Confused about the number of options available?

WebSite Hosting

A web hosting service is a type of Internet hosting service that allows individuals and organizations to make their own website accessible via the World Wide Web. Web hosts are companies that provide space on a server they own or lease for use by their clients as well as providing Internet connectivity, typically in a data center. Web hosts can also provide data center space and connectivity to the Internet for servers they do not own to be located in their data center, called collocation.

The scope of hosting services varies widely. The most basic is web page and small-scale file hosting, where files can be uploaded via File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or a Web interface. The files are usually delivered to the Web "as is" or with little processing. Many Internet service providers (ISPs) offer this service free to their subscribers. People can also obtain Web page hosting from other, alternative service providers. Personal web site hosting is typically free, advertisement-sponsored, or inexpensive. Business web site hosting often has a higher expense.
Single page hosting is generally sufficient only for personal web pages. A complex site calls for a more comprehensive package that provides database support and application development platforms (e.g. PHP, Java, and Ruby on Rails, Cold Fusion, and ASP.NET). These facilities allow the customers to write or install scripts for applications like forums and content management. For e-commerce, SSL is also highly recommended.

The host may also provide an interface or control panel for managing the Web server and installing scripts as well as other services like e-mail. Some hosts specialize in certain software or services (e.g. e-commerce). They are commonly used by larger companies to outsource network infrastructure to a hosting company.

What are the options for web hosting?

Choosing web hosting service could be a daunting task. From affordable shared hosting to dedicated servers with only one website, each type of web hosting presents its own set of pros and cons.

Cheap Web Hosting

Cheap web hosting is the best option to host small personal websites like blogs. It can be defined as any type of shared unix hosting service with hosting plans for under $10 a month usually including domain name registration fee.

VPS hosting (Virtual Private Server) is a preferred option for small and medium sized businesses since virtual server comes with a much greater degree of control, guaranteed level of performance, and advanced software.