Let’s face it, if you are not a professional web developer or you don’t work in the telecoms industry, the terminology can be confusing, not only that but there is an overwhelming amount of options available, so it can be difficult to make the correct decision. In its most basic description, a web host refers to a service that provides the technology and support to make your website accessible over the internet. At ITC we wanted to help clarify web hosting so that you are able to make a more informed decision.
Shared hosting
Shared hosting is one of the more popular choices, it works well for most businesses and is simple to implement, and it is also a relatively cheap option.
Shared hosting is much like renting an office space in a huge office building. Storage space is divided up on a web server and then allocated to different users to host their websites. As the storage space is shared, so are the running costs making shared hosting the most cost-effective option. Shared hosting accounts typically offer additional services such as regular back-ups and enhanced security. There are usually some restrictions as to what you can do on a shared server, limits on the number of sites you can host and the amount of storage that you can use. Shared hosting may not be the best option for websites that are likely to receive a lot of traffic.
Virtual Private Server (VPS)
A VPS is similar to shared hosting as the storage space is allocated to each user, but that is where the similarity ends, rather than the space being allocated from a single server the host creates a virtual server. This VPS is a self-contained computing environment; this means that you can configure the server in the most appropriate way for your business. The server has its own operating system, storage, memory and processing power. This self-containment means that your site won’t go down when other sites are busy and your data won’t be put at risk if another site on the physical server is vulnerable.
Dedicated hosting
As the name suggests this server is for your own use with full capabilities. With the server technology available today, this means that you have access to fantastic performance and a huge amount of storage. This may seem unnecessary for smaller businesses as you will be paying for a service for which you are only using a fraction of. It does allow you to tailor the server to fulfil your needs and security measures.
Cloud hosting
Cloud hosting means that your website, data and applications are stored on a network of servers that you can access over the internet. Giving you practically unlimited storage at your fingertips, you are not restricted by your hardware capabilities. The advantage of cloud hosting is that it can grow and shrink with your business, allowing smaller companies to compete against bigger business. if there is a surge in demand then you can use more of the network, if you have slower periods then you can cut your usage, you pay for what you use making cloud hosting one of the most cost effective options. If your business deals with highly sensitive data, like health or criminal records, then cloud hosting may not be the most secure option.
At ITC we have a range of web hosting options available, we will take the time to understand your business and your requirements so that we can find the best solution for you. As well as web hosting we have a number of other services available from IT support to email hosting. If you want to discuss your options then contact us on 0845 652 0450 or email info@clickitc.co.uk.
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