Your website is the key to your online presence and digital visibility of your business.
But for it to be published and live on the internet, it needs to be hosted. Setting up domain and hosting is one of the very first things you need to consider when you build a website.
But it can be a little confusing, so in this blog, we will shed some light on the subject of hosting!
Modern web hosting is a sophisticated entity – and one that we offer at Media Fortress. But first, there are some basics you need to understand.
Some website basics
Your domain name is your URL.
Websites and domains are hosted on servers, which store these sites and deliver them to the online audience.
Your web host is a business that provides the technology and services required to achieve this.
Most web-hosting companies require that you own your domain – if you don’t, you can register a domain name online in minutes.
Domain Names VS Web Hosting
Domain names and hosting are two different services.
Your Domain Name is the URL or address of your website. Unlike IP addresses (purely numerical) which are impossible for a human to remember, your URL or domain name makes it easier to remember the address of a website. Your domain name links directly to your IP – which is the address that the worldwide computer network recognises and directs to.
On the other hand, Web Hosting is the location of the files of your website. It is where your website itself is stored and served.
To use an analogy, think of an addressed letter. Your URL is your name, for example, Mr Smith. Your domain is your home’s street address. Your host server is the actual house located at that address.
You need a domain name so that people can find your website and you need web hosting to build a website.
It sounds simple enough – and it is if you have the right help.
Purchasing a domain name gives you exclusive access to that name for a specified period – you need to renew your ownership of that domain on a regular basis. Web hosting stores your site’s files; when you partner with a host, you need to update the settings of your domain name in order to direct it to your web host.
You may also purchase your domain name and hosting from the same company. From here, you are ready to begin building your website.
Types of Web Hosting
You need to consider your web hosting in terms of features such as bandwidth, disc space, data storage, customer support, domains, email, SSL certificates, uptime, and e-commerce software.
There are four types of web hosting:
Shared – Your website shares space on a server with other websites. The most cost-effective alternative, this is a common choice for entry-level websites, requiring less technical knowledge than the other options. It costs you less, but the deliverability of your site with this form of hosting can be impacted in terms of loading speed and site performance as your website generates more traffic.
VPS – Virtual Private Server hosting involves a single main shared server is split into multiple virtual servers. Each site is given its own virtual server while sharing the main server with other websites. Loading times are much faster with this form of hosting and you have more control over access to your site. This is a good option for small sites with visual elements including images and video content.
Cloud – Multiple servers work together to host your site alongside others. Traffic spikes are accounted for and loading speeds are not impacted by these. Cloud hosting doesn’t allow for root access so it is best for those seeking a solution between shared and VPS hosting.
Dedicated – These servers are yours and yours alone. They cost more than shared or VPS hosting but have many added benefits, including complete control of your website and much higher deliverability. It’s a great option to migrate to a dedicated server as your business and website grow as it allows for higher traffic volumes. At Media Fortress our plans are based on shared resources of a dedicated server.
How much space do I need?
Believe it or not the majority basic websites use around 500MB. That’s less than 1 gig. If you’re starting out on your business then smaller is better. With the option to upgrade as necessary. In our experience more is not always better. This is because webmasters and owners become complacent about what is filling their server.
Let’s say your website gets hacked and you need to restore from back up, do you think it would take longer to restore 1-3 gig or 30-50 gig of mostly unused files? With Media Fortress you can easily upgrade to a bigger hosting plan.
What about email hosting?
A major benefit of cPanel based hosting services is that email is already integrated. You choose the name and password and you can then add it to your outlook, iPhone or whichever email browser you like.
For the average user, cPanel email hosting is a great cost effective way to manage personal and business email with your own domain for minimal cost.
There is a but. But if you are a business that has critical email needs then we don’t recommend cPanel hosting for your email. There are better solutions
Speak to a representative at Media Fortress about your business goals and we can tailor a solution direct for your needs.
The right domain and web hosting plan will include:
- cPanel
- Easy Setup
- Daily Secure Backup
- 24/7 Phone and Email Support
- Security Firewall
- Spam Protection
- Easy Software Installation
- Easy-to-Install Apps (like WordPress)
- Online File Manager
- SSH Access
- Unlimited Subdomains
- Unlimited FTP Accounts
Media Fortress delivers on all of these and more.
Why Choose Media Fortress for Domains and Web Hosting?
Media Fortress is a superior, data-driven digital company based in Melbourne.
We offer affordable web hosting packages to suit your unique needs and to enable your business to have a strong presence online. We also offer a popular comprehensive monthly package deal that incorporates a custom-designed website with hosting.
We can also add an SSL certificate for data encryption at your checkout so that you and your customer have utmost peace of mind. In fact, we give a free SSL certificate for all website hosting plans so that your data can be secure during transit.
No matter whether you have a business services site or an e-commerce site, we have the expertise and experience required, and we can even transfer your website for free if you are currently with another host.
Contact us at Media Fortress today by calling 1300 308 488 to learn more about our domain hosting service