The term “web hosting” is actually a very vague term in this day of age. With new technology being released on a regular basis the web hosting industry in constantly changing and new methods of storing files are always being released. There are actually a number of different types of web hosting you can purchase and before you decide which is right for you, there are a few things you should take into consideration!

The first step is to figure out how you will be coding your website. This is important because if you plan to use a Windows language such as ASP, you will need to find a web hosting provider that specializes in Windows web hosting. On the other hand, if you plan on coding your website in a Linux scripting language such as PHP, you will need to find a Linux web hosting provider. Once you know the type of operating system your website will require, you will want to decide exactly which type of hosting is right for you:

Shared Web Hosting- Available in both Linux and Windows, shared web hosting plans usually range in price from $2-$9 per month. This type of web hosting is perfect for small websites, blogs, and eCommerce stores.
Reseller Web Hosting- Also available in both Linux and Windows, reseller hosting packages give users the ability to setup multiple accounts under them. These types of hosting packages are very popular amongst small web hosting companies.
Virtual Private Server- Available in both Linux and Windows, a virtual private server can give you the same features as a dedicated server, but usually with less disk space, bandwidth, and RAM. These are perfect for websites that get high traffic but may not really require the cost of a monthly dedicated server.
Dedicated Server- Available in multiple operating systems and platforms, a dedicated server gives you full access, full control, and full management. Businesses and websites with high traffic almost always require a dedicated server.

Each of the different types of web hosting above have their own strong and weak points. New websites, blogs, and other lower-traffic websites are usually fine with basic shared hosting plans because not too much disk space or bandwidth may be required. Businesses and high-traffic websites should really consider dedicated servers because this type of web hosting will give them full root/administrator access. Always remember to research a web hosting company before signing up with them. Google their name and find web hosting review sites that may have them listed. Also look for other customer’s that have written web hosting reviews for that specific company.