Types of Web Hosting: How to Choose the Right Option

Jonesen TeamIndustry Insights

Selecting the right web host can be vital to the success of your business. But, with so many different types of web hosting available, it can be hard to decide which service is right for you.

If you’re getting ready to switch hosts and aren’t sure where to begin, we can help.

Here’s everything you need to know about the different kinds of packages and features you’ll need to consider before making a decision.

Features to Consider

While it can be tempting to select the most advanced web hosting package, there’s a chance you could end up paying a lot for features you won’t end up using.

Here are a few of the features you need to think about before deciding what type of hosting package you should select.

Cost

While cost shouldn’t be your only deciding factor, it should play a role when making significant decisions for your company.

Before choosing a web host, you should take the time to shop around and compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

Bandwidth

If you run a website that usually gets a lot of traffic, you’re going to want to make sure you don’t skimp on bandwidth when picking a new web host.

Bandwidth is the amount of information that can travel to and from your host server. And not having enough of it can slow down or even crash your website.

Software and Plugin Management

Your website is a reflection of you. Which means you want to make sure it looks and functions at its best at all times.

When selecting a new web host, check to see whether they offer packages that include software and plugin management. When it comes time to update and upgrade your site, you’ll be glad you did.

Customer Support

Finally, when your site goes down, your business goes down. So you want to make sure your website has as little downtime as possible.

One of the best ways to cut back on downtime is by selecting a web host that offers reliable customer support.

Being able to contact customer support the moment the need arises can make all the difference in getting your site back up and running.

Types of Web Hosting

Now that you know what features to look out for, it’s time to decide what type of service to choose.

Here are four of the most common types of web hosting available for you to consider.

Cloud-Based

Because it works via a network, cloud hosting removes the need to worry about building up a local server to accommodate a growing site.

With cloud hosting, you can pay as you grow, and don’t have to worry as much about all your vital information staying in a single location.

Dedicated Server

Having a dedicated server gives you the most control over your website. With a private server, you can control everything, right down to the operating system.

While a dedicated server can come with a hefty price tag, it’s the best option for those looking to beef up their security.

Virtual Private Server

A Virtual Private Server, or VPS, comes with a lot of the same perks as a dedicated server, but without the price tag.

While a VPS includes sharing a server between a few different accounts, the activity of each one does not affect the others.

One of the most significant drawbacks of using a VPS is its inability to handle a sudden surge of traffic.

Shared Hosting

As the cheapest option, shared hosting involves several different accounts using the same server.

Shared hosting can be the best option for smaller sites. But, if one of the accounts sees a sudden influx of traffic, that can affect the websites sharing the server.

Choosing a Hosting Package

Now that you have an idea of the types of web hosting available, it’s time to get to work setting up your business with a new server.

If you’re in need of a new web host, we can help. We offer several different web hosting packages, so you’re sure to find one to suit your needs.