If it were to be compared, web hosting can be compared to land or land where you build a house (website). Like land, web hosting stores all the resources needed to build a website so that it can be accessed by other people.
The main role of website hosting is to manage and run the server, ensure website security, and ensure that all data such as text, images and other files can be accessed by visitors.
For example, when you visit a website, your browser actually communicates with the server where the website is hosted. This server sends website data to your browser, allowing you to view and interact with website content.
Do you want to know more about the concept of web hosting, how it works, and the various types? No need to worry, all the information you need about web hosting will be explained here. Come on, let's continue the discussion below!
What is Hosting?
Website hosting is a service that allows you to store a website or web-based application so that it can be accessed online via devices such as desktops, smartphones and tablets. Every hosted website consists of various types of files, including text, images, videos, coding scripts, and databases.
Without a hosting service, of course you cannot present your website online. This is why a hosting subscription is an important step in the website development process.
If it had to be illustrated, web hosting could be likened to the land needed to build a house (website). This land is used to store resources that enable the website to be accessed by visitors.
Please remember, there are various types of hosting available on the market. Therefore, it is important to understand each type of hosting and its advantages and disadvantages so that you can choose a service that suits your needs.
Thus, let's move straight to the next point to gain further understanding!
What function hosts a Web page?
You already understand the meaning of hosting, but maybe you want to know more about the importance of hosting for a website. Here are some of them:
1. Storing Website Data
The main function of hosting is as a storage place for website files and data, which allows visitors to access this information online.
For example, imagine you want to create an online shop. This is where hosting is needed to store all the details of the products you offer. Starting from the product name, product description, product stock, product images, product videos, to the product price.
If your online store aims to attract lots of visitors, then you must choose a hosting service that can handle a high workload.
2. Optimizing Website Performance
The next hosting function is to help improve website performance. Some high-quality web hosting services usually provide superior features to ensure that the website always runs quickly and stably.
We have some tips for choosing a web hosting service. Choose a service that uses a high-quality data center with tier 4 standards. For those who are not familiar, a data center is a physical place where website servers are stored and operated.
3. Website Protection from Hacker Threats
The next function of web hosting is to protect the website from potentially damaging threats. A vulnerable hosting can provide an opportunity for hackers to enter the system and take control of your website.
Therefore, it is very important to choose hosting that is equipped with advanced security features. For example, Exabytes, one of the leading hosting providers, offers dual-layer security features such as Imunify360.
Imunify360 is a security tool that works similar to a firewall. It functions to prevent attacks from hackers, malware, DDoS, and other dangerous viruses before they can damage your website. With this protection, you can ensure that your website remains safe and protected from potential threats that could be detrimental.
4. Build a Professional Email with Your Own Domain Name
Another hosting function is to create an email address with a special domain name, such as [email protected]. However, to make this happen, you need to buy a domain first.
For your business, using an email address that is matched to your domain name has a more professional appearance. Especially when compared to free email addresses like Gmail and Yahoo!.
By having a personal domain-based email address, you give a more serious impression to your clients and business partners. Apart from that, this also strengthens your professional image in the business world.
5. Improve Website SEO
The final function of hosting is to improve website SEO. Although not directly, quality hosting can have a positive impact on website speed, stability and security.
It cannot be denied that these factors have an influence on website rankings in search results. Superior hosting helps provide the required speed and stability, which can ultimately improve your website's ranking in search results.
On the other hand, hosting that is not optimal can result in slow website performance. This can cause many visitors to leave the website quickly, which in turn can increase the bounce rate and harm your website's SEO. Therefore, choosing the right hosting can be a key factor in maintaining the SEO quality of your website.
How does hosting work?
After understanding what hosting is and its functions, maybe you want to know how hosting works. In general, the working mechanism of hosting is as follows:
First, the hosting service provider company prepares a hosting server to store various types of files needed by a website. Then, visitors will enter your website domain name into the browser.
After that, the browser will ask the web hosting server to send the website files to the visitor's browser. The server responds by sending the files to the browser. Finally, visitors can access your website and view its content.
However, even though the way hosting works looks simple, not all hosting services are able to work well. There are many cases where hosting often experiences interruptions, has sub-optimal performance resulting in slow website access, and so on.
This is important considering that almost all segments of society currently need web hosting services. Starting from business owners, large companies, professionals, web developers, government agencies, to startups who are starting a business.
What are the 6 types of hosting?
Each type of hosting has different specifications and prices, tailored to various needs. Before you decide to subscribe to hosting, make sure you choose the type of hosting service that suits your website's needs.
The following is a list of several types of web hosting services that are generally offered by hosting service providers, along with their advantages and disadvantages:
1. Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is a type of hosting service where the server is used by many users together. The working principle of Shared Hosting is similar to the concept of boarding houses.
For example, imagine you rent a boarding house that shares a bathroom, kitchen, electricity source and water together. You must use these facilities together with other residents.
The same applies to Shared Hosting. You have to share hosting resources, such as bandwidth, disk space, and others. If one of the users consumes excessive resources, this can impact the performance of your website.
Excess:
- Affordable prices.
- The hosting server is fully managed by the hosting provider.
- Suitable for beginners.
- Complete facilities, including disk space, unlimited bandwidth, database, and SSL.
Lack:
- Possible impact if a user uses resources excessively, affecting other users' websites.
- There are limitations to file storage and web hosting facilities.
2. Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated Hosting is a type of hosting where one server is only used by one user. In Dedicated Hosting, you have an exclusive server for your own use, so you don't have to worry about other users affecting the performance of your website.
Apart from that, you have complete freedom to manage and organize the server according to your needs. However, keep in mind that you need good technical understanding to manage your server effectively.
