Select the right hosting provider
How to
Here are a few considerations to help you pick a hosting provider that meets your needs
Your home - where you live - matters and it’s no different for your website. Hosting providers or as I like to call them, website hotels, keep your brochure site or online store warm and dry. Much like finding that perfect flat on RightMove, there are a plethora of factors to consider when selecting your hosting provider. Here are a few considerations to help you pick one that meets your needs.
What on earth is a hosting provider?
In true Yoyo fashion, let’s keep it simple. A hosting provider enables users across the world to access your website online. A hosting provider, like GoDaddy, will use technology called Servers to store data, e.g. code and media, and power your website. When users enter your URL, your hosting provider directs them to your site which lives on a server.
Not all hosting providers, or at least their hosting options, have been created equal so there are a bunch of considerations to keep in mind to make sure you pick the right one for you and your website. From cost and location to security and sustainability, we will break things down to help you make an informed decision about hosting providers and keep your site running smoothly.
Hosting service types
Before we get into some of the key considerations, let’s touch on the variety of hosting types that are available. These types play a significant role in their overall cost but it also depends on what you need - web hosting is usually a monthly expense and the choices vary widely in price. Nevertheless, it’s important to make an informed decision as it can be risky to skimp when it comes to selecting your hosting provider.
Managed hosting
A managed hosting service does what it says on the tin - the provider manages everything to do with the server. The technical bits at least. Performance, security, and any updates that need to be made are taken care of so that you can focus on your website and, more importantly, your business.
Dedicated hosting
For those who need more control, dedicated servers mean that your website has sole access to a server’s resources. Prices can vary massively from £500 to £5,000 per month, however, their Dedicated flexibility allows organisations to host multiple websites or even company applications like Jira. The possibilities are almost endless and most providers also offer server administration permissions.
Shared hosting
Shared hosting services refer to an instance whereby multiple websites live on a single server, sharing resources such as CPU and storage. This is a great option if you're on a tight budget as they are more affordable - starting at just a few pounds per month - for smaller businesses which perhaps don’t need the power of a dedicated server.
Virtual private server hosting
Dedicated servers are expensive and shared services offer less scalability so I’m sure you’re wondering if there’s a middleground. That’s where virtual private servers (VPS) come in. This option gives you access to a private server, with all its flexibility, at a fraction of the cost by using virtualisation technology.
A virtual private server, also known as a VPS, acts as an isolated, virtual environment on a physical server, which is owned and operated by a cloud or web hosting provider. VPS hosting uses virtualization technology to split a single physical machine into multiple private server environments that share the resources.
Cloud hosting
Cloud hosting on platforms like Azure, Amazon AWS, or Google Cloud refer to hosting services that are available via the internet. These services, by their very nature, offer scalability and flexibility depending on your needs. Costs aren’t fixed and can vary widely based on your usage, ranging from £50 to £500 or more per month. It all depends on how much resources you consume, e.g. the amount of processing power you use, and this can scale automatically when demand increases.
Selecting the right hosting provider
Selecting the right provider isn’t exactly a walk in the park. If it’s anything like finding a new place to call home, it’s helpful to start by considering what you need. Defining your non-negotiables and nice-to-haves will help you select the right hosting provider for your needs. If you’re single and don’t have any co-dependents, a flat-share would probably work in the same way shared hosting would do for a small business. If you’ve got a large, growing family, you might want to consider your own dedicated server. I mean a 3-4 bedroom house… You catch my drift.
Here are a few considerations to get you started:
Flexibility and scalability
To begin with, you should consider the needs of your business and your website. How much flexibility you need from your servers in terms of their storage, performance and control. Once you have a good idea of this, you’ll be able to take a look at different hosting options.
You might be deciding between on-premise and cloud hosting options, for instance. On-premise hosting involves physical servers situated at your location, offering more control but requiring significant maintenance. Cloud hosting, on the other hand, provides scalability and managed services.
Location, Location, Location
The location of your hosting server is closely linked to your website’s performance. Hosting your website near your target audience can significantly improve loading times, for instance. As server location determines your site’s speed and IP address it can also greatly impact SEO performance, too.
If, for whatever reason, you can’t host your site in a desirable location, you might want to consider something called Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to further enhance performance. This layer of technology caches content in multiple global locations so that your audience can access your content with ease, no matter where they are.
Security
The security of your data is of great importance. Large companies, for instance, often have strict data location requirements due to legal compliance. In terms of GDPR, for instance, it can get political. For example, companies based in the United States may or may not want to host their data in Russia or China - it depends what their goals are!
When it comes to security, while some may assume that cloud hosting is less secure, the weakest point is typically the application or website itself. With proper security measures, whichever hosting option you go for can be highly secure. Your primary concern should be safeguarding your access credentials to hosting service platforms. Make sure to understand what level of security is needed and go from there.
Sustainability
In today's world, sustainability is a crucial consideration. Data centres consume a substantial amount of energy, contributing to approximately 10% of the world's energy usage. They also require a load of water to keep them cool. Opting for green hosting solutions whenever possible can make a difference. Azure, for instance, has committed to powering its data centres with sustainable energy by 2030.
At Yoyo, the planet is one of our key stakeholders and we make sure to offer our green hosting solution at any opportunity. Get in touch with a member of the team if you’d like to hear more about it.
Choosing the right hosting for your website involves evaluating cost, location, on-premise vs. cloud, legal requirements, security, sustainability, and more. If you’re not a developer or solutions architect, it might not be as easy as 1-2-3 but, by considering these factors carefully, you can find the hosting that best suits your needs. Whether you opt for budget-friendly shared hosting, robust dedicated servers, or the convenience of the cloud, your choice will play a significant role in your website's performance and success.
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