What Is a Hosting Provider? How to Choose a Web Host

What Is A Hosting Provider

I’m still fascinated by how I can sit on a train in Chicago and access a website for a company based in Germany, while the contents of that website are on a server in France.

That server — the piece of the puzzle that holds the contents of the website, like images and written posts — is the foundation that makes these websites available all over the world, as long as the user has a browser and internet access.

That server is doing what we call web hosting.

A web hosting provider is a company that maintains web servers and sells space on the servers for businesses to make their websites accessible on the internet.

In this article, I’ll explain the purpose of a web hosting provider and how it’s an essential part of building your website. I’ll discuss what a hosting provider does, the features offered, and the types of web hosting providers to choose from.

What Does a Hosting Provider Do?

A web hosting provider does exactly what the name implies: it provides web hosting services. Beyond that simple definition, a hosting provider offers the overall infrastructure needed to store and deliver websites or applications on the Internet.

What Does a Hosting Provider Do? infographic

On top of all that, hosting providers sell services to go along with the server space for storing websites.

Some of those services and extra features include email hosting, domain registration, and SSL certificates. There are also different hosting services like shared, cloud, and dedicated hosting.

As you continue reading, keep in mind that I may refer to hosting providers in unique ways: hosting providers, web hosting providers, hosting companies, hosts, and more.

How It Works

I like to view the process of web hosting as a relationship between the user and the hosting company:

  1. You (the user) subscribe to a hosting provider, usually for a monthly or yearly fee.
  2. You sign up for one of many hosting types, like shared, VPS, cloud, or dedicated hosting.
  3. With your hosting plan, you get to choose your desired amount of RAM, CPU, and storage, along with other services like email hosting and domain registration.
  4. As a result of your subscription, you receive a server — or a portion of a server — to place your website data.
  5. The host lets you either install the website data on the server using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or with a one-click installation button (like how many hosts offer a one-click WordPress installation button).
  6. You point your domain name to the server with those website files.
  7. Anyone can then access your website by typing your domain name into a browser since the browser asks the server to deliver your website files.

Of course, the entire process varies a bit depending on the services offered by your hosting provider. For instance, your visitors may see faster page load speeds with improved bandwidth.

Types of Services Offered by Hosting Providers

When you sign up for a hosting provider, several other services may come with your subscription, or you might pay extra for some of them.

Here are the main services you may receive:

  • Storage: Increase or decrease the amount of storage on your server to improve performance and accommodate things like media and website files.
  • Bandwidth: More bandwidth helps support more visitors coming to your website.
  • Server management: You get a dashboard for managing everything from server storage to the file structure of your server.
  • Domain registration: Pick and pay for a domain name to connect to your website.
  • Email hosting: A unique type of hosting to send and receive emails through the same server as your website. This also lets you add your custom domain name to internal email addresses.
  • Customer support: This is how you learn about the hosting interface and resolve issues. Customer support types include online chat, phone, and email contacts, along with online documentation in a knowledge base.

Web hosts provide other services and tools, too, like website builders, security suites with SSL certificates, and one-click installation buttons for other software.

As I mentioned before, you may receive these services along with your subscription, but other times it depends on the type of web hosting package you purchase.

Types of Web Hosting

The type of web hosting you choose dictates the amount of security, storage, performance, and control you have over your server. It also dictates the price you’ll pay for web hosting. I like to think of the common web hosting types as a series of stairs you move up until you’ve hit the perfect amount of resources for your website.

Shared Hosting

I consider shared hosting the introductory level of hosting — the type you should sign up for if creating a personal blog or very small business website.

Shared hosting diagram

It’s a low-cost option because you receive a server portion that’s shared with other users. Therefore, the server resources get used by every website and app on the server.

ProsCons
Cost-effectiveSlower performance
Easy to set upResource limitations
Beginner-friendlyPotential security risks

I recommend shared hosting for small websites and blogs. More often than not, I’d suggest you avoid shared hosting unless it’s for a personal project with low traffic. For most business websites, start with something like VPS hosting.

Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting

When I host a business website, I almost always turn to VPS hosting first. It’s a higher performance solution than shared hosting, thanks to its unique setup. You still share a server with others, but you get a partitioned section with full control over it.

VPS hosting diagram

You can control the operating system and resources just like you would a dedicated server.

ProsCons
Better performanceHigher cost than shared hosting
More controlRequires some technical knowledge
ScalablePotential for performance issues when compared to dedicated or cloud hosting
SecureResource limitations when compared to cloud hosting

Most small and midsized businesses should opt for VPS hosting before anything else. A virtual private server works well for eCommerce sites, growing businesses, or even larger personal projects.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting — usually the most expensive and advanced type of hosting available — offers a full server committed to your website only. No one else shares the server with you.

