Web hosting and how to choose it for your website?
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is an online service that allows the content of your website to be available on the Internet. When you purchase a web hosting plan, you are actually renting space on a physical server to store all of your site’s files and data.
Web hosting providers provide the technology and resources needed to run your site efficiently and securely.
They are responsible for maintaining the servers, implementing security measures and ensuring that data such as text, photos and other files are successfully transferred to visitors’ browsers.
In this article, you will learn what web hosting is, how it works, and what different types of web hosting are available. Web hosting involves reserving server space for site data, enabling online access.
This allows site components, such as code and media, to be visible on the Internet.
Every visited site is actually hosted on a server.
What are the most common species web hosting service ?
Every website has its own unique needs, whether it’s a personal blog or a business e-commerce website. In addition to selling server space, hosting companies offer services such as server management, antivirus options, site backups, and technical support.
We will mention the most common types of web hosting services to make it easier for you to choose the best package for your website.
So let’s get started:
Shared Web Hosting
Similar to sharing a house with roommates, shared hosting stores multiple websites on each server.
Sites share server resources, such as RAM and CPU. Shared hosting is the cheapest hosting option and is great for small businesses and startups.
Actually, for those who don’t have too many visits to the website throughout the day.
Site building tools such as drag and drop builders and WordPress are usually included in shared hosting plans with most serious providers. The downside of shared hosting is that site owners cannot control the server resources and may experience a reduction in the performance they got with the chosen package.
However, some hosting providers offer resource protection options for stable website performance, regardless of how many sites are sharing the server at any given time. We advise you to check how many websites are on the same server as yours.
At any time, you can ask the web hosting provider to transfer you to a server that is less “crowded”.
Dedicated Hosting
This type of hosting offers the site owner full control and comes with administrative and root access to the web server.
Site owners can install their favorite security tools and operating system. Dedicated hosting is more expensive than other options.
It also requires technical expertise, as web site owners are responsible for managing servers.
Cloud Hosting
Instead of a single physical server, cloud hosting uses virtualization technology to combine resources from a collection of cloud servers. This flexible hosting option allows site owners to manually scale resources up or down depending on their needs.
It also offers an auto-scaling option, where resources are automatically increased during spikes in traffic.
Cloud hosting is best suited for businesses looking for a cost-effective option with additional resources, which is fully scalable and does not require much technical knowledge.
For e-commerce websites, a fully managed cloud hosting provider is a good option, as they can quickly set up and manage a store, as well as provide ongoing website maintenance and support.
WordPress hosting
This hosting option offers resources and servers that are specifically optimized for WordPress CMS.
WordPress installation is included in many shared hosting plans, but a WordPress hosting plan offers additional features.
These include site builders, premium design tools, and automatic WordPress updates.
Technical support is provided with most WordPress hosting plans.
Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting
VPS hosting assigns website owners a portion of the server, also known as a partition. Each partition provides specific RAM and processing power for each site.
Sites hosted on this platform rarely experience performance issues. VPS hosting is cheaper than dedicated hosting but more expensive than shared hosting.
VPS hosting resources may not be ideal for users who want to host large online stores or stream media files on their sites.
However, VPS hosting is suitable for small businesses as it provides root access for customization and specialized software installations.
Reseller hosting
With this option, web hosting plans can be purchased in bulk from experienced web hosting companies at discounted prices. Those who buy these packages often resell them to their customers to make money.
The original hosting company provides the necessary hardware, software and infrastructure to host the sites.
This hosting is popular among web designers and developers because it offers them the option of hosting their clients’ websites.
Resellers have the flexibility to set their web hosting plans and prices along with white labeling. This allows customers to see the branding of the Reseller and not the actual hosting company.
A large number of web hosting companies in Serbia work according to this model.
If you have time, watch this video and learn the basic things you need to know about web hosting.
How it works web hosting ?
