What is Web Hosting Service?
“Web hosting service” is, by analogy, like renting land on the Internet. For example, just as you need land to start a store, you need hosting to publish your site on the Internet.
Hosting services tend to be more expensive, have more processing power, and have faster response times. As an image, it is like a car going faster on a clean paved road than on a bumpy one.
Web hosting services include shared servers, VPS servers, and dedicated servers. As the name suggests, a single server is shared by multiple users, making it easy for beginners to use and suitable for websites and personal blogs.
How to choose a web hosting service
▶ Chose by actual performance / Chose by a proven track record
A hosting service company with a proven track record is chosen by many people because of the large number of websites it operates, and its track record is a valid criterion for reliability and satisfaction.
A large number of users means that know-how gained from experience is accumulated, corrections and improvements are made, and better service is provided.
As a result, we can receive reliable, satisfactory, lean, and high-quality services from hosting service companies that have a proven track record of use.
Take a look at the following items.
▶ Chose by your website Size
It is also important to choose a hosting service that is appropriate for the size of your website.
The scale of a website, or the server capacity required, differs between a small-scale website and a large corporate e-commerce site.
Since the price varies depending on the capacity, it is important to clarify the scale of the site you intend to operate and determine what type of hosting service is appropriate.
▶ Choose based on Cost and the Good deal
One of the most important factors when signing up for hosting services is cost and the good deal. Basically, the higher the cost, the higher the specifications and features.
Generally, hosting services consist of an initial cost at the time of contract and a monthly or annual fee that is paid on a yearly basis as a monthly usage fee.
Since running, costs will be incurred as long as you continue to use the server, check the actual amount you will pay and choose a pricing plan that will not be a burden for you.
▶ Choose by Spec
Different hosting services offer different specifications for different plans. Specifications include a variety of items, but the following are worth noting
| CPU | determines processing speed; the higher the number, the higher the spec |
|---|---|
| Memory | Space where the CPU performs processing; the higher the number, the higher the spec |
| Storage (disk configuration) | where data is stored; SSDs are faster, HDDs are cheaper |
| Transfer volume | the maximum amount of data to display on a web page; the higher the number, the higher the spec |
Slow display speed directly affects the abandonment rate of users who have taken the trouble to visit a website and is one of the indicators for choosing a hosting service company.
▶ Choose by functionality
Depending on the hosting service company, a variety of features may be included. Typical features available at many hosting service companies include the following
| Backup functions | Automatic or manual, periodic |
|---|---|
| Multiple domains | Number of unique domains that can be set up |
| Free SSL | Support for data encryption, issuance of certificates |
| WordPress related | Easy installation, configuration changes |
The backup function is especially important to avoid the risk of data loss or corruption. Also, the number of unique domains that can be set up within the same server should be checked if you operate and manage multiple websites.
Free SSL-enabled websites have a certificate of data encryption, which is important because it can demonstrate the site’s reliability. If you are creating multiple websites, you will need an SSL certificate for each site.
▶ Choose by Support System
The support system of the hosting service company is also important. If the support system is not adequate, there will be delays in dealing with problems, which may lead to a decrease in website reliability and accessibility.
For beginners, it is important to choose a management company with a good support system.
The support system of a typical hosting service company includes the following types of support
Check the hours and days of the week that support is available; 24-hour trouble support will give you peace of mind that you can get help when you need it.
3 Best Hosting Servers for Small Businesses
| Host | Established /HQ | Web Hosting Usage
*1 |
Disk Space | Price (mo.) | Uptime | Free SSL | Load Time | Support System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HostGator | 2002 / Houston, Texas USA |
1,669 | Unmetered | $2.99~ | 99.94% | ◎ | 0.67s(US)
1.52s(EU) 2.03s(Asia) |
24/7 chat/ Phone(Toll Free & International) / Email |
| bluehost | 2003 / Orem, Utah USA |
3921 | 50GB | $2.95~ | 99.98% | ◎ | 0.76s(US)
1.81s(EU) 0.39s(Asia) |
24/7 chat/ Phone( International) / Email |
| DreamHost | 1996 / Los Angeles, California USA |
4832 | 50GB | $2.59∼ | 99.9% | ◎ | 1.9s(US)
2.15s(EU) 3.43s(Asia) |
Mainly Email and Live Chat |
| SiteGround | 2004 /Sofia, Bulgaria | 155 | 10GB | $2.99~ | 99.99% | ◎ | 1.15s(US)
0.31s(EU) 1.75s(Asia) |
Livechat / Phone/ ticket |
| GoDaddy | 1997 / Phoenix, Arizona USA | 23075 | 10GB | $2.99~ | 99.9% | ◎ | Livechat / Phone/ | |
| Hostinger | 2004 / Kaunas, Lithuania | 4513 | 30GB | $2.99~ /mo |
99.52% | ◎ | 1.27s(US)
0.38s(EU) 1.91s(Asia) |
* Web Hosting Usage: Reference https://trends.builtwith.com/hosting
HostGator
Pros
Hostgator, in service since 2002, is an experienced, well-supported, and easy-to-use web hosting service that makes it easy to start and maintain a website, even for beginners. 45-day money-back guarantee(for shared or VPS hosting only).
