceeded for that particular day. In general, the more data space storage that a person has for their site, the more they can upload and the bigger their site can be. For very large sites, it is recommended that the owner go with a hosting package that has more storage capacity available for them to use.

One thing to keep in mind is that larger capacity web hosting packages are more expensive than smaller types. Because a website owner will be getting a lot of storage for their site, they will be paying more to keep the package and have it available for them to use. Many hosting companies require website owners to pay for their hosting monthly, but it is also likely that they will be able to pay for hosting either bi-annually or once a year depending on what they need.

Types of hosting accounts

Shared hosting
Cloud hosting
Dedicated server hosting

Managed server hosting
Root server hosting
Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting

Colocation Shared hosting

Shared hosting

A shared hosting account is one in which the site shares resources on a hardware server with other clients of the hosting provider. One of the main benefits of shared hosting is that it is an economical option that still provides some degree of autonomy. While it is possible to find free hosting, these types of accounts offer minimal features, and you will need to provide the host with space for their advertisements. A shared hosting account allows having a high degree of control over your site although you have no control of the shared server. You will not have access to the server root.

Dedicated server hosting

A dedicated server is a hardware server linked to only a single customer account. The customer has complete control of the hardware server. They can install any type of operating system or software that they desire. They do not have to worry about hogging resources because there are no other customers sharing the same server. With a dedicated server account, the customer will be responsible for fully managing the server, so this is an option for those with some technical know-how in this area. If you need the power of an entire hardware server, you may want to consider dedicated server hosting so long as you have the right skills and knowledge.

Root server hosting

A root server account is a type of partially managed hosting with a dedicated server. The customer has access to the server root, which means that they can reboot the system and install any types of software that they desire on the server. The difference between this option and dedicated server hosting is that the hosting company helps the client in managing the server. This is a good choice for people who want access to the server root for some purposes but who do not have all the expertise needed to manage the server entirely.

Cloud hosting

A cloud is a network of servers that distributes work and storage requirements on the fly as required by the current environment. Because the cloud does not link accounts to any specific server, cloud hosting is highly flexible and scalable. Typically, a cloud account only charges you for resources that you actually use. Other types of accounts may charge a flat fee regardless of your actual usage. With a cloud account, you can easily increase or decrease your traffic or storage without having to change your account. This option is great for websites that plan on expanding rapidly in the future.

Managed server hosting

A managed hosting account is one in which the hosting provider manages the customer’s site. In this case, the client receives all the resources of the server along with services that monitor and maintain the account. Typically, this is an option for customers who are not familiar with the technical aspects of websites or who simply do not have the time to manage the account. Most managed server hosting options provide some form of 24/7 monitoring of the account.

VPS hosting

A VPS or Virtual Private Server is a software partition of a hardware server that acts like a separate hardware server. Basically, you will be able to perform the functions like you do with a dedicated server but you are actually sharing the hardware with other customers. You can virtually reboot the VPS, for example, if you need to restart your operating system. While the VPS acts like a dedicated server, it does not provide the same resources since you are sharing the hardware with other clients. However, it is a good option for those who want to be able to install different types of software and bots on their site. The client will have access to all the resources allocated to the partition that constitutes their VPS.

Colocation

Colocation usually refers to hosting in which the hosting company provides a space for the customer’s hardware. In this option, the customer often owns the hardware server. The hosting company provides the space for the server along with other infrastructure including the Internet connection, power, cooling, security, etc. Colocation is a great choice if you already have server hardware and technical knowledge. You will have physical access to the server, often on a 24/7 basis.

Tips for Finding the Right Host

When looking for the right host, there are two things that should always be kept in mind. The first is that it’s important to work on a budget and to avoid overspending for this service. Most web hosting companies differ greatly when it comes to the amount they charge for their packages and service fees. Because of this, comparison shopping is incredibly useful for finding a good host who will charge a reasonable amount for the services that they offer to the general public.
The second thing that needs to be remembered when choosing a hosting company is that reliability and customer service are key. Be sure to choose a host who is going to guarantee that a website is published at all times and that there is very little downtime when it comes to site maintenance. Reading reviews on specific hosts and seeing what other customers are saying will help tremendously when it comes to getting a hosting package that will work well for everyone’s needs.

The Right Host Depending on a Specific Project

Many website owners tend to look for web hosts depending on the type of project that they might be doing. For instance, couples who are getting married and simply want a small website showcasing their upcoming wedding may only need a very small web hosting package to meet their needs. It is recommended that anyone looking for a web hosting package take their online needs into consideration so that they do not have to overspend on a hosting package that is too big for what they need it for online.