A Beginner's Guide to Web Hosting

Choosing a hosting provider is one of the most important decisions to make when starting a business site. A lot of factors go into this decision such as price, server speeds, uptime guarantees and customer support. 

However, many new entrepreneurs don't know much about web hosting or how it works. In this article, we'll explain what web hosting is and break down some common terminology in order to help you feel confident in choosing a provider for your business!

What Is Web Hosting and Why You Need It

Web hosting is the process of storing and serving content on the web. This includes everything from images, videos, and text to audio files or even other websites that are linked together in order to form a network. 

This process is necessary because, in order for content to be accessed on the web, it needs a server. If you're hosting your own site, this means renting or buying space on an existing server and installing all of the software needed to serve your website. But if you don't have the technical ability or time to do that, your best bet is to find a company that will provide web hosting for you.

Web Hosting Terms to Know

• Server - A computer that stores all the files and data your site needs to work properly. The web host is responsible for keeping that server secure and transferring data to your site’s visitors.

• Datacenter - A physical location that houses thousands of servers. It's responsible for protecting the servers against any threat.

• Content Management System (CMS) -  A system that lets you manage the site and its content without needing to contact your web host. WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems.

• Content Delivery Network (CDN) - A group of servers distributed across multiple data centers that help in content distribution to users with minimal delay.

• Bandwidth - The amount of data that can be transferred from one server to another during a set period of time, usually measured in bits per second (Bps).  This is what determines how quickly your site will load for people browsing it on their computers or mobile devices. Certain providers offer unlimited bandwidth VPS solutions which are a great option for sites that receive a lot of traffic on a regular basis.

Web Hosting Types

The type of hosting solution you’ll need depends on the type of website you have, the resources you need, and the expected traffic. Here are some main types of web hosting to consider:

• Shared Hosting - This is a service where you share the server space, bandwidth, and other resources with many others on that same web host. It’s the most affordable option that’s perfect for those who are just getting started with their first website or blog, as well as small businesses that only have a few employees working on one project at a time.

• Virtual Private Server (VPS) - This type of plan works well for websites that need more control and power than shared hosting. Every user gets their own dedicated part of a shared server. It's more expensive than shared hosting but it's much faster and easier to scale in terms of features and add-ons. 

• Dedicated Server Hosting - Ideal for larger business owners or companies with a lot of traffic, this plan lets you have an entire server dedicated exclusively for your website. It’s the most expensive option but gives you total control over the server’s configuration.

• Cloud Hosting - Stores your data across multiple virtual servers, instead of just one physical server. This makes it a safer option because if one of the servers goes down, you'll still have access to your data and won't experience any downtime.

• Managed Hosting - With this type of hosting, the provider handles the daily maintenance and upkeep of your website. This includes tasks like updating software, installing new updates, technical support, etc.

• Colocation Hosting - If you have personal servers, you can host them at a colocation center. The center provides the power, IP address, bandwidth and cooling, while you're responsible for bringing servers, storage, and networking equipment.

• Offshore Hosting -  This means hosting your website on servers that are located outside of your country. Choosing a country with less restrictive laws will allow you to create any type of website you want, which makes it the perfect option for adult webmasters. You can even buy an adult WordPress theme or template that will help you start your site in minutes.

What a Good Web Host Will Provide

Website Security 

A good web host will have security features in place to protect your site from hackers and malicious attacks. It's also crucial your host backs up all data regularly so you can recover your data in case the servers go down or are hacked.

Speed

Having a fast site is important for improving your SEO and conversion rates. A good web host will provide fast site speed, as well as optimization tools to ensure it stays that way. Make sure to check out the server's location - the closer it is to your target audience, the faster your loading speed will be.

Customer Support 

Technical issues will often occur, and being able to have someone on the other end is invaluable. A great host will provide  24/hour phone or chat support, as well as live online tutorials. 

Uptime 

Websites that are constantly going down can cause a lot of stress and lost productivity for both the owner and website visitors. It's crucial to make sure your site stays up at all times so you never lose potential revenue due to downtime. Your web host should guarantee at least 99.9% uptime.

Scalability

It's important to consider whether your web host can accommodate your business as it grows. You want to be able to upgrade your hosting plan once your traffic increases without having to switch web hosts.

Conclusion

Web hosting is a complicated subject that's difficult to understand without some research and experience. The tips in this post should help you make informed decisions about your web hosting needs, but it is always best practice to consult with an expert before signing any agreements or purchasing anything.