Hosting 101

Our comprehensive introduction to web hosting

If you have no prior experience with web hosting but are considering starting your own website and want to learn more in this area, then you are in the right place! In our Web Hosting 101, we explain all the essential basics you need to know.

Chapter 1: What is Web Hosting?

Before delving deeper into the topic, let's first address the question of what web hosting actually is. It's quite simple:

Web hosting is a computer (server) where a website is hosted.

Web hosting ensures that your website is accessible on the internet 24/7 to any interested visitor worldwide.

Of course, the technical background is a bit more complex, but this information is sufficient for a basic understanding. If you want to know more about how web hosting works, you can read about it in detail in the article What is Web Hosting?.

Graphic "What is Web Hosting" by Hosttest

Now the question arises, why do you need web hosting at all instead of simply hosting your website on your home computer? The answer is quite simple:

Your home computer is not operational 24/7. Additionally, your internet connection is designed for customer use only, and you have a constantly changing IP address. Moreover, you are not protected against power outages and you have to take care of maintaining your hardware yourself.

Those are quite a few points against hosting your website at home on your computer, aren't they?

But fortunately, there are plenty of web hosting providers who can take on this job for you. And in the following chapters, we will take a closer look at how to find the right web hosting for your website.

Let's get started!

Chapter 2: Finding the Right Type of Web Hosting

First, let's address the question of the right type of web hosting. Before we start looking for a specific web hosting provider, we need to determine what type of web hosting is actually needed for the planned web presence.

In theory, choosing the right web hosting seems quite simple. A quick search on the internet, a few clicks to complete the order, and your own website can go online. What could be easier? However, it's not necessarily the best idea to invest your hard-earned money in the first solution you come across. To find the perfect web hosting that suits your needs, various criteria need to be considered. Like with any important decision, choosing the right type of web hosting should be carefully considered. It's crucial to clarify all relevant questions regarding the requirements and expectations of the web hosting in advance.

The quality and performance of a website depend not only on the right provider but especially on the appropriate type of web hosting. Making the wrong decisions here puts the entire success of your website at risk. Therefore, choosing the right type of web hosting is particularly important.

Individual Requirements for Web Hosting

Therefore, the first step towards optimal web hosting is not to simply get quotes and compare hosting options available on the market, but to first clarify your own individual requirements for web hosting.

The following questions can help:

• How many domains are needed and what are they?
• Will there be an online shop on the website?
• What functions and content need to be provided online?
• How many visitors are expected?
• Which countries do visitors come from to the website?

Once the individual requirements for web hosting are clarified, you can start looking for the suitable hosting option that is tailored to the needs of your own web presence.

Graphic "Types of Web Hosting" by Hosttest

What type of web hosting is needed?

Now you can delve deeper into the various types of web hosting and find out where their advantages and disadvantages lie:

Web Space Packages (Shared Hosting)

The most popular and cheapest way to make a website accessible on the internet is through web space packages. Individual customers can rent a certain amount of storage space on a web server. The system resources such as memory, processor power, or bandwidth are shared by all website owners on the server. This is why it is often referred to as Shared Hosting. The complete technical management of the system is carried out in the background by the hosting provider, allowing customers to focus entirely on operating their own website without the need for technical knowledge.

Advantages:

• Low costs
• Low maintenance effort
• No technical knowledge required

Disadvantages:

• Limited performance
• Limited configuration options
• No exclusive resources

For individuals or entrepreneurs with a small or medium-sized business, Shared Hosting can be an optimal and cost-effective hosting option. Modern shared web space packages offer plenty of storage space and sufficient bandwidth, meeting the requirements of most small and medium-sized websites. Therefore, this option is particularly suitable for small to medium-sized online presences with moderate visitor traffic:

• Business card website
• Company's online presence
• Service provider's website
• Personal blog
• Hobby website
• Small online community
• Small online shop

Virtual Private Servers (VPS hosting)

Virtual servers, also known as VPS hosting or VPS, offer customers more flexibility and configuration freedom than simple web hosting packages. However, the costs are only slightly higher. The term virtual servers refers to the fact that through a virtualization method, multiple independent machines are realized on a single main server. The individual virtual machines function as completely separate systems and thus offer customers more extensive configuration options and higher system resources. Nevertheless, in the background, only a single server operates, with its total resources being divided among the configured virtual machines. Many VPS hosting services are now marketed as Cloud Servers or Cloud Hosting, as the available system resources can be flexibly adjusted at any time. For example, additional memory or CPU power can be allocated as needed to handle spikes in visitors on one's own website. Billing for such cloud solutions is therefore based precisely on the resources used.

Advantages:

• More extensive configuration options
• Higher performance
• Moderate costs

Disadvantages:

• Higher management effort
• Technical knowledge required

Dedicated Servers (Dedicated Hosting)

A Dedicated Server refers to a standalone physical machine that is completely under the control of a single customer. The hardware resources can be used exclusively and without restrictions, and the system configuration can be tailored precisely to the customer's needs and requirements. Customers are responsible for the complete operation and administration of the system themselves. Depending on the hosting contract, the customer may also be responsible for repairs and hardware upgrades, incurring additional costs.

