Looking for a web host but have no idea whether to choose a VPS, dedicated server, cloud host or some other fancy-sounding product?
Take a moment and consider that choosing the wrong type of web hosting can cost you extra money for no reason, put your site at risk of crashing, and could lead to slow load times (which results in lost sales). But with the amount of options out there, choosing the right one is difficult.
To help you make a decision, here’s a guide on the 7 best types of web hosting services:
#1: Shared Hosting
If your website is new and doesn’t get a lot of visitors, shared hosting could be the option for you.
- The main benefit of using a shared host is that it’s cheaper. Instead of having a single server dedicated to your website (dedicated hosting), multiple websites share the resources of a single server and split into their independent sections.
- Because there could be dozens or even hundreds of people sharing this server, the cost is a lot less compared to other options.
- Within the category of shared hosting, there are also different tiers of capabilities. The lower tier options will have minimal storage, a limit to the number of websites, and slower speeds. Once you reach higher tiers, you might want to consider other options instead.
If your website is resource-intensive then this option might be unsuitable for you. Examples of resource-heavy sites include web applications and databases.
#2: Dedicated Hosting
This is the most expensive type of web hosting as you have a complete server dedicated to your website. Along with the server costs, you also have to hire someone to manage the server or use a dedicated server management service. This ensures that the server remains secure, restorations made when necessary, and up-time operates at maximum.
Since you’re not sharing the server with anyone, you have 100% control over every aspect of the server and can choose how it’s configured.
If you run a big business that requires control over technical details or your site receives hundreds of thousands of monthly visitors, then a dedicated hosting server might be the way to go.
#3: Cloud Hosting
Instead of using a single server to power your site, cloud hosting combines the computational power of an assortment of servers to access lots of resources.
- This means that you can constantly adjust resources without the need to change your physical server. For example, instead of purchasing a big server up-front, you only pay for what you use with cloud hosting.
- An additional benefit to cloud hosts is their increased up-time. Since you’re not reliant on a single server, errors that put your site down are less likely to occur.
If your website is growing quickly and requires flexibility, cloud hosting can be the option for you.
#4: Virtual Private Servers (VPS)
A virtual private server is a hybrid between shared hosting and dedicated types of web hosting.
- Virtual private servers are shared with a fewer number of people. Instead of directly sharing the server’s resources (shared hosting), a VPS splits the original server into virtual servers. This way, it’s almost as if you’re using a dedicated host, but without the expensive price.
- A VPS also allows for customized configurations similar to a dedicated server.
If you’re finding that a shared hosting provider is lacking, then a virtual private server is the next step to consider.
#5: Reseller Hosting
Do your customers require web hosting services? If they do, reselling hosting is an effective way to generate additional monthly recurring revenue.
For example, marketing agencies and web developers have clients that require hosting for their websites. By offering an all-in-one service (instead of them needing to find a host for themselves), you provide a better experience for them and increase your profits at the same time.
But this is a difficult option to capitalize on unless you already have a group of clients (or have access to new ones), and a team that can oversee customer support. If anything goes wrong, you need to fix it.
#6: Self-Hosting
Want 100% control over your website’s server? If you have the expertise, self-service web hosting can be a powerful option.
- You get to decide storage location of the server, power and cooling systems, the hardware components, and any procedures necessary for backups or maintenance.
- But because you’re not using any existing infrastructure, the up-front investment to get a personal server running can get pricey.
Using this type of web hosting isn’t recommended unless you’re an expert web host and you require a server that other options such as a VPS or cloud host don’t provide. Only bigger enterprises that have the resources to hire technical staff to manage a server should consider this option.
#7: Colocation Web Hosting
Similar to self-hosting, colocation types of web hosting allows you to use your own server. Instead of storing your server in your premise, it’s located in a rented space within a colocation center.
This means power, bandwidth, cooling, and security are all handled for you. As a result, this provides the benefits of self-hosting, without the expensive setup cost.
Colocation hosting is a great option if you require a personal server but don’t want the hassle or the costs involved with hosting a server.
Want Up to 75% Off Your Web Hosting Service?
At Hosting Outlook, we gather the web hosting discount codes to give our readers the best deals possible.
These hosting providers offer everything from shared hosting, to VPS hosting, and even dedicated servers.
Enjoy!