Written by Kym Van Arsdale, updated by Sara Jokela 1/2/25
Hosting refers to a service that allows your website to be stored and maintained. It’s an important decision for every company, so we asked our developer to answer your FAQs about web hosting and domain hosting.
Do you need quality hosting for your website? Check out our website hosting packages.
Understanding Web Hosting
Web hosting is a service that allows individuals and organizations to host their websites on the internet. Essentially, it involves storing your website’s files on a physical server, which is then connected to the internet, making your site accessible to users worldwide. Web hosting providers offer various types of hosting services, each catering to different needs and budgets.
For instance, shared hosting is a popular and cost-effective option where multiple websites share the same server resources. On the other hand, VPS hosting provides a more isolated environment by partitioning a physical server into virtual servers, offering better performance and security.
Managed hosting takes the hassle out of server management by handling all the technical aspects for you, making it ideal for those who prefer a hands-off approach. Cloud hosting leverages multiple servers to ensure high availability and scalability, making it a robust solution for growing websites.
Choosing the right type of hosting depends on your website’s specific needs, such as traffic volume, security requirements, and budget. Understanding these options can help you make an informed decision and ensure your website runs smoothly.
What Exactly Am I Paying For When I Sign Up for Hosting Services?
When you pay a monthly fee for website hosting, you’re paying to use space on a website server where your website’s files and software are stored. Some hosting packages also offer a free domain, which can be a great incentive for new website owners. This space is available online at all times.
It’s important to remember that hosting is different than domain registration. You must always be sure to keep both your hosting services and domain registration active for your website to be live.
Are There Other Web Hosting Services I Need Besides Server Space?
There are a number of items that should be included in your website maintenance plan as part of comprehensive hosting solutions. To keep your website safe, secure and relevant, be sure the following list of items are covered:
- Software Updates: Website software must be updated on a regular basis to take advantage of new features and to patch security vulnerabilities. When you’re running a Content Management System (CMS) such as WordPress, this includes updating WordPress itself, along with themes and plugins installed on the website. Updates are typically very easy to run, but there are occasions when an update may break a website. It’s important to have the expertise to fix these issues.
- Security: No-one wants their site to be hacked! It’s estimated that on average 30,000 new websites are hacked every day. In addition to regular software updates, websites need to be firewall protected, the code should be free of vulnerabilities, and site should be monitored regularly for malware and any other anomalies.
- Back-Ups: There are a number of things that can take down or mess up a website: hacks, malware, unexpected errors in updates, editing mistakes, and more. Make sure you have a good backup system and a simple way to restore back-up files in case the worst happens.
- Performance: Google has found that 53% of mobile website visitors will leave if a web page doesn’t load within three seconds. Your website needs to be fast! Websites also need to be useful and attractive. All those images, videos, animations, and code can add up to a lot of files for users to download. You need a fast server and caching software to deliver the best experience. (Not sure what that means? Check out these helpful web terms.)
- Up-Time Monitoring: Is your site up? How do you know? You can’t check it all the time. That’s why your website should be constantly monitored to catch service outages so you can get it back up and running as soon as possible.
- SSL Certificates: SSL certificates encrypt website data as it is downloaded and uploaded to your website service. If you have a certificate and it’s valid, you’ll see the lock icon next to your website address in the browser. If you don’t, you’ll either have a broken lock or you may get an error that won’t allow your site to load at all. SSL certificates must be installed correctly and renewed on a regular basis. This is something a developer can help you do.
- Software Licensing: Many high quality themes and plugins for website require a licensing fee. If your license is not up to date, you won’t be able to install key updates.
- Updates and Edits: Don’t let your website get out of date! As things change in your business, your website needs to be offering potential customers the most current information. Updating and adding content to your site can also help your search engine rankings, as Google rewards high-quality and up to date web content. Small updates are often simple to make but if you want your website to look its best, it can help to have a pro perform website edits on a regular basis.
Is your website being properly taken care of? We can keep your website happy and healthy!
Key Features to Consider
When selecting a web hosting service, several key features can significantly impact your website’s performance and reliability. Here are some crucial aspects to consider:
- Storage Space: This refers to the amount of space available to store your website files and data. Ensure the hosting plan offers sufficient storage to accommodate your current and future needs.
- Bandwidth: Bandwidth determines the amount of data that can be transferred between your website and its users. Higher bandwidth is essential for websites with heavy traffic to ensure smooth performance.
- Server Type: The type of server used to host your website, such as shared, VPS, or dedicated, can affect your site’s speed, security, and scalability.
- Operating System: The server’s operating system, whether Windows or Linux, can influence the compatibility and functionality of your website.
- Control Panel: A user-friendly control panel, like cPanel or Plesk, simplifies website management tasks, making it easier to handle updates, backups, and other administrative functions.
- Security Features: Look for hosting providers that offer robust security features, such as SSL certificates, firewalls, and regular malware scanning, to protect your website from threats.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support is crucial. Opt for providers that offer 24/7 support, live chat, and a comprehensive knowledge base to assist you whenever needed.
By considering these features, you can select a web hosting service that meets your website’s requirements and ensures a seamless online experience.
