Last updated on September 3rd, 2022
Every website needs a hosting service. However, each site is not hosted in a similar manner. If you are just starting out and have recently launched a website, you should know all about different Types of Web Hosting. It will help you to find out which one is the best option for your website.
Slow but steady wins the race – that should be your approach when it comes to picking a web host. Selecting the wrong hosting service can create huge troubles for your website down the line.
Before proceeding any further, we need to discuss what web hosting is. Covering the basics will help you to have a complete understanding of what a web host is.
Every website you find on the web is hosted on servers. These are potential pieces of hardware with the ability to host the websites and store all data related to the site. Each component of the site is saved on the server and it enables access through the host. The components may include text, videos, files, images and everything in between.
In the following sections, we will outline different types of web hostings and their differences. Read the following sections carefully.
When it comes to different types of web hosting services, the most famous or popular one is a dedicated server. The next in turn is shared hosting. Its agenda is just the opposite of dedicated hosting.
Here, multiple clients share the same hosting environment. Medium and small-sized businesses prefer to invest in it since it doesn’t cost a huge amount of money. A shared hosting environment powers the websites of multiple clients.
If you select shared hosting, your domain will share the same server resources as other domains. You will also have to share CPU (Central Processing Unit) and RAM (Random Access Memory). Since all the resources are shared among multiple clients, the hosting plans cost low for each client. That’s why it is an excellent choice for the site owners who have just started out.
Whether you own a small business website, a low-traffic driven site, a community group website or a personal blog – shared hosting is an ideal choice for you.
Here are some of the pros and cons of shared hosting:
- The cost is relatively lower than that of other types of web hosting. Since you are sharing the environment with other clients, your investment, too, is shared.
- It is ideal for small businesses or start-ups as they need not invest lots of money at one go.
- It has several helpful features like WordPress hosting, email, website builders etc.
- If a fellow website receives huge traffic, the server will have to support it. This may lead to a site crash for many clients.
- It is not ideal for large enterprises or huge traffic-driven sites.
- Your security can be compromised as many websites are hosted in one web server. If one site’s security is threatened, other sites will also suffer.
Virtual private server (VPS) Hosting
A VPS hosting is considered as the middle type between a dedicated server and a shared server. It’s suitable for site owners that require more control but don’t have the resources to invest in a dedicated server.
It is a unique option as many websites are hosted within small spaces on the same server. Nevertheless, each receives its own privacy and resources. VPS hosting also offers the website owners more features, storage spaces, and customization abilities. However, it still cannot handle high traffic levels or sudden spike of users into one website. Therefore, one site’s excellent performance may affect other sites hosted on the same server.
VPS hosting is ideal for site owners who prefer a dedicated server but don’t have the adequate technical expertise to customize the environment. The major difference between Shared Hosting and VPS is, you get greater control in VPS. VPS hosting offers the cost advantages of a shared hosting along with more control level of dedicated hosting. Therefore, it is a great pick for advanced users who don’t prefer package installations or specific software.
Pros of VPS hosting:
- It costs way less than dedicated hosting.
- It is somewhat in the middle ground between a dedicated and shared server. Its pricing is more inclined to shared hosting while its features are akin to a dedicated server.
- It is a perfect choice for non-technical business owners. They need not know technical nitty-gritty for customizing a VPS hosting.
- Each website is given room and resources.
Cons of VPS hosting:
- It doesn’t solve the trouble of site crash. If one website belonging to the server gets huge traffic at one moment, other sites may not receive adequate support from the server. It can also cause a site crash.
- It may also have security vulnerabilities. If one site belonging to the server is attacked with malicious virus or cybercrime, other sites’ security can also be compromised.
Choose the Best VPS Hosting in India.
Dedicated Server Hosting
If you are looking for control and personal space when it comes to selecting amongst different types of web hosting, then a dedicated server hosting is the right choice for you. It gives the site owners an utmost control over the server. You can exclusively rent the server and it will only store your website.