Advantages:

• Unrestricted configuration options
• Exclusive resource utilisation

Disadvantages:

• High administrative effort
• Technical knowledge is essential
• High costs

For entrepreneurs with a medium or large business, VPS hosting or Dedicated Servers can be an optimal and particularly powerful hosting option. Modern servers are available in various configurations, allowing them to meet even the highest demands of large and sophisticated websites. This option is especially suitable for large online companies with high visitor traffic or extensive functionality:

• Web presence of a large company
• Extensive online presence of a company
• Large online store
• Large online community
• Professional web service

Managed Hosting

A Managed Hosting service is a special paid service primarily offered on VPS hosting and Dedicated Servers. When customers opt for a Server with Managed Option, the hosting provider takes over the technical and administrative management of the system. The services include configuring the system, as well as all regular updates and security patches. Often, data backups and monitoring services are also included in the Managed Option. Especially for customers with no technical knowledge or who do not want to invest time in complex administration, the extra cost of Managed Hosting is worthwhile. This way, full attention can be focused on the website without having to worry about the necessary conditions for operating a server system.

Advantages:

• No administrative management required
• No technical knowledge necessary

Disadvantages:

• Higher costs

Before Choosing the Type of Web Hosting: Requirements Analysis

The first and perhaps most important point when selecting the best web hosting for your needs is a requirements analysis. Before getting lost in the multitude of offers from various hosting providers, it is important to be clear about what requirements the planned web project has for the host's technology. This assessment helps in finding a web hosting that optimally matches the performance needed. An extensive online shop or complex web service requires completely different performance parameters than a small blog or personal website. The requirements of your own web project already outline the rough framework of what technical criteria a web hosting should meet. On one hand, it is important not to think too big; for a hobby blog, for example, there is no need for a VPS hosting or dedicated server where you pay for numerous features that are not needed. On the other hand, it is also important not to think too small; if starting an online shop, one should not choose the cheapest shared hosting.

Info: Certain applications may require special hosting solutions, such as for Video Hosting or Podcast Hosting, which typically rely on specialised services rather than self-hosting.

Tip: One of the best ways to narrow down the search for suitable web hosting is to use a web hosting search function like in our Web Hosting Comparison. This allows potential providers to be sorted based on specific criteria before making a final decision. Choosing the right web hosting is one of the key factors in running a successful online presence. The countless options can often seem overwhelming at first glance. However, by taking enough time to carefully examine your requirements and the possible offerings, you will ultimately find secure, stable, and cost-effective web hosting for your website.

Chapter 3: Finding the Right Web Hosting Provider and Plan

In the next section, we will delve into selecting the right web hosting provider and finding the suitable plan. Now that we have already determined the type of web hosting, it is time to choose a specific provider's offering.

The market offers a wide range of hosting providers. Although the many web hosting packages may seem very similar at first glance, there are significant differences between providers. Evaluating the quality of hosting depends not only on obvious criteria such as price or performance parameters but also on less obvious points like the support or the provider's infrastructure in the background.

Especially in the area of simple web hosting packages, the range of companies and tariffs is now so extensive that most customers don't know where to start when making a decision. Hundreds of web hosts promise affordable prices, powerful technology, and reliable support. Often, the offers also entice with criteria such as "unlimited" or even multiple free features. However, before deciding to enter into a contract that often ties you to a specific web host for several months, it is important to thoroughly inform yourself about all aspects of an offer.

In the following list, we have compiled the most important criteria to consider when choosing a web host:

Graphic "What matters in web hosting" by Hosttest

How much storage space should web hosting offer?

When searching for the right hosting package, you will come across numerous specifications regarding certain performance criteria in the offers of web hosts. One of the most prominent specifications, heavily promoted by many providers, is the storage space of the web hosting. But how important is this information and how much storage space do you actually need for the smooth operation of your own web project?

How much storage space do your own web contents require?

Before choosing a specific web hosting package, you should consider how much storage space your own web contents require. There are various criteria to consider:

Firstly, you should consider whether the planned web project is more static or dynamic. Will the created contents remain the same or will they be expanded and developed over time? For example, the simple company website of a tanning studio is usually created once and then rarely receives content updates. It's different for an active blog. Here, new content is regularly published at intervals and needs to be made available online.

Furthermore, you should consider what type of content is planned for the web project. If, for example, only a few texts and a few small images are to be published, they require little storage space and a few gigabytes will be sufficient. However, if you want to provide visitors with a whole image gallery with high-resolution photos or even videos in HD format, you will need a significantly higher storage space consumption ranging from over 10 gigabytes to several hundred gigabytes.

What types of storage space are there?

When it comes to the storage space specifications, it is important to question which types of storage space the numbers mentioned apply to. After all, this space is not only used for the website's data itself, but also for database entries or for the mailboxes of the email addresses associated with the website. Storage space is therefore needed for the following purposes:

Storage space for HTML data

In this category, all data needed for the website itself falls. This includes content such as texts, images, or videos that visitors can directly find on the website. It also includes files that influence the design of the website and ensure complete functionality.

Storage space for database entries

In this category, all data relevant for the operation of the website falls, but is not directly visible to visitors on the website. It is essentially the backbone in the background that holds the website together and organises the connections between the individual elements. Especially with extensive management systems like WordPress, Joomla, or an online shop software, larger amounts of data accumulate over time here.

