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Hosting
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Web Hosting

What exactly is web hosting?

Whether a large or small business, an institution or as individual user, anyone planning on creating an online presence will require the appropriate storage space for their future website. This is where web hosting services come into play, i.e. for the provision of storage space for a website by a hosting provider (also known as a provider).

Such storage space is referred to as disk space The provision of disk space on a server (a computer designed for this purpose), as well as providing the necessary network connections, is usually done at a cost. In other words, you'd rent disk space on a server.

In order to be able to offer customers the highest technical standards at low prices, we provide web hosting in the form of shared hosting. This kind of hosting is the ideal form of web hosting for entry-level businesses. Shared web hosting servers are home to several different websites. This means that your site would share server CPU resources with other websites.

Which web hosting plan is the right one for me?

This depends on your requirements. If you are planning a simple website, consisting mostly of static HTML pages and minimal multimedia content with manageable data traffic, then our starter package is the ideal option for you. We also offer more advanced packages that are suitable for dynamic web projects and high traffic.

With our most powerful web hosting packages, you can comfortably manage resource-intensive, multimedia-based websites as well as extensive online stores and shops. Compare the respective product details to find the right web hosting packages.

What is the difference between web hosting and a domain?

A domain is an internet address that leads to a web server. This server stores the respective content, services and offers that you publish on your domain, i.e., the content that makes up your entire website. If you enter an internet address in the search bar of your web browser, you can retrieve the data that has been provided on the respective server. Providing adequate storage space on a web server is called hosting. Your domain is your business card on the web. It should be as simple and as distinctive as possible, so that interested parties can easily find your content on the internet. An internet address ideally consists of a short and memorable domain name and a distinctive top-level domain (also known as an extension), like .com or .org. A domain is structured like this: www.yourdomainname.com.

Is shared hosting the only type of web hosting?

No, other very popular types of web hosting include:

VPS

VPS stands for virtual private server, where a server is divided into individual virtual servers. The advantage of VPS is that each website can technically be hosted on its own server, and even though hardware is still shared with other websites, the computing resources are your own.

Dedicated

With a dedicated server, you are 100% in control of your resources. This makes the website particularly stable and reliable, and you avoid issues that arise when there are traffic spikes from other websites.

Cloud

The resources needed to run your website are split across a multitude of different servers. Assembled together, they comprise the cloud.

Enterprise

Enterprise hosting comprises of custom-made offers that are tailored to suit the needs of your business. Not all providers offer this, but the ones that do are worth checking out if you think a ready-made plan isn't a good fit for your business.

How do I know which web hosting service provider is best for me?

There are a number of factors to take into consideration when choosing your provider. Look for an experienced provider that can offer you a tailor-made service for your web project, as well as flexible booking options in case the need for system resources increases or decreases.

Your data should be stored among the most secure systems with strict data regulations. The provider you opt for should constantly invest in the security of your data and your IT infrastructure. Pay attention to transparent pricing, flexible plans and contractual terms that best suit your needs.

Why do professional web hosting services come at a cost?

Powerful IT resources and security measures come at a price and must always be state of the art to protect customers' technical infrastructure and data effectively. When it comes to "free" web hosting plans, we recommend proceeding with caution. First, check if there are any hidden costs. Secondly, many providers tend to display advertising on their customer websites.

Even if the free basic features attract you, necessary functions or additional system resources often need to be purchased later. This ultimately results in your "free" option costing you money.

You can also operate your own server but then you bear the costs of infrastructure, security and maintenance yourself. As an experienced provider with millions of customers, IONOS offers a professional web hosting service at a low price, as well as scalable services as required. Numerous applications like WordPress and Drupal are included and can be installed in just one click.

We take care of security and technology so that you can devote yourself to your internet presence.

What are the essentials I'll need for my site?
  • Traffic: Traffic means how much data is used on a website. If you have lots of visitors, you are getting a lot of traffic.
  • Web space: Web space is the storage available on the web server. It is also called storage or disk space.
  • Domain: The domain is the name of your website. If you need to run more than one website under different names, then you may need more than one.
  • Subdomains: Some websites will have lots of different parts and sections. A subdomain helps organize these.
  • Email accounts: Perhaps you'll need different email accounts for people to contact you.
  • Databases: Most hosting providers will allow you to create MySQL or MS SQL databases. Depending on your package, you will be able to have a certain number of them.

