Magazine : 
How To Host Your First Website: Easy First Steps For Newbies
Web hosting is the backbone of your website, especially when operating on low capital investment. The essence of web hosting is to facilitate the accessibility of your website through the internet. From small to medium, and even mega businesses, I can't stress enough the importance of having a reliable and high-performing web hosting company.
For starters, it isn't enough to have a functioning website. It would be best if you had a web hosting provider that is reputable in providing high-quality web hosting. This is to ensure that you maintain a competitive edge, and your online presence is visible to your target audience at all times.
As a beginner, the first thing to consider when planning to launch your website is to choose a domain. The next step is to choose a web hosting provider you can rely on.
1. Start by Researching the Type of Website that Best Fits Your Goals
Basically, there are two types of websites: dynamic and static. Notably, the complexity of each type depends on the size (number of pages) and functionality.
Static Websites: These are simple websites that can be built using a wide array of site builders that are available online or provided by your web host. Alternatively, you can build the HTML pages on your computer then upload them to your hosting account using FTP software.
Dynamic Websites: This type of site is more complex; they contain data that keep changing depending on certain variables such as the audience, time, etc. Being application-driven, they utilize scripts (client-side, and server-side), tools that automatically generate some parts of the side, and apps such as content management systems like WordPress. Read more here about the best CMS platforms for your business.
2. Pick the Best Hosting Type for Your Website
Depending on your web hosting needs, you can choose from a multitude of options from VPS to cloud hosting. But as this is a beginner introduction, we’d recommend the most common option – shared hosting. It’s incredibly affordable, starting at $1/mo depending on the provider you choose.
Additionally, shared hosting services are paired with intuitive and easy to use control panels, require much less technical knowledge and can help you get a site up and running in minutes. Of course, all of this comes at the cost of performance. When using shared hosting you’ll be sharing resources with other sites on the same physical server. So if a neighboring site is experiencing a high-traffic period, your site might be negatively impacted due to a lack of bandwidth.
Let’s cover the alternatives as well:
- VPS hosting – you are provided with a virtual partition on a shared server. Unlike shared hosting, with VPS, you’ll have a set and assigned the number of resources that are for you and you alone. This server will later be split into varied pragmatic devices. With this type of hosting, the function ability of your site will be taken a notch higher. This is the best provider for big companies and organizations with enormous volumes of traffic.
- Dedicated hosting – this does not favor entry-level webmasters. It is mostly suitable for large organizations and firms. It guarantees you total command over your server configurations and hosting setting. With this type of server, be assured of high production. However, many startups may fail to meet its cost.
- Cloud hosting – It is suitable for upcoming websites. It is affordable compared to Cloud. It operates your site on varied cloud servers.
3. Choose a Hosting Provider and Plan
Web hosting can be a bit confusing when you’re only starting out. Let’s cover what to look out for when you’re choosing a home for your website:
- The prices against the number of resources that comes with each plan. This includes a memory (RAM), processing power (CPU), and storage (HDD or SDD). Some providers may also cap bandwidth, be sure to look out for that.
- Performance of the web host. (You can use third-party online tools as well as customer reviews.)
Additional features that add value to your website:
- Free domain registration and SSL certification
- Free SSD,
- Website builders,
- Email services,
- Automated backups,
- Features that enhance security such as firewalls, regular scans, etc.
- Content delivery network (CDN),
- Availability of live customer support etc.
There is no single best option. Consider exactly what your website needs, and choose what meets your requirements.
4. Set a Budget, Choose a Plan
Hosting is not a one-time activity. It is an ongoing process that requires regular payments. Whether you choose a monthly or annual plan, it is important to go for the one you can afford to pay on a regular basis. Even though in web hosting, "you get what you pay for," going for a plan that is beyond your budget is a risky venture. Remember, when your website goes offline, you will not only tarnish your reputation, but you will also hurt your SERP ranking, not mention making it easy for your customers to move on to your competitors.
It’s okay to opt for a more affordable plan when you’re starting out. If you need more resources and start earning from your site, you can upgrade anytime! You’ll be saving money and accommodating your visitors.
Conclusion
When it comes to starting your site, there is a lot to think about. It would be best if you learned all the basics, find out what web hosting is right for you, how it works, and come up with a working budget. In-depth research will aid in making an informed decision that will go a long way in facilitating your website runs smoothly and efficiently. Good luck!
Author
"Mary is a passionate blogger and the chief editor at her own content marketing company PRable.com. Since college, she's been interested in break-through technology and technical writing about innovative products and services that change our everyday lives for the better. She's also interested in web design and photography."
Read More News :
.jpg "Unlocking Potential Redefining Potential & Redefining Excellence")