A website is a collection of different files, images, applications and databases. These components are stored on the hosting provider’s server, which is always on and connected to the Internet.
The amount and type of server resources allocated to the website by the web hosting provider, such as data flow (bandwidth), working memory (RAM) and disk space, are determined by the hosting subscription plan.
Additionally, most hosting providers offer flexible plans, including shared and dedicated services.
After signing up for a plan, site owners typically get access to the hosting provider’s server through a cPanel control panel that simplifies the process of uploading and managing site files.
Alternatively, the site owner can install a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress to build the site.
The following steps occur when a user tries to visit a website hosted on a hosting provider’s server:
1. The user enters the site’s URL or domain name into the web browser.
The browser translates the domain name into an IP address and sends an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or HTTPS (HTTP Secure) request to the web server that rents space for the website.
2. In response to the request, the web server locates the resources and transfers the files needed to load the requested web page into the user’s web browser.
The server finds the required site components such as HTML files, images, scripts and other content and sends them back to the user’s browser.
3. The web page is loaded into the user’s browser allowing him to view and explore the content.
The browser displays data and allows the user to browse and use the site’s functionalities.
What are the key server resources?
Those are:
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Data flow (Bandwidth): The amount of data that can be transferred between the website and the user during a certain period of time.
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RAM: Memory used to temporarily store data that is active or frequently used by the site.
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Disk Space: The amount of server space allocated to store all site files and data.
How to choose a web hosting provider?
The search for a web hosting service should begin before the launch of the website. The web host is responsible for making the website available online, as well as for maintaining and directing traffic to it.
That is why it is essential to choose a reliable and good provider.
These are the key points to consider before choosing a hosting company:
Web site requirements assessment
Every site has unique needs and site owners should analyze their site’s requirements before choosing a hosting provider.
For example, a website for an established business may require more traffic and technical support compared to a simple blog site that does not require much maintenance.
Site owners should also consider future needs and usage options when choosing a provider.
Data flow (Bandwidth)
Data throughput is a measure of the maximum amount of data transferred in a given period of time. The amount of bandwidth required depends on the volume of data, the number of visitors to the site and the streaming of media files on the pages.
Before signing a contract with a provider, it is important that site owners have a detailed view of the level of service that specifies the exact amount of throughput required and whether the provider will increase throughput during traffic spikes.
As a general rule, the amount of traffic offered by a hosting company can be an indicator of its capacity.
For example, higher throughput indicates better performance, connectivity and reliability of the provider’s network.
Upgrade options
Most site owners start with a shared hosting plan, but over time they can upgrade to a VPS or dedicated server to meet the growing needs of their sites.
In that case, a hosting provider with simpler and more transparent upgrade options is preferable.
Provider Uptime
Reliability is important when a website needs to work and be available 24 hours a day. A site that frequently crashes or is slow to load can lose visitors.
To consider the reliability of a potential web host, site owners should check the provider’s uptime history, read reviews, and agree with advertised uptime guarantees.
Refund and Guarantee Policy
Even the best service providers can have problems. That is why it is important that the website has an option that includes a money-back guarantee or a refund if the provider does not meet the promised uptime.
For example, DreamWeb hosting provides a 100-day money-back guarantee, which means that a full refund is given to the user if they cancel the service during that period.
Choosing the right web hosting provider requires a careful analysis of the site’s requirements, an assessment of the resources offered and the provider’s reliability, as well as consideration of future needs and upgrade options.
With a detailed overview of key factors, site owners can ensure optimal performance and availability of their sites, thereby ensuring a positive user experience and business growth.
Even if you make a mistake in the beginning, everything can be corrected.
What are the advantages of paid web hosting?
Free hosting cannot compete with the following benefits offered by paid hosting:
Uptime and speed
According to a 2022 study, most websites load in 5 seconds or less.
A website hosted on a reliable hosting platform will most likely have increased loading speeds and uptime, which positively affects the user experience.
