As you read this sentence, three new websites are being created. In just one minute, a whopping 175 new websites will have been added to the internet.
In the past, setting up a website was as simple as using basic web hosting services. However, with the internet’s explosive growth, new systems have been put in place to cater to the deployment of websites and apps.
There are three major systems that we will focus on in this article: Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, and Dedicated Hosting. We’ll discuss each Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) in depth, highlighting their significant differences and most appropriate uses.
Table of Contents
Shared Hosting
Shared web hosting is a type of hosting where many websites are hosted on the same server. This means that multiple websites share the same resources, including bandwidth and storage space. Shared hosting is the most cost-effective option among the three main types of hosting because the maintenance cost is shared among all customers.
Shared hosting is an ideal choice for customers who are not tech-savvy or do not want to worry about server maintenance. With shared hosting, data is processed on the servers located in the hardware.
Benefits of Shared Hosting
Here are some reasons most people consider shared-hosting servers.
1. Managed by the service provider: One significant advantage of shared web hosting is that your host manages it. Since shared web hosting is low maintenance, you don’t need to worry about hardware upgrade and maintenance, updating software, DDoS attacks, etc. Your host will take care of these.
2. More affordable: Of all three web hosting solutions, shared hosting is the least expensive because many users contribute to the use of the server. The service providers distribute the cost of hosting between customers.
3. Scalable: With shared hosting, you can always upgrade your package as your site grows and needs more resources.
4. Simplified user interface: Shared hosting is beginner-friendly to people new to the world of web hosting. The website owner can easily manage the back end using a simplified control interface, where administrative tasks and duties can be managed.
5. Option to host multiple domains: You can add many domains to your directory as a shared-hosting domain owner.
2. More affordable: Of all three web hosting solutions, shared hosting is the least expensive because many users contribute to the use of the server. The service providers distribute the cost of hosting between customers.
3. Scalable: With shared hosting, you can always upgrade your package as your site grows and needs more resources.
4. Simplified user interface: Shared hosting is beginner-friendly to people new to the world of web hosting. The website owner can easily manage the back end using a simplified control interface, where administrative tasks and duties can be managed.
5. Option to host multiple domains: You can add many domains to your directory as a shared-hosting domain owner.
The Drawback of Shared Hosting
1. Shared hosting has its advantages, but it also has downsides. The most significant disadvantage is security. If one website on a server is compromised, all other websites on that server are also at risk. Although shared hosting providers promise isolation of each website on the server, it is not entirely foolproof, and an average hacker could still breach the security.
2. Another significant issue with shared hosting is slow loading times. This can be a problem, particularly since Google now factors in website speed to determine its ranking on search engine results pages (SERP). If the allocated resources are not sufficient, shared hosting websites may experience sluggish performance, leading to slow loading times. Additionally, a sudden spike in traffic could lead to slow loading times, especially if the fair usage policy is in effect.
3. There is also a scarcity of applications with shared hosting servers, which can be frustrating if you are switching service providers. Root accessibility is another issue with shared hosting. As your website grows, you may want to increase its functionality, but most shared hosting companies do not grant root access. This is because granting root access could potentially affect other websites on the server.
4. Another disadvantage of shared hosting is the fair usage policy. Shared hosting providers limit the resources, bandwidth, and storage available to each website on the server. If your website consumes more than its allocated resources, it may be cut off from the server or become painfully slow for your visitors. This could happen if you’re running ads on your website or if an article on your website goes viral, causing a traffic spike.
5. Lastly, while shared hosting is the least expensive option, it can become costly as your website grows. You may need to pay for and install software that makes your website safe and responsive to your users, such as SSL certificates. Although shared hosting providers do not offer SSL certificates for free, you must install them on your website to ensure it is secure and does not display a “Not-Secure” warning to your visitors.
2. Another significant issue with shared hosting is slow loading times. This can be a problem, particularly since Google now factors in website speed to determine its ranking on search engine results pages (SERP). If the allocated resources are not sufficient, shared hosting websites may experience sluggish performance, leading to slow loading times. Additionally, a sudden spike in traffic could lead to slow loading times, especially if the fair usage policy is in effect.
3. There is also a scarcity of applications with shared hosting servers, which can be frustrating if you are switching service providers. Root accessibility is another issue with shared hosting. As your website grows, you may want to increase its functionality, but most shared hosting companies do not grant root access. This is because granting root access could potentially affect other websites on the server.
4. Another disadvantage of shared hosting is the fair usage policy. Shared hosting providers limit the resources, bandwidth, and storage available to each website on the server. If your website consumes more than its allocated resources, it may be cut off from the server or become painfully slow for your visitors. This could happen if you’re running ads on your website or if an article on your website goes viral, causing a traffic spike.
5. Lastly, while shared hosting is the least expensive option, it can become costly as your website grows. You may need to pay for and install software that makes your website safe and responsive to your users, such as SSL certificates. Although shared hosting providers do not offer SSL certificates for free, you must install them on your website to ensure it is secure and does not display a “Not-Secure” warning to your visitors.
VPS Hosting
VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a significant improvement over shared hosting. Although similar to shared hosting, VPS hosting provides advanced functionality.
VPS hosting involves allocating resources on a server to a select few users who can then control these resources through virtualization technology, much like a physical server. Each user can run their copy of an operating system and set of applications, independent of the others.
This virtual machine technology makes VPS hosting more cost-effective, allowing developers or entrepreneurs to start small and gradually build up as they require additional resources.
VPS hosting involves allocating resources on a server to a select few users who can then control these resources through virtualization technology, much like a physical server. Each user can run their copy of an operating system and set of applications, independent of the others.
