In today’s digital age, where businesses can showcase their services online through websites, web hosting has become important. It simply involves moving your website files to a server to make the site publicly available on the Internet for users to visit. Since having a brand requires more than just creating a website, choosing the best web hosting services is key.
In this article, we will be discussing everything you need to know about these services and how to choose the best one for your business. But before we dive fully into this, let us focus on the different types of web hosting services and their best features. This way, you can assess and check which is suitable for your needs. Ready to learn? Let’s go!
Types of Web Hosting Services: Which Is Best
Before selecting domain hosting services for your brand, it is ideal to know which type is most suitable. Features like storage space or memory of the provider are key features that differentiate each service. That said, here are four of the most popular hosting providers and their best attributes:
Hosting Providers Compared
Host Provider | Shared Hosting | Dedicated Hosting | WordPress Hosting | Cloud Hosting |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hostinger | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
SiteGround | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
DreamHost | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
HostGator | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
ScalaHosting | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
Namecheap | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
InMotion | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
GreenGeeks | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
A2 Hosting | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
WordPress Engine | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
Liquid Web | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
Shockbyte | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
Bluehost | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
Hostwinds | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
IONOS | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
AccuWeb | Shared Hosting: | Dedicated Hosting: | WordPress Hosting: | Cloud Hosting: |
Choosing Between Linux and Windows Servers: What Is Best for Your Needs
Before you finalize the domain hosting provider you will select for your website. It is key that you confirm whether it will be a Linux or Windows server. Linux servers are popular due to their stability, compatibility with open-source software like WordPress, and their inexpensiveness in price. They are a great fit for a majority of web hosting users, especially those experienced in using command-line tools.
On the other hand, Windows servers are way more effective if your website requires Microsoft technologies like MSSQL, ASP.NET, or any Windows-dependent system to run. Besides being more expensive, these providers deliver smooth integration for users with Windows applications.
Managed Hosting | Unmanaged Hosting |
---|---|
Technical Assistance: These providers handle all the technical issues like server maintenance, security updates, and backups, leaving users to focus on their website rather than server management. | No Technical Assistance: Unlike the managed provider, this hosting does not provide technical assistance. |
More Expensive: Using managed hosting for your website typically costs more. | Cheaper: This option is more affordable and best suited for businesses with experienced developers and IT personnel. |
Less Autonomy: Users will have less control over the server management and settings. | Full Autonomy: This hosting solution gives users full control over server management, including setups, updates, and security configurations. |
Best Web Hosting Features for Small Businesses
Small businesses can be categorized as brands operating with websites with fewer traffic spikes. So, selecting a web hosting service for this kind of operation requires a few considerations. First of all, you need to find server providers with enough scalability. This will show you how effectively the server will run your site with additional resources, thanks to the website hosting services.
The price of the hosting service also plays a big role for small businesses. These businesses usually have tight budgets, so finding an affordable web hosting plan is critical. Thankfully, many providers offer entry-level shared hosting plans with integral features at competitive rates. This way, you can get started without breaking the bank.
Not to mention, you need to consider working with providers that guarantee a smooth and intuitive user experience. Especially for business owners who may not have technical expertise, this should be a focus area. This way, you can manage website settings, domains, and email accounts without any hassle.
While you keep the mentioned factors in mind, there are also certain features you must find to know you are using the best web hosting provider. Two of these include:
Email Hosting
A reliable web hosting service always guarantees excellent email hosting alongside other forms of support channels. These tools are available on these platforms to make sure users get all the necessary information and assistance they need. To top it all, ensure you choose a provider that offers 24/7 hosting via channels like email, live chat, and phone.
Web Hosting Uptime
While your business may be in its early phases, it is still important to choose hosting that guarantees minimal downtime. You need a consistent online presence to maintain your business and its operation. This means you should find a provider that guarantees at least 99.9% uptime. This way, your customers can always access your website, even during traffic.
The Best Website Hosting Provider for E-commerce and Marketing
Cloud web hosting is the best web hosting provider for e-commerce and marketing. These website hosting services guarantee optimal uptime with cloud backups, solid security, high scalability, and shareability, making them an excellent deal for these businesses. However, these servers offer less flexibility and are relatively expensive.