Email address based on domain
A domain-specific email address looks professional and helps website owners with branding. Most hosting providers provide their users with free domain-based email accounts.
However, the number of e-mail addresses provided depends on the hosting provider.
For example, some providers may provide only one email account per domain, while others may offer an unlimited number.
Hosting services also allow site owners to check, send, and receive email, as well as set up email redirection.
Technical support
A big advantage of paid hosting is support during outages and site availability issues. When a website goes down, every minute counts and can cost the site owner visitors and sales.
We won’t even mention the penalties you can get from Google.
Reliable web hosting companies offer 24/7 technical support as part of their hosting packages, which helps reduce mean time to repair (MTTR) during outages.
Security
Trusted web hosting providers use appropriate security measures to ensure that websites hosted on their platform are fully protected from external threats.
For example, some providers offer fully guarded data centers with 24-hour monitoring.
SEO optimisation
Although search engines are not concerned with which hosting provider a website uses, they do take into account certain ranking factors such as speed, reliability and uptime.
Therefore, a website hosted on a platform that favors these factors automatically ranks better on the search engine results page (SERP).
Short domain name
Free hosting platforms include the hosting provider’s subdomain as part of the website’s domain name. With paid hosting, website owners can purchase a short domain name and have the option to use the top-level domain at the end of the URL.
For example, a free domain will be like www.yourwebsite.subdomainname.com instead of a paid domain like www.yourwebsite.rs
11 key factors when choosing web hosting
When evaluating a web hosting provider, you should first consider three main factors: average uptime, page load time, and customer support.
But not only that, but also consider the following facts:
1. Average Uptime
The first factor to pay attention to is the average uptime. It is the average time during which the web your site is available in a certain period of time. Average uptime is important because it can affect the number of visits to your website.
Your page won’t get many visitors if they can’t access it when they visit it.
One hour of downtime can mean the loss of many potential sales. That is why it is important that the average uptime is 100% or as close as possible.
An average uptime below 99.00% means you should look for another web hosting provider.
2. Page loading time (Load Time)
Another key factor is page load time, which is the time it takes for a web page to load. Similar to uptime, page load time affects the number of visits to your site.
The slower the pages load, the more frustrated visitors will be.
A Google study showed that 53% of mobile visitors leave a site if the page takes more than 3 seconds to load.
That’s why it’s important to choose web hosting that can provide page load times of 3 seconds or less.
3. Customer support
The last key factor is the customer support of the web hosting provider. Quality customer support allows you to quickly and efficiently deal with problems on the site.
Web hosting providers usually offer support via phone, chat, or a ticket system.
What matters is how quickly they can respond and how professional their staff is.
4. Pricing and Renewal
Every business wants to make a profit, but it is necessary to invest some money first. If you’re just starting out, you might not want to spend all your savings on an expensive web hosting plan.
On the other hand, you don’t want to skimp on features if you’re running a website for a big brand.
Also, pay attention to the renewal price, which may be higher than the first payment (year).
5. Free Domain
Many web hosting providers offer a free domain for one year. After that, you will have to pay a fee to continue using that domain.
A free domain is usually in the form of www.vasdomen.webhost.com, which isn’t professional, but it’s good when you’re starting out.
For the Serbian market, the recommendation is always .rs
6. Data flow and storage (Bandwidth and Storage)
Data throughput is the amount of data that a website can deliver to visitors during a certain period of time.
The higher the flow, the better.
Storage determines the amount of content you can store on the site, including text, images, code, databases and emails.
7. SSL Certificate
Some web hosting providers offer free SSL as part of their plans. An SSL certificate creates an encrypted connection and adds the “S” to HTTPS. SSL is important for transaction security, especially for e-commerce sites.
This is very important and today every website must have an SSL certificate.
8. Refund Options
Some web hosting providers offer a money back guarantee period. This allows you to try out their service and see if it meets your needs.
If you are not satisfied, you can easily get a refund.
