In the web hosting industry, you have numerous options to put your site on the web. However, each type of web hosting caters directly to your needs as a website owner.
While all web hosting services provide storage space for your website, they differ in the capacity they offer. In our web hosting comparison, you’ll find different control, storage capacity, server reliability and speed, technical knowledge requirement, etc.
Each example of web hosting has a category. In this post, you’ll find out where your favorite web host belongs. But first, what is web hosting?
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is a service that lets you post a web page or website onto the internet. A web hosting provider or web host is a platform that offers services and technologies required for a webpage or website to be live on the internet.
There are different types of web hosting, and each of them stores or hosts on special computers known as servers. So, when internet users want to see your website, all they need to do is type your domain or website address into a browser. Their PC will then connect to your website server, and your webpages get displayed on their browser.
Most web hosting service providers require that you get a domain for them to host you. An example of web hosting that does that is WordPress. But for some we host, they help you buy a domain name. An example of web hosting that does that is Hostgator.com.
List of Different Types of Web Hosting
Any web hosting service provider you can find out there has a category based on the way they offer you hosting for your website. Here are the various types of hosting services.
Shared Hosting
Shared web hosting is known as the most basic type of web hosting. It is the best choice for entry-level or small websites because it is budget-friendly.
With the name, you can tell that it allows multiple websites to share hosting on one server. That’s why in web hosting comparison; shared hosting remains the cheapest since resource splitting means less cost for the hosting company.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Most budget-friendly type of web hosting
- Zero technical experience or knowledge is needed.
- Ideal for small websites and beginners
Cons
- Performance issues are not in your control.
- You have to share server resources with multiple websites.
- Not scalable
- Lower uptime rates and slower loading times
VPS Hosting
VPS is an acronym for Virtual Private Server. This type of web hosting is a bit above shared hosting. Most times, when a website outgrows its shared plan, it’s typical for the owner to transit to a VPS.
With a VPS, your site will still be on a single server with several other websites. However, the number of sites you’ll have to share with is usually lower. The main gets split into multiple virtual servers, which is why it is called Virtual Private Servers. Nonetheless, unlike shared hosting, these virtual servers can be customized by each site.
Pros
- You can create custom configurations for your server.
- You get dedicated server resources.
- It is more budget-friendly than a dedicated server.
- Faster loading speed and higher uptimes
Cons
- You still have to share the main server with other websites.
- It is not as simple to set up as shared hosting.
- It comes with a few limitations to what you can control.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated types of web hosting are majorly referred to as the best choice for hosting a website. That’s mostly because you are provided with a dedicated server for you, and just you alone! You would expect to get more benefits from dedicated web hosting, including faster speed and more uptime.
Nevertheless, it has a catch – it is unarguably the most expensive type of web hosting.
That is so because you won’t be sharing your server with other websites. But you can expect your site to be running at optimal speed and efficiency.
Pros
- You don’t have to share resources with other websites.
- Total control over the server
- High uptimes, faster load times, and optimal performance.
- Maximum security
Cons
- You are responsible for everything on the server.
- Demands a little bit of technical knowledge
- Most costly type of web hosting in the market.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is more like a hybrid version of the VPS – only that it is more budget-friendly. This is very close to the VPS hosting.
Cloud hosting plans offer several remote servers. And each server has a variety of responsibilities. That means your website would be hosted on multiple servers that are connected by a network. So, if one of your servers has an issue or gets compromised, the remaining servers on the network will pick up the slack and cover for it.
The above feature makes cloud web hosting a fantastic alternative to the traditional example of web hosting.
Using cloud servers, you can rest assured that your website won’t have as much unexpected downtime and will have higher uptime rates. Also, server error becomes a rare thing. Your website will remain fluid while performing at an optimal level.
Pros
- Scale resources on demand
- Top-notch security
- Less unexpected downtime
Cons
- Unpredictable might increase the cost.
- Pricing isn’t usually fixed.
- Limited customization
Reseller Hosting
Reseller hosting has to do with selling hosting to clients. That implies that it is not for everyone. If you’re starting a small business or simply looking for a hosting website, you’ll want to try elsewhere.
However, if you’re looking to sell hosting sites, you can check for “reseller hosting plans” online. In web hosting comparison, this type of web hosting is completely unique. It basically involves purchasing hosting from a provider and reselling it to your customers.
Pros
- Get sustainable and recurring income.
- Set uncapped pricing for your clients
- Enhance your existing services.
Cons
- If anything goes wrong, your customers will face you and not your providers.
- Requires a lot of od clients to make it worth your effort and time.
Summary – Which Type of Web Hosting is Best for You?
- Shared Hosting – best for new websites for small businesses. Also, most cost-effective. An example of web hosting here includes Bluehost.
- VPS Hosting – Best for sites that have outgrown shared hosting. An example is Dreamhost.
- Dedicated Hosting – Web hosting for enterprise-level servers and ideal for large websites. HostGator is a perfect choice.
- Cloud Hosting – Ideal for sites that are experiencing rapid growth. Cloudways is an excellent example.
- Reseller Hosting – For agencies, web designers, and web developers. An example of web hosting here includes InMotion Hosting.
- WordPress – This is another type of web hosting is optimized specially for WordPress websites. Although it is sometimes dismissed as a category web hosting, it is indeed a fantastic hosting service provider. An example here is WP Engine.