Speed vs Security: Which Hosting Should You Choose?
There is no denying that the internet has changed the way we do business. For those who are serious about running a website, the choice of hosting is no longer optional. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of popular web hosts, so that you can make the right decision for your particular needs.
Pricing And Availability
One of the most important considerations when choosing a web host is the cost. Different hosts offer various levels of service, from shared hosting to fully managed hosting, and there’s a huge price difference between the two. It’s important to research the pricing plans before making any kind of purchase, so that you don’t end up paying more than you should. For example, Gator Hosting, which we will discuss in more detail in a moment, offers a shared hosting plan at affordable prices, but if you need more features, you’ll have to pay extra for a monthly dedicated hosting package.
Features
Another important consideration when selecting a web host is the features that are available. In today’s world, a website’s features matter more than its price. In general, shared hosting plans offer the basics, like a free domain and email, and you’ll have to pay for additional features, like a dedicated IP that gives your site an identity online, or a free SSL certificate that encrypts your site’s data as it travels from your computer to the server.
If you’re looking for a host that offers a lot of features, with no price tag attached, then you should consider a VPS (pronounced “view-pack-server”). A VPS is essentially a slice of dedicated hosting space, or a virtual private server. You get everything you need to run a professional-looking website, with the bonus of being able to expand your server’s storage and memory as needed.
Reliability
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a host is the reliability. Just like with any other product or service, the internet is filled with horror stories about web hosts who went out of business, or who were bought out by larger companies and closed down. The fact is that these types of occurrences are all too common, which is why you should never forget about this important factor when choosing a host. If you’re looking for a host that you know will be around for the long haul, then go for it, but if you’re looking for something more stable, then consider a shared hosting plan instead.
Security
Another important factor to consider when choosing a host is the security. Hackers are always looking for new ways to gain access to websites, so security measures such as a firewall, strong passwords, and up-to-date software are all essential. When it comes to keeping your site’s data secure, shared hosting plans offer the best of both worlds. They provide the flexibility of using a shared IP with a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt, or purchasing a dedicated IP that gives you the freedom to create your own SSL certificate and install it on your server.
Backups
One more important factor to consider when choosing a host is backups. It’s always a good idea to have regular backups of your website, in case your host goes out of business or gets hacked. For example, the popular host GoDaddy offers a one-click restore tool that allows you to quickly and easily retrieve all of your data, should the need arise. Most hosts offer some type of backup service, either free or paid for, which is another reason why we recommend using a separate storage device (such as an external hard drive) for storing your site’s data.
Additional Considerations
Although we mentioned several important factors to consider when choosing a web host, there are several more that deserve a mention. The first is web host speed. Regardless of whether you’re publishing fresh content or importing content from other sites, the speed of your site’s hosting is important. Generally, you’ll want to choose a host that is blazing fast, otherwise, your site may appear to be sluggish to those visiting it. Another important factor to consider is the host’s support team. If you’re ever struggling with a technical issue, then it is crucial to have a team of experts at your disposal, rather than having to figure it out yourself. Also, make sure to read reviews of the host you’re thinking of using, to get an idea of how others feel about the company.
When choosing a web host, or any other type of hosting service for that matter, it’s important to keep all of these factors in mind. This way, you’ll make the right choice for your particular needs and won’t get scammed by a host that offers great prices but poor service. In the end, nothing is worse than getting stuck with a host that you’re unhappy with, after having paid for a service that you didn’t need.