Before we delve into the various types of web hosting services, we should define some frequently used terms associated with a web hosting service
What Is The Difference Between Uptime, Storage, And Bandwidth?
Uptime
This term is used to describe the amount of time your website is online and functional on the web. Technology isn’t perfect and even the most secure servers will experience some downtime. However, 99.98% uptime is optimal
Disc Space/Data storage
Disc space also referred to as data storage is the amount of room you have to store your sites pages, files, videos, images and so on. This space is usually measured by terabytes or gigabytes. In the case of “unlimited” data storage hosting plans, storage limitations set on the server that hosts your website, not on your accounts.
Data storage can also be the space on a disk drive (HHD or SSD)
Bandwidth/Data Transfer
Bandwidth, aka data transfer, is the amount of data communication that is allowed between your site’s visitor and your web pages every month. Most hosting plans come with penalty fees for exceeding bandwidth usage limits. However, a lot of web hosting providers offer unlimited bandwidth.
Just like unlimited storage space, the limitation is also placed on the resources of the server. Although bandwidth is actually the amount of data that passes per second on a website, it is often used to refer to the total monthly sum.
What Are The Different Web Hosting Classifications?
There are two major web hosting classifications: the larger hosting services and smaller hosting services
Larger Hosting Services
A lot of large companies that do not offer Internet services still need to be continuously connected to the Internet in order to send files, emails and so on to other websites. These types of companies make use of special computers (servers) like a web host to provide details of their services and goods as well as facilitate online orders.
The more complex the need, the more comprehensive the package needs to be for data support and application development platforms. These type of facilities allow their clients to install or write scripts for applications such as content management and forums. Secure sockets layer (SSL) is provided for websites who want an extra layer of encryption.
Smaller Hosting Services
The most common is small-scale file hosting and web page, which allows files to be uploaded via a file transfer protocol (FTP) or via a web interface. The files uploaded are typically delivered with minimal processing –“as is” to the web. A lot of web hosting service providers offer this service for free. It is also possible for organizations and individuals to opt for a web hosting from third-party service providers.
Free web hosting is offered by various web hosting firms. It often features advertisements and is very limited in use compared to a shared page shared hosting plan.
Major Services Web Hosting Providers Offer
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Online marketing
Other than providing all the basics that are needed to set up a website, most web hosting providers also offer services to increase your site’s awareness, popularity and reputation — it could be comprehensive website marketing package that includes social media marketing and SEO or a basic email marketing package.
Before going for this kind of plan, please ensure that your web hosting provider is reliable and experienced. Firms like Hostgator, Heart Internet, Domains4Less Hosting, and Bluehost are good recommendations.
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Website Builder
Even though this is typically not charged service area, it should still be a part of this list. Most web hosting companies now offer sophisticated or simple website builders that help users quickly build a website immediately after signing onto a web hosting service.
These website builders are perfect for the user who is not tech savvy but wants to create a website as quickly as possible. Web hosting companies acknowledged the importance of this, that is why web website builders are now more readily available.
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Search Engine Optimisation
In addition to providing tools and resources to build and manage a website or a blog, website hosts also offer search optimization services to help your sites because more competitive when searched for using particular keywords.
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Web Design
Not to be confused with website builders, there are web hosting firms that offer professional web design services. These web design services are usually targeted at users who purchase a specific hosting package or are in need of an upgrade. A website overhaul may be needed to implement new features and technologies of the new web hosting package. There are a couple of benefits to purchasing the web design service of your web host but top on the list is that they have most probably mastered site optimization – they manage a lot of websites daily.
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Security Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificates
An SSL certificate ensures the encryption of sensitive data entered on a website. This is especially important for websites such as online stores and e-commerce websites that handle sensitive information like credit card numbers, phone numbers, addresses, passwords and so on. This type of data needs to be encrypted to prevent data theft.
There are three different types of SSL certificates: basic entry-level website protection, protections for enterprises, or protection that covers all subdomains and sites. For the layman, SSL certificates are usually shown as the lock icon on the browser and the address bar. SSL encryption can also help improve search ranking on Google.
Domain Name Registration
This is one of the earliest web hosting services. There are a lot of companies that included domain name registration with web hosting services. And there are some who provide both services separately. These providers are usually specialized in domain names for specific regions or country.
Five Things To Consider Before Selecting A Web Hosting Provider
1. Upgrade options: Your website’s needs will increase as your business grows, so you need a web host that can accommodate these changes. Always go with a web host that is reputable and make upgrades, transfers, and package switch easy.
- Back up: In the event that your website gets attacked or faces downtime, a backup will make it easy to get your website up and running quickly — which is why a website hosting provider that provides secure backup is important.
3.Customer support: Great support is essential for any website on the web. Go with the web host provider that has great customer service support 24/7 and will respond to you quickly.
4.Security: Go with the web host that uses encryption technology to protect the state between its server and its user(the websites hosted on its servers) or between your website’s visitors and website; thereby safeguarding sensitive information from hackers.
5.Analytics: Analytics can help measure your content marketing strategy. Go with the web host provider that offers constantly updated analytic tools.
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Neha Nidhi
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