Storage space for mailboxes

A category that is often forgotten is the storage space needed for emails. However, the messages along with attached files in the mailbox also consume storage space. Especially in the case of a company website where each employee receives their own email address and uses it for daily communication within the company, a large amount of data quickly accumulates.

Unlimited storage space

When opting for offers from web hosts that promise their customers unlimited storage space, one should be particularly cautious. It is advisable to take a closer look and read the fine print. Usually, the usable storage space is also somehow limited here. Providing truly unlimited storage space is not physically possible. Especially on affordable shared hosting packages that must be calculated sharply by the provider to make the offer worthwhile for the operator, the total storage space available on the server is of course limited by the hardware used.

Expanding storage space

If a customer chooses an offer with insufficient storage space, they may hit the limit shortly. In this case, an upgrade is necessary to continue operating their own web project as planned. With some hosts, additional storage space can be added to the existing package, but this is often associated with relatively high costs. With most hosts, even a complete tariff upgrade to a more expensive web hosting package is required. To avoid these costs, one should consider the needed storage space from the beginning so that it is sufficiently available for their own website in the future.

Tip: In our web hosting comparison, you can also sort the offers by the amount of storage space provided or even specifically search for a web space package with a certain amount of storage space available.

How important is support in web hosting?

When choosing the right web hosting provider, many things need to be considered. But in addition to price and technical performance, there is another component that has a major impact on the reliable operation of your website: the customer support of the web host.

Customer support is like insurance. Ideally, you never have to use either. Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned in life or in web hosting. An unexpected hardware failure, a faulty software update, or even a hacker attack in the worst case scenario. The number of potential threats that could disable your website is significant. But not only a complete outage, even high loading times can quickly have a negative impact on revenues, especially for commercial websites like online shops or web services. This is where support comes in. However, whether it actually delivers what was promised in the web host's service description is often only discovered in an emergency when a critical issue arises.

What criteria should a web hosting provider's support meet?

To avoid unpleasant surprises with support in an emergency, here is a list of various criteria that should be considered when choosing a web hosting provider:

Accessibility

Firstly, one should consider the accessibility of the support. This involves the available communication channels through which the customer service of the web hosting provider can be reached, as well as the availability of support. Traditionally, support requests can be submitted via email or through a ticketing system provided by the web hosting provider. A telephone hotline naturally offers an even better service for the customer. This allows direct contact with customer service in case of issues, without the need for elaborate written communication. Nowadays, many companies also offer additional communication channels for support requests, such as through social media channels, live chat, or text messenger.

Response Time

In connection with accessibility, response time also plays an important role. It is of little benefit to the customer if they can contact the host via a support ticket but then have to wait an eternity for a response. It is important, especially with promises of 24/7 support, to inquire precisely and also read the fine print: While the provider may be reachable by email around the clock, how quickly can one expect a response? It is not uncommon for tickets submitted on a Friday afternoon to only be answered on Monday morning after the weekend. Ideally, a telephone hotline should be available and staffed around the clock.

Quality

Another important criterion is the quality of support. Customer service representatives should have solid expertise to be able to assist customers directly with questions and issues. Especially with larger web hosting providers, customers often end up in a call centre where the problem is noted but not resolved immediately. It is better for the customer when web hosting providers have a technically proficient team of technicians handling customer support or even when the CEO picks up the phone. After all, customers do not want to be fobbed off with standard responses but rather want a satisfactory solution to the problem promptly.

Costs and Flexibility

Another important point to consider is the individual regulations regarding costs and flexibility. Some web hosts now offer different levels of support. Those looking for better service will need to dig deeper into their pockets and opt for a paid premium service. This can be especially beneficial for commercial users who earn money from their website and a website outage could cause serious problems. However, private users also appreciate customer support that provides more than just basic service and offers helpful tips. For example, questions about software usage are often left unanswered as it is not a paid service provided by the host. Nevertheless, a supportive customer service should still be able to assist their customers within certain limits.

Customer Reviews

An excellent way to learn about the features and services of a potential web hosting provider's customer support in advance is to read customer reviews. Here on Hosttest, as well as on other review platforms on the internet, interested parties can find numerous authentic customer opinions about various providers in the market, allowing them to get an impression of the service in advance.

Test Reports

Detailed test reports, like the ones we publish here on Hosttest, can also provide important details about the support offerings of a specific provider. Interested parties can benefit from reliable first-hand information and use it to help make their decision in choosing the right provider.

Chapter 4: Avoiding Mistakes in Web Hosting Selection

In this section, we will delve into possible mistakes in choosing the right web hosting and provide valuable tips to prevent future issues with web hosting from the outset.

