Most successful online destinations can be identified, solely, by their domain name. But until someone develops & launches a website on one, a domain name is just an empty space.
Only after someone has created a website can a domain name reach its true potential.
Before someone can visit a website, it must be made available. And the only way to get an online destination: online, is to upload it to a server – a hosting server.
Web Hosting is Important
Web hosting is the connection between a domain name and its content. Without it, there is no destination. It takes the services offered by a host, including the use of server space and an Internet connection to get a website online. Web hosts are important.
But do you need a web host? Yes…and no.
No one actually needs their own web host. Thanks to several high quality blogging, social networking and online CMS platforms, many function just fine without one.
However, developers, businesses and domainers looking to stand out, maintain control over their image and reach their audience online, can definitely benefit from using a web host.
But what about you? Will a web host benefit YOU and your goals? That depends.
Who are you?
- You’re a Business - If you’re business looking to build your own web site, then you will need a web host. If you’re contracting your web development to a 3rd party, they may use their own host or, more likely, charge you to setup your own hosting account. Either way, as a business, you should try and understand how hosting works.
- You’re a Blogger - If you’re looking to share your feelings, guacamole recipe or lyrics to your favourite Lady Gaga song, you’re probably an amateur blogger. Good news, you don’t need a web host. Blogger, Tumblr, WordPress & countless other web based blogging platforms already make it easy for you to share online – without paying for hosting.
- You’re a Super Blogger - Whats a super blogger? Someone that blogs a lot (also known as Arianna Huffington). Hello World Domains is an example of an ambitious blog that wants to capture targeted traffic using its own domain name. If you want content on your own domain name, expect a lot of traffic or just want total control – you should get a hosting plan.
- You’re a Web Developer- If you are a developer, then you need a web host. Unless you’re only developing websites for other people. Only then can you get away without hosting. However, you will still need to understand how hosting works and be able to recommend a suitable web host to match your clients’ needs. P.S. – If you’re a web developer and you didn’t know all of this, there is probably something wrong with you.
Domainers (AKA the meat and potatoes)
Domain name investing can get complicated. Being a domainer can involve a lot of everything or it can be as basic as buy and sell. Domainers can choose to do any, or all, of the following:
- Buy domains and resell them directly to a variety of customer types
- Build a domain portfolio to generate advertising revenue, through parking
- Broker domain names on behalf of others
- Monetize domain names using affiliate and alternative advertising programs
- Use web development and social media to build ideas around domain names
An ambitious domainer will participate in many of the tasks above. They will need a web host to meet most of their goals and succeed at their projects. The more basic ‘buy & sell’ domainer is a different story.
A traditional domainer only looking to buy, sell or park domain names – does not need a web host. The basic practice of buying and selling domain names for profit doesn’t require any web development. But there are many domainers that go beyond basics and aspire to develop their domain names into something more.
Bottom line: If you’re a domainer and you want to monetize domain names through development or build websites with its own domains, you will need a web host.
So, you’ve decided you need a web host. What are you options?
Before you choose a web host, its important to understand all the options available to you. There are many different types of web hosting, which can make the process complicated.
Understanding the different types of web hosting plans is a whole other topic. So make sure you read Different Types of Web Hosting, before you begin your search for a web host.
Already know what you need? Then its time to choose…but, how do you choose a web host?
This is the easy part. Just kidding. After you decide which hosting plan is right for you, head over to Choose a Web Host for some helpful tips. Unlike choosing a registrar, selecting a web host can be a big commitment. So going into the decision process with a plan is crucial.