Unlike a shared hosting or VPS hosting, a dedicated server offers you complete admin and root access. So you can customize anything from the operating system, RAM and security.
It is also a secured alternative as it is dedicated only for your website. So you need not worry about virus attack or cyber crime as long as your website and the server are secured. For that, you need to choose the Best Dedicated Server.
However, so many features undoubtedly come with a high price tag.
A dedicated server costs more than any other type of hosting. It is ideal for large enterprises. Since they have more security concerns and they can invest more for their website, dedicated hosting is the right choice for them.
If your website drives huge traffic or you expect your eCommerce store to flourish sometime soon, we recommend you to pick a dedicated hosting instead of a shared or VPS hosting. That way, the entire server will support your site and not the rest of the clients. You will be able to access all the resources available on the server.
You can also customize the features of a dedicated server just the way you want. However, you need to have adequate tech expertise to do that. In case you don’t have the technical skill or you want to focus on your business, engage a reliable hosting service provider like Serverwala. The experts will maintain the server and ensure that your site never lacks any resource. Invest in this if you have adequate resources.
Cloud Hosting
Lately, the tech industry is hearing a new buzzword – cloud hosting. In the landscape of web hosting, cloud server hosting means that different computers can work together and run applications by using the combined resources from multiple computers. It is a hosting solution that operates via network and allows the clients to consume the computing materials like a utility.
It allows users to employ numerous resources since they don’t have to build or maintain their own computing infrastructure. The resources are spread across different servers and it reduces the chance of downtime due to any server malfunction.
The best part about a cloud-based hosting is that it is scalable. Therefore, you can add more resources as your business and the website grow over time. As a site owner, you need to pay for just what you want. It is ideal for small and large enterprises alike due to its scalability feature. You can start at a low price with limited features. As your site and business grow, you can customize the server and add more features and pay for the extra ones.
Cloud hosting plans have different remote servers. Each of the servers has its own responsibilities. If any of the servers is underperforming, another server on the same network will execute the responsibility and fill the gap.
This is an interesting and beneficial aspect of cloud hosting. It doesn’t let the clients’ websites face any trouble. In case one server is not available at the moment, another from the same network will make up for it. Also, you need not depend on the hosting service provider to fix the issue. It will be an automatic process.
This makes Cloud Web Hosting an appealing and attractive alternative to the traditional types of web hosting. It also ensures more uptime rates.
Managed Hosting
Most of the hosting packages available online are managed. Hosting service providers like Serverwala offer technical services such as software and hardware setup along with hardware replacement, maintenance, configuration, technical support, monitoring, patching, and updating.
With managed hosting service, the provider takes care of every management requirement of the hardware, standardised applications and operating systems.
Though there are various options to select from once it comes to web hosting, it boils down to a plan that properly suits your requirement. Each of the plans caters to the specs of each group.
For instance, a managed hosting service is ideal for business owners who are not technically advanced. If you want to focus mainly on your business and leave the heavy-duty technical work to the experts, this is an ideal choice for you. The hosting service provider will customize the server just the way you want.
Technically speaking, managed and unmanaged hostings are not different types of web hosting. Rather, these are two forms of hosting that are applicable for both shared and dedicated server hosting.
As you can understand, managed hosting costs more than unmanaged hosting. That’s because the hosting service providers support your requirement all the time. The solutions that a customer can expect from a managed hosting service include the following:
- Load balancing
- Security services like intrusion detection, vulnerability scans, denial of service prevention as well as mitigation.
- Security measures for protecting data centres
- Disaster recovery and backups
- Application support
- Server configuration, monitoring and maintenance
- Support for resolving technical problems.
Managed hosting plans usually come with a service agreement. It outlines the solutions that a customer pays for and the service standards the engaged hosting service providers need to provide. In case you need more support, you have to pay more.
Colocation
Instead of owning a private data centre or in-house server, you can choose to co-locate the equipment on renting a space in a colocation centre. It provides the power, IP address, bandwidth and cooling system that a server demands. Here, space is rented in cabinets and racks.
