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An Introduction to Web Hosting Types
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Web hosting is the technology that allows the Internet to run. However, there are many different types of web hosting, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the need of the online business or personal site, webmasters may require different types of service. Therefore, a diversity of packages are available through web hosting providers. A plan that may fit a small business may not be suitable for large organizations and vice-versa.
Nine Types of Web Hosting
There are nine primary types of web hosting including:
• Free hosting
• Shared hosting
• Dedicated hosting
• Colocation hosting
• Managed hosting
• Linux hosting
• Windows hosting
• Virtual Private Server hosting
• Reseller hosting
Free Web Hosting
Free hosting is exactly that: free. Many small businesses and personal sites choose to utilize free hosting to decrease costs. Typically these sites have low traffic. It is not advisable to use free hosting for high traffic sites. There are many advantages to using free web hosting including:
• Cost
• Good for personal sites
• Free email
With no cost it is appealing to those that do not have the budget for other types of hosting. It is by far the best option for personal sites or small, startup businesses. Additionally, most free web hosting providers offer free email.
On the other hand there are many disadvantages to using free web hosting including:
• No domain names
• Limited security
• Few software options
• Limited database support
• Limited technical support
The first shortcoming is the lack of ability to use your own domain name. You must use the name provided by your host which is not professional. Second, the available security options are limited leaving your website open to much vulnerability. Third, there are few software options so you may not receive all updates immediately. Fourth, database support is limited or many are not even available.
Finally, technical support is inadequate. Therefore, if you have an issue with your website, technical support may not be able to help. For businesses, if your website is down, this can be a tremendous loss of money.
Shared Hosting
As opposed to free web hosting, shared hosting is very cost-effective with much improved services. Your website is hosted on a server with hundreds of other sites. Shared hosting provides databases, email, various editing options and excellent technical support. There are many pros to using shared hosting including:
• Own domain name
• Low cost
• Good for small business
• Many software options
• Good support
One of the biggest advantages to shared hosting is the ability to utilize your own domain name which exudes professionalism. Also, the cost of services is tremendously low. Some shared web hosting providers offer plans as low as $3 per month. Due to the low cost, shared hosting is an excellent option for small businesses with low to moderate traffic. With all shared hosting plans you receive many software features and a great deal of customer support.
There are a few disadvantages to shared hosting including:
• Reduced security
• Restricted database support
• Traffic restrictions
• Restricted software
Since your website will be hosted on a server with many other sites, the overall security is compromised. Also, customers do not have access to database support and specific software which can be a huge limitation. Finally, there are traffic and resource restrictions. If specified traffic and resources are exceeded, you will be charged extra.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting involves your website being hosted by itself on a server with a direct internet connection. This gives you the best possible service but is also the most expensive. There are many advantages to using dedicated hosting as your web hosting solution. These include:
• Powerful email
• Powerful database support
• Unlimited support
• Multiple domain names
• Excellent for large businesses
The first advantages are powerful email and database support options which are available through dedicated hosting plans. This allows for much more functionality and creativity. Second, high-quality, unlimited support for hardware and software are available. Therefore, you will have little to no downtime. Third, many domain names and subsequent websites can be hosting on your dedicated server. Finally, dedicated hosting is the perfect choice for large business with a lot of traffic.
Luckily there are only two limitations to using this technology including:
• Requires high technical skills
• Expensive
The first shortcoming is dedicated servers require a high knowledge of networking and other information technology skills. Although this can be ascertained, it is still a high learning curve. Second, dedicated hosting packages are extremely expensive.
Colocation Hosting
Colocation hosting allows you to store your own web hosting equipment in the facility of a service provider. This is the same as running the server in an office except colocation facilities are better equipped. There are many advantages to colocation server hosting including:
• High up-time
• High bandwidth
• High security
• Unlimited software
The best aspect of colocation hosting is the up-time. Since it is your own equipment set in an optimal server environment, your uptime will improve immensely. Another major advantage is high bandwidth due to the dedicated internet line that connects to your equipment. Additionally, the colocation facility offers protection from natural disasters, theft and vandalism. Finally, since you own the equipment you can make all decisions on software.
There are a few disadvantages to this solution including:
• Cost
• Technical knowledge needed
• Difficult to configure
The first issue with colocation hosting is the cost. If tends to be one of the most expensive options. Also, colocation hosting requires a great deal of technical knowledge to setup and maintain the equipment. As a result, the configuration and debugging is a difficult task.
Managed Hosting
Managed hosting is the Cadillac of web hosting options. It takes the dedicated hosting up a level as the total server setup and maintenance is managed by a team of professionals at a colocation facility. This is the most hands off solution for the customer. There are many advantages to managed hosting including:
• All benefits of dedicated hosting
• Customized package
• Equipment setup
• Around the clock server management
Managed hosting provides all the flexibility and customization of a dedicated package. Also, all equipment is setup and managed by facility staff around the clock. Therefore, the servers operate with optimal performance and there is no need to install updates, patches or deal with any issues. Additionally, reporting and monitoring, security, system administration and load balancing are observed.