The 3 Most Common Mistakes in Choosing Web Hosting

Choosing the right web hosting provider should be carefully considered, but customers are often tempted by seemingly attractive promises. Therefore, the decision for a provider should not be rushed, and the following three mistakes should definitely be avoided:

1. Free Services

Many customers are attracted to free offers. Those looking for affordable web hosting can keep acquisition costs as low as possible by using free offers. What may seem like a good deal at first glance usually turns out to be a big mistake upon closer inspection. In general, the negative aspects of such offers never outweigh the advantage of cost savings. For web space to be offered for free, another company must finance it. Often, these companies then display their advertisements on the website. This is a definite deal-breaker for a professional or commercial web presence. Visitors who are painstakingly brought to the website because they originally had an interest in the services or products offered may end up becoming customers of the advertisers and not using the website owner's offerings. Furthermore, a website plastered with advertisements does not look professional at all. The likelihood that visitors will never return to the website as a result is high. Therefore, foreign advertising on the website or branding of the web hosting provider on every single page of the website can only be accepted for smaller hobby projects; however, free services should not be used for a serious web presence.

2. Limited Services

Paid web hosting offers are definitely better than free services. However, there are also significant differences between individual providers and packages. Many offers limit resources heavily, providing customers with only a basic setup. Therefore, before deciding on a specific provider, thorough research should be conducted. Features such as bandwidth, storage space, email accounts, or databases are just some of the criteria to consider. While the exact features needed always depend on the individual requirements of your website, certain basic features, such as unlimited bandwidth and traffic, should be available in every package. Additionally, it should be possible to easily activate additional features as needed without having to migrate the entire website.

3. Cheap Hosting

Many web hosts offer their packages at particularly low prices. Often, you come across special cheap hosting offers that promise a lot of performance at low prices. Especially when cost is a factor in choosing a web hosting provider, one should be cautious of providers luring with only 1 euro per month or even cheaper deals. With such low fees and the resulting extremely narrow profit margins for the provider, there must be a catch somewhere. Often, this can be found in the fine print of the terms and conditions. Limited resources, restricted support, or long contract durations to keep customers tied for as long as possible are not uncommon here. For a professional web presence, one should therefore spend at least 3 to 6 euros per month to be on the safe side. This is still a very affordable price. However, the chances of ending up with a reliable provider with decent performance are significantly higher than if one only focuses on the lowest possible costs. In this context, attention should also be paid to promotional prices. Often, these only apply for the first few months, and subsequently, the package is much more expensive for the remaining contract period than it would have been with a comparable provider without promotional prices. A good SLA (Service Level Agreement) is an absolute must.

The 4 Most Common Problems with Web Hosting

A reliable web host is the foundation of every successful web project. However, many website owners regularly face problems. Poor web hosting can be the cause of various complications. Therefore, we would like to highlight the four most common problems with web hosting here and provide tips on how to best avoid them.

Problem No. 1 - Speed

The most common problems occur in relation to the speed of web hosting. This is usually evident in long loading times and slow page loading. The content of your own website is displayed with significant delays. This is particularly frustrating for websites that go beyond simple information display and have features such as shopping carts in online shops. A slow website contributes to a particularly poor user experience for visitors. Potential customers often leave the website as quickly as they arrived.

Slow websites often don't get any visitors at all. If a visitor clicks on a Google search result and the destination page is not displayed within a short time, they will usually go back to the search results and visit the next suggested website. Specifically through this behaviour, a slow website not only harms the user experience but also sends a negative signal to the search engine. The result is a lower ranking for relevant search terms and even lower chances of getting visitors.

Issues with speed often occur with budget-friendly Shared Hosting packages. Here, several hundred or even thousands of customers frequently share the technical resources of a single server. Depending on the system's workload, there may not be enough performance available for individual websites, leading to frequent delays.

A dedicated server can provide a solution here. With a VPS hosting or Dedicated Server, the entire system's performance can be exclusively utilised for the own web project. This effectively helps avoid speed issues.

Issue No. 2 - Downtime

Similar to high loading times, downtime has an even more significant negative impact on user experience and search engine rankings. If the website is completely inaccessible, links lead to nowhere and potential customers have no way to access the content.

Downtime or outages are inevitable in the web hosting industry, but with a good web host, they should be kept to an absolute minimum. Every server will need maintenance or a restart with updated software at some point. However, these processes should always be well-planned, announced in advance, and carried out within a short time frame. Nowadays, no web host should be able to afford an unannounced outage that lasts for an extended period.

A reliable host can provide a solution here. Providers with solid and dependable infrastructure have their network and all systems well under control, reducing downtime to a minimum.

Issue No. 3 - Support

Another problem that often arises with budget web hosting solutions is inadequate support. Once the web project is up and running, there may be little reason for complaint. However, when problems arise or questions come up, it becomes evident whether a web hosting provider offers good support.

It starts with accessibility and response times. A good support team should be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, especially on weekends or holidays when most private users have time to focus on their web projects. Additionally, responses to submitted queries should be prompt and not delayed until the next day. Nothing is more frustrating for customers than having to wait what feels like an eternity for a response from customer service when facing a serious issue with their own website. Ideally, in addition to written communication via email or a ticketing system, a free telephone hotline should also be provided.

In addition to accessibility and response times, the quality of technical support is also crucial. In case of problems, customers expect competent answers from someone who is knowledgeable in the field, rather than being dismissed with standard responses from a call centre.

The choice of a suitable web hosting provider can address these issues. When reviewing tariff descriptions, particular attention should be paid to the SLA (Service Level Agreement) terms.

Issue No. 4 - Security

Further problems in web hosting can arise in the area of security. Both the web hosting provider and the website owner themselves can be responsible here.

