Hosting is an integral part of any website, without which its existence on the World Wide Web is simply impossible. Of course, you can host the site on your own computer, but this is far from the best idea if you are aiming for the stable operation of your resource. Hosting acts as a file storage for your site, which is always connected to the Internet and has fast equipment. However, not all hostings can offer stable and fast operation of your site in practice. For this reason, care must be taken in choosing hosting provider to host your project.
What to look for when choosing a hosting?
The first issue that needs to be addressed is the type of hosting service. The choice in this case depends on your site, the expected amount of content, the expected daily traffic and some other factors.
Hosting types:
- Virtual hosting (Shared) – for undemanding projects.
- Virtual Dedicated Hosting (VPS server) – will withstand serious sites.
- Physical dedicated server (Dedicated) – for complex and highly loaded web projects.
It is also possible to place all the necessary equipment in a specialized center at the provider. This is negotiated separately, for a separate cost. Before making a decision in favor of a particular hosting, it is necessary to study the features of each of them.
About dedicated server
One option is a dedicated server. A distinctive feature of this server is that the user rents the entire computer and all the space on it. Also, the user has the opportunity to independently select the software, as well as the necessary components. That is, you do not need to share power with other users.
Of the benefits, high performance should be noted, since you are the only client. You can fully control all the processes that take place on the server and choose the programs that suit you best.
But this option is not suitable for beginners and those with small sites. It should also be noted that this is a rather expensive type of hosting. There will also be additional costs for hosting support.
About shared (virtual) hosting
Shared hosting or virtual hosting is a more affordable option, since several people will be using the server at the same time. The entire payment is divided by the total number of users. The provider allocates approximately equal parts of the server to all users.
This server is suitable for beginners and those who do not need large volumes. Performance in this case will be lower, since all capacities are divided among all users. It should also be noted that virtual hosting has one IP address for everyone and if one is blocked, others may suffer.
About VPS/VDS
VPS or virtual server offers customers a separate server section. It is more profitable than dedicated and more powerful shared hosting. But in this case, knowledge of administration is needed.
Summing up
Definitely, each of the options finds its client. There are many sites on the Internet, from small personal blogs to large services and marketplaces. All of them use a different amount of hosting provider’s resources and it is simply not practical to place a conditional blog with a dozen pages on a VPS. If you are in doubt about the choice, try to contact specialized forums or online support of the hosting provider you like. They will help you with the choice and provide qualified advice on choosing and using hosting capabilities.