5 Types of Web Hosting Services

To build and maintain a website, you need website hosting—a digital service that allows you to store data and files, making them easily accessible for visitors. You will discover many types of web hosting options, with each varying in factors like performance, features, and technical capabilities to meet specific requirements. Learning more about the common web hosting types, their benefits, and drawbacks can help you pick the right option for your needs.

Types of Web Hosting

There are many types of web hosting services available in the market, with some suitable for small-scale companies, while others are apt for established ones. Let’s look at some common types of web hosting services and their differences.

Shared hosting

If you’re building a website, you may find this type of web hosting easy to navigate. Here, your website is stored on the same server as those owned and run by multiple users. For instance, if you run a shopping website for gardening products and another user has an automotive blog site, both websites will use the same resources of the shared hosting platform, including CPU and RAM. This also means that the cost of shared hosting plans reduces significantly. Examples of where this type of website hosting can work include small businesses, blogging sites that are operated from home, and websites created for community groups. The drawback of shared hosting is that with multiple websites operating on the same server, a surge in usage and traffic could result in lag.

VPS hosting

You can consider VPS hosting if you prefer more website control, customization, and storage. The interesting part here is that you do not require technical knowledge to operate it. Moreover, its pricing model is similar to shared hosting. However, while VPS hosting offers dedicated server space and reserved resources, its physical server is still shared by other users. This can further affect the host server’s ability to handle high traffic. That said, it’s still a good option if you are an advanced user and need specific packages and software installations.

Dedicated hosting

With dedicated hosting, you get more control over the website’s storage server. This happens because the server is solely rented by you, with only one website stored on it. To simplify it, this hosting type provides complete administrative and root access, making it suitable for those anticipating high website traffic and needing total control over the server. But dedicated hosting is one of the most expensive web hosting types on the list. Additionally, it requires technical proficiency to install and constantly manage the server.

Cloud hosting

This hosting type uses multiple connected computers to run applications through shared resources, making it one of the fastest hosting services in the market. If you run a business, this hosting type will let you utilize as many resources as required without building or maintaining infrastructure. Furthermore, the resources are spread across servers to curb downtime risks. Cloud hosting is scalable, which means you can pay for only the resources you require to improve websites.

Today, most website hosts offer shared and VPS plans in cloud-based settings, making it flexible. That said, you might want to skip cloud hosting if you do not want to get locked in with a single vendor. Cloud-based hosting is also more prone to data breaches and cyberattacks due to multiple accessibility.

Read more: Cloud Hosting vs Shared Hosting

Managed hosting

This type offers a more secure and optimized approach for hosting. The host handles the technical part of running and managing the website, including elements like software operations, backups, security measures, and performance optimization. So, as a website owner, you do not have to worry about the technical aspect; it provides you with the leeway to focus on other aspects of running the business. Managed hosting may cost more than regular hosting types.

Read more: Website Hosting Cost

Which Type of Web Hosting is Right for You?

With a range of options available to choose from, selecting the best web hosting service can get a bit confusing. However, considering a few factors beforehand can help you make a well-informed decision.

Traffic volume

If you expect low traffic on the website, consider shared hosting services. On the other hand, for those who need to pull traffic, it’s better to pick managed or VPS hosting, while cloud and dedicated hosting are ideal for high-traffic websites.

Read more: How does web hosting affect SEO?

Ratings and reviews

Current or experienced users who have signed up for certain services usually leave reviews that provide thoughtful feedback and in-depth insights regarding the functions and profitability. Generally, a reputable web hosting service has a high number of positive reviews and active responses to resolve negative feedback.

Budget

A website hosting platform may come with tons of features, but at varied prices. The important thing here is to select a platform based on the budget you’re working with. For example, a shared hosting service offers minimal features and can range anywhere between $2 and $10 per month. On the contrary, VPS hosting has more resources and better performance, which can drive the cost up between $20 and $100. Dedicated hosting, which offers the most control and customization, can start at $80 per month. It is best to look for options that offer value-for-money services.

FAQs

What is the best type of hosting for a small website?

Shared hosting is the best type of hosting for a small website. Some examples of this type of website hosting include WebCentral, Bluehost, and HostGator.

What type of hosting gives the best speed?

Given its ability to allocate resources from multiple servers, cloud hosting usually offers the best speed. Websites on the cloud can load faster and manage a greater user base without hampering their performance and functions.

Which type of hosting is most secure?

A dedicated hosting server offers complete control over your website and improves security. This makes it one of the most secure hosting options for most websites. Some examples of dedicated website hosting services include Liquid Web, AccuWeb Hosting, and InMotion Web Hosting.

Which type of hosting is best for beginners?

Beginners can consider signing up for a shared hosting service for their website. As the name suggests, resources on this server are shared, which also enables the provider to keep prices to a minimum.