It is not yet regulated in Serbia, so be sure to check with your hosting provider.
9. Backups
Your web hosting provider should offer regular site backups or at least make them easy.
A backup is a copy of your site that helps to keep the site always available, even in case of problems.
10. Security
Your web hosting provider should offer security features such as monitoring, DDoS protection, LetsEncrypt SSL, RAID, and secure data centers.
Security is key to protecting any website and user data.
11. Extra Features
If you have found several potential web hosting providers, additional features may be the deciding factor.
Useful additional features may include:
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Unlimited or Free Email Accounts
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Free Site Transfers
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cPanel Availability
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CDN Availability
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One-Click WordPress Installation
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Site Builder Access
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Specific Data Center Location
Finding a web hosting provider is an important part of building your website. Making the right choice can be difficult given the large number of providers available.
Always consider the key factors first, then the specific needs of your business. A little online research can help you find all the information you need.
In any case, don’t rush the decision!
The difference between web hosting and domains
After choosing where to store your site files, the next step in setting up your website is to search for a domain and purchase a domain name. Hosting and domain are two different but equally important things needed to publish your website online.
While hosting is used to store your site, a domain name serves as the site’s digital identity, allowing people to access it easily.
A domain name usually consists of the site name and a domain extension such as .com, .rs,.org, or .net. Also, there are many other options and new domain names such as .xyz are among the most popular alternatives today.
The domain and hosting account can be purchased from the same or different providers. Many hosting companies, including DreamWeb, also offer domain registration.
To get started, decide on a domain name and check its availability.
Domain Name Checker
Check domain name availability now. It is enough to enter the desired domain name and the checker will tell you in a few moments whether and in which extension your future website name is available.
Once you find a domain name that suits you, register it with a domain registrar. If it’s not the same company you’ve chosen to host your site, buy a hosting plan and point your domain name accordingly.
Alternatively, purchasing a hosting plan that includes free domain name registration is a much simpler and more affordable solution.
Recommendation for web hosting in Serbia
When choosing a web hosting provider for your site in Serbia, it is important to consider several key factors: reliability, speed, customer support, pricing and additional features. Based on these criteria, here are some recommended web hosting providers in Serbia and the reasons why you should choose them.
1. mCloud
Why choose mCloud?
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Reliability: mCloud offers high reliability with a guaranteed uptime of 99.9%.
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Speed: Their servers are optimized for speed, which ensures that your pages load quickly.
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Customer Support: They provide 24/7 customer support via phone, email and chat, allowing you to quickly resolve any issues.
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Pricing: mCloud offers competitive pricing with different plans to suit different needs and budgets.
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Additional features: Includes a free SSL certificate, regular backups, and an easy WordPress installation option.
2. EUnet
Why choose EUnet?
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Many years of experience: EUnet is one of the oldest providers in Serbia with many years of experience in providing hosting services.
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Reliability: Their infrastructure guarantees high availability and reliability.
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Local support: They provide support in the Serbian language, which can be a great advantage for users who are not confident in their English language skills.
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Flexibility: They offer a wide range of hosting plans, from shared hosting to dedicated servers.
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Additional features: Free SSL, site builder tools and automatic backups.
3. Orion Telekom
Why choose Orion Telekom?
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Complete service: In addition to web hosting, Orion Telekom also offers other telecommunication services, which can be convenient for an integrated solution.
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Speed: Their servers are located in Serbia, which allows faster loading for local users.
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Support: Local customer support available 24/7.
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Prices: Affordable hosting packages with the option to increase as your website grows.
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Additional features: Regular backups, free SSL certificate and easy migration from other providers.
4. Loopia
Why choose Loopia?
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Experience: Loopia is a well-known European hosting company that also operates in Serbia, providing quality hosting services.
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Reliability: High level of reliability and security with excellent uptime.
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Support: 24/7 support in Serbian by phone, email and live chat.
