When you create a website for your business, you need somewhere to store its files, data and content, so visitors can access it online. Hosting service providers will rent you a space on their server to store everything that your site needs to run: code, images, video clips and files. When someone types your website address into their browser, their computer will connect to the server, which will deliver them with the right content. Sending your pages, images and videos, straight to their screen.

In simple terms web hosting makes all your website files available online, whenever someone visits. Think of it like renting a home, the domain name being your address and the hosting would be the building itself.

Understanding how web hosting works is crucial for your business, finding the right hosting for your needs will lead to your customers having a smooth experience on your site. Going with the wrong one could lead to slowed load times, potential security issues and even downtime when you can’t afford it. These drive visitors from your site, so having a basic understanding of the types of hosting available to you, allows you to decide on what will work best for what you’re advertising.

Shared Hosting

Shared Hosting is where multiple users all share the same web server. It’s the most cost-effective option with most web hosting providers due to the price being split between the users, which makes it a great choice for those businesses just starting up, especially if this is your first site and you aren’t sure of what you’ll need.

However shared hosting does have its limitations. File storage and bandwidth are capped due to the fact resources are spread across everyone on that server. Not only this, but your site’s performance can also be affected by the amount of traffic it receives. A sudden spike in visitors to your site, or other sites on the same server, could lead to page loading times slowing down for everyone.

Advantages:

• Cheapest Option Available – the lowest cost entry point for getting online
• Ability to Upgrade – you can move to a larger plan as your site grows
• Easy to Manage – minimal technical knowledge required to get started

Disadvantages:

• Not Built for High Traffic – your site may perform worse and load times can increase as visitor numbers go up
• Shared Server Risk – if other sites on the server get overburdened, it can affect your site’s performance too

VPS Hosting

Short for ‘Virtual Private Server’ VPS hosting involves multiple computers acting as a single server, but unlike shared hosting, you will get your own private space on that server. Fewer users share a VPS server in comparison to shared hosting, which means traffic surges on other sites won’t have an effect on your site’s performance. This makes it a more stable and secure option overall. It’s also a cheaper option than renting an entire dedicated server, giving you a solid middle ground if you’ve outgrown shared hosting but not ready to go fully dedicated.

Advantages:

• Isolated Performance – your site won’t be affected by other user’s issues or traffic surges
• Faster and More Private – your files are separated from other users, giving you better speed, reliability and overall privacy
• Scalable – you can buy more storage, bandwidth or resources as your website grows and needs more file space

Disadvantages:

• More Expensive – not as cheap as shared hosting
• Requires Technical Skill – more knowledge is needed to manage the server properly
• Security Risk if Misconfigured – if not set up in the correct way, it may be open to security breaches

Dedicated Hosting

With dedicated hosting, you rent an entire server, and you can customise it to suit your specific needs, whether that’s file space, performance or security. It is the most expensive hosting option, but it offers real value when your site demands the resources. For large businesses with higher traffic, dedicated hosting provides excellent speed and fewer interruptions. However it can be more than what you’re needing when you’re just starting out.

Advantages:

• Full Flexibility – you can change software, server configurations and adjust resources like file storage and bandwidth as needed
• Faster and More Reliable – no competition for server resources
• Secure and Private – the entire server is your and yours alone

Disadvantages:

• Most Expensive – the highest cost of any hosting package

Cloud Hosting

Cloud Hosting works by hosting your site virtually across a network of connected virtual and physical cloud servers, meaning you don’t have to rent a space on a single server. If the server your site is on starts underperforming or malfunctioning, your site can be moved to another server in the network to restore better performance. This set up delivers incredible speed and flexibility and pricing is based on what you actually use. You only pay for what you need, when you need it. The overall expense of running a physical server, 24/7 power, IT maintenance, management, and data centres is eliminated, making cloud hosting a more affordable option in many cases. It’s also ideal if your website has higher traffic at certain times of the year, you can increase your resources temporarily to help your site cope.

Advantages:

• Cost-Effective – no physical server to run and maintain
• Scalable – you only pay for what you use
• Fast and Reliable – excellent speed with built-in failover between servers
• Flexible – can adapt to changing traffic levels as your business grows

Disadvantages:

• Can Lag – there may be occasional delays over the network depending on your internet connection

WordPress Hosting

WordPress hosting is a specialised hosting package designed specifically for WordPress websites. The server is pre-configured and optimised for WordPress, which means faster load times and better performance out of the box compared to standard sharing hosting. Many WordPress hosting plans also include automatic updates, pre-installed themes and dedicated WordPress support. It’s a popular choice for bloggers, small businesses and content-driven sites that want the convenience of a platform built specifically for WordPress without the hassle of manual server setup.

Advantages:

• Optimised for WordPress – pre-configured settings for better speed and performance
• User-Friendly – comes with tools like one-click installs and auto-updates
• Specialist Support – support teams who understand WordPress-specific issues

Disadvantages:

• Limited to WordPress – not suitable if you want to use a different content management system
• Can Cost More – often more expensive than a standard shared hosting plan

Determining your site’s goal will put you on the track to finding the best web hosting package that suits your needs. It’s worth thinking about this now, before spending any money. When deciding your website goals, a useful method is the S.M.A.R.T model: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.

