What Type of Hosting Should You Use? (Shared, VPS, Dedicated, Reseller, WordPress, NodeJS)
Aug 9, 2023
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In this podcast, the hosts discuss the importance of choosing the right web host for your project's success. They explore various web hosting types including shared, dedicated, WordPress, reseller, and nodeJS. They delve into the features, limitations, and benefits of shared hosting and dedicated hosting. They also explain the differences between shared, dedicated, and VPS hosting, highlighting the advantages of VPS hosting. Additionally, they discuss managed hosting, WordPress hosting, and node.js hosting, outlining their benefits and limitations. The podcast concludes with a discussion on common pitfalls in web hosting and the importance of checking hosting plan details before making a purchase.
Shared hosting is a cost-effective option, but it has limited computing power and potential performance issues due to resource sharing.
Dedicated hosting provides high performance and security, but it is expensive and requires high technical skills to manage.
VPS hosting is a middle ground between shared and dedicated hosting, offering more control and resources at a lower cost.
When choosing web hosting, consider factors like storage type, geographic location, networking, support, and limitations or restrictions.
Deep dives
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is a cost-effective option where multiple users share server resources. Each user gets a portion of the resources and the hosting provider manages the server. It is beginner-friendly and offers easily maintained support. However, it has limited computing power, potential performance issues due to resource sharing, and security risks.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting involves renting an entire server for your exclusive use. It provides full control and access to the hardware, offering high performance and security. However, it is expensive, requires high technical skills to manage, and has limited scalability.
VPS (Virtual Private Server) Hosting
VPS hosting is a middle ground between shared and dedicated hosting. It divides a physical server into separate virtual compartments, offering more control and resources compared to shared hosting. It allows for customization and is less costly than dedicated hosting. Managed and unmanaged VPS hosting options are available.
Types of VPS Hosting
Unmanaged VPS hosting requires users to take care of all server responsibilities, while managed VPS hosting includes core updates, maintenance, and software installation by the hosting provider. Semi-managed VPS hosting offers a combination of user and provider responsibilities.
Different Types of Web Hosting: Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, Semi-Managed VPS Hosting, Reseller Hosting, WordPress Hosting, Node.js Hosting
There are several types of web hosting available, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, semi-managed VPS hosting, reseller hosting, WordPress hosting, and Node.js hosting. Shared hosting is a budget-friendly option for small websites and offers limited resources. VPS hosting provides more freedom and resources than shared hosting, while semi-managed VPS hosting offers additional support. Reseller hosting allows freelancers and small businesses to resell hosting services. WordPress hosting is tailored for hosting WordPress websites and includes optimized features. Node.js hosting accommodates web apps built with Node.js and can be found in VPS or shared hosting plans.
Advantages and disadvantages of each hosting type
Shared hosting offers a budget-friendly way to start a website, but can have limitations and scalability issues. VPS hosting provides more resources and flexibility, but may require more technical expertise to manage. Semi-managed VPS hosting strikes a balance between support and user responsibility. Reseller hosting allows freelancers and small businesses to offer hosting services, but may involve additional management and support. WordPress hosting is optimized for WordPress websites, offers additional security and features, but may limit other CMS options. Node.js hosting is effective for web apps built with Node.js, but may require specific hosting plans and has limitations to consider.
Important factors to consider when choosing web hosting
When choosing web hosting, it's important to consider factors such as performance, storage type (HDD or SSD), geographic location, and networking. The storage type impacts speed and loading times, while the geographic location affects the site's performance for users in different regions. Networking and connectivity also play a role in overall performance and site availability. Additionally, it's crucial to consider the level of support and assistance provided by the hosting provider, as well as any limitations or restrictions on storage space, email usage, or CMS compatibility.
Common pitfalls in choosing web hosting and how to avoid them
Two common pitfalls in choosing web hosting are the obfuscation of important details and low base performance. Some hosting providers may obfuscate details such as hardware specifications or soft limits on resources. It is essential to clarify these aspects with the hosting provider before making a decision. Additionally, low base performance can arise from factors like using hard disk drives instead of solid-state drives or hosting the website in a location far away from the target audience. To avoid these pitfalls, it is crucial to research and communicate with the hosting provider to ensure transparency and optimal performance.
Choosing the right web host is crucial for your project's success. Web hosting should be seen as the foundation in which your website or web app is built upon. It doesn't matter if you make your app with this framework, that plugin, or have the best content in the business - if the hosting goes down, your project goes down. The problem here is that as a web developer and especially a junior developer, you've spent the majority of your time building and learning on your local machine. Hosting projects locally is fantastic for building, but it doesn't reflect the real-world demands of a website being used by the public. Once deployed your project must withstand varying amounts of traffic while remaining performant, both of these things rest largely on the web host's shoulders - having the right server configuration with the proper networking infrastructure supporting it is crucial. In this episode, Matt takes a look at various web hosting types including shared, dedicated, WordPress, reseller, and nodeJS. Each of these unique hosting types have their own pros and cons ranging from how powerful they are, what their scalability looks like, and how much they cost. The focus of this episode is on what is commonly called "traditional web hosting" or "traditional web hosts" provided by companies such as HostGator, Hostinger, BlueHost, and more.