Hacked accounts are not uncommon. Hackers attempt to gain access to servers and web hosting packages to misuse them for their own purposes. This could involve the distribution of spam or malware. Website owners should therefore pay close attention to strong security policies and secure their web projects as best as possible. The same applies to the web hosting provider, who is responsible for the security of their servers. Regular security updates and ongoing monitoring of network activities are essential for a good web hosting provider.

Collaborating with a good and reliable web hosting provider who consistently maintains their systems can also address these issues.

5 Ways to Avoid Problems with a Poor Web Hosting Provider

Website owners should not only focus on finding a reliable provider before signing a hosting contract but also continuously monitor the performance of the provider. Here are some ways to avoid potential issues with a poor web hosting provider:

1. Choose a Web Hosting Provider with a Long Trial Period

Many companies now offer their customers at least a full month as a trial period. Some web hosts even provide a longer period in which customers can cancel the contract for free. Unfortunately, very few companies offer a constant money-back guarantee. This means that after the trial period, customers are bound to the provider for the full contract term. Money-back guarantees or long trial periods not only allow customers to thoroughly test an offer but also demonstrate the provider's confidence in the quality of their services.

Opting for such a company increases the likelihood of working with a reliable provider and establishing a long-term partnership.

2. Register the Main Domain with a Different Provider

Although most web hosting packages already include the registration of at least one desired domain in the costs, it is advisable to register the main domain of your own web project independently from the web host with another provider. The strict separation of domain and webspace allows for easier handling in case of problems and the need to move to another provider. If the domain is managed by the same company, there may be unpleasant delays in releasing it for transfer, especially if there is a falling out with the web host.

If the domain is managed separately, switching to another hosting provider is possible at any time without any hassle.

3. Check the provider's IP addresses

There is nothing more frustrating than emails sent from your own domain not reaching the recipient. This is often due to the IP address of the sending server being blacklisted. This security measure automatically blocks requests from certain IP addresses in an effort to combat spam or internet crime. However, such a block affects all users of the same IP address. Especially with shared web hosting packages, where up to a thousand different customers often share a single server, innocent customers are affected by a few troublemakers.

Therefore, it is worthwhile to check in advance whether the IP addresses of a specific web host's servers are blacklisted. Internet portals such as MX Toolbox or DNSBL can help with this.

4. Monitor uptime

Unfortunately, achieving 100% uptime is not usually possible. Every server requires software updates over time that require a restart, or the replacement or expansion of individual hardware components. When such maintenance tasks are carried out, the website is not accessible. Web hosts typically guarantee their customers an uptime of 99.9% on average per year.

To ensure that these agreements are actually upheld, it is advisable to continuously monitor the uptime of your own website. Internet portals such as Uptimerobot or Pingdom can help with this.

5. Compare costs and services carefully

As a webmaster, you naturally want to get as much performance for your website as possible at the lowest possible price. However, you should be cautious and not just focus on costs, but also keep an eye on the quality of the offers. It's no use opting for the cheapest package and later dealing with downtimes, slow access times, or unreachable support.

Thorough research on the costs and services of the individual offers is therefore particularly important. In addition, it is advisable to rely on the experiences and reviews of existing customers. Not only can the testimonials in the provider profiles on Hosttest be helpful, but also our detailed test reports on selected web hosts.

Chapter 5: Creating Your Own Website

After you have finally chosen the right web hosting, it's time to move on. This section will now focus on the different options for creating your own website.

4 Ways to Create Your Own Website

Thanks to the technical developments in web design, there are now various options available for creating your own website. Whether you are a professional in the field or a beginner with no programming knowledge, your own web presence can now be realised by anyone according to their personal preferences.

In the early days of the internet, only a few experts with special technical knowledge could make their own website available to the public. Back then, there was no support from software or service providers, and one had to program their own website from scratch. However, times have changed, and it is now easier and more affordable than ever to have your own web presence on the internet. Depending on your skills and budget, there are four different options available, which we would like to introduce here:

1. Homepage Builder Systems

The simplest way to create your own website is by using so-called website builder systems. These are special applications that are typically offered together with web hosting. There are two common variants. Major hosting providers like 1&1 Ionos or Strato offer an optional builder alongside their web hosting packages, which can be used for creating a website. The application may either be included in the monthly costs or incur a small additional fee for usage. Additionally, there are providers that specialise in website creation through builders. Well-known examples include companies like Wix and Jimdo. While traditional hosts offer the builder as an optional feature in addition to web hosting, for other providers, the editor is the main focus of the offering.

Thanks to a website builder, a website can be created without the user needing knowledge of HTML, CSS, or other programming languages. Initially, one selects a suitable basic design for their website, which can then be customised to fit their own preferences and requirements. Operation is simple using drag and drop with a mouse and keyboard. Individual design elements such as text, images, videos, or interactive modules can easily be added, adjusted, or removed in the editor. The design freedoms and usable elements typically depend on the chosen package. Extensive features like integrating a shop with a shopping cart and payment processing usually require a premium package, while simple websites can be created using the free features. Additionally, having a custom domain name under which the website will be accessible later is usually associated with additional costs.

