Web Hosting and its Types
Web hosting means renting a space on which your website’s data is stored or hosted. There are many web hosting companies that provide you with a plethora of web hosting options. WordPress hosting providers also provide web hosting, so you can seamlessly build your website without having to worry about the hosting nitty-gritty.
There are many types of web hosting, which we’ll delve deeper into later, but for now, you need to know the two major types of web hosting.
Shared web hosting
- In this type of hosting, your website shares a server with hundreds or even thousands of other websites. The advantage is lower cost, as many websites share a particular server, so the cost incurred is quite low. On the downside, if one website gets more traffic compared to other(s), it will take up more server resources, slowing your and other websites down.
- Most managed WordPress hosting providers offer this type of web hosting, but don’t worry, you can scale up your server requirements as needed (subject to plan costs!).
- To this day, this hosting option is the most efficient one. Yes, it comes with its drawbacks, but in its defense, what thing in the world doesn’t have flaws in it?
VPS (Virtual Private Servers)
- This is a major step up over shared web hosting. In VPS, there is nothing to worry about precious resources getting distributed unequally. Yes, VPS is still shared by many websites, but each has its own dedicated storage space and resources (like RAM, etc.). So every website has its resources intact despite the load or traffic on a particular website, running on the same platform/infrastructure as your VPS.
- This option comes with a price hike over shared hosting. But if you are looking for something that will last you till your website, e-store, or blog becomes extremely popular and gains momentum, this option is the best. You can also scale up this type of hosting, as it offers the best in the web hosting world.
- Now, as we have learned about web hosting and its types, we’ll move ahead to understand managed WordPress hosting.
What is Managed WordPress Hosting?
A managed hosting provider gives you both a platform and web hosting for your website (not all of them provide web hosting). They also provide you with a lot of tools, themes, and plugins (all those that are free on WordPress), and also free site migration (in case you need it). With a managed hosting provider, you get a fluid and crisp platform to manage and keep track of your website. Also, there is scalability in the picture (but of course, hidden charges applicable).
Managed WordPress hosting provides a wide range of benefits, but in order to take advantage of them, you must pay a fee, which, of course, varies depending on the type of plan you select (pricing also varies; you know the drill, pay more to get more). The cost depends upon what kind of web hosting, website, and functionality you want.
Self-WordPress hosting or unmanaged hosting
This is where things get intense, but once you get the hang of it, it’s all sorted. Self-hosting is all about having complete control over your website. Although it may get overwhelming in the beginning, ultimately this is hands down the way you should go (all right, I may be biased here, but you will soon know why).
There is a process to follow: get a web-hosting service, buy a domain name (which you have to in the case of managed WordPress hosting too!), install WordPress, and you’re good to go! For security sweeps and maintenance, there are a plethora of free plugins, as well as paid ones, from which you can choose.
Yes, it does sound taxing, and I’ll be honest, initially, it is. As you explore more, you’ll know you’ve made the right decision. As your website starts growing, you’ll have various needs, and that is where you’ll wish you had self-hosting!