To give a clearer picture, Dedicated Hosting can be likened to a private house that you buy from a housing developer. You have the freedom to arrange, manage, and even modify the house according to your wishes.
Excess:
- Huge resource.
- Able to handle high traffic.
- Can store large amounts of data.
- Root access to fully manage the server.
- Free to choose the operating system.
Lack:
- Relatively expensive price.
- Must perform server maintenance independently.
- Requires deep technical understanding.
3. WordPress Hosting
WordPress Hosting is a type of hosting service specifically designed for the management of the WordPress platform. In terms of specifications, WordPress Hosting has similar characteristics to Shared Hosting.
However, the main advantage of WordPress Hosting is that all the necessary configurations to run a WordPress website are pre-set. Thus, you only need to make minor adjustments, and your WordPress website is ready to go.
To provide a clearer picture, WordPress Hosting can be likened to renting a boarding room with complete facilities available. You only need to bring your personal belongings, and the room is ready to be occupied.
Excess:
- Economical prices like Shared Hosting.
- Perfect integration with the WordPress platform.
- Suitable for beginners.
- Fully managed by the hosting provider.
- Facilities such as disk space, SSL, and others are fully provided.
Lack:
- Resources are limited and shared.
- Likely to be affected if another user overuses the resource.
4. VPS Hosting
Virtual Private Server or VPS is a type of web hosting service where server resources are shared between each user. This allows you to utilize server resources without being affected by other users.
In VPS, you have complete freedom to organize and manage the available resources according to your needs. However, you need to have technical knowledge in server management to optimize it.
This type of web hosting can be compared to individual apartment rooms that provide private facilities. Each apartment has its own electricity meter, water meter, bathroom and kitchen. This is different from the boarding house concept where all the facilities are shared in one room.
Excess:
- Due to its private nature, resources are not affected by other users.
- Can customize the VPS server as desired.
- Able to manage multiple hosting accounts.
- Free to choose the operating system (OS).
- Prices are more affordable compared to Dedicated Hosting.
Lack:
- Must configure the server independently.
- Requires technical understanding of server management.
5. Cloud Hosting
Cloud Hosting is a hosting service that has similar performance to VPS, but with ease of management like Shared Hosting. This means you don't need to have high technical skills to use this type of hosting.
In a simple analogy, Cloud Hosting can be likened to doing business in a restaurant. For example, you open a restaurant branch in several locations to avoid long queues at one place.
Similarly, Cloud Hosting will distribute the workload across multiple servers simultaneously. If one server has a problem, the website can still operate smoothly with support from other servers as a backup.
Excess:
- Many resources are available.
- Able to accommodate high traffic.
- Fully managed by the hosting service provider.
- Does not require deep technical knowledge.
Lack:
- Prices are more expensive compared to VPS and Shared Hosting.
6. Email Hosting
Email hosting tools, as the name suggests, are a type of hosting specifically designed for email needs. This means that the server you are using has been specifically configured to send and receive emails in a professional manner.
By using Email Hosting, you have the ability to have an email address with your own domain, for example [email protected]. However, since the focus is on email services, you cannot use these services to host websites.
To illustrate, subscribing to Email Hosting is similar to when you rent a kiosk to sell. The facilities provided are focused on supporting your needs and buying and selling activities.
Excess:
- Complete and special email features.
- Support for weekly email backups.
- Protect your email inbox from spam.
- Can send up to 100 emails per hour.
Lack:
- Can only create email addresses with the main domain.
- Does not include common features such as File Manager and Domain Management that are often found in other hosting packages.
How do I Find the best Web Host?
As your website grows, your need for storage space, bandwidth, and other resources may also increase. In this case, you may need to upgrade to a more advanced hosting package, such as cloud hosting or VPS. Make sure your hosting provider offers a variety of services so you can upgrade easily when needed.
Below, we have some tips for choosing the right hosting that you can follow to determine the best provider. Listen carefully!
- Identify your needs: First of all, determine your website needs. How much traffic you expect, how much storage space you need, and what features you need. This will help you choose a suitable hosting package.
- Choose the Right Hosting Type: Based on your needs, choose the most suitable hosting type. If you're just starting out, shared hosting may be enough. However, if you have a larger website and need more control, VPS or cloud hosting could be an option.
- Speed and Performance Test: Check the speed and performance of the hosting provider before you choose. A slow website can make visitors leave your site. Make sure the hosting provider has a good reputation for speed.
- Look at Reviews and Reputation: Reading reviews from previous users can provide insight into the quality of a hosting provider's services. Also pay attention to their reputation in the hosting industry.
- Good Technical Support: Make sure the hosting provider offers good technical support. You may need help with technical issues in the future, so make sure there is a responsive support team.
- Scalability: Choose a hosting provider that allows you to upgrade as your website grows. Scalability is important so that your website can grow without problems.
- Security: Consider the security features offered by the hosting provider. Protection from DDoS attacks, SSL, and malware protection are some of the important security features.
- Price Match: Compare prices from different hosting providers, but don't just choose the cheapest one. Consider the value you get according to the price paid.
By following the tips above, you can choose the right hosting provider to meet your website needs. Remember that good hosting will provide a strong foundation for your online success.
So, Website Hosting Is…
Web hosting is a type of service used to store all the elements needed by a website or web-based application, such as coding scripts, databases, images, videos and other content, so that the website can be accessed via the internet network.
This article has given you an understanding of what hosting is, the various types of web hosting available on the market, the important functions of hosting, and how hosting works in storing files and data from a website.
When choosing a hosting service, it is very important to only subscribe to a trusted hosting provider. This aims to avoid problems such as frequent website downs, slow performance, and insecurity.