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Whether you run a growing online store or host a lot of videos on your website, understanding how these impact your hosting needs is crucial. While some sites manage fine on shared hosting, a larger or more complex website might require something more robust. So, how do you decide between options like VPS, dedicated hosting, managed hosting, or cloud solutions?
If you’re unsure about the type of server you need, this quick guide will help you choose wisely.
Define Your Website’s Purpose
Understanding the purpose of your site is key to selecting the right hosting package. Identifying your site’s goals makes researching hosting options and server types much easier. Ask yourself these questions to clarify your needs:
- Is the website for business or personal use?
- What kind of website is it—a blog, a portfolio, or an online store?
For example, an online store might need a dedicated IP address and SSL certification, or you may need a CRM for managing clients. For content-heavy sites, you’ll likely focus more on the site builder and templates.
Explore Your Hosting Options
Selecting a hosting provider for your website, whether for business or personal use, requires knowing what features are essential and understanding the types of servers available. Some companies bundle several features at no extra charge. For instance, Bluehost offers an introductory deal at $2.95 per month with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Other hosts may provide a basic plan and charge separately for additional features, some of which might be included by other providers.
The Reality of “Unlimited” Plans
You might wonder why anyone would upgrade from shared hosting when many plans offer “unlimited” space and bandwidth. However, hosting providers often use “unlimited” loosely.
Most shared hosting users require minimal resources, so providers avoid placing strict limits. But if your site exceeds typical usage, you might be asked to upgrade. Shared hosting might not work well for sites with multiple domains, heavy storage needs, video streaming, or advanced features.
Reliable Technical Support
Many hosting companies offer 24/7 support throughout the year. Some use ticket systems to reduce wait times, which some users prefer, while others would rather wait and speak directly with a support agent. Ideally, you should have options for contacting support via email, live chat, or phone.
It’s essential to differentiate between sales support and technical support. For VPS hosting, you’ll need reliable, responsive technical support, as you’ll handle most configurations. Shared hosting has fewer technical issues, but VPS requires more support due to customizable configurations.
Add-ons and Applications
In most cases, your hosting type won’t impact the free applications included with your package. These typically include popular CMS options like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, along with apps for galleries, blogs, forums, and video streaming. You’ll also likely get email with anti-spam protection and the ability to create multiple accounts on your domain.
More technical add-ons, such as site analytics and error logs, can help you optimize your website’s performance. While some packages may include features like SSL certificates and shopping carts, these can usually be added as extras. Bluehost, for example, includes daily automatic backups and SEO submission as standard features in all packages.
Bottom Line
If you’re unsure which server type to choose, start with a smaller plan—you can always upgrade. Hosting providers will be happy to assist with migrations as they benefit from your upgrade. Even if you have a large budget, dedicated hosting is worthwhile only if you truly need it, as it requires extensive management and can add complexity.