There are only two disadvantages to managed hosting including:
• Cost
• Might not be necessary
The most important limitation is cost. Given the numerous services offered by the managed hosting solution, the cost is exorbitant. There are usually setup fees in addition to the cost of a monthly plan. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative to verify you actually require managed hosting.
Linux Hosting
Linux and Windows web hosting are the two most popular operating system choices to run on a server. Each has individual advantages and disadvantages and comes down to business need. The advantages for using Linux to run your website include:
• Open source platform
• Economical
• Easily converted
• Reliable
The first advantage of the Linux operating system is the open source platform. It was originally developed by programmers so there is a consistent following and an entire community that creates software for Linux. Since it is open source, Linux is free to all users. Also, a Linux website can be easily converted to a Windows server. Additionally when using scripting languages like MySQL, Perl and PHP, Linux is considerably reliable.
As there are advantages with Linux there are also disadvantages including:
• Lack of developers
• Tough to get technical support on some applications
The primary disadvantage is the lack of developers and manufacturers. Since the operating system is open-source the only developers are those in the Linux community. The second limitation is it can be difficult to find technical support on some Linux applications. Any assistance must be posted in a forum which could take days to receive a response. Sometimes there are no responses.
Windows Hosting
Windows is the other operating system option besides Linux. Like Linux, Windows has an entire set of advantages and disadvantages based on the needs of the customer’s business. The advantages for using Windows to run your website include:
• Usage of Microsoft Front Page
• User friendly
• Support for .ASP
• Usage with .NET
One advantage of using Windows on your server is the compatibility with Microsoft Front Page, a popular website creation tool. You will also be able to acquire unlimited support. The second advantage is Windows is extremely user friendly. If you are already comfortable using Windows as an operating system, it is in your best interest to also use it as a web hosting operating system so you do not have to learn a new programming language.
The third benefit is support for .ASP, a database language. Since most webmasters want to have a website that is dynamically database driven which is one area Windows specializes. Another nice feature is the ability to collect information from a Microsoft Access database. Finally, Windows is excellent to use with .NET framework.
Luckily there are only two cons associated with Windows hosting. These include:
• Slow server issues
• Instability
The first limitation is Windows often has slow server issues compared to Linux. For a quicker website, Linux is the best selection. The second con is the problem of instability. This can lead to a lot of downtime due to server issues.
Virtual Private Server Hosting
Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is an excellent choice for hosting multiple domain names. Many types of hosting do not have this capability which greatly limits expansion. It would cost a lot of money to host all domains separately. Luckily VPS hosting can accommodate these needs. There are three primary benefits to VPS hosting including:
• Unlimited expandability
• Software compatibility
• Cost and support
The first advantage is your website needs have unlimited expandability. VPS hosting offers monthly plans that can be greatly expanded immediately without the requirement of additional investment. The second advantage is software compatibility. Utilizing a VPS hosting plan allows you to experiment and install as many programs as you like. That way you can find out what works best, thus improving performance and productivity.
The final benefit is cost and support. Owning multiple domain names on separate servers can be expensive and difficult to track. Therefore, by having one central bill for all domain names, you will easily be able to track hosting expenses. A solid VPS host plan costs approximately $20 per month.
With the pros come the cons. There are two primary disadvantages to VPS hosting. These include:
• Maintenance
• Below a dedicated server
The first con is VPS still requires maintenance to the server. This includes uploading security patches and other system updates which can take a great deal of time. Also, any issues you encounter must be managed remotely. The second limitation is VPS hosting is a step below dedicated hosting. While resources are unlimited, you continue to share hardware with other VPS users. Therefore stability and performance suffer.
Reseller Hosting
Reseller web hosting is a profitable business venture in which the owner purchases a reseller hosting plan, breaks it down into smaller accounts and resells them for a profit. The consumer typically is not aware this is even a reseller account since all regular features are offered. There are many benefits to a reseller account including:
• Flexibility
• Cost
• Revenue
• Little technical knowledge needed
• Customization
• Branding
From a customer standpoint reseller hosting offers a great deal of flexibility to the customer. Within this flexibility is a low cost. Many shared hosting plans can become expensive, however, since these accounts are being resold, you can usually find them for a much lower cost.
From a reseller standpoint, this type of hosting involves little technical knowledge. Anytime an issue arises, the web hosting company will fix the issue. Also, the reseller can customize themes and the interface for their customers and even create logos to develop branding.
Luckily there are only two disadvantages to reseller hosting including:
• Limited services
• Difficult to change web hosts
When an issue occurs with the web host that make take time to fix, this trickles down to the reseller. Therefore if the host incurs six hours of downtime, you will also be down for six hours. Also, if you wish to change web hosts as a reseller, it is difficult to shift all of the data to another server.
The preceding is the nine most popular types of web hosting. Each features advantages and disadvantages so customers select the best option for their business needs. The web hosting industry is greatly expanding with new technology being released often to maximize performance.