So you are ready to start your website. One of the first big decisions to make is to choose which type of website hosting to go with. This can seem overwhelming at first, but once you understand what each platform provides, the choice is easier to make. Here are some simple explanations for the three types of website hosting platforms.

Unmanaged Hosting

Unmanaged hosting is a hosting plan with little to no additional services. This means that you will need to install all of the necessary software yourself. You will be responsible for setting up things like scripts, troubleshooting configuration settings, PHP, and much more. If you don’t know what any of those things are, you should not opt for unmanaged hosting.

Managed Hosting

Managed hosting is a very popular option, and different hosting companies offer a variety of services. In addition to the most basic components of a website, the hosting company will manage other important services for you. The most common services available through managed hosting plans are automated backups, malware scanning and removal, security sweeps, and status monitoring. The number of benefits and cost depend on the plan you choose.

All-inclusive Platforms

All-inclusive platforms, such as Wix, provide almost everything you need to get a website up and running quickly. Pre-formatted templates make it easy to add images and text to your site. The hosting company does everything for you, from managing updates to providing add-ons to choose from. While these platforms are easy to use, they have limitations if you ever want to move to another platform.

Hopefully this quick explanation of the three types of website hosting will help you with your decision making! It’s important to choose the right type of platform for your needs, because the choice you make now will affect the decisions you make in the future. If you need a more detailed explanation of your options, the team at Houndstooth Media Group is always happy to help.