{"id":28207,"date":"2024-12-03T18:07:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T18:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogadmin.merch.vpsvc.com\/hub\/?p=28207"},"modified":"2024-11-25T14:00:50","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T14:00:50","slug":"what-is-web-hosting-and-how-to-choose-yours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/what-is-web-hosting-and-how-to-choose-yours\/","title":{"rendered":"What is web hosting and how to choose yours"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>What is web hosting, and why does it matter for your website? Whether you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/small-business-website-design-keys-to-success\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">launching your first business site<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/website-redesign\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">redesigning an old website<\/a>, understanding web hosting is the first step in bringing your online presence to life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply put, web hosting is the behind-the-scenes service that powers your website, ensuring it\u2019s visible and functional for visitors. But with so many options out there, from free plans to premium web hosting providers, it can feel overwhelming to choose the right fit for your needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t worry\u2014we\u2019ll break it down for you and help you find a hosting solution that works for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-tip\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-tip swan section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-7 swan-display-flex span-justify-center tip-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"title swan-text-x2large swan-font-secondary\">\n                Key takeaways:            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Website hosting is what keeps your website live and accessible to everyone online.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The difference between website hosting and a domain is that the domain is your website\u2019s address, while hosting is the space where your site lives.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The main types of website hosting services include free, shared, dedicated, cloud, and collocated hosting.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Platforms like VistaPrint&#8217;s Digital Website Builder let you register a domain, create a website, and host it\u2014all in one easy-to-use platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-design-cta-block\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-design-cta-block swan swan-custom-cta-block px-6 swan-py-4 section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-3 swan-display-flex span-justify-center\">\n            <div class=\"swan-mr-4\">\n                <div class=\"swan-text-x3large swan-text-black swan-font-secondary swan-mb-5\">\n                    Want to establish an online presence for your business?                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"swan-text-black swan-text-xm1 text-description\">\n                    Build a professional website with Vista x Wix for free.                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n                            <div class=\"vp-custom-design-cta-block-button\">\n                    \n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/digital-marketing\/websites\"\n   title=\"Start now!\"\n   target=\"_blank\"\n   class=\"swan-button swan-button-skin-primary\"\n    data-tracking-event=\"Navigation Clicked\" data-tracking-event-detail=\"\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28207;https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/digital-marketing\/websites;Content:Text Link;Start now!\" data-tracking-navigation-detail=\"Start now!\">\n    Start now!<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what\">What is the difference between a domain name and web hosting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webhostingsecretrevealed.net\/blog\/web-hosting-guides\/how-to-host-a-website\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">WebHostingSecretRevealed<\/a> used this analogy for the difference between a domain name and web hosting, which makes perfect sense for the less technologically savvy: <em>\u201cA domain name is like the address of your home; web hosting on the other hand, is the space of your house where you place your furniture.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your domain name gets you to the right place and web hosting is where all of your content resides. Both are necessary components of a website, but they serve different purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hosting\">What is web hosting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/firstsiteguide.com\/best-web-hosting-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">First Site Guide<\/a>, \u201cweb hosting is the activity or service of providing storage space to individuals or organizations, for the websites that are accessible via the World Wide Web.\u201d Hosting provides a server and connection point for your web pages to your domain name, so when someone types your business URL into a browser, it is connected to your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many web hosting providers require you to own your domain name in order to host with them. If you are without a domain, the provider can assist you in finding one that fits your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"types\">Types of web hosting services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/website-layout\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website layout<\/a> and overall performance hinge on the hosting service you choose. With options ranging from free to dedicated servers, the types of website hosting available cater to different needs and budgets. Here\u2019s a clear breakdown to help you decide what works best for your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free hosting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Free hosting providers are best for the following <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/types-of-websites\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">types of websites<\/a>: non-business websites or sites created just for entertainment. These services tend to be slower in connection and have more advertisements associated with the individual pages. If you purchase a domain from a provider, they will often give you free hosting services. Alternatively, others will give you a free domain with the provider\u2019s extension attached to your domain, such as [johnsmithpainting.websitehost.com]. Take note, though, once your domain is established, it cannot be transferred, so you\u2019re stuck with this domain unless you\u2019re willing to rebrand and buy a new domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shared hosting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This type of hosting allows your website and others to share one server. Shared hosting is an economical option because all services, such as cost of operation and software applications, are split among all users. Yet, shared hosting platforms tend to run slower, as your site is sharing RAM and CPU with hundreds or thousands of other