LEARNING
REGISTERING AND SETTING UP YOUR DOMAIN
2. Buying server space
2 a. What is web hosting?
Before we start I recommend you watch the following video that explains what web hosting is.
Watch the video again. This time there will be an opportunity to answer some questions whilst watching.
2 b. Choosing a web hosting provider
For small businesses, finding a good web hosting service is critical. In this section we’ll cover what you need to know to find the best web hosting provider for you.
There are 7 types of web hosting. They are:
If you have a relatively small website, shared hosting is one of the first options you should consider.
Shared hosting is a great option for an entry-level website, and your website will be stored on a server with a bunch of other websites. This means that you can divide the cost of hosting across multiple websites, helping you reduce the price.
This is often the easiest method available if you are looking for web hosting services, but the trade-off is that you are sharing the server with other sites. That means if there is a surge for one website, it could impact your website as well, as all of the sites are on the same server.
If you are looking for a middle ground between a shared server and a dedicated server, a virtual private server could be the best option. A VPS plan gives you more control, but it doesn’t require a dedicated server.
Every hosting provider that falls under this category is unique because each website hosted has its own virtual space. Even though you might share the physical server with other users, your virtual space is private. This means that you get access to different customizable options and storage space.
It is still possible that your website could be impacted by traffic rates on other sites on the same server, but it could be a great option if you are looking for specific software and package choices.
Cloud hosting has become one of the most popular options in the industry. This means that there are a lot of computers that work together, each of them running different applications using combined resources. This is a hosting solution that uses a network, turning the computing power into a utility you can rent.
One of the major advantages of this option is that the resources are spread out across multiple servers, reducing the chances of a server malfunction taking your website offline. This is also a scalable solution, meaning that you can change your resource consumption as your needs grow.
If you are in need of total control over your website, then you might want to explore dedicated hosting. This gives you a tremendous amount of control because your website is the only one on the server. You also have root and administrative access, so you also control the security.
At the same time, this also means that you’ll be paying a lot more money. This is one of the most expensive options for web hosting, so you need to make sure it is worth it for your company. If you have a large website that has a lot of traffic, this might be the right choice for your needs.
As you take a look at the different options for hosting, you will probably find a lot of managed options. This means that the company provides a wide variety of other services as well, such as software setup, hardware assistance, maintenance, hardware replacement, and technical support.
Essentially, your hosting provider is going to handle the day-to-day management of the hardware, operating systems, and any other applications that might come with it.
A major advantage is that you have plenty of packages from which to choose, allowing you to customize your plan to meet your needs.
You might also be interested in WordPress hosting. WordPress is one of the most popular options for people looking to build a free website.
There are plenty of website layout options from which to choose, and if you decide you need a premium feature, you can pay for it.
Because WordPress is so popular, there are lots of hosting options available as well. It is one of the least expensive options available, but if you decide you need to expand your website down the road, you may need to switch your hosting provider.
Finally, you might also run into an option called reseller hosting. This is a business model where a web hosting provider allows some or all of their web hosting services to be marketed or sold by a different party or organization.
Because a company might offer several web hosting services from different companies, they are often knowledgeable about the options available. You can talk to them, comparing the benefits and drawbacks of each option before you decide on which option is right for your needs.
These are a few of the best options available, and you should think carefully about which one is right for your company.
Test your knowledge of server types by taking the short quiz below.
How do you make the right choice?
Given so many choices there are several important factors to consider to ensure you have the correct hosting for your business. They are:
First, you need to understand what your needs are. What are you looking for in a web hosting provider? Are you simply looking for a host that can help your website load quickly? Speed is important for customers.
Or, are you looking for a web hosting provider that can help you handle hardware support, software updates, and other technical issues? You need to consider the capabilities of each web hosting provider before you decide which package is right for you.
Think about what you are able to manage yourself, what you plan on using the site for, and how import the speed of your site is.
What is the subscription model?
Are you signing up for a few months or years?
How long do you want to commit to this service?
You always need to take a look at server uptime and reliability before making a final decision. You do not want to work with a web hosting provider that has a lot of server issues.
Look for reviews or take recommendations.
Before choosing a plan and provider check that the hosting can easily be scaled up or altered if required.
Check how they protect your hosting. Do they have a long good history? Check that they update their security protocols regularly.
If there is something wrong with the primary server, you need to know that your information is available on a backup server. That way, you don’t have to worry about losing any of your information, and your website will stay active even if something goes wrong with the primary server.
Additional domains may be useful if you choose to expand your business and add additional websites with new domain names.
After assessing the above factors, narrow down your choices and compare the top contenders side-by-side. Choose the hosting solution that best aligns with your website’s needs, budget, and growth plans.
Having made your decision purchasing should be straight forward and generally done through the providers website.
During this process you will have created an account with them and can usually access your server via their website using your login credentials.
If this is not the case then during the process of purchasing you will have been given the details of how to access your hosting.
I’d love your feedback.
Did this help you decide what web hosting solution you should choose?
You’ve almost made it through this short course so well done!
Hopefully you’ve now registered your domain name and purchased your hosting.
The final lesson will cover how you bring these two elements together. If you are ready to do this click the ‘NEXT LESSON’ button below.
If not yet ready you may choose to return to this lesson at a later date.
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Contact email: marion@plantaurel.com
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