Dedicated hosting diagram

It requires a tremendous amount of technical maintenance but allows for the highest performance and control.

ProsCons
Maximum performanceExpensive
Complete control over the serverRequires advanced technical expertise
CustomizableHardware-heavy

Large businesses and high traffic websites use dedicated hosting. That’s usually because they not only need the resources but also have teams of server management professionals ready to handle the server. Dedicated hosting is also great for resource-intensive applications.

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting is like VPS hosting, except it puts your website’s data files on a network of servers instead of just one server. That “cloud” network works together to provide the fastest page load speeds, redundancy, and uptime.

Cloud hosting diagram

I like to envision cloud hosting as an army of servers supporting your website.

ProsCons
Highly scalableComplex pricing structures
ReliableMay be costlier for small websites over time
Pay-as-you-go pricingPotential security and compliance concerns

Since cloud hosting has the power of multiple servers at its disposal, I prefer it for websites with fluctuating traffic — SaaS applications and eCommerce websites with seasonal upticks in traffic, for instance. I also prefer cloud hosting for startups, considering they often need to scale quickly.

Managed Hosting

Managed hosting is sort of an add-on to many hosting types I’ve already covered. So, you may pay extra for a “managed” VPS or “managed” cloud hosting configuration.

Managed hosting infographic
Managed hosting is ideal for beginners or people who don’t have the time to manage a server themselves.

What does that mean? The hosting provider manages all the technical aspects for you — from your website’s installation to security and performance to server updates.

ProsCons
Less technical maintenance requiredHigher cost
Better securityLess control for advanced users
Peace of mindRisk of vendor lock-in

I find that many business types could benefit from managed hosting, particularly when you want a hands-off server management situation.

I’ve seen small businesses and those with WordPress sites often opt for managed hosting because those businesses lack the technical know-how to manage the server themselves, or it’s just easier to pay someone else to do it.

WordPress Hosting

Like managed hosting, WordPress hosting is another add-on to the general hosting types. You sign up for WordPress hosting, but that just means you’re getting something like VPS or shared hosting with the added benefit of WordPress optimization.

WordPress hosting infographic

The best WordPress hosting plans, in my opinion, offer pre-installed WordPress, automated WordPress and plugin updates, and full WordPress optimization.

ProsCons
Pre-installed WordPressLimited to WordPress
Faster loading timesPotentially higher cost than general hosting
Specialized customer supportMany hosts tend to over-optimize for WordPress, leading to performance issues

Although it may seem obvious, I only recommend WordPress hosting for WordPress users. Even then, it’s not right for all of them. My experience shows that bloggers and small businesses may benefit most from the added service.

I also recommend it for eCommerce sites that would rather focus on day-to-day business tasks instead of WordPress configuration.

Key Features to Look for in a Hosting Provider

Whenever I look for a hosting provider, I keep a few key features in mind so I can make the best decision possible. Those key features vary depending on my project, but, in general, I’ll want to cover the essentials.

  • Uptime Guarantee: Does the hosting provider offer an uptime guarantee above 99.99%? If not, skip it. You can find the most uptime guarantees in the SLA (Service Level Agreement) from the hosting provider.
  • Server Performance and Speed: Server performance and speed change based on the type of hosting you go with (shared, VPS, cloud, etc.) Here’s my protocol for testing host performance: see what the host claims on their website; check user reviews; and look at hands-on speed tests from hosting blogs.
  • Security Features: Look for built-in security features like server monitoring, malware prevention, and SSL certificates. Ideally, the host includes security features without you paying extra.
  • Scalability: My view on scalability involves two elements: hosting type and the number of plans available. Scalability relies heavily on the type of hosting. Like how cloud hosting has better scalability than shared hosting. But I also like to see when hosting providers offer enough paid plans for upgrading when necessary.
  • Customer Support: Here’s how you’ll resolve issues and learn about the hosting interface. You’ll want online documentation like videos, a knowledge base, and a blog. For more direct support, find a host with email, chat, and phone support.
  • Pricing and Value for Money: Compare pricing from your prospective hosts by putting similar plans side-by-side. No host has the same plans, but you can usually figure this out by comparing one shared hosting plan (for instance) next to another host’s shared hosting plan. Pricing isn’t everything, though. Be sure to compare value by seeing which plans offer the best resources (CPU, RAM, storage) for your money.
  • Additional Features: Look for add-ons like domain name registration, SSL certificates, and website migration. It’s also wise to seek a host with some sort of website-building tool.

The goal for you is to find a host with all these key features. I can’t promise you get all the “add-on” bonuses like website building and domain name registration, but there’s a good shot. Regardless, you should view the key features as must-haves and you shouldn’t sacrifice any of them.

