What is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is the service that stores your website files (images, texts, databases, etc.) and makes them available on the internet 24/7. It works like the “digital land” where you build your website.

Interested in learning more about the domain?
Is it a good idea to purchase your domain and hosting from the same provider?

Basic components of a hosting service:

• Storage space: Where all your site’s files are saved.

• Data transfer: The amount of information that can be transferred between your site and its visitors.

• Databases: Allow you to store dynamic content such as registered users, products, comments, etc.

• Email accounts: To create professional email addresses associated with your domain.

• Control panel: An interface that allows you to manage your hosting without advanced technical knowledge.

• SSL certificates: To encrypt data and ensure secure connections.

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Types of Hosting: Which One is Right for You?

There are various types of hosting, each with specific features to meet different needs and budgets.

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Shared Hosting

Ideal for: Small websites, personal blogs, local businesses with moderate traffic.

Features:

• Multiple websites share the resources of one server

• Most affordable option (from €3/month)

• Easy to manage, perfect for beginners

• Limited resources (CPU, RAM, etc.)

Limitations:

• Performance may vary depending on server load

• Lower security as you share the server with others

• Less control over server settings

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VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server)

Ideal for: Growing business websites, medium-traffic online stores, projects needing specific configurations.

Features:

• Dedicated resources within a shared server

• Better performance and stability than shared hosting

• More control over server settings

• Mid-range price (from €15/month)

Limitations:

• Requires more technical knowledge

• Limited resources compared to dedicated servers

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Dedicated Server

Ideal for: Large companies, high-traffic websites, applications that require maximum performance.

Features:

• A physical server fully dedicated to your project

• Maximum performance and full control

• Advanced security

• Ideal for sites with thousands of daily visitors

• Higher cost (from €80/month)

Limitations:

• Requires advanced technical knowledge or specialized support

• Higher financial investment

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Cloud Hosting

Ideal for: Websites with variable traffic, projects that need to scale quickly, growing startups.

Features:

• Based on a network of virtual servers

• High scalability (automatic adjustment based on demand)

• Excellent uptime and reliability

• Pay only for the resources you use

• Variable price depending on usage (from €10/month)

Limitations:

• Can become expensive if traffic grows significantly

• Depends on the quality of the cloud service provider

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WordPress Hosting

Ideal for: Websites built specifically with WordPress.

Features:

• Specifically optimized for WordPress

• Automatic updates

• Specific performance improvements

• Specialized WordPress support

• Variable price (from €5/month)

Limitations:

• Only useful if you’re using WordPress

• May limit advanced customizations

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Key Factors When Choosing a Hosting Provider

Choosing the right provider is just as important as choosing the type of hosting. Here are the aspects you should evaluate:

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1. Uptime Guarantee

Look for providers that guarantee at least 99.9% uptime. Every tenth of a percent matters — even 99% means more than 3 days of downtime per year.

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2. Loading Speed

Speed directly impacts user experience and SEO. Consider:

• Physical location of servers (ideally close to your main audience)

• SSD vs. HDD technology (SSD is significantly faster)

• Servers with caching enabled

• CDN (Content Delivery Network) included

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3. Security

Essential security elements:

• Automated and regular backups

• Free SSL certificates

• DDoS protection

• Firewall and malware scanning

• Automatic system updates

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4. Scalability

Your website is likely to grow. Ensure your provider allows:

• Easy upgrades to higher plans

• Adding extra resources as needed

• Migrating between different hosting types

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5. Technical Support

Good support can save your project in critical moments:

• 24/7 availability

• Multiple contact channels (live chat, phone, tickets)

• Guaranteed response times

• Knowledge in the technologies you use (WordPress, PHP, etc.)

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6. Control Panel and Ease of Use

An intuitive control panel greatly facilitates hosting management:

• cPanel or Plesk (the most popular and complete options)

• One-click CMS installers (WordPress, Joomla, etc.)

• Visual database management

• Usage and traffic statistics

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7. Guarantee and Refund Policies

Review the contract conditions:

• Money-back guarantee period (ideally 30 days or more)

• Terms of contract and renewal

• Transparent pricing policies

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Common Mistakes When Choosing Hosting

• Prioritizing price over quality: Short-term savings that lead to long-term problems

• Not reading the fine print: Unpleasant surprises in renewals or limitations

• Ignoring reviews and user opinions: Real experiences are valuable indicators

• Not considering future growth: Hosting limitations when scaling

• Buying more resources than needed: Unnecessary expense for small projects

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change hosting without changing my domain?
Yes, you can switch hosting providers while keeping the same domain. You’ll just need to update the DNS servers at your domain registrar to point to the new hosting.

What happens if my site exceeds the hosting plan’s resources?
It depends on the provider, but usually one of the following occurs: your site slows down significantly, you’re charged for excess usage, or your site temporarily stops working. It’s important to monitor your resource usage and upgrade your plan when necessary.

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Conclusion

Choosing the perfect hosting for your website doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right information, you can make informed decisions that benefit your digital project long-term.

Remember, these decisions are the foundation of your online presence. A memorable, easy-to-remember domain along with reliable, high-performance hosting are investments in your website’s success that will pay off over time.

Need help choosing the right hosting for your project?
At SolidifyWeb, we’re web design experts and can help you make the best technical decisions for your online presence. Contact us today!

 

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