Web hosting is a service that provides server space for making websites available on the Internet. Understanding how web hosting works and choosing from different types of plans and providers can be complicated. For the sake of simplicity, here’s an overview of how it works and what you need to know to choose the best platform to host your website.
How web hosting works for your business website
The first step in understanding what web hosting is and how it works is to think about what constitutes a website. A website is a combination of images, text files, and database entries. These files reside in a folder on your computer somewhere on the Internet. That computer is called a server, and when you buy web hosting, you pay for space on that server.
When a visitor to your website types in your website address (for example, yourbusinessname.com), the visitor’s web browser sends a request to the web server where your website is stored. This request is called an HTTP request, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
Web servers respond to HTTP requests by sending back copies of images, text, and database information. The customer’s web browser assembles these information into her web page for the business.
Diagram showing how a web page is rendered by the web hosting process
pro tips: You may see HTTPS in your website URL. It stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS provides a layer of security via SSL certificates, making your website transactions safe and secure. Most web hosting providers offer his SSL certificate for free with their website hosting plans.
Web hosting, in a nutshell, is the space on your server where your website is stored. The user enters the website address to visit her website. This address tells your browser where her website is on your computer server. This is how web hosting works.
Web hosting has some highly technical aspects. But fortunately, you don’t need to understand the intricacies of server programming or his IP (Internet Protocol) address to create his website for your small business.
The best web hosting providers make web hosting simple and affordable. In fact, the most recommended services like DreamHost and Bluehost bundle everything you need to build a website with WordPress, including a free domain, SSL, business email, and no-code website builder. Plus, we manage the technical aspects of hosting your site so you can focus on growing your business.
How to choose the right web hosting service
When choosing a business website hosting provider, you should first decide what kind of hosting you need based on your business needs and budget. Next, compare providers and once you’ve made your choice, choose a plan and create an account. Follow the steps below to determine which type of hosting is right for you.
1. Decide what type of hosting you need
Web hosting packages come in many varieties with hundreds of features. There are mainly his four types of web hosting, which are explained below.
The main types of web hosting at a glance
Learn more about recommended providers by hosting type in our guide to the best web hosting companies for small businesses.
shared web hosting
All-in-one web hosting
This type of web hosting comes bundled with a web content management system (CMS) such as Wix, Weebly, Squarespace, and others. Plans include hosting and free SSL security, and many plans also include a free domain for the first year.
All-in-one web hosting and site builder plans are ideal for beginner web designers and perfect for most small business websites. Find out more about the best all-in-one hosting and website builders for small businesses.
Virtual Private Server (VPS)
With this type of web hosting service, your website is hosted in a private section on your server. A VPS shares your physical computer with other virtual servers, but keeps your website’s files and operating system isolated from other websites, adding an extra layer of security and protection.
Virtual Private Server is ideal for businesses that process sensitive transactions (such as medical practices or government agencies) and websites with large amounts of content. VSP hosting costs can be higher than shared hosting or all-in-one solutions, but it’s much cheaper than fully dedicated hosting on private servers.
Dedicated Hosting (Private Server)
With dedicated hosting, your website is hosted on your own web server, providing the ultimate in security and performance. It is also the most expensive type of web hosting. Private servers are usually reserved for large companies and high-traffic websites that receive millions of visitors per month.
Most small businesses will find that the shared all-in-one plan is sufficient for their brand presence needs. Once you’ve settled on a plan that’s right for you, turn your attention to finding the right provider.
2. Compare hosting services and plans
At first glance, you might think that all web hosting is the same. However, even the entry-level shared plans are very different. Choosing the right plan from the start can save you money, provide a positive and safe user experience, and improve your site’s search engine optimization (SEO).
Here are some things to consider when comparing web hosts:
- speed: Fast load times improve the user experience, but slow speeds can lead to high bounce rates and negatively impact your site’s SEO. Site and page load speed can be improved through features such as content delivery networks (CDNs), SSL storage, image compression, and other optimizations.
- Features included: Not all hosts bundle extra features such as free domains, SSL certificates, or business emails, so choosing one that doesn’t will cost you more.
