Kym Van Arsdale

Chart The Waters

Explore insights on SEO, AI, and digital marketing strategies designed to help your business grow, stay visible, and adapt in a constantly evolving online landscape.

What Does Hosting Mean? Choosing the Right Hosting Package

Kym Van Arsdale

June 25, 2021

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.

Web Terms: What Your Developer Wants You to Know

Kym Van Arsdale

June 18, 2021

Web terms can sometimes feel like speaking a different language, especially if you’re new to the world of websites. What do they actually mean? How do you ask for what you need? What is going on?

We asked our developer to dive into everything you need to know to effectively communicate with your website team. Here’s a handy guide to explain the important lingo that will get you started.

Need a new website? Schedule a free consultation today.

Essential Web Terms Explained

If you read no further, make sure you learn these terms. This will help you with the basics of setting up and running a website, so you can be sure your developer has access to all the necessary information.

Front End

The front end of a website is anything a user sees or interacts with on a site. This includes the website’s content, design, and code that is run by the browser.

Back End

The back end of a website involves anything behind the scenes. This includes the server, the database, and code that is run on the server.

Domain

The domain is your website’s URL, beaconmm.com for example. To use a domain, you have to register for it at a domain registrar like GoDaddy, NameCheap, Network Solutions, etc. You must pay a fee to keep the domain active. If you let your domain registration lapse, your website and any email addresses you have associated with that domain will go down. Keeping your domain payment information active is very important!

There are multiple Domain Name System (DNS) records associated with a domain including what website is loaded when the domain is used in a browser and what email server can use the domain to receive and send emails. Your developer will need to access your registration to update these records correctly.

URL

A URL is the address of a webpage. The acronym stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It includes the domain name and specific page names. An example is https://www.beaconmm.com/about/ which will load the About Us page of this website. If a page name is not given, a website will load the home page.

Host

Every website needs to live on a web server. A web server is simply a big computer that is always on, which ensures your website can be available at all times. It stores the software and files that run your website. Your website host is the company that runs and maintains the web server. Website hosts vary widely in services and quality. They tend to charge a monthly fee for the use of their servers. Many marketing companies will resell hosting services along with maintenance and monitoring services to keep your website updated and running well.

CMS

A Content Management System (CMS) is a piece of software that loads websites dynamically. It allows users to manage and edit websites with a user-friendly interface that does not require code. There are many different types of CMS, but one of the most popular is WordPress, which powers about 40% of all websites on the Internet. Due to its popularity, WordPress is an excellent choice as it is well vetted, regularly updated, and there are many developers familiar with it.

Login Credentials

Most websites (including WordPress!) have an administrative area that users can log into to make website edits. You can usually go to a page on your website that will ask for an email address or username and password to access this area. If you work with a marketing company, this is something you’ll need to have ready to give them right at the start.

Need help with your website? Learn more about our website development process.

Common Web Terms That Will Also Be Helpful

Here are a few terms you’ll often hear from your website developer as you navigate the process of building a website.

Header

The header of your website is the very top portion. It often includes your logo – linked to the home page – and the main navigation of your website.

Navigation or Nav Bar

The navigation bar of your website is up at the top and includes links to most important pages of your website. It’s a good idea to use common names for pages such as About, Services, Resources, and Contact so users can easily navigate through your website and confidently know how to find information.

Footer

The footer is the very bottom section of the website. It usually includes basic contact information, another navigation menu, the copyright of your website, a link to your website’s privacy policy, and a credit to the creator of your site.

Sidebar

A sidebar is a repeated piece of content to the left or right of the main content of the website. Traditional sidebars often included the main menu of a website, but modern websites don’t commonly use sidebars everywhere, as full width web pages have become more popular. Sidebars are most often used now for blogs and can include search functionality, a list of blog categories, advertisements, or other widgets.

Widgets

Widgets are small blocks of code on web pages. This is kind of a catch-all term but can include such functionality as an email signup form, a feed from Facebook, a search form, a reservation calendar, or a chatbot. Widgets are most often inserted in the footer or sidebar of a web page and repeated throughout the website.

Slider/Hero

Most website pages – especially the home page – has a slider or “hero” section right underneath the header. This includes a large photograph, some important introductory text, and a call to action that helps people find what they need straight away. If the page has a slider, it simply means that several images will be displayed in a slideshow.

Landing Page

A landing page is a standalone web page with a very specific purpose. Typically, it’s where an online ad or email newsletter will link, so a user can make a purchase or sign up for a service. Landing pages often do not include a navigation bar or links to other web pages, as those can distract a user from the goal of the page.

CTA

A call to action (CTA) is text that prompts users to take specific action. Most often, the text is linked to an online form for the user to submit. The text can also link to a product for the user to purchase or phone number for them to call.

Conversion

In marketing terms, a conversion is when a user completes a CTA. When creating a website, you’ll want to ask yourself what you want that site to accomplish. Do you want to sell a user something right then? Do you want to gather an email address for a future sales funnel? Do you want the user to book a reservation or make an appointment? If you succeed, that’s a conversion. It means your marketing plan is working, because this is what’s going to help grow your business.