As creating a website using a website builder is particularly easy, this option is especially suitable for beginners who have no prior experience with websites on the internet. This way, a technically modern website can be created with minimal effort and at moderate costs. However, one is naturally bound to the functionality of the editor in terms of design guidelines and features. Fully customised websites are not typically achievable with a website builder.

• Ideal for beginners
• No programming knowledge required
• Moderate costs
• Limited functionality and pre-designed templates

2. Content Management System

Advanced users can use Content Management Systems (CMS) to create their own website. These are applications used for creating and managing content on websites. The two most well-known systems are WordPress and Joomla. Through a user-friendly interface, text can be created and media files can be inserted. Themes can be used to customise the design, and with a huge selection of plugins, the functionality of the CMS can be expanded almost limitlessly. Unlike website builders, a certain level of technical know-how is required to make minor adjustments and quickly fix any errors when working effectively with these systems. The more familiar one is with them, the more extensive customisations can be made without relying on third-party services.

The most popular Content Management Systems are available as Open Source Software and therefore incur no costs. They can be installed on any web hosting package that meets the technical requirements of the respective software. In some offers, such as the Business Web Hosting packages, CMS systems are often pre-installed or can be activated with just one click through the hosting management. Content Management Systems provide a very functional and cost-effective way to create a professional website. The only requirement is suitable web hosting and some technical knowledge of the chosen CMS.

• Ideal for Advanced Users
• Basic technical knowledge required
• Low costs
• Customisation of functions and design possible

3. Self-coding

For those with the appropriate knowledge and sufficient time, it is possible to completely code their own website. Essentially, all the necessary knowledge to create a website from scratch can be found for free on the internet. This starts with creating the framework, known as the template, using the programming language HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), and extends to editing the design and functionality using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and Javascript.

Even when creating in HTML, there are various approaches. HTML can be written directly in a simple text editor or a more convenient WYSIWYG editor can be used. With the latter, you can see directly how the written code affects the design and structure of the website. Depending on the software used, there are numerous convenience functions. The advantage of self-programming is that you have full control over the entire structure of the website. On the other hand, the whole endeavour is of course very extensive and time-consuming. Often, programming alone is not enough. Especially when it comes to design, knowledge of design basics or the help of an external designer is necessary to achieve attractive results.

• Only profitable for professionals
• Low costs
• High effort
• Greatest freedom in terms of function and design

4. Commissioning Service Providers

For most professional websites on the internet, the creation is outsourced to external service providers. In this case, individual designers, programmers, and web developers can be hired, or an agency can be commissioned to coordinate the further process independently. While this option is initially associated with the highest costs, there are many reasons to still opt for it. Depending on the requirements of the website, there are now very affordable providers who offer a complete website according to individual specifications at low prices.

When it comes to creating a commercial website that is intended to attract customers, orders, and revenue, an upfront investment is a normal commercial process. Those who have to take care of their own business usually don't have time to deal with the technical intricacies of website creation. In this case, commissioning service providers is the best and most effective option. Additionally, with a custom-made website, all desired functions and design ideas can be precisely realised, creating a unique website.

• Ideal for business owners
• Custom alignment with own ideas
• No effort
• High costs

The approaches to creating your own website are numerous. The most important criteria for the decision are the individual requirements and the planned purpose of the website. Whether it's a cost-effective entry-level version or a professional high-end solution, there are suitable options available for each variant.

Designing a Successful Online Presence: Basics

A perfect online presence is not left to luck, but the result of careful planning, a long-term strategy, and a targeted implementation of theory into practice. Thanks to modern software such as a website builder and flexible Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress or other solutions based on open source or commercial platforms, no technical knowledge is required for creating your own website. Even basic knowledge of programming in PHP or HTML code is not necessary. Instead, a successful web presence primarily requires creativity and the willingness to engage with the necessary requirements for a successful online presence, including effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

How to Achieve a Successful Online Presence?

A successful online presence requires careful planning that considers numerous different aspects. These include formal requirements such as the legally required creation of a complete imprint, as well as artistic tasks - for example, an aesthetic and attractive design - and their technical implementation through suitable software. Pre-made solutions such as an online website builder or CMS like Joomla, WordPress, and Drupal, or for an online store, e-commerce systems like Magento, Shopware, and Prestashop, enable a quick and flexible start. The selection of the software used involves a comprehensive comparison of all the pros and cons, as making changes later can be time-consuming and laborious.

With a CMS, websites can easily be created locally on a computer without being published. This is not always possible with an online website builder, but many providers offer a free trial account or a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied. To minimize the work and time involved, it is advisable to design the online presence as precisely as possible in the first step. Initially, technical aspects such as necessary HTML code are neglected, and the design is given priority.

What aspects are important for your own website?

For a purely personal website, aesthetics are of course entirely up to personal taste. However, for a representative website or a commercial project, even seemingly irrelevant details like colour choice can influence success. Considerations for your own website therefore include:

• Site structure: Placement of images, menus, texts, and content on the homepage. The goal is a clear, simple, and intuitive layout.
• Colour choice: Psychologists have shown that certain colours are associated with qualities such as trust, competence, or reliability.
• Content: Ideally, a homepage provides a comprehensive overview of a website without going into details. These should be on subpages.
• Load speed: High-resolution videos and images delay page loading due to their data volume. They particularly affect access by mobile devices.
• Responsive design: Most users now access websites via smartphones or tablet PCs. Responsive design automatically adjusts the display to conditions such as screen size and resolution.
• Technical requirements: Details such as the bandwidth of the connection, required storage space, and server performance to optimise costs.
• Domains and hosting: An attractive address is crucial for a successful web presence. A comprehensive web hosting comparison reduces ongoing expenses.