How do I Choose the Best Hosting Plan for My Needs?
Choosing the best hosting plan for your needs involves evaluating several factors to ensure your website performs optimally. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the right choice:
- Determine Your Website Type: Different websites have varying hosting needs. For example, a WordPress website may benefit from managed WordPress hosting, which is optimized for WordPress performance and security.
- Assess Your Traffic Needs: Estimate the amount of traffic you expect. High-traffic websites require hosting plans with more bandwidth and storage space to handle the load without slowing down.
- Consider Your Budget: Hosting plans come in a wide range of prices. Determine your budget and find a plan that offers the best value for your money without compromising on essential features.
- Research Hosting Providers: Look into different hosting providers and compare their features, pricing, and customer support. Consider factors like uptime guarantees, server locations, and additional services offered.
- Read Reviews: Customer reviews can provide valuable insights into a hosting provider’s reliability and performance. Look for feedback on uptime, support responsiveness, and overall satisfaction.
By following these steps, you can choose a hosting plan that aligns with your website’s needs and ensures a smooth and reliable online presence.
How do I chose the best hosting plan for my needs?
There are a number of considerations when choosing a web hosting provider and a hosting plan.
Most hosts have packages with different limits for the number of websites you can host, the amount of disk space you can use, and the amount of bandwidth your website can use. Disk space is the total amount of storage your website files will take up on the server. This includes the website code, database, images, and videos.
Bandwidth is the number of bytes required to transfer your site to all visitors. When a user looks at your website in a browser, they actually download the website files and the browser bundles them together into a web page. If your website has a lot of users viewing the content, you may run out of bandwidth quickly.
In addition to these limits, hosting companies offer different types of web hosting. Some common offerings are shared web hosting, dedicated hosting, and VPS hosting.
Shared Web Hosting Services
Shared web hosting is when a website is hosted on the same server as many other websites. Some providers even offer free web hosting as part of their shared hosting plans, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious users. This is a very common and inexpensive solution, but can be risky.
Many website hosts thousands of sites on the same server. If the server load is not balanced well, other websites can effect your website’s performance and security. There is also very limited access provided to shared servers.
Dedicated Web Hosting Services
Dedicated hosting provides the entire server for just your website. For those looking for advanced hosting options, platforms like Google Cloud offer dedicated hosting with high reliability and global data centers. This can be very expensive and is only necessary for extremely large websites with a lot of traffic.
Virtual Private Server Hosting
Virtual Private Servers (VPS) provide clients with a dedicated server to host websites, offering better security and configuration access. The server itself runs many different websites but software is used to divide the server up, which allows the user to have configuration access and better security.
There are also different management software tools, technical support, and caching and backup services provided by hosting companies. Choosing a plan should depend on the size and traffic of your website and your expertise in configuring and managing the server and website.
Don’t know where to start? Let our experts create the best hosting plan for your website.
Web Hosting Costs and Pricing
Web hosting costs can vary widely depending on the type of hosting and the provider. Here’s a general overview of the typical pricing ranges for different hosting options:
- Shared Hosting: $2-10 per month. This is the most affordable option, ideal for small websites and blogs with moderate traffic.
- VPS Hosting: $10-50 per month. VPS hosting offers better performance and security, making it suitable for growing websites with higher traffic.
- Managed Hosting: $20-100 per month. Managed hosting takes care of all the technical aspects, providing a hassle-free experience for website owners.
- Cloud Hosting: $50-200 per month. Cloud hosting offers high scalability and reliability, perfect for websites that experience fluctuating traffic.
- Dedicated Hosting: $100-500 per month. Dedicated hosting provides an entire server for your website, offering maximum performance and security for large, high-traffic sites.
These are general pricing ranges, and actual costs may vary based on the provider and specific plan features. It’s essential to compare different options and choose a plan that fits your budget and meets your website’s needs.
Security and Support
Security and support are critical aspects of web hosting that can significantly impact your website’s performance and reliability. Here are some essential security features to look for:
- SSL Certificates: SSL certificates encrypt data transmitted between your website and its users, ensuring secure communication and protecting sensitive information.
- Firewalls: Firewalls help block unauthorized access to your website, providing an additional layer of security against potential threats.
- Malware Scanning: Regular malware scanning detects and removes malicious software, safeguarding your website from security breaches.
- Regular Backups: Ensure your hosting provider offers regular backups to protect your website data. In case of a security breach or data loss, you can quickly restore your site to its previous state.
In terms of support, reliable customer service is crucial for addressing any issues that may arise. Look for hosting providers that offer:
- 24/7 Support: Round-the-clock support ensures that help is available whenever you need it.
- Live Chat: Instant support through live chat can quickly resolve issues and answer questions.
- Phone Support: An additional channel for support, providing direct communication with support representatives.
- Knowledge Base: A comprehensive knowledge base offers resources for troubleshooting and resolving common issues on your own.
By prioritizing security and support, you can ensure your website remains safe, secure, and well-maintained, providing a positive experience for your users.
Don’t know where to start? Let our experts create the best hosting plan for your website.