Favicon

Have you ever noticed that tiny icon on tabs in your browser? That’s a favicon or a shortcut icon. If your user has multiple tabs and windows open – and who doesn’t? – a custom favicon can help them find your website again if they’ve clicked over to something else. A lot of sites don’t have custom icons but yours should!

Responsive Design

A website that has been created with responsive design adapts to different sized screens. This has become incredibly important as more and more devices now load websites. You may have a user load your website on a big screen television, a desktop computer, an iPad in portrait or landscape mode, a Kindle Fire, or any number of different kinds of mobile phones. Your website needs to perform well and provide the same information to all of these devices. Furthermore, Google has indexing mobile devices first, which means it primarily uses the mobile version of your site for ranking. Poor mobile views can actually hurt your search engine performance!

Want a website that actually improves your business? Learn how our web development service can help.

Technical Web Terms (For The Nerds Among Us)

The following terms are more technical in nature, but it can help to be familiar with them to make sure your developer is covering all the bases.

Bugs

Bugs are any issues where a website is not doing what it is supposed to do: something might look wrong, a link might not go to the right spot, an error message may come up. The most common bugs on website include browser compatibility problems, responsive design issues, and broken links. There is a lot that goes into creating a website and bugs are quite common. If you encounter errors on your website, don’t hesitate to let your developer know so they can be fixed as soon as possible. Taking screenshots and specifically detailing the issue is an important part of reporting bugs.

Browser Compatibility

Did you know that the same website can vary on different browsers? That’s because browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Opera all render code differently! Your website developer should be performing cross browser testing to be sure your website works well across multiple platforms. If you encounter a bug, your developer may ask you what browser and version you are using. It is possible that he or she isn’t seeing that bug at all on their computer! The website https://www.whatsmybrowser.org/ is a helpful tool to let your developer know where you are seeing the problem.

Cache

Modern websites are big with large images and a lot of functionality. To maintain high download speeds, developers utilize both browser and server caching. Caching is when parts of a website – code, images, videos, etc – are saved to be viewed again. If you’ve visited a website many times, it is likely that your browser has saved several key parts of that website on your computer. If your developer makes a major change to your website and you have not cleared your browser cache, you might not be able to see that change or the website may render oddly with new and old parts. When viewing changes on your site, make sure to clear out your browser cache (Ctrl + F5 or Command + R on a Mac should do it) or you can use a browser’s incognito mode to make sure you are seeing the latest version of the site.

Alt Text

Alt text is a description of the images on your website. Every image should have an alt text attribute, describing the image. There are two reasons to use alt tags. First, alt tags help with the accessibility of your site. If someone is vision impaired, they rely on alt tags to let them know what the images are on your website. Second, alt tags can also help Google and other search engines as they cannot “see” images. The use of good alt tag descriptions with keywords can improve your search engine optimization.

Title & Meta Description Tags

When you Google a search term and are reading results, you’ll notice that there are titles and descriptions of each website. Google can pull this information from your website, but your results will be much better if your website specifically tells Google what the titles and descriptions should be. Every page of your website should have a specific, unique title and meta description of the proper length.

Plugins

If you are using a CMS, there is probably an option to add plugins to your website. Plugins are small pieces of code that add functionality. There are thousands of plugins in the WordPress repository, but not all of them are high quality. A poor plugin can cause security vulnerabilities and severe performance issues on your website. It’s important to not just pick a plugin randomly. Always make sure your developer is properly vetting any plugins in use on your website, making sure they are updated and maintained by reputable organizations.

Redirects

When removing a page from your website, it’s a good idea to create a redirect on the server so the page’s URL won’t result in a 404 Not Found Error. These errors are annoying for users and can be damaging to search engine results. This is especially important when creating a new website. Make sure your developer is either using the same URLs your old website used or creating redirects to the new URLs, so your search engine results don’t drop dramatically when the new website is launched.

Tracking Codes, Tags, & Pixels

Google, Facebook, Hubspot – there are all sorts of tools to track your website’s performance and user behavior. In order for all these tools to work, they need their code installed on your website. This code includes HTML and small pieces of JavaScript code, usually put in the header or footer of the website. While these tools are important and helpful, they can sometimes hurt the performance of your website or cause errors when combined with other pieces of code. Always make sure your developer is checking your website for scripting errors, installing these tools in the correct way, and being careful with the number and combination of codes used.

XML Sitemaps

You’ve heard of HTML but what is XML? XML is a markup language similar to HTML but specifically designed to store and transport data. It can be helpful to search engines if your website includes an XML Sitemap – basically a listing of all the pages and posts on your site encoded in XML so it can easily be read by search engines. This tells search engines what information is available on your website and helps them to crawl through the site faster and more efficiently.

If there are significant changes to your website’s structure and content, you can even submit a sitemap to Google or another search engine to let them know things have change. This helps significantly with search engine optimization. There are many SEO plugins that will create XML Sitemaps of your website.

Need a developer that knows all the technical items? Check out our website development services!

Do You Need a New Website?

Website design and development is one of our specialities! We have experts on staff familiar with all of these terms and more who have been working in the industry for years.

Our website dream team can help your business. Schedule a free consultation.