You’ve finally decided to start your own website. The decision took a lot of time. You went to a lot of people for guidance. It took long hours on the internet. You finally realized that creating a website and running it is a better alternative to that same old desk job. Now, it’s time to find a hosting service.
But here comes the tricky part. Finding the right hosting service for your website can be difficult. After all, it isn’t Spectrum 1800 phone number that you could just dial in an instant and get the help you need. It’s much more complicated than that. We’re talking about finding just the perfect hosting service for your website.
What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting refers to a service that hosts client websites. These services allow users to create and maintain their websites. Web hosting services offer various tools. Simply put, web hosting is the link between a website and the internet. Shared and VPS are two types of web hosting services.
What Is Shared Hosting?
Shared hosting is a type of web hosting service wherein multiple websites use a single web server on the internet. Think of it as an apartment complex having facilities like a swimming pool and parking. You may be the sole owner of your apartment but other members can use facilities like parking and backyard. This is what shared hosting is about.
It is also the cheapest hosting service on the web. However, shared hosting has its drawbacks. One of the major drawbacks is that it has limited bandwidth. Why? Because multiple websites are using the same server. This means your website might load slowly during peak usage hours. The same could be said for a pool. You enjoy it when it’s empty.
When to Use Shared Hosting?
If you have a large business, shared hosting may not be the right option. On the contrary, it is a solid choice if you want to start a blog or create your own website. Moreover, you can use it to create a website for your small business. People who don’t have many financial resources to create big websites can also benefit from shared hosting. Lastly, go for shared hosting if you’re a beginner in web development.
Benefits of Shared Hosting
- Great for beginners
- Easy to install
- Little technical expertise required
- Least expensive
Drawbacks of Shared Hosting
- Less storage and bandwidth
- High traffic may reduce the website speed
- No root accesses
- Limitations when it comes to back-end access
What Is VPS Hosting?
VPS or virtual private server is a type of hosting service wherein users have access to separate hardware and software. Though users share one physical server, they have their own resources to create their websites. Think of it as a dedicated workspace inside a building. No matter what others do they won’t distract you or your work. That is what VPS hosting is all about.
When to Use VPS Hosting?
VPS Hosting is a solid option if you want to build a website for a large business. Moreover, VPS hosting is far more expensive than shared hosting. So, go for it if you have enough resources to support your website development. Lastly, VPS hosting allows users to get a higher number of visitors on their websites.
Benefits of VPS Hosting
- Full back-end access
- More storage and bandwidth
- Comes with root access
- Safe and secure
Drawbacks of VPS Hosting
- Expensive
- Advanced stage of web development
- Difficult to install
Comparing the Two Hosting Services
We’ve already discussed the pros and cons of shared and VPS hosting services. Now it’s time for some detailed comparison. We’ll start things off with a security comparison. Security is crucial no matter the kind of website you operate. Both shared and VPS hosting have some decent security features. However, VPS is relatively more stable and secure. Why? Because it comes with partitioned servers.
Moreover, VPS hosting gives you more control over your website. It comes with advanced options such as root access and control panel. This means you can have your operating system on the VPS hosting plan. Shared hosting, on the other hand, has its limitations when it comes to back-end access. However, this is a good thing for people with limited knowledge of web development.
Shared hosting requires little technical expertise. This means you won’t have to worry about your site’s maintenance or downtime. Your service provider will do the needful. In contrast, VPS hosting requires advanced knowledge of web development. It lets users improve their website performance and access the back-end whenever they want to.
Conclusion
It all comes down to what kind of website you want for your business. Shared hosting is the best option if it’s a personal blog or a simple website. VPS hosting, on the other hand, is the go-to for large organizations and businesses.
