Web hosting is a process that provides websites with a space to store and maintain all the files, images, code, and other data accessible on the internet. It’s like a room you take on rent to keep your files and data safe and secure.
Web hosting uses more than one physical or virtual server where all your website data is stored. Servers allocate enough space to websites according to their hosting type. Many cheap and expensive hosting plans provide websites with extra services and flexibility.
In this blog post, I will explain how it works, the difference between a domain name and web hosting, its types, and some essential tips for choosing the best web hosting for your website.
How Does Web Hosting Work?
A website has many components like images and files, stored in a server provided by a web hosting service. The servers are directly connected to the internet and are of many types. The hosting providers have different types and amounts of space and bandwidth, which depend on your selected hosting plan.
Some web hosting providers have plans that website owners can access after paying a subscription. When a user searches for your domain name online, web host servers provide the necessary information from the stored data. Web hosting providers ensure the safety and performance of your website, taking care of all its technical aspects. To learn how to build a website, you can check our article, which will guide you through the process of starting a website easily.
Web Hosting Versus Domain Name
Some people are confused about web hosting and domain names and think they are the same thing, but they are different. Below, we explain their difference, which will help solve your confusion.
Web Hosting:
Web hosting is a service that allows websites to save their data and files on servers that users can easily access on the internet.
Examples: Bluehost, Hostinger, HostGator, Cloudways, etc.
Domain Name:
A domain name is the address of your website, which is usually called an IP address. Users can easily access your website on the Internet through this address. Your domain name should be relevant to your business niche and short, clear, and easy to remember.
Examples: topnewsmags.com, wired.com, theverge.com, cnet.com, eurogamer.net, etc.
Web Hosting Service Types
Today, many web hosts offer different plans and packages depending on the type. Many online businesses have unique demands and requirements, so they choose hosting according to their needs. All types of hosting have distinct features and provide different services, such as storage space, technical support, backups, security, etc.
Let’s discuss the main types below:
Shared Hosting:
Shared hosting is an excellent choice for small and medium-sized businesses that don’t need access to higher bandwidth. It is simple, easy to set up, and affordable. It stores multiple websites on each server, allowing users to share their website servers’ resources, such as memory and space. Many hosting providers offer shared hosting to website owners who don’t need access to huge traffic for their new websites.
For example, Namecheap offers secure and cheap shared hosting plans at a very affordable budget, suitable for all businesses. It provides excellent features to its users, such as a free website builder, domain name, privacy and protection, and free SSL certificate installation.
Price:
- Stellar plan: $1.98 per month.
- Stellar Plus: $2.98 per month.
- Stellar business: $4.98 per month.
Cloud Hosting:
This hosting uses multiple virtual servers and resources that help users save costs and overcome the risk of service disruptions to host sites. Cloud hosting depends on various clusters of servers that help new and enterprise websites and provide them a reliable and safe place to store their data.
It uses cloud technology to host websites where users can easily access their data online. It works through virtualization in which Virtual Private Servers VPS create a virtualized layer on physical servers where the website database is stored. This process enables data that can be repeated and duplicated on various servers to be distributed worldwide. Cloud hosting offers flexibility and scalability, which help website owners make quick changes.
Reseller Hosting:
Namecheap offers reseller hosting, which allows users to purchase a hosting plan and resell it to other parties to host their websites by allocating the space. A reseller allows customers to purchase bandwidth, hard drive space, and other hosting resources to sell their own web hosting services. They can take subscriptions monthly, quarterly, and yearly, which depends on the users’ budget and needs. The prices and plans of reseller hosting from Namecheap are listed below:
Monthly:
- Nebula: $19.88 per month.
- Galaxy Expert: $39.88 per month.
- Universe Pro: $58.88 per month.
Quarterly:
- Nebula: $18.88 per month.
- Galaxy Expert: $37.88 per month.
- Universe Pro: $57.88 per month.
Yearly:
- Nebula: $17.88 per month.
- Galaxy Expert: $36.88 per month.
- Universe Pro: $55.88 per month.
WordPress Webhosting:
WordPress hosting is a web hosting service that is used for WordPress sites, ensures their fast loading speed, and overcomes potential errors. Many WordPress web hosting plans offer robust features to their subscribers, such as premium tools, ready-made installed themes, and plugins. Namecheap offers WordPress hosting solutions that are easy to use and have low prices. Users can try it free for 30 days or access flexible plans for months or years. It offers different prices in its yearly and monthly plans:
Monthly plan:
- EasyWP Supersonic: $19.88 per month.
- EasyWP Turbo: $12.88 per month.
- EasyWP Starter: $6.88 per month.
Yearly:
- EasyWP Sipersonic: $2.98 per month.
- EasyWP Turbo: $2.59 per month.
- EasyWP Supersonic: $1.91 per month.
Dedicated Hosting:
Dedicated server hosting offers top-tier performance but is relatively expensive compared to other hosting services. A website owner has complete control and root access to web servers in this hosting.
The dedicated hosting service provides a physical server where users can host and customize their websites according to their desired specifications and needs. Many web hosting solutions offer customers dedicated hosting with different pricing and plans.
You can go with Namecheap because it offers monthly, quarterly, and yearly plans at budget-friendly prices.
Monthly:
- Xeon E3-1230 v5: 47.88.
- Xeon E-2234: $62.88.
- Xeon E-2236: $80.88.
- Dual Xeon Gold 5218: $229.88.
Quarterly:
- Xeon E3-1230 v5: $157.88.
- Xeon E-2234: 177.88.
- Xeon E-2236: $228.88.
- Dual Xeon Gold 5218: $673.88.
Yearly:
- Xeon E3-1230 v5: $639.88.
- Xeon E-2234: $669.88.
- Xeon E-2236: $861.88.
- Dual Xeon Gold 5218: $2547.88.
Tips To Choose The Web Hosting Service:
Many hosting providers are available, but you should consider a web hosting solution that offers various services and easy upgrade capabilities.
Let’s examine the elements you should focus on when selecting the best web hosting service provider.
- Select the hosting service that provides easy access to the control panel.
- Choose a hosting service that offers a long uptime guarantee.
- Select a hosting service that provides ample space, robust security, high reliability, and additional features to support your website.
- Check the performance of the web hosting providers through online reviews.
- You should also choose a hosting service that allows its customers to easily refund their money or cancel the service if they wish to do so.
Finale Verdict:
Purchasing web hosting from reliable hosting providers is essential for every business if they want to build their online visibility worldwide. Without web hosting, it is not possible to run an online business, blog, website, etc., and make it easily accessible on the internet. The hosting providers offer many web hosting solutions that are reliable and affordable for customers, like shared hosting, WordPress hosting, cloud hosting, etc. Users can select these web hosting providers according to their business needs, preferences and budget.
