Which web site hosting solution will be most suitable for me?

There are different kinds of web hosting services suitable for different websites with regard to the resources or the web hosting environment they demand. To choose the most appropriate hosting service for your site, you must evaluate what server-side software programs it requires, how many daily hits you expect at the beginning and in the future, as well as any other special needs that may need to be satisfied.

Shared Web Page Hosting - Virtues

The best option for small sized websites with several hundred or a few, each client pays only for their account, which decreases the total price per client noticeably. There are various web hosting solutions varying from one company to another, providing different amounts of server storage space and monthly traffic, different e-mail quotas and so on. The good point is that you can purchase an account that will include the features your online portal in fact requires. You will not need to pay lots of cash for a package you will not utilize, or end up with a small sized account that cannot accommodate the website. At HD Web Hosting, there is a vast selection of shared hosting plans appropriate for personal or small business portals that even include pre-activated script-driven systems like Joomla, Mambo, Drupal or WordPress - to make it simpler. If you begin with a low-price package and you demand more system resources, upgrading to a more powerful plan takes only a click of the mouse.

Shared Hosting - Disadvantages

A drawback of the shared website hosting platform is that the hosting servers have some software platforms installed on them and you are unable to install new software. Specific online portals, particularly web storefronts, demand applications to be activated on the hosting server for them to run, and with a shared hosting plan, you can install only software that does not need full server root access.

Virtual Servers and Dedicated Web Servers

For portals that need complete root access, or if your web page has many 1000's or even millions of visitors per day, what you need is a VPS or a dedicated server. A Virtual Private Server is a software emulation of a dedicated solution and it works in precisely the same way.

Virtual Private Hosting Servers

Both services normally include full root privileges and can be rebooted through a software interface by the client, autonomously from the web hosting supplier. Like the shared site hosting packages, the VPS web hosting server and the dedicated hosting server accounts comprise diverse specs based on what the web hosting provider offers. A private virtual server web hosting account includes guaranteed web storage space, random access memory and CPU quotas that can at times be boosted for brief stretches of time if there are free resources on the physical machine. With a dedicated web hosting server, the only limitation is the hardware equipment it is availing of, and it can be revved up by changing or appending components. A virtual private web hosting server is simpler to cope with as it comes with a virtualization panel, which can be utilized to reboot it, to install software applications, explore stats, and so on. The administration of a dedicated web hosting server is more complex, so such an account would rather be resorted to by competent users.

Dedicated Web Servers

Nonetheless, certain hosting suppliers provide managed dedicated web hosting services where they carry out web server administration tasks on behalf of the customer. This can be a part of plan or an additional service.

Before You Select...

Selecting the top hosting package is essential as it can have an influence on the stable operation of a web site. Prior to opting for a package, compare the pros and cons, explore thoroughly all the preconditions for the site to function properly, particularly if it is script-powered, and, last but not least, if you have already chosen a web hosting vendor, the best choice would be to ask their client support staff for a recommendation as to which particular plan would be best for the stable work of your online portal.