Web hosting is, at its core, the process by which your website is stored. This means that your website and all of its content will be stored on a computer somewhere on the internet. When someone types your website name into their browser to visit your site, the computer responsible for storing your site dispatches that information to the visitor’s computer where it’s displayed in the browser so they can see it. Hosting is not just about displaying your website, though. It also entails facilitating communication between your site and the internet at large. This is especially important for people visiting your site from other countries. Since the internet doesn’t recognize borders, a visitor from Brazil may be viewing your site from a computer located in Brazil. Your computer, however, may be sitting in a data center in the United States. Web hosting services are responsible for ensuring that the two computers can “talk” to each other.
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is the most basic type of hosting service available. When you use this type of hosting, you are sharing your site and the computer that stores it with other people via the internet. This is a cost-effective option and is perfect for smaller businesses that don’t have big hosting needs. Pros – The major pro of shared hosting is cost. This is a very affordable option, making it a good choice for small businesses or startups on a tight budget. Another pro is ease of use. Since this option comes with a one-click installation and configuration, you don’t have to be a tech expert to set up your site and get it online. Cons – The biggest con associated with shared hosting is a lack of scalability. Since you are sharing your site with other people, if their sites experience a sudden surge in traffic or are hacked, your site may experience issues as well. Another con is security. Since your site is on a virtual server with other sites, it may be at a higher risk of being hacked.
