Web hosts are service companies that provide space on their servers for internet users. They provide online systems for internet connectivity and for storing information, image mediums, and other internet content. For any company interested in conducting business on the web, choosing the right web host is a crucial step in any internet marketing plan.
Types of Web Hosting
There are several types of web hosting available, each suited to different needs and budgets.
Free Hosting
Free hosting is the least costly but the most limited — in terms of services, space, and branding control. While it may suit an individual professional or very small business just starting out, the restrictions on advertising, bandwidth, and permissible site edits make it limiting for a company looking for rapid growth.
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting places your website on the same server as several — potentially hundreds — of other sites. All sites share the same resources. Although shared hosting is less restricted than free hosting, it still imposes some limitations on site capabilities.
Reseller Hosting
Reseller hosting allows an e-business to obtain a large amount of bandwidth and space and divide it as it sees fit. This is similar to shared hosting in that your server is placed with others, but you control how the divisions are made and with whom space is shared.
Less Restricted Hosting Options
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is relatively expensive but far less restricted than shared options. With dedicated hosting, you have an entire server to yourself. There are very few resource restrictions, and you have full control over your server environment — but you're also responsible for managing it.
Virtual Private Server (VPS)
VPS technology enables one server to host multiple virtual environments, each with the characteristics of an individual stand-alone server. The results are essentially the same as dedicated hosting, but at a lower cost. It's the sweet spot for growing businesses that need more than shared but can't yet justify a full dedicated server.
Collocated Hosting
With collocated hosting, you install your own self-purchased server at the data center of the host. Services that other hosting types include — like management and monitoring — must be contracted and paid for separately, which is why costs tend to be high. This option is typically reserved for large enterprises with specific infrastructure requirements.
Making Your Choice
In order to use a web hosting service, your e-business must already have an existing website ready to deploy. As you develop your site, deciding what web hosting service you require is one of the crucial planning components that should be addressed early — not as an afterthought.
Ted Prodromou spent over 25 years in the computer industry working for IBM, Digital, and Cellular One. Today he's the owner of Valiss IT, a consulting firm that provides small business coaching and marketing help.