Choosing the perfect web hosting for your website's needs may not be an easy process, especially when you don't understand the difference between the various hosting packages and the requirements of your project.
However, this is a fundamental decision that should be made in an informed and thoughtful manner, as it influences many future decisions and the success of your project.
In this guide, we will provide you with all the information you should consider when choosing web hosting for your site, so you can make an informed choice that meets your needs.
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting, in simple terms, is the act of placing your website on a server so that it is accessible on the Internet.
In other words, web hosting is provided by a server that stores and makes available to the public all the information and content of the site, such as text, images, and videos.
Generally speaking, all hosting operates on a 24/7/365 basis, meaning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, although this is not a requirement.
It is important not to confuse hosting with a domain, as they are different concepts.
The function of the domain is to point to the server where your website is hosted.
Therefore, to make your content available on the Internet, you need both a domain and web hosting.
The Various Types of Web Hosting
Although, in theory, you could host your website from home (with significant technical requirements), there are numerous advantages to relying on dedicated companies to handle this hosting for you.
However, you need some theoretical and practical knowledge about the different types of web hosting these companies offer, so you can choose the solution that best benefits you, especially from a cost/quality perspective.
Typically, web hosting companies, such as Be-Wide Online Solutions, offer several types of hosting, and each type often depends on the kind of site the client will host.
We will cover each of the different types of hosting in greater detail, offering recommendations to help you identify the best solution for you.
The 4 Types of Web Hosting to Consider
Usually, we find 3 types of web hosting from most providers: shared, VPS, and dedicated. However, in recent times, cloud hosting has emerged as another option for clients.
Don't be put off by their names; we will discuss each one in a (relatively) simple way.
1. Shared Hosting
Shared Hosting
As the name suggests, this type of web hosting is shared among several clients.
It usually consists of servers where hundreds of other clients' websites are added. The various clients share the same server resources among themselves.
The big advantage of this type of hosting is that it is as cheap as possible, and a good option for simple websites with only basic information about the project, or for those just starting out.
The Advantages of Shared Hosting:
- Price is as low as possible;
- Quick to install and set up for the end client;
- Does not require much technical knowledge on the client's part.
The Disadvantages of Shared Hosting
- The same server is shared by hundreds of clients, sharing the same IP;
- Emails sent from the server may be flagged as spam and not reach the final recipient;
- If the site receives a lot of traffic, it may stop working.
2. VPS (or Virtual) Hosting
VPS Hosting
With this type of web hosting, the same server can still be used by several clients, but it is now divided in a way that reserves a certain amount for each site hosted on the server.
The idea of a VPS (“Virtual Private Server”) is to mimic a dedicated server where a given site has the same resources at all times.
This type of hosting is better than shared hosting, especially if the site already has some traffic. There are several packages with certain amounts of resources; the more resources, the better the VPS will be in theory.
The Advantages of VPS Hosting
- Price can be medium to high, depending on the amount of resources subscribed to in the VPS package;
- The hosting environment is isolated from other sites on the same server;
- The hosting is more stable and less prone to downtime.
The Disadvantages of VPS Hosting
- Much more expensive than shared hosting;
- More complex to install and maintain, especially if the service provider does not offer support;
- The same IP is usually still shared among the various VPSs on the server.
3. Dedicated Servers
Dedicated Servers
This is the most expensive option of all, but if your site receives a considerable amount of traffic, using a dedicated server is probably the best option for you and your project.
With this web hosting option, the entire server is "rented" and you have full control over the machine and all its resources.
This type of hosting is more complex but delivers the best results in terms of your site's speed and performance.
The Advantages of Dedicated Servers
- Faster and more efficient hosting;
- The machine and its resources are not shared among multiple clients;
- Customisation of the machine according to the client's needs.
The Disadvantages of Dedicated Servers
- Hosting cost is very high;
- Complexity of installation and maintenance is very high;
- The client needs to have good technical knowledge.
4. Cloud Hosting
Cloud Hosting
Finally, cloud hosting is a relatively recent term (it has been around for a while, but for standard web hosting purposes it is recent), and not all web hosting providers offer it.
It is a type of service that is increasingly being offered and used, as it has clear advantages over other types of hosting.
In cloud hosting, we have several dedicated servers connected in a "cloud" where they contribute their resources. Theoretically, we can have an infinite number of machines with infinite resources added to the network, creating a kind of super hosting computer.
Here we can then create several VPSs to separate the various clients in this "cloud" of resources, thus preventing just one specific client from using all available resources.
This type of hosting, although very similar to VPS hosting, has some critical differences. Firstly, it is common to get better speed and performance results compared to VPS hosting; secondly, it is much easier to add more resources to a cloud VPS than to standard hosting.
The Advantages of Cloud Hosting
- Price is not much higher than VPS hosting;
- Better results in terms of hosting performance and speed;
- It is much easier to add resources to the hosting package;
- Option to pay according to the resources used in real time.
The Disadvantages of Cloud Hosting
- It is a relatively unknown type of hosting compared to the other 3 options;
- If the client does not know what they are doing, this service can become very expensive with the option to pay according to the resources used;
- Cloud hosting is very easily confused with shared "cloud" hosting, and the term is sometimes abused by certain hosting service providers.
Our Recommendation on Which Hosting to Choose
As we have already mentioned, it is important to consider the context of your project and website in order to make the best choice.
Newer projects without many clients or visitors will find shared hosting a perfectly sufficient and capable solution for their needs.
Over time, the next step would be to move to VPS hosting; however, nowadays cloud hosting can be a better option if chosen and managed correctly.
We only recommend choosing dedicated servers in cases where the client has some technical knowledge, and the project's requirements demand it.
Some of the most common solutions from web hosting companies in Portugal are WebHS, PTServidor, Amen and Hostinger.
In any case, Be-Wide Online Solutions offers the domain and hosting purchase and management service to its clients, whose main advantage is the customisation and monitoring of your service according to the client's needs.
We simplify the process for our clients, always choosing what best suits their needs, so that you only spend the money necessary for them.
Get in touch with us to find out which type of hosting is right for you.
