What are the Different Types of Web Hosting?
Web hosting is a service that allocates a secure space on a web server for a website to store its files. While it's possible to host your website from a computer at your home, it's usually better to choose a web hosting provider that stores your website on fast servers in a data center with swift connections. At Netfirms, we are dedicated to providing you with your web hosting needs from the start of your idea.
There are several types of web hosting plans, including:
Shared Web Hosting
Shared Hosting is the most basic form of web hosting available. It's usually recommended for new websites, as it's the most economical way to start. Purchasing a shared hosting plan is like renting an apartment unit in a building with other tenants. When you sign up for this type of plan, your website will be housed on a single server along with those of a few hundred to a few thousand other websites.
Advantages
- Cost - This is the most low-budget hosting service you will find.
- Beginner-friendly - All your needs regarding setup will be accommodated under a shared hosting plan. This allows you more time to focus on your web page's development and web design aspects instead.
Disadvantages
- Bad neighbors - the “bad neighbor effect” is a phenomenon that occurs when one website on the shared server begins to hog resources, usually due to unusually high traffic or poor coding. This results in slower loading speeds or operational downtime, making it more challenging to reach your website.
- Inflexible - Shared hosting has limitations that do not allow you to customize your environment since making changes to your own would affect other websites on the server.
VPS Hosting
VPS Hosting is recommended for more advanced users. If you need to install specific packages or software not provided by shared hosting, this hosting service is best for you. Your website is stored on a server with other websites, like shared hosting, but usually, there are fewer websites per server. It also provides root or admin access to its own operating system installation in a virtualized environment.
Advantages
- Reliability - Reduced number of websites per server, decreasing the server's demand. Resources are allocated evenly between websites.
- Flexibility - You have the ability to customize your environment since you are virtually partitioned from the other websites on the server.
- Scalability - Due to the measured portion of the server's resources dedicated to your website, increasing the amount available to you is a breeze.
Disadvantages
Cost - VPS Hosting is quite more costly than shared hosting because of its added advantage and benefits.Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated Hosting is recommended for large companies with big websites and significant needs. Your website(s) will get full access to the entire server since it's not shared with other users. This is also the suggested route for websites with many visitors (traffic) or custom requirements not available in a shared hosting environment.
Advantages
- No bad neighbors - Since the server is dedicated strictly to running your website, you don’t have any neighbors at all.
- Reduced security risk - Without other users on the server reduces the risk of security issues.
- Total flexibility - Dedicated Hosting usually allows extensive customization. You have complete autonomy to choose your desired amount of memory, operating system, and other hardware features.
Disadvantages
- Cost - The cost is considerably more than basic shared hosting because this hosting environment offers far more flexibility, privacy, and user control than other kinds of web hosting solutions.
- Technical knowledge - Managing your own server requires a good bit of technical knowledge.
- Unmanaged service - Some services will require you to independently manage your server. In such cases, you will need someone with a technical understanding.
- Security - Should the hardware fail, your website will experience downtime until your technician can get it up and running again.
Reseller Hosting
Reseller hosting is specific to those webmasters who wish to turn a profit by providing hosting services to others. They are shared hosting accounts with additional built-in tools to manage many websites under one control panel and resell host space.Advantages
The main advantage is profit for the person attempting to resell the premium hosting space. However, there are many other benefits for those purchasing resold hosting space. Access to the tools, particularly website templates and tech support, dramatically increases one’s ability to navigate a web buildout without acquiring a lot of technical knowledge.Disadvantages
The disadvantages are comparable to those you would encounter on shared hosting services. There is the potential for:- Security risks
- Bad neighbors causing slowness and downtime of websites
- Limited flexibility and customizability