Here are some goals to consider:

Marketing Goals:  

• Generating more leads
• Improving your lead conversion rate
• Increasing awareness on your website

Sales Goals:

• Generating more sales
• Improving sales conversion rate
• Improving your sales support

Customer Service Goals:

• Improving customer satisfaction
• Reducing the time to complete a task

IT/Production Goals:

• Reducing your website management costs
• Optimising workflow automation

• Shared Hosting – Good starting point if you have a smaller site (such as a personal blog), most hosting providers will allow you to upgrade if you find your site has too much traffic with shared hosting.
• VPS Hosting – Suitable for medium sized websites, with ability to buy more space on the server if you need it or it’s required
• Cloud Hosting – Suited best to medium/large businesses that grow rapidly, gives you more flexibility (pay what you need), even if traffic fluctuates
• Dedicated Hosting – Suited best for bigger enterprise style businesses with more significant amounts of traffic

Different providers will have different features on offer to you, but these are the most common ones to look for across hosting providers.

Domain Name – Most will offer a domain name included in their package. It’s ideal to have your hosting and domain names originate from the same business, as it means it’s an overall easier setup since there is no need to change DNS servers and everything can be controlled from one control panel. Domain names are usually relatively cheap to register, averaging around £8 per year.

Disk Storage – This refers to the amount of space you get on the server to store your website’s files, including code, images, videos and databases. The amount you need depends on your site’s content. Some providers offer SSD storage, which is faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives, so it’s worth checking what type of storage is included before you choose a plan.

Bandwidth – Every time someone visits your page, your web server sends the data needed for that visitor to view it. The data transferred is bandwidth. If your site receives more traffic than what your allocated bandwidth can support, the server may struggle to keep up, meaning your users will experience slow loading times. When you’re just starting out, you won’t need a large amount of bandwidth but ensure you have enough allocated for what your site will need. Most hosting providers offer “unmetered” bandwidth, which means you won’t be charged based on the disk space or bandwidth you use. If you do find that you’ve gone over your allocated amount, you will likely receive an email warning you of this and they may even suggest upgrading to another plan.

SSL Certificate – Think of it as security for your website. An SSL certificate encrypts your website’s data, which stops hackers from stealing information like customer emails, card information or home addresses. Having this also shows visitors and potential future customers that your site is secure and one you can trust. On top of that, it helps Google to rank you higher in search results. Most hosting providers will include free SSL certificate in their packages, so it’s worth checking this is something that is included in any of the plans you choose.

Customer Service – Many providers will offer 24/7 support to their customers via email, phone or live chat. It’s essential to find a hosting provider that will deliver prompt responses to any queries you may have. Positive customer support will help you out a lot when you’re a beginner to web hosting.

Hosting software helps you manage your website, files, databases, emails and more. An easy-to-use control panel will allow you to upload your files, manage your site and read your analytics without needing in depth technical knowledge.

Depending on the hosting provider, the software options available may vary. Hosting software comes with a variety of features, some more beneficial than others depending on your needs.

The two main software choices most hosting providers offer are Linux and Windows.

Linux

• If you plan to use file types like PHP, Perl, WordPress or MySQL, these will run more efficiently on a Linux-based server
• It’s an open-source operating system, meaning it’s source code can be used, modified and redistributed both commercially and non-commercially
• Offers more customisation capabilities and user options, including ready-to-use tools and single-click installs of platforms like WordPress
• Also include eCommerce tools and content management systems, making it easy to manage your site and content

Windows

• If you’re planning to use file types such as ASP, .NET, Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server files, a Windows platform is what your hosting provider will have to use
• Linux files will still work on a Windows software, so that option is still open for you
• Windows has additional fees for software that is free on Linux, it can be a more costly way to begin your website journey

A control panel is a crucial part of any hosting provider. It gives you an easy way to manage basic server configurations, email addresses, account passwords and more. This is all done through a graphical interface with automated tools that help you design and maintain your website.

Control panel choices will generally come down to the user’s preference, as most options offer the same core benefits. The main panels that are available are straightforward to use, so managing your site shouldn’t be an issue.

• cPanel & WHM – better suited for Linux servers, it provides you with the right tools to manage your websites, emails and calendars and manage your domain
• Plesk – more suited control panel for Windows servers. Through its interface, it also helps you to set up new sites, manage email accounts, account passwords and more
• Vdeck – control panel that allows site owners to have control over their web presence, providing many similar or the same benefits as cPanel & WHM and Plesk. However, it does not appear to be as popular as cPanel and Plesk

Choosing the right web hosting for your business doesn’t have to be complicated, with HeartInternet we can help make the decision easy for you.

The right hosting setup is one that supports your business now and leaves room for what’s next.