If you are new to this, you must have a long list of questions about web hosting, how it works, and its different types. With hundreds of web companies competing for your business, the choice can be overwhelming. There is no need to rush in choosing the best type of web hosting for your website.

If you have done this before, but currently unhappy with your current web hosting situation, then you must be eager to find another type. Regardless of your situation, rushing is not an option. Take your time to learn, understand, and get to know about the different types of web hosting options.

What Is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is a service that allows businesses or independent individuals to post a website or a web page on the internet. Web hosting service providers help provide the needed technologies and server space for your website to be accessed on the internet. With that, users can easily search, view, and browse your website online.

Different Types of Web Hosting

In the world of web hosting, various offers, and options of getting your site on the web can be overwhelming. Each of them caters to varying needs. While they all act as a storage space for your website, they differ in the storage capacity, control, server speed, and reliability. 

Finding the right one that best fits your business’ website requires you to fully understand the different types of web hosting.

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is the best type for beginners and first-time starters. As its name suggests, websites using this type of web hosting will be sharing resources with other more websites. This type is much cheaper compared to other types of web hosting. Thus, it is recommendable for beginners or smaller websites with tight budgets.

Advantages of Using Shared Hosting

• Affordability – Shared hosting is much cheaper and affordable than other types of web hosting. Bloggers and small business owners who have simple websites are the best candidates for shared hosting.

• Manageable –This type of web hosting will not require you to have any technical knowledge or experience to operate it. The hosting company will do all your technical needs and fulfill the role of an IT manager if you have none.

Disadvantages of Using Shared Hosting

• Limited Resources – Since your website and domain will be hosted on the same server with other more websites, there will be lesser resources for you to use.

• Security Vulnerability – Other sites on your server could expose you to malicious scripts and impose security vulnerabilities. The risk for your website may increase if you have close proximity to other sites.

Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting

This type of hosting plan is a little upgrade from shared hosting. It is ideal for website owners who need more control for their website. This hosting type is one of its kind because each website has its own space on the server.

Advantages of Using VPS Hosting

• Relatively Cheap – VPS hosting is relatively cheap when compared with dedicated servers of the same class. Although it is slightly more expensive to other regular web hosting plans offered, it comes with more options and features to use.

• Complete Root Access – With this, you can perform operations just like those of stand-alone dedicated servers. You may install additional modules or software, and work directly with the server’s operating system.

• Security – With a VPS server, the main server is secured against any malicious attack or security threats. You can rest assured that this type of hosting plan is free from any common security vulnerabilities.

Disadvantages of Using VPS Hosting

• Limitations – With this type of web hosting, there will still be some limitations. If one of the servers is consuming way too much of the central processing unit, this will slow down the entire server. This may affect your VPS container even if you are not connected with other servers.

• Technical Knowledge – Using VPS hosting requires you to have some technical knowledge at least for you to effectively maintain and manage it.

Dedicated Server Hosting

Dedicated server hosting is a top of the line type of web hosting. It means that you will have a dedicated server that belongs to you and to you alone. Although this is the most expensive type of web hosting, it lives up to its price. This is typically used by website owners with high levels of traffic, and those who are in need of full control of their servers.

Advantages of Dedicated Server Hosting

• More Reliable Performance – As your site’s performance will rely on your server’s performance, using this hosting type will benefit you with more reliable performance. This is because you won’t be needing to share the resources of the server with other more sites.

• Full Control – Since you are paying for the whole server, you will get total control over it. With that, you can install any software you want, customize it as per your requirement, and obtain any features you desire.

• Better Customer Support – With dedicated server hosting, you will have an edge in providing twenty-four-seven support for your customers and clients.

Disadvantages of Using Dedicated Server Hosting

• Expensive – Since the entire server will be under your control, you need to pay for it. This type of hosting plan is the most expensive among the others. Thus, it is not a wise choice for small businesses or start-ups.

• Technical Knowledge – Handling and managing a dedicated server requires you to have profound technical knowledge. Although you may hire someone who can do technical work for you, this entails additional costs for you.

Cloud Hosting

This is a newer type of web hosting. It is often known by many as a hybrid type. This allows users to use as many resources as they need without building and maintaining their own IT infrastructure. The best thing about this hybrid type is its scalability. As your site grows over time, you may acquire resources you need and only pays for it. Thus, it is best recommended for medium or large business sites that are growing rapidly.

Advantages of Using Cloud Hosting

• Scalability – One of the main reasons why most website owners choose cloud hosting is because of its scalability and flexibility

• Lower Costs – Compared to maintaining and managing your own servers, cloud hosting is a much cheaper choice. Although it is not always true when compared with other web hosting options.

• Data Backups and Recovery – Another good thing about using cloud hosting is its strong backup and recovery feature. It guarantees high data storage viability and low possibilities of losing your data.

Disadvantages of Using Cloud Hosting

• Accessibility – Using cloud hosting means that your web infrastructure is in the cloud. To access your data, you need to depend on internet access. Although it is not always hard, there are still instances wherein accessing your data can be difficult. It is because accessibility relies on your internet service provider.

• Unfixed Price – Pricing is not always fixed with cloud hosting. Depending on your needs and feature requirements, price can be lower or higher than others. 

• Reseller Hosting – This type of hosting plan is definitely not for everyone. Reseller hosting is for agencies, web designers, and web developers who already have clients in this space. If you are one of those people who offer such services, this is the best type of web hosting for you. You can design it and make it easier for your clients to use.

Advantages of Using Reseller Hosting

• Cost – Plans for reseller hosting are fairly cheap and affordable. Moreover, you no longer have to purchase the technology, infrastructure, and equipment needed for web hosting.

• Build Your Brand – With reseller hosting, you can build your own brand and identity. Essentially, clients will not know that you are renting it from another web hosting company.

• Income Opportunities – It is possible to make additional profits from reseller hosting by offering additional features.

Disadvantages of Using Reseller Hosting

• Dependent on the Original Web Hosting Provider – As a reseller, you are dependent on the original web hosting provider. The success of your business will rely on the quality of the original web hosting company. If the original hosting company will undergo troubleshoots and other issues, your business will be affected as well.

• Limited Access to the Server – Reseller hosting only offers limited access thus you will always have to go through your web hosting service provider.

The Best Hosting Type For Your Website

The answer will be different for everyone. The best hosting type for your website will depend on the various factors. It includes the type of website you currently have or planning to have, the needed resources, budget, and more.

To figure out on which category you fall, it is best to go through with the different types of web hosting presented above. Taking a closer look to the pros and cons of using each type will also help you come up with the final answer.