How can a concept be implemented into a website?

Even without specific expertise in programming languages, server configuration, or knowledge of HTML code, you can create your own website with a professional standard. The key is selecting suitable software that meets your individual requirements for the website in terms of functionality and usability. There are two fundamentally different approaches to consider:

Online website builder: A website builder is the most convenient way to create a website and is offered by numerous hosting providers. Your own website can be fully configured and managed through the browser. A website builder is usually available as a package with web hosting and sometimes a domain. The downside is that migrating the website to another host is either not possible or very limited.

CMS: A CMS consists of a collection of scripts in a programming language suitable for websites such as PHP. They are used for comfortable, graphical administration and content delivery. Many providers offer web hosting with a basic installation of a CMS - for example, WordPress. In this case, the operation is similar to an online homepage builder. CMSs are versatile, flexible, and allow for the migration of a website between different servers. However, administration usually requires a longer familiarisation period than a homepage builder.

Both approaches are suitable for beginners without any special knowledge. The features, operation, and functionality vary between different providers. Therefore, before comparing web hosting services, it is advisable to become familiar with several products in order to assess their individual advantages and disadvantages.

How can a website owner customise their own homepage?

Naturally, a website should stand out from the competition and reflect a personal touch. For this purpose, various extensions are offered. The basic design is set using templates tailored to different content types (e.g. blogging, corporate websites, news portals) or user groups (industry-specific, e.g. for photographers, restaurants, craftsmen, or retailers). Additional features can be installed through plugins or add-ons (such as forums, interfaces, video players, games, or photo galleries). Whether a plugin is provided for free or for a one-time or ongoing fee depends on the developer responsible for it. Often, developers offer both options, with free versions having certain limitations in functionality or other conditions such as the mandatory mention of the manufacturer.

How much does a website cost?

The question of the cost of a website is probably as old as the internet itself. Since the possibility of having a presence on the World Wide Web emerged, interested parties have been pondering the cost of such a web presence. Straight off the bat: There is no definitive answer to this question, as the creation of a website depends on a variety of different factors.

When it comes to the costs of creating a website, two criteria play an important role initially. Firstly, the scope of the planned web presence, and secondly, one's own technical knowledge in the field of website creation. In general, the creation of a simple website, such as an online business card or a personal blog, is expected to incur significantly lower costs than creating a large online shop or a professional web service. The same applies to one's technical knowledge: Those with programming skills who can create the planned website themselves typically require a lower budget than someone with no technical knowledge who needs to rely on a service provider for the entire website creation process.

What types of websites are there and what costs do they incur?

In the following section, three different categories of websites are presented along with a rough estimate of the possible costs for their creation.

Personal Website

The costs for creating a personal website are extremely affordable nowadays. There is even the possibility to publish a fully-fledged personal website completely free on the internet. When referring to a personal website, this typically means a small online presence where one can publish self-written texts, perhaps a few galleries of self-taken photos, and the occasional video. Examples could include a small travel blog about recent holidays, a collection of favourite recipes, or simply sharing thoughts with friends and acquaintances publicly. With the help of website builders, such online projects can be realised either completely free of charge or for a very low monthly fee. Extensive technical knowledge is also not required for creating a website using a website builder.

• For personal use
• Small scope
• Low functionality
• Possible to be cost-free

Professional Website

For the creation of a professional website, whether for personal or commercial use, a certain budget should definitely be allocated. A completely free creation, as with a simple personal website, is not possible here. A professional website is characterised by a unique design, more extensive content, and higher functionality. As such an online project, a professional website definitely requires its own paid web hosting, incurring monthly costs. In addition, for the individual creation of design and content, extensive technical knowledge and the appropriate paid software are required, or an external service provider, such as a web designer, is commissioned for the creation. With hourly rates of £50 and a workload of about 10 hours, this quickly adds up to a three-figure sum.

• Personal or commercial use
• Moderate scope
• Moderate functionality
• Low monthly costs
• Low to moderate one-time costs

Commercial Online Project

The costs for a large commercial online project are very difficult to estimate. It depends entirely on the planned project and the scope or functionality it is intended to offer. A professional online shop with thousands of products and several thousand visitors per day already requires a high investment of time and money for its creation. However, when it comes to implementing a complex web service, costs can quickly skyrocket. In addition to a powerful web hosting on dedicated servers, which alone incurs high monthly costs, the programming of a custom web service can engage entire teams of developers and easily cost several thousand pounds.

• Commercial use
• High scope
• High functionality
• Moderate to high monthly costs
• High one-time costs

Chapter 6: Changing the Type or Provider of Web Hosting Afterwards

In this section, we want to address what needs to be considered when changing the type or provider of web hosting afterwards. Nothing is set in stone, and both the requirements of your own web project and the offerings of the web host can change over time. Find out here when an upgrade or downgrade of your web hosting makes sense and when it's time for a completely new web hosting provider.

