Getting started online can be an overwhelming experience. So many terms and concepts to grasp. How do you know which plan is right for you?

Today we break down the basics to help guide you to picking the right plan for your online venture. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a hosting plan:

Type of Website

The nature of your website greatly influences your hosting needs. For instance, a simple blog will have different requirements compared to a high-traffic e-commerce site. Consider the software you’ll use, as some platforms (like WordPress) have specific hosting requirements. Here are some examples of what type of hosting plan you should consider depending on your use:

  • Personal Blogs: Usually have low resource requirements. Shared hosting is often sufficient for these sites as they generally have lower traffic and simpler content.
  • Business Websites: For small to medium-sized business websites, reliability and uptime are crucial. Depending on the traffic and functionalities (like forms, catalogs, etc.), you might consider VPS hosting to handle moderate traffic efficiently.
  • E-commerce Sites: These sites need secure, robust, and fast hosting due to the transactions and higher visitor volume. SSL certificates, payment information security, and high uptime are crucial, making VPS or dedicated hosting a better choice.
  • Portals and Forums: Such sites can experience sudden spikes in traffic and involve substantial data exchange. Cloud hosting can be ideal here due to its scalability and ability to handle sudden increases in load.
  • Media-heavy Sites: Websites that stream video or host large amounts of images and media content require significant bandwidth and storage. Dedicated or cloud hosting plans are usually necessary to accommodate large media files and streaming content without slowing down the site.

Traffic Volume

Estimate the amount of traffic your website will receive. This affects your bandwidth and storage requirements. Most starter plans are sufficient for low to moderate traffic, but if you expect significant growth or spikes in traffic, consider plans that offer more resources or scalability.

Sites with fewer than 1,000 visitors per day typically don’t require extensive resources. Shared hosting is usually adequate for these levels of traffic. If your site receives traffic in the tens of thousands per day, you’ll likely need more robust hosting solutions like VPS, which provide better stability and resources than shared hosting. For sites with hundreds of thousands or millions of visitors per day, dedicated servers or scalable cloud hosting solutions are necessary to ensure fast loading times and handle the high data transfer demands.

Server Types

  • Shared Hosting: In this most basic and cost-effective option, multiple websites share a single server’s resources. It’s suitable for small websites with low traffic.
  • VPS (Virtual Private Server) Hosting: A VPS provides a virtual dedicated segment of a server. It’s a middle ground between shared hosting and having your own dedicated server, suitable for websites that have outgrown shared hosting.
  • Dedicated Server Hosting: You get an entire server to yourself, providing maximum control and resources. It’s best for highly trafficked websites and those that require specific server configurations.
  • Cloud Hosting: Websites are hosted across multiple servers, which can provide greater flexibility and scalability. This is ideal for sites that experience variable traffic.

Read more: Shared Hosting vs. VPS Hosting

Resource Requirements

This includes several key components that need to be matched with your website needs.

Disk Space

Disk Space is the amount of storage assigned on the server to hold your website’s code, databases, and media. For most modern websites, SSDs (Solid State Drives) offer faster data access speeds than traditional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives). To estimate the disk space you need calculate the size of all your website’s content, including HTML files, images, videos, databases, and other media. High-resolution images and videos consume a lot of space. Include space for any CMS (like WordPress) or frameworks and libraries you plan to use and factor in additional space for future content, user data, and potential backups.

For a small blog or personal website, a few gigabytes might be enough, while large e-commerce sites or media-heavy sites may need hundreds of gigabytes or more.

Bandwidth

This is the volume of data that your website can transfer to your visitors in a given time. More visitors and data-intensive features (like video streaming) require higher bandwidth.

To estimate bandwidth, average the size of your website pages, including all text, images, and other media that load per page. Multiply the average number of pages each visitor views by your total expected visitors per month. Consider spikes in traffic, such as during promotions or special events, and ensure that your bandwidth can handle higher than average traffic volumes.

For instance, a small website with minimal traffic might only need a few GBs of bandwidth, while a popular online platform may require TBs of bandwidth.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the power of the server’s processor. It affects how fast it can execute instructions. Websites with complex applications, databases, or scripts need powerful CPUs to run smoothly.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

The more RAM available, the more data the server can process without needing to access the hard disk. This is crucial for websites with interactive features, multiple concurrent users, or complex databases.

Determining CPU power and RAM requires a more technical assessment. High traffic and simultaneous users increase CPU and memory usage. More dynamic sites (e.g., e-commerce, forums) that handle lots of user interactions and data processing need more powerful CPUs and additional RAM. Sites running complex applications, large databases, or extensive backend processing require strong CPUs and more RAM to operate smoothly.

When evaluating these requirements, it’s important to not just consider what you need today, but what you might need in the future as your website grows and evolves.

Security Features

Security is crucial, especially if you handle sensitive information like customer data and payment details. Look for features like SSL certificates, backups, and secure server capabilities.

Scalability

Your hosting plan should be able to grow with your website. If you expect to increase traffic over time, consider whether the hosting provider makes it easy to upgrade your service plan.

Support and Service Level

Check the support offered — 24/7 availability via phone, chat, or email can be crucial, especially for businesses. Response time and the quality of support can significantly impact your experience.

Pricing and Contracts

Compare pricing for different plans, but also consider the renewal rates and contract terms. Some hosts offer lower rates for longer commitments.

Reputation and Reviews

Research the host’s reputation. User reviews, expert blog posts, and industry forums can provide valuable insights into the reliability and performance of hosting providers.

Additional Features

Some hosting plans offer additional features like email hosting, domain registration, and website builders. Consider whether these are necessary and how they might impact your choice.

Choosing the right web hosting plan might seem daunting at first, but by breaking down your needs and understanding the options available, you can make a well-informed decision that sets your website up for success. Remember, the best hosting plan for you is the one that fits not just your current needs but also accommodates your future growth. So take your time, consider your options, and don’t hesitate to ask for advice or help if you need it. Here’s to your website’s success and the exciting journey ahead!