Whether you are stepping into the web hosting world or looking to switch to a new hosting provider, choosing the right type of web hosting is crucial.
To put it simply, there are six types of web hosting, and each hosting type caters to different needs.
In this article, we will explain the different types of web hosting and also help you pick the best one for your website.
Bonus: We also have recommendations for hosting providers, so once you know which type of web hosting is right, you can simplify your pick with these trusted hosting providers!
Type of Web Hosting (Quick table)
If you are looking for quick answers, here are different types of web hosting.
| Types of Web Hosting | Best For |
|---|---|
| Cloud Hosting | Growing websiteş |
| Shared Hosting | New websites/users on budget |
| VPS Hosting | Users who want to upgrade from shared hosting |
| Dedicated Hosting | High traffic websites |
| WordPress Hosting | WordPress sites |
| Reseller Hosting | For web developers and agencies |
What Is Web Hosting?
Every website that you see on the internet is live because of web hosting, and its data is stored somewhere on a server. Website hosting is a type of hardware that stores your website’s data and makes it available for every visitor worldwide.
All websites require web hosting, even if it’s a giant like YouTube. Purchasing website hosting is like renting space on a computer where you keep all your website’s data.
If you are looking for a reliable hosting provider, we recommend going with Hostinger. With Cloud, shared, VPS, WordPress, and shared plans, you can find the most suitable plans according to your needs. Check their plan here.
The need for web hosting is different for every website. It depends on the resources a website needs to run smoothly. A low-traffic website will need fewer resources & power to work, whereas a high-traffic website will need a lot of resources & power to work smoothly.
6+ Different Types Of Web Hosting
We have explained what web hosting is, so let’s dive into the list of six different types of web hosting.
1. Cloud Hosting
Cloud Hosting is a type of web hosting where a website gets dedicated resources on a network of clustered servers that are known as Cloud. Unlike other hosting, cloud hosting provides users with the utmost scalability and flexibility since solutions are not deployed on a single server.
Because cloud hosting uses numerous servers, your website will continue to function smoothly even if one of them goes down. Cloud hosting is ideal for websites with heavy traffic. Usually, when you have a high-traffic website, the server load gets divided into cloud hosting, giving you a faster and smoother experience.
Another significant advantage of cloud hosting is higher security and scalability. You don’t have to worry about bandwidth, computing power, or storage issues.
If you want to check out more hosting provider options, you can go through our complete handpicked Cloud hosting providers list.
Advantages
- Higher security options
- Pay only for the resources you use.
- Higher reliability with no downtime.
- Unlimited bandwidth options.
- Minimized hardware failure risks.
Disadvantages
- Hidden costs can make it expensive.
- Restricted customization options.
2. Shared Hosting
One of the most affordable hosting types is Shared hosting. In shared hosting, you will have to share the resources of a server with other users. All the cost is shared between all the users; that’s why hosting providers offer low prices for shared hosting services.
Besides, Shared hosting is ideal for beginners or websites with low traffic. As a beginner, you can get started with shared hosting and scale to other options as your requirements increase.
Shared hosting has its own advantages and downsides. It is a good option if your website is new or you are starting out. However, you will have to upgrade to other hosting types as your website grows.
Advantages
- Most affordable hosting solution.
- Built-in cPanel to manage your website easily.
- No technical background needed.
- Easy to get started
Disadvantages
- Slow loading time
- Not as scalable as other hosting options.
3. VPS Hosting
VPS Hosting is similar to Cloud hosting. The difference between them is that you get dedicated resources from a physical server instead of the cloud on VPS hosting. You may not get all the resources of that server, but you will get 100% dedicated resources of a subsection of that server based on your requirements.
In VPS hosting, the physical server is divided into multiple virtual sections, and you will get all the resources of one section dedicated to your website.
While VPS and dedicated hosting are different, you can enjoy some of the perks of dedicated hosting through VPS hosting. With VPS hosting, you get better performance and lower chances of other sites causing trouble.
Moreover, you can also customize the individual server for higher performance. While you get various perks, there are certain limitations to VPS hosting, too (not that you can’t handle them!).