When is an Upgrade of Web Hosting Beneficial?

Most online projects start on simple web space packages. As the website grows, the performance of such packages often doesn't suffice for long. An upgrade of the web space becomes necessary. But what are the signs that indicate a need to switch hosting products?

Typically, webmasters launch their latest online project on the smallest hosting system possible. A Shared Hosting package is often the most affordable and straightforward option to make the new presence available online and wait for its development. Especially attractive offers from web hosts, promising unlimited storage space, unrestricted traffic, and bandwidth for the use of multiple different domains, give the impression that such a Shared Hosting package can meet all requirements.

However, a Shared Hosting package always remains what the term "Shared" already suggests. You share system resources with other accounts on the server. Besides your own website, thousands of other websites are often hosted on the same server. Shared Hosting packages therefore only allow customers to use a certain amount of system resources. If the requirements of the web project exceed the available system resources, customers may face limitations on both their own website and the entire server system. These limitations manifest as slow loading times or, in the worst case, even a complete server failure. Although this situation should be avoided, an upgrade of your web space package becomes necessary at the latest.

Especially with more extensive web projects, one cannot stay on the cheapest web hosting plan forever. Sooner or later, an upgrade will be necessary. But when is it time to switch to a higher-tier package or maybe even to a dedicated server? The following signs can help in making the decision at the right time:

When is Downgrading Web Hosting Beneficial?

Those who have been too optimistic in planning their own online project often later realize that the available technical resources are far from being fully utilized. In this case, downgrading web hosting can be a cost-effective solution.

Webmasters often overestimate the hosting requirements to be prepared for potential spikes in visitors. However, if these spikes do not occur, then you end up with web hosting whose resources are never fully utilized. This is not uncommon, especially in the area of dedicated hardware. Only a few customers who have their own Dedicated Server fully utilize its resources. Therefore, there is a lot of potential for savings, as if your website runs just as well on a Shared Hosting or VPS hosting, the often high costs for a dedicated server can be saved.

Here's how to downgrade to save unnecessary costs:

When Should You Consider Changing Your Web Hosting Provider?

Once your website is set up and accessible to visitors on the internet, most webmasters are reluctant to deal with moving their web presence. This is because changing web hosting providers typically involves a considerable amount of effort. However, there may be reasons that necessitate migrating to a new host.

For those running their own website, having it fully set up and reachable on the web host's server is a relief. However, the thought of moving to a different provider can be daunting, as such a transition usually requires a significant amount of effort: all website data needs to be transferred to the new provider's server, and the domain itself, as well as other components like mailboxes and databases, also need to be migrated.

While transferring the domain with an Auth-Code can be relatively straightforward, moving website data is a different story altogether. Not only do all files from the directories of the old webspace need to be downloaded via FTP and uploaded to the new server, but when using a Content Management System (CMS), the associated database entries also need to be exported via phpMyAdmin and imported back onto the new webspace. A certain level of technical knowledge is therefore essential to ensure a smooth transition to the new host.

Once all data has been transferred, the configuration and settings come into play. This is also the time when email addresses, mailboxes, and redirects need to be set up again. All these tasks are time-consuming, and often the website may not be accessible for 24 hours or even longer during the migration, which should definitely be taken into account in advance.

Reasons for Changing Providers

In order for the high effort of a migration to be worthwhile, there should definitely be a valid reason to justify changing providers. Here are some reasons that may necessitate migrating your own website:

Poor Performance

The most common reason for switching web hosting providers is performance issues. These can manifest in various ways. Either there are frequent complete outages, making your own website unreachable, or your web presence suffers from long loading times and server response times. These circumstances are usually due to inadequate hardware or poor infrastructure at the web host and can only be resolved by switching to a new provider.

Poor Security Management

Another reason to switch web hosting providers may be security issues. If the web host's servers are not properly maintained and regularly updated with the latest security patches and program versions, they quickly become targets for hackers. Once the servers are compromised and used to spread viruses and other malware, your own website can be affected. If you share the same IP address with compromised machines, you may also face serious repercussions. For example, emails sent from the server may not be accepted by recipients, or your website may be penalised by search engines. To escape such a "bad neighbourhood," the best solution is often to move to a new provider.

Poor Terms and Conditions

However, technical reasons are not the only factors that may necessitate a provider switch. Deficiencies in the service offering can also lead to a decision to switch to a new partner. Often, it is particularly problems with customer service that prompt a webmaster to make the switch. If customer service is not easily accessible when problems arise or does not satisfactorily address them, there is often no alternative but to move your website to another provider. Additionally, the absence of a free or even paid upgrade service when switching to a different tariff can prompt customers to switch providers altogether. Unexpected or unjustified price increases can also make switching providers more attractive.

Tip: Find out what you can do if your host is no longer reachable.

Congratulations!

You have successfully navigated through the web hosting basics and should now have a better understanding of the topic.

Now is the perfect time to select a suitable web hosting for your planned online project.

Get started right away!

Our article is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from external sources.

Sources & further links on the topic:

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Gerd Altmann on Pixabay