Creative Digital

If you’re new to web hosting and are thinking of launching a website, you’re probably a bit overwhelmed — if not confused — by all the various web hosting options you have to choose from.

When choosing the right web hosting service for your website, there are a lot of things to consider. Should you go private? Secure? Non-secure? This all might seem like information overload to you — but it’s actually not that complicated.

What is a Web Hosting Service?

Web hosting is a type of service that allows companies and users to have their websites accessible on the internet. These websites are all stored on servers. A web host is the service provider that gives you the technology and services to run your website and allow it to be viewed on the web. The three main types of web hosting services include:

• Shared hosting
• Dedicated hosting
• VPS hosting

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is a service in which multiple websites share the same server. If your website doesn’t generate too much traffic, this is a great setup for you. It’s also an ideal choice for beginners who are just starting out in the online space. The downside to shared hosting is that sharing a server can diminish performance and slow it down. This isn’t an ideal choice for big businesses, as shared hosts simply don’t offer the same power and functionality as other hosts do.

Some examples of great shared hosting websites include:

• HostGator
• GoDaddy
• InMotion

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated servers are just that — servers which are dedicated to specific websites. They are a great option for online businesses with lots of traffic who want to grow their online presence.

A dedicated server is one that you rent from a hosting company.  This means that it is a server you have full control over. Though pricier than a shared server, a business that gains high traffic and can afford to pay a bit more will reap the rewards. A dedicated server means you have a server all to yourself, which gives you many different hosting benefits. Dedicated servers are beneficial for bigger websites because they pose no security risks, offer customisation offers, flexibility, and better overall performance. Dedicated servers also offer more control over data privacy.

Some examples of dedicated hosting services include:

• WiredTree
• Hostwinds
• GreenGeeks

VPS Hosting

VPS, which stands for Virtual Private Server, is one of the most popular types of web hosting services. Like shared hosting, VPS hosting is in a shared environment, but is set up differently. VPS servers are more reliable than shared hosting, as there is usually a limit of websites per server and resources are split fairly among these websites. VPS servers provide flexibility and customization as well as the ability to choose the resources you need. This means that if your business grows, you can adapt to the changes easily. Though VPS is a bit more expensive than shared hosting, it is a great middle ground between shared and dedicated hosting. It is something you should consider as you start to gain more traffic.

Examples of VPS hosting services include:

• InMotion
• HostGator
• DreamHost

Which Hosting Service Is Best for Me?

If you are building your first website or blog, you should go for the shared hosting route, which is cheaper. You can always transfer it to a better server later and go from there. if you want low-maintenance and low cost that is very similar to dedicated hosting, VPS hosting can give you the flexibility and reliability that a dedicated server can give you — without the high cost. If you have an established business with lots of traffic, dedicated hosting may be the best option for you. This is because dedicated hosting servers can handle more traffic, are more reliable, have better security, and can also store a lot of data.

The hosting service you choose will depend on your needs, your experience, your traffic volume, and how you plan on using your website. Whether you have an established business or are just starting out a new blog, do your research before choosing a hosting package for your website and choose a service that works for you and your audience.