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Web hosting is a fundamental part of a live website. Simply
put, it's your site's location on the internet. "Hosting" refers to
the services provided by companies that host website files (HTML, CSS, images,
videos, etc.) for users to access on the web.
Web hosting isn't difficult until you realize that numerous
companies offer different hosting solutions. It can also throw beginners off
course if they don't know which hosting solution they need. So, what kind of
hosting is right for your website? How can you make the best choice for your
business needs? This guide to web hosting will introduce you to the basics and
introduce you to the various hosting solutions available on the market.
3 things you need to make your website live.
a. The actual website content (the files that make up your
site)
b. A web hosting service from a trusted web host (the
company that hosts your site)
A domain name registered with a domain registrar (which
provides a unique name for your website) organization)
Although you can use two different providers for two
separate services (hosting and domain registration), many hosting companies
offer them together as a package.
First, the basics!
Website and web server
A website is a collection of web pages accessible via the
Internet. If you use a website, you must publish it on at least one web server.
A web server completes the functions of storing, processing, and delivering web
pages to users on the Internet.
When a client types a web address into a browser, the
client's computer connects to the web server. A web server processes requests
and delivers web pages.
What is web hosting?
Most individuals and organizations do not have their web
servers. They rent out space on servers managed by third-party companies that
specialize in businesses that provide the technology and services needed to
host websites.
Web hosting is a service that allows you to host and serve
web pages to users on the Internet without having to worry about running or
maintaining a web server.
Web hosting service provider (web host) is the name given to
third-party companies that provide web hosting services.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting and data centers: are they the same?
Technically, they are different. Web hosting is the term
used for services provided to store and serve sites on the Internet. A data
center refers to the infrastructure utilized by a hosting company to facilitate
hosting services. This includes a large group of network servers, communication
systems, backup power supplies, security devices, and other equipment needed to
provide hosting services.
Domain name and DNS
A domain name is a unique name that identifies a site on the
Internet. This is the name the user will use to access the site from her web
browser. For example, daydigital.com domain name. DNS (Domain Name Server)
translates this human-readable name into a numeric IP (Internet Protocol)
address that computers, routers, and other network components can understand.
Domain registration and registrar
Domain registration means securing a domain name on the
Internet so that it cannot be used by others. Domain registrars provide these
registration services along with DNS. There are several key factors to consider
before choosing a registrar . Some of them are:
ICANN certified
Security
domain transfer
Control panel
Domain names can be purchased from standalone registrars or
from companies that provide domain registry services along with web hosting.
What types of web hosting are available?
There are four main types of web hosting, and each option
has its pros and cons.
shared hosting
dedicated hosting
VPS (Virtual Private Server)
cloud hosting
shared hosting
As the name suggests, you share your hosting server with
many other sites. There is typically a collective pool of resources (RAM, CPU,
disk space) that are shared and used by all sites hosted on a server.
Pros
Shared hosting is recommended for websites with medium
traffic (which is what most websites are) due to its low cost, it's easy to get
started, and it doesn't require any technical knowledge.
Cons Because you are sharing resources with more websites,
performance can be affected when spikes occur . No root access (ability to
fully control the server).
Shared hosting is the most popular hosting plan and is
usually the most affordable.
dedicated hosting
Rent an entire server solely for your use from your hosting
provider. You get a dedicated server and no need to share server resources
(CPU, RAM, or disk space) with other sites.
Pros Increased performance and guaranteed performance, along
with maximum control over your servers.
Disadvantages
The cost is higher, and you have to take more responsibility
for managing the server. With great freedom comes great responsibility. And in
this case, the cost is too high!
VPS (Virtual Private Server)
As the name suggests, you rent a "virtual" server
as a private server. You are sharing a physical server with other websites.
Using a computing technique called virtualization, server resources are
abstracted and divided to emulate multiple virtual servers that are
individually controlled by each VPS user. Virtual servers are logically private
(each running its operating system), but physically they are not.
Pros
You share a physical server (resource) with other websites,
but you are assigned a fixed quota. You may also have more privileges for root
access and virtual server control.
Cons Costs more than shared hosting. Even very high traffic
can affect your site's performance.
If you can't afford dedicated server hosting, but want some
control and guarantee of server resources to improve performance, you should
consider VPS.
cloud hosting
The latest trend to hit the hosting market and perhaps the
most advanced option is cloud hosting. With "cloud computing", a
group of servers (called a cloud) work together to act as one large server.
Pros
You only pay for what you use in the cloud. Therefore, you
can have spikes in traffic (such as during certain seasons) and don't have to
worry about not having a dedicated server. Cloud hosting is the most scalable
hosting solution and is also very expensive.
Disadvantages
Cloud hosting solutions require cloud experts with technical
knowledge to manage.
If your business requires high performance, high
availability, and scalability, cloud hosting is the way to go.
So, if you're going live with a new website and feeling
overwhelmed by all the hosting options, this web hosting guide will help you
make an informed decision. With the increasing number of packages offered by
web hosting companies, everyone can feel lost!
It is your responsibility to determine the right web hosting
solution for your business. But remember, there is no such thing as one perfect
hosting plan for all your sites! Just choose the right hosting type to meet
your needs.
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