Web Hosting Service
Overview
A web hosting service is a type of Internet hosting service that allows individuals and organizations to make their website accessible via the World Wide Web. Web hosts are companies that provide space on a server owned or leased for use by clients, as well as providing Internet connectivity, typically in a data center.
Types of Web Hosting Services
There are various types of web hosting services available to host your website. It's important to understand what kind of service your website needs, the kind of server you or your business needs, your budget, and what type of services the web host offers.
Shared hosting is a type of web hosting where a single physical server hosts multiple sites. Many users utilize the resources on a single server, which keeps the costs low. Users each get a section of a server in which they can host their website files. Shared servers can hosts hundreds of users.
Dedicated Web Hosting
Dedicated hosting gives you a server all for yourself. You get full control over the server including the choice of operating system, hardware etc. You DO NOT need a dedicated server if you are just starting out. Once your site is receiving a significant amount of traffic, only then you should consider upgrading to a dedicated server.
Colocation Web Hosting
Colocation hosting is similar to dedicated hosting, but you own the server hardware instead of renting it. The hosting company provides physical space for your server and takes care of it in their data center. This means you're responsible for your own server software, data storage, backup procedures, etc.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is a new type of hosting that uses a network of virtual servers that store your files in the cloud rather than on one physical server. This type of hosting is great for growing websites that need flexible resources.
Web Hosting Features
A good web hosting service should include the following features:
Disk Space
All web hosting accounts offer a certain amount of disk space that you can use to store your web files. It is recommended that you have some sort of estimates on what you need for various tasks.
Bandwidth
The amount of bandwidth a web hosting company can provide is very important. This is the amount of data that your site can deliver in a given period of time.
Uptime
Uptime refers to the system itself being online. Uptime does not take into account being able to reach it as in the event of a network outage.
Customer Support
Hosting companies offer technical support to their customers. The level of support can vary from basic (email support) to premium services (phone support).
Choosing a Web Hosting Service
When choosing a web hosting service, consider the following factors:
Cost
While it's important to look for a hosting provider that offers reasonable rates, avoid free hosting programs entirely, as they may be unreliable and their low costs are often subsidized by required on-site advertisements.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews can be an excellent resource in evaluating web hosts. You should read multiple reviews to get a clear picture of the host's reputation.
Customer Support
Choose a host that offers 24/7 customer support to its clients. Also, check if they have a comprehensive FAQ section to help you out should you have any queries.
