The Classification of Web Hosting
- Pricing
- Programming languages
- Operating Systems
- Number and type of web servers
- Features
Because most first time web site owners are particularly concerned about accurately predicting the set up cost, they are majorly concerned about the pricing of the plan. There was a time when web hosting could burn a gaping hole in the pockets of webmasters; however, the paradigm has shifted markedly towards affordable hosting packages which can often cost as less as $5 per month. The best part is that you do not have to compromise on quality just because you are looking for an affordable hosting plan, as the features that come with these products are often impressive.
It is also common for website owners to inquire about the programming languages allowed on the server; this helps them to customize intricate features to meet the requirements of their visitors. Most hosting plans offer one or more of the commonly used languages such as PHP, ASP, Perl or JSP. All of these are web-based programming languages with full user command.
The next consideration on the list of webmasters is the operating system; there are only two choices here, Windows or Linux. The programming languages mentioned above will only work on one of the operating platforms. This makes it imperative to pick the operating system that best suits your specific programming needs; both operating systems have their fair share of pros and cons.
When analyzing the web servers, website owners are keen on gauging the type of hosting offered, the connection speed and the performance of the servers. The options in terms of hosting plans include dedicated hosting, VPS plans and shared hosting. The prices vary significantly across the different types of hosting packages.
Finally the features offered by the web hosting provider are considered in minute detail. These are the extras that a website owners receives after signing up; however, they can go a long way in helping you cut the overall set up cost. For instance, a lot of hosting companies will offer site builder tools which can make it incredibly simple to get your website up and running without enlisting the help of a web designer while others may offer WordPress setup from the control panel, so that you can easily create your E-store.
Given the sheer number of hosting providers in the market today; trying to classify them can be a daunting task since every company offers an assortment of products. Carefully analyzing the hosting package based on the five constraints mentioned above will help you to make an informed decision about the type of hosting plan that you need.
With more hosting companies entering the scene every day, the market is expected to get more competitive and newer features will make their way into the equation. While this will without a doubt help the buyers as the cost will take a plunge and more bells and whistles will be offered with every plan, the increase in the number of features will also mean that you will need to augment the list of considerations given above to ensure that the hosting package you choose meets your requirements.