Popular Hosting Providers

When I talk about popular hosting providers, I focus on those with high reputations. Those with large customer bases, solid customer support, and enough hosting plans to accommodate just about any type of website or application. Here are my favorites.

Bluehost

I like to begin my recommendation of popular hosting providers with Bluehost, and that’s thanks to its beginner-friendly WordPress hosting and affordable plans. Bluehost also has a reputation for strong customer support that’s always available.

ProsCons
Free domain for the first yearHigher renewal rates
One-click WordPress installSome upselling during sign-up
24/7 support

I’ve used Bluehost for personal websites and when hosting for small businesses. It’s also a useful and affordable host for WordPress users.

SiteGround

Known for excellent customer service and robust security features, SiteGround offers affordable shared and cloud hosting. I’ve also found its WordPress and WooCommerce hosting useful for speedy WordPress launches.

ProsCons
Daily backupsHigher base pricing
Strong securityMuch higher pricing after introductory discounts
Fast loading times

Considering SiteGround’s security-focused hosting, I suggest it for websites that need higher security. It also has fast loading times, scalability, and daily backups, making it ideal for eCommerce websites and growing websites.

HostGator

With HostGator, you get a wide range of hosting services at affordable prices. I see it as a viable option if you need shared, VPS, or dedicated hosting. It’s particularly useful for niches like WordPress hosting and eCommerce hosting.

ProsCons
Unmetered bandwidthLimited security features in basic plans
45-day money-back guarantee

I like HostGator for the small businesses of the world. It makes the most sense for small websites and those looking for a budget-friendly hosting solution.

A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting specializes in high-speed performance with “Turbo Servers.” You’re almost guaranteed a speedy website, which I prefer when my current website project has the potential for early growth. It’s a tad more expensive, but the value is there.

ProsCons
Excellent speedMore expensive for advanced performance features
Anytime money-back guarantee

Developers should consider A2 Hosting. So should tech-savvy users. Essentially, I prefer A2 Hosting for any type of website needing high performance.

DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean offers cloud hosting solutions for developers and tech startups. I consider it a step up from traditional budget hosts like Bluehost and SiteGround. That’s partially thanks to its flexible pricing, where you only pay for what you use.

ProsCons
Scalable cloud infrastructurePay-as-you-go pricing
Requires technical knowledgeLacks traditional shared hosting

I can’t help but recommend DigitalOcean for developers and startups. It’s the type of host that works so well for these more complex websites, or for SaaS applications with many users.

How to Choose the Right Hosting Provider

My list of popular hosting providers gives you an excellent starting point, but the choice really comes down to your own personal and business needs. You must assess your website’s requirements and consider things like long-term growth potential and customer support from the host.

1. Assess Your Website’s Needs

Evaluating the needs of your website takes time, but it’s worth it in the end. An easy method I use to assess the needs of a website quickly involves looking at the type of website you plan on hosting.

Ask yourself, what type of website are you hosting?

  • Personal blog?
  • Business site?
  • eCommerce store?

This allows you to compare with similar websites, looking at what types of hosting they use, particularly those comparable websites in your industry. You should also figure out the amount of traffic you can expect in certain time frames, like the first month, first six months, and first year. In addition, it’s necessary to estimate storage and bandwidth needs.

Using my method for assessing your website’s needs, you simply take the type of website you intend on hosting and then make estimates based on that.

An eCommerce site, for instance, usually sees more traffic during the holiday months. You can then use tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush to establish traffic benchmarks based on comparable websites.

2. Consider Long-Term Growth

It’s one thing to plan for the first year of your website, but you should always plan for the future too.

What happens if your hosting provider can’t support the growth you achieve during year two or three? I’d rather start with the right host than have to migrate to another host just when I’m getting busy.

In short, you’re looking for a scalable host, one with multiple hosting options made for scaling, like:

  • VPS hosting
  • Cloud hosting
  • Dedicated hosting

Although you can always upgrade to one of these options from shared hosting, it’s not exactly scalable by itself. I’d prefer my company to have a setup like cloud hosting for both seasonal upticks in traffic and long-term growth.

3. Evaluate the Hosting Provider’s Reputation

I won’t lie. It’s tough sifting through the mess of online hosting reviews. Many only recommend hosts for affiliate sales, and it’s hard to tell if user reviews actually have merit. Are some fake? Alternatively, are most written by disgruntled customers?