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Flexibility: A wide range of hosting plans to suit different needs, including shared hosting, VPS and dedicated servers.
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Additional features: Free SSL certificate, automated backups and easy to use cPanel.
5. SuperHosting
Why choose SuperHosting?
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Speed and Performance: SuperHosting uses the latest technology to optimize site loading speed, which is crucial for SEO and user experience.
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Support: Customer support available 24/7 via phone, email and chat, with an expert team ready to resolve any issues.
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Price: Competitive price with different packages to meet the needs of small and large sites.
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Additional features: Free SSL, automatic backup, free site migration and the option to install popular CMSs like WordPress with just one click.
6. DreamWeb
Why choose Dreamweb?
- Local support: Dreamweb provides local support in the Serbian language, which facilitates communication and problem solving.
- Reliability: High reliability and uptime guarantee, which ensures that your website is always available.
- Flexible plans: They offer a wide range of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS and dedicated servers.
- Additional features: Free SSL certificate, regular backups and easy installation of popular CMS like WordPress.
- Price: Dreamweb offers competitive price with options to suit different needs and budgets.
Choosing the right web hosting provider depends on the specific needs of your website and budget. mCloud, EUnet, Orion Telekom, Loopia, SuperHosting and Dreamweb are six providers in Serbia that stand out for reliability, speed and quality customer support.
Regardless of which one you choose, it is important to check all the details of the offer and ensure that the provider can meet all your requirements.
When you should change yours web hosting ? The top 7 key indicators
There are many situations when this should be done. But in our experience it should be done in the following cases:
1. Frequent Unexpected Downtime
Frequent Unexpected Downtime is harmful to a site’s reputation (SEO ranking, traffic, and more). No one wants to visit a website that doesn’t open in less than 5 seconds. If your site goes down several times a week, it’s clear that you need to change web hosting.
To find out if your site is often offline, use a monitoring service like Uptime Robot that can help you monitor your website’s availability, completely free of charge.
2. Error Establishing Database Connection
If you frequently see database connection errors on your site, it may mean that you are exceeding your server resources or have a bad plugin. Your hosting provider should be able to help you with this.
If they can’t fix the problem, it’s time to change your web hosting provider.
3.Bizarre Internal Server Errors
Internal server errors are among the most common WordPress errors and they know how to annoy most people. If these errors appear frequently, it is a bad sign.
Find a WordPress hosting provider that knows how to properly configure their WordPress servers.
4. Site Suspension
Most web hosting providers reserve the right to shut down your site, especially if there is any illegal activity going on. However, some hosting providers suspend accounts without notice for trivial things like resource overruns. If this happens, talk to them.
If the conversation is going nowhere, it’s time to change your web hosting provider.
5. Poor Customer Support Service
Good customer support is key when it comes to web hosting. If your web hosting provider is unresponsive or unhelpful, it’s time to change providers.
If you’re wondering, is support quick to respond? Are they professional and helpful? It’s time to think about a change!
6. Slow page loading speed
Speed is key to a good user experience (UX) on your site. It also affects search rankings and site traffic. If the problem is too demanding, it can be solved by optimization.
However, if the problem is too many users, the web hosting provider will ask you to upgrade the plan.However, if the problem is too many users, the web hosting provider will ask you to upgrade the plan.
7. Your site has outgrown your hosting
If you have been managing your site for a long time, it is possible that your site has outgrown your hosting plan. On a shared hosting plan, your site shares server resources with many other sites.
If your site gets more traffic than others, you will slow down other sites. If you start having problems with a slow site or spend more time explaining the problem to customer support, it’s probably time to change web hosting.
Perhaps changing web hosting providers can be intimidating, but it is often necessary for optimal performance of your website.
If you recognize any of these key indicators, consider changing your web hosting to ensure better availability, speed and support for your site.
If you need help switching your site, most leading web hosting providers offer free migration.
Don’t worry, it’s nothing complicated!