This virtual machine technology makes VPS hosting more cost-effective, allowing developers or entrepreneurs to start small and gradually build up as they require additional resources.
Benefits of VPS
1. Instant Deployment: You don’t have to wait for hours to deploy; with VPS, you can deploy in just a few minutes.
2. Low Cost of Entry: You can own a VPS for a low price. With VPS, you get more value for your money than shared hosting.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: You only pay for what you use. There are no unnecessary expenses.
4. Flexibility: With VPS, you can upgrade anytime you need to, according to your requirements.
5. Customization: You can fully customize the operating system of your VPS to meet your needs. If required, you can change your OS as well.
6. Control: With VPS, you have complete control over how your hosting environment runs. Unlike shared hosting, you can install what you need and restart your hosting environment without disrupting anyone else on the same server.
7. Security: Just because you share the same server with others doesn’t mean that a compromise affects everyone. Virtual machines operate independently, so an issue affects only that particular machine.
2. Low Cost of Entry: You can own a VPS for a low price. With VPS, you get more value for your money than shared hosting.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: You only pay for what you use. There are no unnecessary expenses.
4. Flexibility: With VPS, you can upgrade anytime you need to, according to your requirements.
5. Customization: You can fully customize the operating system of your VPS to meet your needs. If required, you can change your OS as well.
6. Control: With VPS, you have complete control over how your hosting environment runs. Unlike shared hosting, you can install what you need and restart your hosting environment without disrupting anyone else on the same server.
7. Security: Just because you share the same server with others doesn’t mean that a compromise affects everyone. Virtual machines operate independently, so an issue affects only that particular machine.
The Drawback of VPS Hosting
1. Technical knowledge requirement for setup: VPS hosting is unsuitable for everyone. Compared to shared hosting, users have a simple interface to manage their website. However, if you opt for VPS, you need to understand the technical aspects involved in setting it up, especially if you choose unmanaged VPS hosting, as it is much cheaper than managed VPS hosting.
2. Vulnerabilities: Improper configuration of a VPS can make it vulnerable to security breaches. Hence, as a VPS owner, it is essential to ensure that your VPS is configured correctly and that you install regular security updates to keep your VPS running safely and optimally. Additionally, it is advisable to back up your VPS regularly.
3. Cost: Typically, VPS hosting costs much more than shared hosting, and the cost may vary based on your chosen VPS plan.
2. Vulnerabilities: Improper configuration of a VPS can make it vulnerable to security breaches. Hence, as a VPS owner, it is essential to ensure that your VPS is configured correctly and that you install regular security updates to keep your VPS running safely and optimally. Additionally, it is advisable to back up your VPS regularly.
3. Cost: Typically, VPS hosting costs much more than shared hosting, and the cost may vary based on your chosen VPS plan.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is the most expensive type of hosting available, but it offers complete control to the client who leases a whole server (or servers). This type of hosting is ideal for large organizations with websites that have higher traffic.
When a client owns a dedicated server, they have complete independence to use the server as they want, including managing all their resources, security, systems upgrades, and administrative duties.
When a client owns a dedicated server, they have complete independence to use the server as they want, including managing all their resources, security, systems upgrades, and administrative duties.
Benefits of Dedicated Hosting
1. Dedicated hosting offers a high level of flexibility since service providers can customize a server to suit a client’s specific needs. This includes RAM, storage space, CPU, and anything else required.
2. Dedicated servers are the most secure web hosting option available. This is because you are not sharing your server with anyone else, meaning that your website is much less likely to be breached.
3. Dedicated servers also provide the highest performance since dedicated resources load quickly and perform efficiently, even when there is a spike in traffic.
4. Customization is not an issue with dedicated servers. You can install as much software as you need and run it as required.
5. Clients who use dedicated servers enjoy unlimited bandwidth and disk space, so there is no need to worry about exceeding their resources. However, keep in mind that the amount of bandwidth and disk space you use is determined by the dedicated server configurations you lease.
6. With dedicated servers, you have complete control over your server at the root access level.
2. Dedicated servers are the most secure web hosting option available. This is because you are not sharing your server with anyone else, meaning that your website is much less likely to be breached.
3. Dedicated servers also provide the highest performance since dedicated resources load quickly and perform efficiently, even when there is a spike in traffic.
4. Customization is not an issue with dedicated servers. You can install as much software as you need and run it as required.
5. Clients who use dedicated servers enjoy unlimited bandwidth and disk space, so there is no need to worry about exceeding their resources. However, keep in mind that the amount of bandwidth and disk space you use is determined by the dedicated server configurations you lease.
6. With dedicated servers, you have complete control over your server at the root access level.
The Drawback of Dedicated Hosting
1. If you’re considering getting a dedicated server, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, the cost of a dedicated server is usually quite high and may require a substantial budget. Additionally, unless you have the technical expertise, you may need to hire an expert to manage your server and ensure it runs optimally.
2. Another consideration is the operating system. Changing the OS of a dedicated server is much more complicated and time-consuming than with VPS hosting. It may require a complete format of the server, which can take several hours.
3. Finally, scalability can be an issue with dedicated servers. Once you’ve reached the maximum resource capacity, you won’t be able to scale any further. In contrast, VPS hosting allows for easy scalability as needed.
2. Another consideration is the operating system. Changing the OS of a dedicated server is much more complicated and time-consuming than with VPS hosting. It may require a complete format of the server, which can take several hours.
3. Finally, scalability can be an issue with dedicated servers. Once you’ve reached the maximum resource capacity, you won’t be able to scale any further. In contrast, VPS hosting allows for easy scalability as needed.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between these hosting services depends on factors such as budget, website requirements, and technical expertise. By understanding the distinctions outlined in this guide, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific needs and goals.