- comfortable: Many hosts offer hassle-free installation, maintenance, and site builders. This saves you the time and effort of manually connecting your domain to your hosting account, configuring an SSL certificate, and installing WordPress (or his other CMS). Some offer ongoing CMS management and migrate your site for free.
- safety: A quality host offers more security features, frequent updates, and an all-around secure web hosting experience. Look for a provider that offers protection from direct denial of service (DDoS) attacks, hackers, and malware, and a provider that offers free her SSL to encrypt user data on all hosted sites .
- Uptime: Reputable hosts include an uptime guarantee, which promises that your site will be up and running, usually with 99% or more uptime.
Choosing the right host doesn’t have to be a difficult task. In fact, we’ve sorted our search results into a handy checklist of 10 questions that you can download and use when comparing web hosting solutions.
- What are the plan types and prices?
- Does the plan include a free domain and how much do additional domains cost?
- Is a free SSL certificate included or can it be purchased as an add-on?
- How long is the contract? Is there an annual prepayment discount? What if I need to change providers or end the contract?
- How much storage and bandwidth are included in the plan?
- Does the plan have an uptime guarantee?
- Do you have a customer satisfaction or money-back guarantee?
- How can I contact you if I need help and what kind of support is available?
- Does your plan include a free business email address or the ability to purchase business email services as an add-on?
- What do current users say about it in their reviews? (e.g. review sites like G2 and PCMag)
Answer as many of these questions as you can about each web hosting service. That way, you’ll have a clearer picture of which hosts are best for your business. Also, don’t forget to read his reviews from real customers. This gives you insight into whether your web hosting provider is living up to the marketing hype.
3. Choose a plan
Now that you’ve selected the type of web hosting you want and selected a hosting provider, choose a plan. Most web hosting companies have multiple plans to choose from, depending on several factors such as how much storage space you need, how many monthly visitors you expect, etc.
Here are some web hosting providers and entry-level plans that we think are perfect for most small businesses.
- Best all-in-one: The best all-in-one web host and page builder is WicksIts paid plans bundle web hosting, a free domain and SSL certificate, and an easy-to-use site builder so you can create the perfect website for your small business. Combo plans start at $16/month including a free domain and SSL.
- Perfect for eCommerce: For businesses looking to host an e-commerce site, consider the following: weebly, specializes in online stores. Ad-free Weebly Personal plans start at just $12/month and come with a Weebly or Square site builder, built-in payment processing, and a free domain and SSL.
- Best web hosts for WordPress: Recommended if you prefer WordPress or if you already have a WordPress site. dream hostDreamHost’s Shared Unlimited plan is $2.95 per month for the first year and includes unlimited websites, business emails, a free domain, SSL, and the BoldGrid WordPress page builder. We also offer free site migrations if you need to port your site from another host.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I set up web hosting?
To set up web hosting, decide what type of web hosting plan you want, choose a provider, select a plan and purchase. If you don’t already own a domain name, create one through your web host and use your web host’s installation tools to connect the web hosting to your website. If you’re building a WordPress site, follow our step-by-step instructions on how to host a WordPress website.
Is Bluehost the best web host for bloggers?
Bluehost is one of the best web hosts for bloggers planning to use WordPress. Plans start at $2.95/month and include everything you need to create a blog, including a free domain, SSL security, and a code-free WordPress page builder. For more options, or to find non-WordPress alternatives, check out our list of the best blogging platforms for beginners.
What is the difference between domain and web hosting?
A domain, such as yourbusinessname.com, is an Internet address that users enter when visiting a website or sending email. Web hosting is a service where you pay for space on a computer server. That space is where your website files are stored for your visitors to access. Many hosting providers also sell domain names, but you can also buy a domain without connecting to web hosting.
Conclusion
Choosing the right web hosting provider can save you time, money and customer acquisition. The decision need not be complicated. Use the knowledge gained to evaluate your web hosting choices and make the right decision for your small business. DreamHost lets you build a new website with reliable WordPress hosting, free domain and his SSL certificate, business email and WordPress page builder for just $2.95/month.