sites, and may not be the best option for a professional business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dedicated hosting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Dedicated hosting means your site has its server, so you\u2019re not competing with other websites\u2019 needs, demands and usage of applications. Your website speed is much faster than the previous two options, but is costlier because you\u2019re incurring the expense of maintaining an entire server. If your business requires a high level of security, this is a good fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cloud hosting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A team of servers, also known as a cloud, manages groups of websites. Cloud hosting can control high traffic because it enables multiple computers to handle site-specific traffic tendencies. The speed of your site is fast, but because it utilizes multiple servers and resources, it is a more expensive offering than other hosting options. A limitation of cloud hosting is that customization, such as server settings and certain software, is not available. For the average business owner, this is not a major concern, but if you are in the tech industry or have an interest in specific customization, you may consider a different hosting platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Collocated hosting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Collocated hosting combines the best of two worlds: your business has its server, but it is housed within a web host\u2019s environment. Since the server is yours, the operations and maintenance fall on you, but you have unlimited reign to install whatever applications, plugins or scripts you want to bring your vision of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/responsive-website-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">responsive website design<\/a> to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ready\">Ready for your business website to go live?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, there are a number of ways to host your website successfully. Determine the hosting method that makes the most sense for your business and consider the time and resources required to manage that type of hosting. Businesses with lots of discretionary time and resources can make the most of these outsourced hosting platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Vistaprint Digital\u2019s website builder is a one-stop shop for small business sites. You can select and register your domain name, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/hub\/what-is-web-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">design your site<\/a>, and host it all within our platform and circumvent the research required to choose and connect a hosting provider. Your business needs only one login and account to handle the entire website process. For small businesses, this is an excellent tool for getting your website professionally designed and into the public eye quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF\" class=\"section section-vp-custom-design-cta-block\">\n    <div class=\"vp-custom-design-cta-block swan swan-custom-cta-block px-6 swan-py-4 section__container\" role=\"alert\">\n        <div class=\"swan-px-8 swan-py-3 swan-display-flex span-justify-center\">\n            <div class=\"swan-mr-4\">\n                <div class=\"swan-text-x3large swan-text-black swan-font-secondary swan-mb-5\">\n                    Ready to create a website?                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"swan-text-black swan-text-xm1 text-description\">\n                    Try Vista x Wix, a free website builder that\u2019s easy to use.                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n                            <div class=\"vp-custom-design-cta-block-button\">\n                    \n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/digital-marketing\/websites\"\n   title=\"Let\u2019s go\"\n   target=\"_blank\"\n   class=\"swan-button swan-button-skin-primary\"\n    data-tracking-event=\"Navigation Clicked\" data-tracking-event-detail=\"\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28207;https:\/\/www.vistaprint.com\/digital-marketing\/websites;Content:Text Link;Let\u2019s go\" data-tracking-navigation-detail=\"Let\u2019s go\">\n    Let\u2019s go<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faqs\">Web hosting FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does web hosting work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Web hosting stores your website&#8217;s files on a server and links them to your domain name. When someone enters your URL, the web hosting provider sends your site to their screen, acting as a bridge between your content and your visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does web hosting typically cost?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Web hosting costs vary based on the type of hosting you choose. Shared hosting can start as low as $2\u2013$10 per month, while dedicated hosting or cloud hosting can range from $50 to $300+ per month. Pricing depends on factors like speed, storage and additional features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What features should I look for in a web hosting provider?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for a web hosting provider that offers reliable uptime (99.9% or higher), fast loading speeds, sufficient storage and bandwidth, strong security features, easy scalability as your website grows and responsive customer support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is free web hosting a good idea?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Free web hosting can work for hobby projects, but it\u2019s not ideal for businesses. Free plans often come with slow speeds, limited storage, ads on your site and no support. For a professional and reliable website, investing in a paid web hosting plan is the better choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I change my web hosting provider later?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you can switch web hosting providers later if needed. Most hosting providers offer migration tools or services to make the process easier. Be sure to back up your website files and database before transferring to avoid data loss during the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is web hosting, and why does it matter for your website? Whether you\u2019re launching your first business site or [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":184,"featured_media":28208,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"What Is Web Hosting? Explained Simply | VistaPrint US","_seopress_titles_desc":"Read this article to understand what web hosting is, why it matters and how to pick the best web hosting provider for your business needs.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-digital-marketing"],"acf":{"vp_publishing_settings_post_modified":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/184"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28207"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28216,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28207\/revisions\/28216"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28208"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogadmin.vpsvc.com\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}