However, the plethora of hosting options (coupled with technical words such as “DNS” and “bandwidth”) might leave a person perplexed and uncertain.
This article briefly discusses the four most popular types of web hosting services to address that. Each hosting service type has its pros and cons, so it is crucial to understand what each offers before deciding. Remember that the right hosting service type for your business will depend on your specific needs (the more prominent your business, the more complex your web hosting needs) and budget. So, let’s get started!
- Shared Web Hosting
This is the most affordable and most popular type of web hosting. In shared hosting, numerous websites are hosted on a single server, with each website being allocated a certain number of resources (i.e., CPU time, memory, and disk space). This is an excellent option for small businesses as it is affordable and easy to set up. In addition, shared hosting generally has low monthly fees, and most providers offer a one-click installation of popular CMS such as WordPress.
The snag of shared hosting is that the server resources are shared, so if one website on the server starts to get a ton of traffic, it could affect your site’s performance. Also, most providers restrict which types of scripts can be run on shared servers.
2. Dedicated Hosting
With dedicated hosting (also known as “managed hosting”), you have an entire server to yourself. This means that you have complete control over the server and its resources, so you can install any software or application that your business requires. This type of hosting is great for larger businesses as it offers more storage space and better security than shared web hosting services.
The downside of dedicated hosting is that it tends to be more expensive than other hosting options, and you are responsible for maintaining the server. Also, if your site experiences a spike in traffic, you might need to upgrade to a larger server or hire someone to help manage your server.
3. Virtual Private Server (VPS)
A virtual private server (VPS) is similar to dedicated hosting in that you have a virtual machine on a shared server. However, you are allocated specific resources not shared with other users with VPS. This means that even though you share the same physical hardware (server) as other websites, your site will load faster and benefit from increased security because it does not share any of its resources with others.
VPS offers a good balance between shared hosting and dedicated hosting, as it is more affordable than the latter but still gives you complete control over your resources. The downside of VPS is that if one website on the server experiences a spike in traffic, this could affect the performance of other websites on that same physical machine.
4. Cloud Hosting
With cloud hosting, your website uses the resources of a network of servers (known as the “cloud”). This means that if one server malfunctions, your site will still be up and running because other servers are serving it in the cloud. Cloud hosting is also great for businesses that experience periodic spikes in traffic, as you can easily add more resources to your account without having to upgrade to a new server.
The downside of cloud hosting is that it can be more expensive than other hosting options. Also, you need to ensure that your provider has a good reputation for reliability and customer service. And if you are unfamiliar with the cloud, it might take some time to get used to working with it.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! The four most popular types of web hosting services for businesses. Hopefully, this article has helped you decide which type of hosting is best for your business. Be sure to do additional research on the hosting type you deem fit before pouring your cash into it. Thanks for reading.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/business/types-of-web-hosting-services-for-businesses/55yqhyg