Hosting: different types and how they work

Anyone involved with the web will surely come across hosting sooner or later. The term refers to a service which hosts files that make up a certain web app. This service makes the app accessible to web users via an IP address and domain name.

The files present on hosting are loaded using a protocol known as FTP.  In order to execute loading, special software is used. Among the most well-known is FileZilla, which is free, widely used and very popular.

By installing these programs onto your device, it is possible to copy the contents of the hard disk onto a second hard disk. The latter, however, remains the property of the hosting provider. In order to access the content loaded onto the second disk, you need to be in possession of credentials supplied by the hosting provider.

It is very important to remember that, if modifications are made to files on your own device, no change will be made to the files on the hosting disk. This means that in order to be able to make use of any modifications made to the website, a new loading will be required.

What services does a hosting provider offer?

Many different services are available. Among these is the database, which is almost always necessary for the users’ web apps. Another service offered is email addresses, which can be set up at the user’s discretion, with flexible options regarding their number.

Another noteworthy aspect relates to the operating system. Considering the fact that remote servers also have one of these, it is possible to choose to purchase either a Windows or Linux based service.

More experienced developers often advise the second option. The main reason is due to the lower prices compared to other alternatives and the increased compatibility of open-source instruments.

Paid hosting or free?

It is natural to wonder whether it is worth paying for a hosting service. The answer, according to those experienced in matters of the web, is affirmative. There are many reasons. With a paid hosting service, for example, you can be totally sure of the quality of service.

Furthermore, it is possible to obtain a first level domain (www.nomedominio.it /com and not www.nomedominio.nomehosting.it/com), which is undoubtedly advantageous for your site’s positioning on search engines.

With a paid hosting service, the problem of having to display advertising banners, which take up space on the site and make access to content more difficult, as well as making loading times considerably longer, is eliminated.

Well-known hosting providers

In conclusion, here are some particularly well-known solutions. As far as options available to Italian users are concerned, a notable example is Altervista, which provides a third level domain with advertising banners and is almost always a point of reference for those taking their first steps towards interaction with the web.

Another significant hosting provider is Netsons, which offers the market a very competitively priced service. Hosting is available on Windows or Linux and Cpanel can be used as a control panel in order to have a quick summary of the current situation.

The most well-known hosting service available in Italy is, however, Aruba, which offers several packages, also in cloud or feature and allows users to set up a certified email address. Another important advantage of this service is that 24-hour assistance is available, without any extra charge to the end user.

Translated by Joanne Beckwith