In today’s business landscape, having an online presence is essential. Apart from social media accounts, small businesses and start-ups need a space they can truly call their own — a website. If you’re planning to build one, you need to have an understanding of web hosting. Here’s a closer look at what web hosting is and how it works.

What Is Web Hosting?

In a nutshell, web hosting is a service that provides storage space and access to websites or pages. It also refers to the provider or company that leases out its servers, or dedicated computers, to give Internet connectivity while storing all the necessary files in running your website. More often than not, these companies offer more than just file storage on their servers — they can also help build your web page from scratch and protect it against cyber threats.

There are four types of web hosting: shared, virtual private server (VPS), cloud, and dedicated server.

• Shared Hosting: As the most basic type, shared hosting is when multiple websites use a single server.

• VPS Hosting: While similar to shared hosting, this option gives websites their own dedicated, virtual server. These virtual servers are hosted in only one machine but provide better resources than shared hosting.

• Dedicated Server Hosting: Unlike the previous two options, dedicated server hosting assigns one server to each website for the fastest, best performance. 

• Cloud Hosting: Leveraging cloud technology and VPS, cloud hosting allows for maximum performance and scalability.  

How to Make the Right Choice

When looking for a provider, examine your company’s web hosting needs. Opt for the most basic subscription, such as shared hosting, then upgrade it after your website traffic has grown. Compare plans from at least three companies so you know which subscription offers the best value. Choose a provider that will allow you to quickly scale up or down and provides excellent customer service.

Below are some of the features and services to expect from a web hosting subscription.

• Domain Registration: They will provide a website address or domain name, which allows visitors to easily identify your site.  

• Email Hosting: Using your domain name, you can create an account for sending and receiving emails instead of using one from a popular email service (for example, “yourname@yourdomain.com”).

• Website Builder: Some hosting providers offer online website creation and editing tools for quick and easy setups. Alternatively, others provide File Transfer Protocol (FTP) access for uploading the files for your site.

• Technical Support: A dedicated team of technicians will monitor your website to see if it’s up and running. For issues or questions on your site, you can call them anytime. 

For reliable web hosting, get in touch with 1stPoint Communications. Headquartered in Piscataway, NJ, they offer a full range of telecommunication services—from high-speed Internet access to VoIP phone systems—throughout the country. They also provide tailor-fit solutions like SEO services and SMS texting for businesses. Call (212) 884-4400 today or learn more about their product offerings online.