What is web hosting and how to choose the best one?

Having an online presence is essential for anyone or any company that wants to connect with their audience nowadays. And for a website to be available online, reliable web hosting is needed.

However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to know where to start, right?

That's why I'm going to explain what web hosting is, how it works, the different types of web hosting available, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, and I'll wrap up with useful tips to help you choose the best web hosting for your site.

Let's get started!

What is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is a service that allows users to store and publish their website on the internet.

In other words, it's the physical space where all the files of a website are stored, such as images, videos, text, and HTML code.

When a user visits a page, their computer's browser requests these files from the web server where they are hosted and displays them on the user's screen.

Web hosting provides this storage space so that users can publish their site and allow others to view it online.

Types of Web Hosting

There are several types of web hosting available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Here, I'll explain some of the most common ones for you to be aware of when making your final decision.

1. Shared Hosting

Shared web hosting is more common and economical. In this type, several websites share the resources of a server.

This makes it more affordable, but there can be limitations in terms of resources and customization.

Additionally, it can affect performance if the websites sharing the server have high traffic volumes.

Here are the pros and cons of shared hosting:

Advantages

• Economical
• Easy to set up and manage
• Technical support available

Disadvantage

• Resource limitations
• Site performance can be affected by other websites sharing the server
• Less customization capability

2. Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting

VPS hosting is another type of shared hosting that is divided into private virtual sections. Each section has its own amount of resources and operating system.

This offers more customization and control for the user than shared hosting. However, it can be more costly and requires more technical knowledge.

Here are the pros and cons of VPS hosting:

Advantages

• Greater customization and control
• Dedicated resources
• More stable performance than shared hosting

Disadvantage

• More expensive than shared hosting
• Requires technical knowledge for setup and management
• Performance may suffer if resource limits are exceeded

3. Dedicated Hosting

This type of web hosting gives the user exclusive access to the entire server.

This means you have more control and customization capability, as well as more resources available for your site. The downside is that it's the most expensive and requires certain advanced technical skills.

Here are the pros and cons of dedicated hosting:

Advantages

• Full server control
• Dedicated resources
• Optimal website performance

Disadvantage

• Most expensive hosting type
• Requires advanced technical knowledge for setup and management
• Requires ongoing maintenance for optimal performance

4. Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting offers storage across different interconnected servers in the cloud.

This is beneficial because even if one of them fails, as long as the others are working, the loss of resources is compensated and there's no issue.

Here are the pros and cons of cloud hosting:

Advantages

• Adapts to business needs in real time
• High availability
• Greater security
• More efficient than dedicated hosting

Disadvantage

• Advanced knowledge needed to manage it properly
• Price can be high

How to Choose the Best Web Hosting?

Before signing up for web hosting, it's important to consider some key factors to ensure you choose the right provider for your needs.

Here are some of the most important elements to consider when making this decision:

1. Type of Website

Think about the type of website you want to host. Is it a personal or a business website? Do you need a lot of storage space for high-resolution videos and images? Will it be a high-traffic website, such as a blog? Depending on your needs, you may require a specific type of hosting.

For example, a blog requires different features than an online store.

You should consider:

• Project Scope: Determine the purpose of your site to ensure you always have the necessary space and performance.
• Traffic: Calculate potential traffic to choose a provider that offers sufficient resources in this aspect.
• Platform: Consider how you want to build your site; it can be a self-hosted or hosted plan.

2. Storage Capacity and Bandwidth

Storage space and bandwidth are key factors when choosing a web hosting provider.

You need enough storage space to host your website and sufficient bandwidth to handle incoming and outgoing traffic.

3. Compare Options

It's important to compare different hosting options and, above all, verify their legitimacy to avoid being scammed and opt for a reliable and functional choice.

Ways to determine if a provider is reliable include:

• Checking Reviews: Look for testimonials on verified platforms to ensure they offer quality service.
• Guarantees: Try to choose a provider that offers a money-back guarantee or free trials to use their services without risk.

4. Features and Technology

Once you have the top options preselected, compare their features and the technology they provide.

Each provider has certain elements that help websites enhance their performance based on their goals.

Consider the following:

• Data Center: Choose an option with multiple server locations worldwide, and make sure there's a data center near you to ensure low latency.
• Migration Option: This is essential for you to be able to migrate your website smoothly and free of charge if necessary.
• Domain Name: A key element of any website is the domain name, so check if your web hosting provider offers domain name registration to make it easier to create your website.

5. Technical Support

Choose a web hosting provider with a reliable and accessible technical support team in case you need assistance with your website.

Check that they offer technical support via phone, email, or live chat. And if possible, read customer reviews about their experience.

6. Security

Security is a critical factor in making this decision. It's very important to ensure that the provider offers essential security measures for your site and your customers.

Some factors to consider are:

• Access Management: A good provider should have a robust system that limits administrator and user privileges.
• SSL Certificates: This security protocol encrypts the connection between a web server and a browser, preventing third parties from accessing transferred information.
• Firewalls: They should provide multiple layers of firewalls to detect malware and safeguard sensitive data.
• Backups and Updates: The hosting company should perform regular backups and keep the software up to date to avoid data loss and security risks.

7. Pricing and Plans

Last but not least, consider the cost of different web hosting plans and choose one that fits your budget and needs.

Preferably, opt for providers that offer scalable and flexible plans in case you need to upgrade your plan in the future.

What to Consider When Choosing a Web Hosting Provider

Now let's see what to consider when choosing a hosting provider and why it's important to do so.

1. CMS vs. Website Builder

Some of the best providers offer features that seamlessly integrate with other platforms, such as content management systems (CMS) and website builders.

A CMS can help you build your site from scratch, but it comes with a more or less steep learning curve. Therefore, you'll need some advanced technical knowledge, at least in the case of WordPress.

On the other hand, there's HubSpot, which, when combined with themes like Ocean, makes this task much simpler and natural. You don't need to know programming or codes, and you can modify and customize your website according to your goals!

The other option is website builders, which help users not worry about managing the technical aspects of hosting. Some companies offer an integrated website builder to make the creation process easier.

The advantage is that within these options, there are themes that allow you to create a website more easily.

2. Speed and Optimization

Having web hosting that provides good loading speed and optimization features is key to improving your site's performance.

It's best to choose one with a fast web server; some use cache engines that speed up websites by compressing cache files rather than creating a new request each time.

Also, verify the server location; the closer you are to it, the shorter the loading time will be.

Even some web hosting providers offer features to enhance your site's speed; inquire about this before making any decisions.

3. Ease of Use

Another tip is to consider installation and ease of use.

Some control panels offer a much simpler interface than others, allowing you to configure domain names, install software, and manage files.

Additionally, a good provider should provide a library of information or a database to help you get started in creating your website.

Make sure your chosen option offers user tutorials so you won't have any issues when starting this journey.

Conclusion

Choosing a good web hosting service can be complicated, but it's key to achieving great results with your website.

Now that you know what aspects to consider, from understanding your site's needs to finding the right plan for your business, I'm sure you'll make the best decision.

If you're still unsure about which CMS or website builder might be a great option, we recommend reading: HubSpot vs. WordPress.