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Higher uptime and faster loading times.
- Affordable pricing options
- Highly customizable option.
- Dedicated resources.
4. Dedicated Hosting
With the other three hosting types we saw above, your website is sharing servers with others. However, as the name suggests, dedicated hosting your site get a dedicated server for hosting.
Dedicated hosting allows you to opt for one or multiple servers, depending on your needs. While you can configure your server according to your requirements, dedicated hosting is also considered one of the most expensive hosting options.
After all the complete control you get to host your website, the price you pay is fair enough!
Besides, one of the primary reasons why websites opt for dedicated hosting is its exceptional performance capabilities. Unlike other hosting types, you don’t have to worry about other websites affecting your site performance.
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Maximum control over your servers.
- Highest performance and loading times.
- Top-notch security
- You don’t share your resources with others.
- Not beginner-friendly and requires technical knowledge
- Most expensive hosting solution.
5. WordPress Hosting
WordPress hosting is designed specifically for WordPress, making it the best solution for users who have WordPress websites. Compared to other hosting solutions, WordPress hosting has resources and features dedicated to running your WordPress site smoothly.
Within WordPress hosting, you will come across two options –shared WordPress hosting and managed WordPress hosting.
Shared WordPress hosting works similarly to normal shared hosting. The only difference is that with WordPress hosting, you get WordPress pre-installed -saving you additional time!
On the other hand, managed WordPress hosting provides users with additional benefits. The hosting provider will take care of all the technical aspects of your site, including performance, security, loading times, backups, and more.
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Managed WordPress hosting saves your time by reducing the manual hassle of technical issues.
- Dedicated features for WordPress
- One-click or pre-installed WordPress.
- Dedicated security for WordPress sites.
- You have to share resources with other sites.
- Minimum control.
6. Reseller Hosting
This type of hosting is best for businesses that build websites for their clients, so they usually come across web hosting. Most of the time, your clients have no idea about what hosting is and how to set it up for a website. It works similarly to white label, where you resell the hosting to your client.
In that case, you can use Reseller hosting and charge your clients for setting up and maintaining the hosting service.
The only downside to this is that you have to do a lot of work to set up and do maintenance in case of any issues with your client’s website.
There is also a plus side to this; you can charge your client whatever you want for this type of hosting because you’re the one who is handling their hosting accounts and responsible for maintaining their websites. However, it is not ideal for everyone.
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Reduce the manual hassle of setting up your hosting.
- Generate sustainable income.
- Ideal for selling hosting sites.
- Not suitable if you have one client.
- Not ideal for everyone.
How to Pick the Best Type of Web Hosting for Your Website
Now that you are aware of the different types of web hosting, your next step will be choosing the right hosting type.
Out of all the six hosting options, picking the right one depends on your requirements for resources, your site traffic, budget, and other factors.
Once you have an idea about these factors, you can consider the right hosting option. Let us give you a quick recap and make your pick easier.
- Cloud Hosting –Best for scalable websites.
- Shared Hosting –Best for beginners and new sites. It is also one of the cheapest hosting options.
- VPS Hosting –Ideal for websites looking for an upgrade from shared hosting.
- Dedicated Hosting -Best for high-traffic sites that require the best performance.
- WordPress Hosting –Best for WordPress sites.
- Reseller Hosting -Ideal for designers, agencies, and freelancers.
Now, go ahead and pick one that fits your needs and budget the best!
Note: No matter which hosting provider you are choosing, make sure you go through their pricing policy in detail and check out the hidden costs. You can also refer to our article to get a complete glimpse of the hidden costs associated with web hosting here.
Conclusion: Types Of Web Hosting
So this is our list of some of the best types of web hosting. Here’s a quick recap of our article:
If you are launching a personal website that needs very minimal resources, then shared hosting is the best option. Cloud hosting is best for those who want better performance, speed, uptime, and resources for their website.
Similarly, if you want a hosting service that can also take care of the day-to-day tasks of your WordPress website, then Managed WordPress hosting is a good choice.
We hope you can decide which hosting is right for you with this list. Let us know your thoughts on these web hosting types in the comment section below.
