Creating a website is an essential step for all businesses looking to increase their online visibility.
But what if you went through the trouble of buying a domain and building your website without anyone ever seeing it?
Without a web hosting provider, this nightmare might become a reality.
This guide will demystify and answer questions about what web hosting is, how it works and how to find the right company for your needs.
Let’s get your website up and running.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is a service companies provide that allows you to make your website visible and accessible. Rather than hosting your website on your own network server, you rent space on a provider’s — this ensures maximum speed, reliability and security for your website.
How does web hosting work?
Think of web hosting as a digital storage space where your website files reside. A web host provides server space to store your website’s files, images and code. These servers connect to the internet, allowing people to access your website by entering your domain name into a browser.
Web hosting providers manage and maintain the servers, ensuring your website stays online, loads quickly and remains secure.
While it’s possible to host your website on your own, it requires extensive technical knowledge and continuous maintenance.
You pay a nominal fee for secure, fast and reliable hosting by choosing a web hosting provider.
Popular types of web hosting
- Shared hosting
- WordPress hosting
- Managed WordPress hosting
- VPS hosting
- Dedicated hosting
Web hosting isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Like going house shopping, every website will have different needs based on the need for scalability, size and speed. You can make an informed decision based on the different types of hosting that best fit your needs.
Whether you need a website with high scalability or maximum speed, here are the key types of web hosting:
Shared hosting
Shared hosting is the most common and affordable type of web hosting, where multiple websites share the same server resources. This hosting option is ideal for small businesses, blogs and personal websites with low to moderate traffic.
The cost of shared hosting is typically lower because of the shared resources, making it an attractive option to those who don’t need the extra perks of dedicated hosting.
With shared hosting, resources like storage space, bandwidth and processing power are allocated among all websites on the server.
While this may result in slower load times and occasional performance issues during peak times, it’s an excellent solution for those just starting. However, shared hosting may not be suitable for websites with high traffic, resource-intensive applications or businesses looking to scale traffic.
WordPress hosting
WordPress hosting is specifically designed for websites built on the WordPress platform, supporting small businesses, bloggers and large enterprises alike. WordPress-specific hosting services optimize their servers for the best performance, security and compatibility.
This hosting option is ideal for those who want a hassle-free, streamlined hosting environment tailored to WordPress. WordPress hosting simplifies website management with features like automatic updates, one-click installations and pre-installed themes and plugins.
Managed WordPress hosting
Managed WordPress hosting takes WordPress hosting to another level. This plan offers a hands-off experience where the hosting provider handles the technical aspects of running a website.
For example, your provider will automatically update your website, back up data and optimize performance.
Managed WordPress hosting is ideal for those who want to focus solely on growing their business without worrying about the backend. You can expect faster load times, enhanced WordPress security features and WordPress support.
Dedicated hosting
Dedicated hosting provides you with an entire server for your website, ensuring the highest level of control, customization and performance. This hosting option is most suitable for large businesses with high traffic and resource-intensive applications.
You can optimize your website for speed, ensuring a better user experience and a better chance of high search rankings.
Although dedicated hosting comes at a higher cost, the enhanced performance, security and optimization make it the premier choice for websites with substantial traffic and specific needs.
VPS hosting
Virtual private server (VPS) hosting is a step up from shared hosting, offering more power and flexibility.
With VPS hosting, a single server is divided into multiple virtual compartments, each with its own allocated resources. This hosting option suits growing businesses, e-commerce websites or websites requiring more backend control and customization options.
VPS hosting gives you greater flexibility with server resources, empowering you to improve performance and security. Plus, you can install custom software or applications if you’d like.
Difference between web hosting and domain hosting
Domain and web hosting might seem the same at first glance, but they serve distinct purposes. Domain hosting refers to managing the domain name, while web hosting provides the server space for your website files.
Domain hosting, also known as domain registration, is the process of acquiring and managing a unique domain name for your website. This domain name serves as your website’s address on the internet and allows people to access your website.
Domain hosting providers like Bluehost help you register, renew and protect your personal information about your domain name.
Conversely, web hosting provides server space, bandwidth, and the technical infrastructure needed to store and serve your website’s files to users. This process ensures your website loads quickly, stays secure and remains online.
Tips for finding the right web hosting company
While many web hosting options exist, it’s important to consider what means the most to you and your website. We’ve compiled a list of factors to consider when choosing a hosting solution and how they apply to the type of website you want hosted.
Uptime
Uptime is how long a host’s servers stay running without outages. A higher uptime means your website will be accessible more often.
And according to StatusCake, only 11% of visitors would return to a website if they couldn’t access it the first time they visited it.
Look for a hosting company that guarantees a high uptime, especially if you run an e-commerce website or a high-traffic blog.
cPanel access
cPanel is a user-friendly control panel that simplifies website management. It allows you to easily manage your domains, email accounts and databases.
Opt for a web host that offers cPanel access, especially if you’re not tech-savvy or have limited experience managing websites.
Technical hosting specs
Depending on your website’s needs, you’ll need customized technical specifications like storage space, bandwidth and the number of email accounts.
Before choosing a host, ensure that it has ample resources for smooth operation with room for growth.
Reviews and reputation
Researching a hosting provider’s reputation can provide valuable insights into their reliability, customer support and overall service quality.
Check out third-party online reviews, ask for recommendations and visit forums to gather information about the company’s credibility and track record.
WordPress-recommended
If you plan to use WordPress as your content management system (CMS), it’s a good idea to choose a hosting provider that WordPress officially recommends.
With WordPress accounting for over 43% of all websites, it’s crucial to choose a provider experienced with WordPress websites.
These web hosts have tested and optimized environments for the specifications of WordPress websites, ensuring the best possible results for speed, security and reliability.
Security
Your web host needs to be secure to protect your website and users from cyber threats.
Look for a host with features like SSL certificates, automatic backups and malware scanning to keep your website safe.
Plus, secure websites are a top priority for ranking high on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Customer support
For small businesses looking for a website with little to no hassle, customer support is invaluable. Excellent customer service makes the journey much easier when you encounter technical issues or need assistance with our website.
Choose a host that provides 24/7 support through phone, chat and email, along with a knowledge base. That way, you can ensure you get the help you need when you need it.
Common questions regarding web hosting
1. What is the most popular type of web hosting service?
Shared hosting is the most popular type because of its affordability and ease of use.
2. What is an example of web hosting?
Bluehost is an example of web hosting, offering the server space to store your website content. When someone searches for your domain, their server will communicate with ours to transfer data and display your website.
3. Is hosting required to have a website?
Yes, hosting is required for a website because it provides the server space you need to store and display your website content to visitors.
4. Can I host my own website?
You can host your own website, but it requires technical expertise, resources and ongoing maintenance.
5. What hosting is best for a business website?
For a business website, we recommend VPS or dedicated hosting because they offer the best performance, scalability and reliability.
6. What hosting is best for a blog?
Shared or WordPress hosting is ideal for a blog, striking the perfect balance between cost and performance.
Final thoughts: Web hosting explained — how it works & how to find a provider
Navigating the world of web hosting can be overwhelming, but with the right knowledge, you can make informed decisions.
We’ve discussed the various types of hosting, how web hosting works and essential factors to consider when choosing a provider. Armed with this information, you can confidently select the hosting solution that best fits your needs and budget.
With a service provider like Bluehost, you get the best of both worlds — affordable, quality hosting that’s reliable, secure and fast.
Check out our hosting plans today and get access to 24/7 customer support for WordPress, WooCommerce and more.
