Hosting Types: Advantages and Disadvantages

When we open a certain website, we don’t think about where the images, text, or design came from. Each virtual page is loaded because a computer is running somewhere in the memory of which all the information on the site (pictures, scripts, videos, etc.) is stored; such a computer is called a server. Its task is to load the contents of the web portal when the user opens the site. The more popular the web platform is, the more power it consumes. If we look at this using Facebook as an example, we see that this platform consumes more than 50,000 servers.

Now the concept of hosting appears. This is a paid service that includes renting space on a server and consuming its power. Certain companies offer hosting; they are called providers. Their main task is to make your website available 24/7. If you are willing to keep your hosting running and monitor power outages and load, you can host it on your home PC. But contacting a hosting provider to simplify your task and make the site function correctly is better.

Hosting types

Each hosting company offers a large number of web hosting services and tariffs. It will be difficult for you to make a choice and find a suitable option. Let's take a quick look at each type and identify its advantages and disadvantages.

Shared (virtual) hosting

If a site consumes a lot of resources, it puts a strain on the shared server and causes other websites to slow down. This type of hosting offers a more affordable price and a simple and user-friendly interface. But this type of hosting has certain disadvantages: there are restrictions on the use of resources and their small volume, the inability to run heavy processes or scripts, as well as dependence on other web platforms.

Virtual dedicated hosting

The peculiarity of the server is that it is divided into several separate types and each of them is isolated from each other. This hosting is the most optimal and comfortable to use. If you have a limited budget and a “heavy” website, then you will need additional software. The advantage of hosting is that it offers root access to the server and complete independence from other users.

Dedicated server

This hosting allows for individual configuration and a separate (stand-alone) server. There are not many disadvantages here, such as high cost and complexity of administration. However, such hosting offers many advantages: you will not pay for resources that you do not use, and you will be able to increase or decrease resources if necessary.

Colocation

This is similar to VDS, but here the provider only provides a room in its center where you can install your equipment and provides a dedicated channel for connecting to the Internet. This type of hosting also has its advantages: full control, installation of any software, high security and low price (because you don’t need to rent equipment).

Cloud server

This hosting does not have tariffs with restrictions on the resources used, including RAM and computing power. You can increase the parameters you need at any time. Users did not note any significant shortcomings with this hosting.

When choosing a hosting that is ideal for the requirements of your web platform, you should consider several criteria. You can spend hours studying the offers of each provider, but it will be easier to make a decision if you learn more about the stability of hosting, its cost, flexibility, security, productivity, and independence. In simple words, for a novice webmaster, there are a lot of such options on the Internet for a fairly ordinary type of virtual hosting. But if you are looking for a site to host a serious project, then choose more expensive and reliable options.