Web Hosting Types: Your 2023 Beginner’s Guide

Introduction

The world of web hosting can be confusing and intimidating. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. In this guide, you’ll learn what hosting is, how it works, and why you need it. We will also explore the different types of hosting and how they differ from each other.

How does it work?

Web hosting is a service that gives individuals and organizations access to the technology and resources needed to serve a website on the internet. Web hosting services can be provided by an individual, a business or an organization.

A web host stores your website files on a server. A server is a powerful computer that is always connected to the internet. The server handles delivering your website’s content to users whenever they request it. This happens when someone types in your website’s URL into their web browser. The web host’s server will then send the requested files back to their computer, allowing them to view your website.

The location of where a web host stores its servers makes a difference when it comes to how fast your site loads for visitors from different parts of the world. For example, if you are using a host with servers located in California and someone from Europe visits your site, they may experience slower loading times compared to someone who uses a host with servers located in Europe because there will be more distance between those two locations than between California and Europe.

Types of Web Hosting

  1. Shared Hosting – Shared hosting is the most affordable and popular type of web hosting. This means that your website will be sharing server space with other websites. This is a cost-effective solution for small businesses and individuals who don’t have high-traffic websites. However, it’s important to note that shared hosting can also have its drawbacks, such as slower website speeds and less control over the server.
  2. Dedicated Hosting – Dedicated web hosting is the most powerful and expensive type of web hosting available, you have exclusive access to an entire physical server that’s all yours giving you complete control over the server this option is best suited for large businesses with high traffic or websites that need a lot of resources. You get full root access so you can install any software you require on your server. You also get your own private IP address, which is essential for security reasons as it allows you to isolate your webserver from other machines on the network.
  3. Virtual Private Servers (VPS) – VPS hosting is an excellent choice for businesses who want to get their hands dirty with their web presence but don’t have the budget or the time to build out their own infrastructure properly. This kind of hosting gives customers access to a full-fledged operating system, so they can install any software they need without needing any technical knowledge or assistance from the provider. The downside is that VPS hosting tends to be more expensive than shared hosting because it requires more resources and overhead costs.