When you look at other hosting providers you may have noticed that there are three words in particular which are used to describe the features included in their hosting plans:

  • Unlimited: This is a tricky label, because certain things, such as data transfer speed, are not unlimited. Unlimited traffic might mean levels of traffic that cannot be exceeded.
  • Unmetered: This means that the provider is offering a set amount of web space which can be used as you see fit.
  • Scalable: This means that the amount can be adjusted to meet demand.
What should I look out for when it comes to technical configuration?

How the web hosting service is configured is an essential element to take into consideration. Most web hosting services have Linux as their operating system, but if you want to run Windows programs you may be better off choosing a package with a Windows operating system using ASP, ASP.NET and SQL Servers. The different DBMS are also a key factor in making a decision, and not all providers offer each one. Most offer MySQL or MMSQL, but if you want to use PostgreSQL or MariaDB, take a closer look to see which providers offer this. Not all web hosting providers offer SSH — this can be an important feature for those who want to use more modern solutions, as the outdated FTP is not as secure. In terms of hardware, check whether the provider offers SSD hard disks, and where the data centers are located. It is important to know which type of programming language is available, because it will change how you develop your website in the future. Ruby, Perl and Python, Node.js, SSI and CGI are the usual supported languages.

Which security aspects do I have to consider?
  • One of the most obvious risks to site security is lack of encryption. If you have SSL for your site, your website is more secure against hacking and other threats.
  • The different types of DDoS attacks target the different aspects of web hosting through volumetric attacks, application layer attacks and TCP state exhaustion attacks. Having DDoS protection is an important security precaution.
  • Backups are not only helpful in the cases of hacked sites, it could happen that you delete important files, or that you install a software or update that breaks the site. If you've backed up your website, however, there is nothing that you can't fix.
  • The final vital security feature you should look at is whether web hosting providers enable two factor authentication (2FA). Most providers offer this, and it is an easy way to make sure only authorized users can gain access to your website.
What is the difference between web hosting and a server?

A server, or web server, is part of the web hosting infrastructure. They are powerful computers on which both configuration files and the data of the hosted websites are stored, i.e., websites and all website content. A root-access server is a server with root access to the configuration data of a server.

Top-Notch Web Hosting for Your Online Needs

When it comes to your website, reliability and performance are non-negotiable. In today’s fast-paced digital world, having a dependable web hosting service is crucial for keeping your site running smoothly and efficiently.

Why Web Hosting Matters

1. Dependability You Can Count On: Nothing is more frustrating than a website that goes down unexpectedly. That’s why our web hosting solutions are designed with reliability in mind. We use cutting-edge technology to ensure your site is always up and running, so you can focus on what you do best.

2. Speed That Impresses: Users expect fast load times, and search engines do too. Our hosting services are engineered to deliver your content quickly, improving user experience and helping your site rank higher in search results.

3. Strong Security: Protecting your website from threats is a top priority. Our hosting includes robust security features like daily backups, firewall protection, and real-time malware scanning to keep your data safe and secure.

4. Scalable Solutions: Whether you’re starting with a small personal blog or managing a high-traffic business site, our hosting can scale with you. As your needs grow, upgrading your plan is easy and straightforward.

5. Easy Management: Managing your website shouldn’t be complicated. Our user-friendly control panel makes it simple to handle everything from email accounts to domain settings, even if you’re not a tech expert.

6. Support: Got a question or need help? Our support team is here to answer all your questions. We’re always ready to assist with any issues or concerns you might have, ensuring your website stays on track.

7. Eco-Friendly Hosting: We’re committed to sustainability. Our hosting services use green practices, so you can have a powerful web presence while minimizing your environmental footprint.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re looking for a web hosting service that offers reliability, speed, and top-notch security, you’re in the right place. Explore our hosting plans today and find the perfect fit for your website’s needs.

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