What is website hosting?

What is website hosting and why do you need it?

Have you ever wondered where a website lives? or did you think it just lived somewhere in the cloud? whatever the cloud is?! Well actually your website is made up of a bunch of files, these files include images, videos and HTML( Hypertext Markup Language) 

These files and data need to be stored somewhere, that's where a server comes in! A server is a powerful computer with huge amounts of space that stores all of your website files ready for users to find your site online.

How does website hosting work exactly?

Can you have a website without hosting it? No you cannot have a website visible on the internet without it being hosted somewhere.

So how does hosting work? When someone wants to check out your website, they just type in your website's address into their phone, computer, or tablet and press Enter. This sends a message over the internet to the web server where your website lives. The server then shows up your website on the person's device.

Sometimes, people find your site by clicking on an ad you've put up on social media or by clicking on a link in an article. You could choose to set up your own website hosting, but it's pricey and you need to know a lot about tech.
You'd have to: Get a web server up and running from the ground up Buy all the gear, stuff, and software you need Keep up with all the maintenance stuff.

By teaming up with a web hosting company, you can hand off these tech tasks. The hosting company takes care of everything from getting the software up and running to fixing any issues, making sure your site is always up and running. Most data centers, where the web hosting servers are, are always on duty to keep your site safe and available, making sure it's there for visitors all over the world at all times.

Types of website hosting

Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is when several websites share the same server, meaning they all use the same parts like the computer's power, memory, and internet speed. It's a cheaper way to host a website, making it perfect for small sites, personal blogs, or people just starting out online. However, since they all share the same parts, if one site gets a lot of visitors, it can slow down the others on the same server, especially during busy times.

Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting uses a bunch of servers that are all connected together, often called “the cloud.” This setup lets you easily add or remove servers as needed, making it super flexible. Plus, since your website is hosted on many servers, there's a backup plan that keeps your website up and running most of the time. Cloud hosting is perfect for websites that see changes in traffic or need to be up all the time.

VPS Hosting
VPS hosting is like having your own little server inside a bigger one. It splits a physical server into smaller virtual servers, each with its own space and resources. This means that while the websites might still share the same big server, each one has its own little corner to use. VPS hosting is better for websites that are growing and need more resources and control than shared hosting, but they don't need a whole dedicated server yet.

Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is when you get your own whole server just for your website. This means you get to use all the server's resources like the computer's power, memory, and internet speed, all to yourself. This makes your website run faster and more reliably. Dedicated hosting is great for big companies, websites that get a lot of visitors, or websites that need special features, but it costs a lot more.

Managed Hosting
Managed hosting is when someone else takes care of all the technical stuff for your website, like managing the server, keeping it secure, installing software, and fixing problems. This means you can focus on your website's content and business without worrying about the technical side. Managed hosting is great for people who don't know much about computers or prefer to have experts handle their website's maintenance and security.

Why does website hosting cost money each month?

There are a few key reasons why it costs money to host a website:

Server Upkeep and Administration
Hosting firms are responsible for the upkeep and administration of robust servers, ensuring they remain operational and perform efficiently around the clock. This involves maintaining the physical components, updating the software, and resolving any technical problems.

Bandwidth and Data Transmission
As the number of visitors to your website increases, so does the demand for bandwidth and data transmission to manage the traffic effectively. Hosting services are billed monthly to account for the data exchanged between your website and its visitors.

Security Measures
Hosting providers implement a range of security measures, such as firewalls, frequent backups, protection against malware, and surveillance, to safeguard your website from online threats.

Technical Assistance
Numerous hosting providers offer round-the-clock technical support to help with any technical difficulties or inquiries you might have, which is included in the monthly fee.

Storage Capacity
​The amount of storage needed for your website depends on its size, with larger websites needing more space, which affects the overall cost.

Hosting charges are typically billed monthly due to the continuous nature of these services, which requires ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and resources to ensure your website remains functional.

Why you shouldn't use cheap hosting

As the old saying goes 'You get what you pay for' and that is also true when it comes to website hosting, cheap website hosting exists. You can pay as low as £5 per month for a standard website with cheap hosting services. But is it worth it? here are some drawbacks of cheap hosting:

Slow Website and Low Rankings
Low-cost hosts often promise more than they can deliver, causing slow website speeds which can lower search engine rankings. Google and users likes websites to load fast.

Not Enough Resources
These plans usually have limited storage, and computer power, which can cause website downtime or slow access. If your e-commerce store goes down during a busy sales period, you lose money!

Weak Security
Budget hosts often don't have strong security, making your site more at risk of cyber attacks and data breaches. In 2022, there were 5.4 billion malware attacks globally.

Inadequate Support
These cheaper hosts might not respond quickly or offer much help with technical problems, especially in emergencies. 

No Room for Growth
If your site gets bigger, you might have to switch hosts, which can be hard and risky. The more traffic your site gets the better hosting service you will need, so starting off with good hosting is a way to future proof your business.

Conclusion

While the allure of cheap hosting, with its minimal upfront costs, may be tempting, it frequently comes with substantial drawbacks that can detrimentally affect your website and business in the long run. These drawbacks can lead to lost revenue, bad reputation, and higher long-term expenses.

By choosing more dependable and robust hosting solutions, you are investing in the stability, security, and scalability of your website, thereby ensuring a superior experience for your visitors and a solid foundation for your online presence.

Smart web design Plymouth provide secure hosting for your new website, features include unlimited storage and bandwidth whilst ensuring 99.95% uptime. Our reliable hosting keeps your site loading quickly and staying live, even under high-load conditions.

Get in touch with us if you are looking for a new website, view our website packages and pricing below.

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