Colocation gives access to a higher range of bandwidth than a usual office server. It also costs relatively less than that. Here you have to take care of the services, software and hardware.
Colocation hosting is very different from managed dedicated hosting. The latter implies a data centre that renders maintenance and management control over the entire server. On the other hand, a colocation hosting allows the clients to supply, manage, and maintain their server.
Here’s what you can expect on availing a Colocation Hosting from a reliable service provider.
Security
The host company authorizes and secures access to a physical location. The security measures also include installing various types of equipment like a biometric lock, camera, and other identification features. The clients have to secure their server against any cyber attack.
Power
From electricity to other utilities – the data centre will power the server with every requirement. It also includes generators and energy backup in order to deal with a power outage. Power efficiency is a crucial component here.
- Storage – the storage of the data centre has three options:
- Cabinet – each cabinet can have distinct servers in racks.
- Cages – it is a separate and locked are where server cabinets are stored.
- Suites – these are tightly secured and fully enclosed rooms
Disaster Recovery
The hosting service provider also has an efficient disaster recovery plan. They often build the data centre away from any disaster-prone area. Also, they have provision for a backup generator and they can contact other internet providers.
Table Differentiating all the Web Hostings
| Topic | Dedicated hosting | Shared hosting | VPS hosting | Cloud hosting | Colocation hosting | Managed hosting |
| Cost | It is the most expensive type of web hosting | It costs relatively low as the cost is divided among all the clients sharing the same hosting environment | It costs more than shared hosting but less than dedicated hosting | It is a cost-efficient solution | It is a cost-effective solution for many business owners though it costs more than shared hosting | It comes with a high price tag as the hosting service provider offers all the customization and maintenance service |
| Security | It is highly secured | It is less secured | It is moderately secured | It has moderate to high security | It is a secured solution | The service provider will keep the server secured for you |
| Enterprise type | It is ideal for large enterprises | It is ideal for small businesses | Small to medium-sized businesses should avail it | It is ideal for any enterprise | It is ideal for medium to large enterprise | It is ideal for all enterprise |
| Scalability | Scalability is low | Highly scalable | You can scale as per requirement | Highly scalable | You can scale it as your business grows | The service providers will scale it |
Which is best for you?
So, we have discussed different types of web hosting services. Now is the time to decide which is ideal for you. Let us determine that by outlining the factors:
If you own a large enterprise and have enough resources to invest in a web server, dedicated server hosting is the right choice for you. It allows you to enjoy complete control over your server and you can customize every feature just the way you want.
If you own a small business and don’t want to invest much, shared hosting is ideal for you. As your business scales up, you may upgrade the server to VPS hosting.
Managed hosting is the right pick for you if you don’t want to shift your focus from your business. Here, the service provider will maintain and manage the server for you.
Cloud hosting is an ideal pick for modern-age businesses. These render great flexibility and you can enjoy all the facilities.
Colocation hosting is also helpful if you want to have your own space without investing as much as a dedicated server.
No matter whichever web hosting you pick, make sure to consult a reputed service provider. The provider will manage, customize, and maintain the server on your behalf and ensure more uptime for your site.
Where to get your Desired Web Hosting from?
When it comes to selecting a web hosting service, you need to consider several things. The first thing is about selecting the right hosting solution. The second step invariably is to select the right hosting service provider. No matter whichever type of hosting service you pick, you cannot leverage its potential unless you pick the right company to partner with.
Once you search for a service provider, you will come across lots of options on the web. We have picked Serverwala for several reasons. Let us outline these ones by one:
The hosting service provider is consistent in offering top-notch customer support. They don’t do away with you just when your website is powered and the payment is done. They will continue to offer you service and are one-step away just when you need them.
The provider has multiple packages for you to choose from. Whether you pick a dedicated server of a shared server, you can pick the right package as per your project requirement and budget. Also, each of the packages is value for your money.
You can read the ratings and reviews of Serverwala. They offer impeccable service to a global clientele and you can also seek their assistance.