They offer many feature-rich plans, including WordPress, VPS, dedicated, and cloud server packages. Windows and Linux-based servers are also available.
If you already have your own website, you can transfer it to HostGator at no additional charge.
Cons
Data restoration from backups is charged.
Add-ons will be charged
Price
| Shared hosting | $2.75/mo~ |
|---|---|
| WordPress hosting | $5.95/mo~ |
| Reseller hosting | $19.95/mo~ |
| VPS hosting | $23.95/mo~ |
| Dedicated hosting | $89.98/mo~ |
bluehost
Pros
bluehost is one of the three hosting services officially recommended by WordPress (the others are DreamHost and SiteGround), so it is definitely recommended for those who want to create their own WordPress websites.
They are currently running over 2 million websites and have a 24/7 support system by WordPress experts. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
They offer many feature-rich plans, including WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting.
Cons
No cloud hosting
No Windows-based servers
No monthly shared hosting plans
Add-ons will be charged
Auto-renews at regular rate
Price
| Shared hosting | $2.75/mo~(Normally $10.99) |
|---|---|
| WordPress hosting | $2.75/mo~(Normally $10.99) |
| Reseller hosting | $17.99/mo~ (3Years) |
| VPS hosting | $19.99/mo~(3Years) |
| Dedicated hosting | $79.99/mo~(36/mo term, Normally 125.99 ) |
DreamHost
Pros
SiteGround is also one of the three hosting services officially recommended by WordPress (the others are bluehost and DreamHost), so it is definitely recommended for those who want to create their own WordPress website.
Cons
No Windows-based server.
Phone support is available, but there is an additional charge of $10 per phone callback request.
Price
| Shared hosting | $2.59/mo~ |
|---|---|
| WordPress hosting | $2.59/mo~ |
| Reseller hosting | – |
| VPS hosting | $10.00/mo~ |
| Dedicated hosting | $169.00/mo~ |
SiteGround
Pros
SiteGround is a hosting service with a reputation for speed and security.
Headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria, they offer fast, top-class 24/7 support for any website worldwide. 30-day money-back guarantee. Data centers are located in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia offering location-specific hosting.
Features include automatic upgrades, free CDN, free SSL, daily backups, built-in WP caching, one-click staging, GIT version control, and more.
Cons
No Free Domain
Price
| Shared hosting | $3.99/mo~ |
|---|---|
| WordPress hosting | $3.99/mo~ |
| Reseller hosting | $6.99/mo~(SPECIAL PRICE) |
| WooCommerce Hosting | $3.99/mo~(SPECIAL PRICE) |
| Cloud Hosting | $100.00/mo~ |
GoDaddy
Pros
Some GoDaddy plans offer unlimited storage and bandwidth and are suitable for uploading large numbers of images, large photos, and videos.
GoDaddy is very reliable and promising with an average uptime of 99.9% per year and average load times are fast.
GoDaddy offers shared, WordPress hosting plans, VPS, and dedicated.
GoDaddy’s website builder has drag-and-drop web development features that make creating a website straightforward and easy, even for beginners with no technical knowledge.
Cons
SSL certificates are only part of the upper-tier shared plans and not included in the lower-tier plans, so be aware that if you start building a website with a lower-tier plan, saying “start with an easy plan,” it may not come with SSL security.
Price
| Shared hosting | $5.99/mo~ |
|---|---|
| WordPress hosting | $8.99/mo~ |
| Reseller hosting | $39.99/mo~ |
| WooCommerce Hosting | $99.99/mo~ |
| VPS hosting | $4.99/mo~(3years)(Normally $179.64) |
Hostinger
Pros
Hostinger has affordable plans, making it an easy web hosting service to get started without the burden of building your first website. Even though the prices are low, they offer good backup and support, 99.9% uptime, free SSL certificates, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Hostinger’s own control panel, called hPanel, is easy to use, and WordPress websites are easy to manage.
Hostinger’s video modules are very easy to understand, even for beginners, as they show you how to build a site and how to change the domain name, which can be a bit tricky at first.
Cons
Hostinger does not provide telephone support.
No dedicated hosting.
Price
| Shared hosting | $2.79/mo~ |
|---|---|
| WordPress hosting | $2.79/mo~ |
| Professionals hosting | $3.99/mo~ |
| Cloud Hosting | $9.99/mo~ |
| VPS hosting | $3.99/mo~ |
| Dedicated hosting | – |
