If you’re new to building a website, the world of web hosting can seem overwhelming. There are a lot of options out there, and it can be hard to know where to start. In this beginner’s guide to web hosting, we’ll cover the basics of what web hosting is, how it works, and what to look for when choosing a web hosting provider.
What is Web Hosting?
When you create a website, the files that make up your website (such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files) need to be stored somewhere so that they can be accessed by anyone who wants to visit your site. Web hosting is the service that provides that storage space for your website files, as well as the infrastructure necessary to make your website accessible on the internet.
Think of web hosting like renting a storage unit for your website. You pay a fee to a web hosting provider, who then stores your website files on their servers. When someone visits your website, their browser sends a request to the web hosting server to retrieve your website files. The server then sends those files back to the browser, which displays them as a webpage.
Types of Web Hosting
There are several different types of web hosting, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are the most common types of web hosting:
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is the most common type of web hosting, and it’s usually the cheapest option. With shared hosting, your website shares a server with other websites. This means that you’re sharing resources like CPU, RAM, and disk space with other users. Shared hosting is a good option for small websites or blogs that don’t require a lot of resources.
Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting
VPS hosting is a step up from shared hosting. With VPS hosting, you still share a server with other users, but each user has their own dedicated resources like CPU, RAM, and disk space. This means that you have more control over your website’s performance, and you don’t have to worry about other users on the server affecting your site’s performance.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is the most expensive type of web hosting, but it’s also the most powerful. With dedicated hosting, you have an entire server to yourself, which means you have complete control over the server’s resources. This makes dedicated hosting a good option for large websites that require a lot of resources, like e-commerce sites or websites with high traffic.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is a newer type of web hosting that uses a network of servers to host your website. With cloud hosting, your website is stored on multiple servers, which means that if one server goes down, your website can still be accessed from another server. This makes cloud hosting more reliable than other types of web hosting.
What to Look for in a Web Hosting Provider
Choosing a web hosting provider can be tricky, but there are a few key things to look for when evaluating different providers:
Reliability
Your website needs to be up and running 24/7, so it’s important to choose a web hosting provider with a high level of reliability. Look for a provider with a good uptime guarantee (99.9% uptime is a common guarantee) and a reputation for keeping their servers running smoothly.
Security
Security is another important consideration when choosing a web hosting provider. Look for a provider that offers SSL certificates (which encrypt data transmitted between your website and your visitors’ browsers) and regular backups of your website data.
Customer Support
If something goes wrong with your website, you want to be able to get help quickly. Look for a web hosting provider with 24/7 customer support, and make sure they offer multiple ways to get in touch.
Who are the best in the web hosting industry?
Bluehost: Bluehost is one of the most popular web hosting providers and has been around since 2003. They offer a variety of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. Their plans are affordable and come with a free domain name for the first year.
HostGator: HostGator is another well-known web hosting provider that has been in business since 2002. They offer a range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. They also provide a free website builder and 24/7 customer support.
SiteGround: SiteGround is a popular web hosting provider known for its fast and reliable servers. They offer a variety of hosting plans, including shared hosting, cloud hosting, and dedicated hosting. They also provide free daily backups and a free SSL certificate.
A2 Hosting: A2 Hosting is a web hosting provider that prides itself on its fast and reliable servers. They offer a variety of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. They also provide free website migrations and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
InMotion Hosting: InMotion Hosting is a web hosting provider that has been in business since 2001. They offer a range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. They also provide free website backups and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
DreamHost: DreamHost is a web hosting provider that has been in business since 1996. They offer a range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. They also provide a free website builder and a 97-day money-back guarantee.
Hostinger: Hostinger is a web hosting provider that offers affordable hosting plans. They offer a range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and cloud hosting. They also provide a free website builder and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
WP Engine: WP Engine is a web hosting provider that specializes in WordPress hosting. They offer a variety of hosting plans, including shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, and dedicated hosting. They also provide free website migrations and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
GreenGeeks: GreenGeeks is a web hosting provider that prides itself on being eco-friendly. They offer a range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and reseller hosting. They also provide a free website builder and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
iPage: iPage is a web hosting provider that offers affordable hosting plans. They offer a range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting. They also provide a free website builder and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
You can find a full list of 50 of the top hosting providers here
In conclusion, there are many web hosting providers available, each with their own unique features and benefits. When choosing a web hosting provider, it is important to consider factors such as uptime, speed, support, and pricing. We hope this list of 10 different web hosting providers has helped you make an informed decision.