Here’s my favorite strategy for checking the reputation of your potential hosting providers:

  1. Read customer reviews: Complete a Google search with the host name + “user reviews.”
  2. Check third-party ratings: You can find third-party ratings from sites like G2, Top10.com, HostingAdvice, and even Gartner Peer Insights for enterprise-level hosting.
  3. View recommendations from trusted sources: Always check trusted publications — like HostingAdvice — for their views on hosting providers.

With a three-tiered analysis like this, you’re able to get a full picture of the host’s reputation. I like it because you’re looking at thoughts from various third-party sources along with trusted sources and users.

4. Test Customer Support

One reliable trick I’ve used to test customer support is to, surprise, actually contact the customer support channels!

Whatever you see about customer support on a hosting provider’s website is just marketing copy. Does 24/7 customer support really mean anything if the support representatives can’t answer your questions?

Therefore, go to whichever hosting provider you’d like to test, then locate their contact page. If there’s a chat button, start a chat with hard-hitting questions. If there’s a phone number, call them up. If there’s a ticketing system, send in a message.

5. Examine the Fine Print

I always try to check the fine print of a hosting provider before committing.

Are there hidden costs for signing up? Will the price go up after your first renewal (very common in hosting)? Does the host advertise add-ons, like SSL certificates, but then charge for them?

One thing that really rubs me the wrong way is when you find that bandwidth overages cost you money.

6. Review Security and Backup Options

Although often overlooked, it’s imperative to review all security and backup options. I’ve found too many times a hosting provider advertises something like a backup feature, but then it only backs up your site on a rigid schedule, like every week or month.

Ensure your hosting provider offers robust security measures like firewalls, DDoS protection, and SSL certificates.

Make sure the host has regular backups, preferably automated with options for multiple frequencies and a manual choice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Hosting Provider

I’m comfortable saying that even I still make mistakes when signing up for hosting providers. I’ve gotten better, but it’s tricky wading through all the fine print and marketing copy.

From my mistakes, however, I’ve compiled the most common things to avoid during your search:

  • Focusing Only on Price: Cheap hosting may lack essential features like speed, security, or scalability.
  • Ignoring Scalability: Failing to consider future growth may lead to outgrowing your hosting plan quickly.
  • Overlooking Uptime Guarantees: Downtime can hurt your business or blog’s credibility and search engine rankings.
  • Not Checking Support Quality: Poor customer support can lead to frustration during critical issues or downtime.
  • Underestimating Security Needs: Not opting for adequate security can leave your site vulnerable to attacks or data breaches.

I particularly want you to remember to never just look at the price of a provider. It’s a quick trap that makes you fall for a less-than-desirable hosting provider or a plan that’s not suitable for your website.

Best Practices for Working With a Hosting Provider

Years of using and testing hosting providers have given me insights into how to work with a hosting provider once signed up. From monitoring uptime to planning for scalability, you won’t want to miss these tips.

Monitor Website Uptime and Performance

Your site is only as healthy as its server. You must prioritize website uptime monitoring and performance. These metrics not only tell you if something is wrong with your website, but they might also tell you the server is to blame.

For uptime and performance monitoring, I suggest tools like UptimeRobot and Pingdom. They provide website health scores, uptime reports, and alerts.

Schedule Regular Backups

Some hosting providers offer scheduled backups. But don’t take that as a given. Too many times I’ve thought my backups were running only to find them turned off by default in the hosting dashboard.

Ensure you have automated backups activated and identify where the manual backup button is located, just in case. This way, you prevent data loss in case of server failure or hacking.

Stay Updated With Security Measures

Your server environment includes your website’s files, the file management system, the hosting dashboard, and whatever software elements you have installed. For every piece of software, you’ll want to ensure the installation of all security patches and software updates.

Here’s an example I often encounter for WordPress users: You’ll receive updates and patches for WordPress itself, your theme, every plugin, and even your hosting interface. Automate all these or schedule a time each month to make updates manually.

Plan for Scalability

As traffic grows, so does your need for scalability. Any business that intends to grow should begin its journey with a VPS, cloud, or dedicated hosting plan. This guarantees optimal performance and resources as seasons change and your website grows.

Communicate With Support Regularly

A trick I’ve learned is to build rapport with the customer support team from your hosting provider. Customer support reps are people, too, and they appreciate pleasant conversations with website owners trying to better their businesses.

Every interaction you have most likely gets logged in a customer management software. Think about that. Who do you think receives quicker resolution for their issues? The person who has a reputation for yelling at support reps or the one who treats reps respectfully?

Now You’re Ready to Choose a Hosting Provider!

I’d like to congratulate you because you now have more knowledge than the average consumer when shopping for a hosting provider.

You’re ready to analyze the needs of your website, sift through the most popular providers, and figure out which features are must-haves with hosting.

Now it’s time for you to pick a few reputable hosting providers and compare them with what you know. Good luck.