How to find the best server for web hosting for your small business

Key takeaways:

• A web server stores and delivers your website’s content to visitors.
• Shared, dedicated, VPS, cloud, and WordPress hosting offer different levels of cost, control, and performance.
• Most beginners should choose managed hosting and ask their provider whether Linux or Windows supports their website.

Have you ever wondered how a website appears when you open it on a computer, phone, or tablet? A web server makes this possible.

A web server stores your website files and sends them to visitors when they enter your domain or click a link. These files can include text, images, videos, and code.

You may have seen rows of blinking machines in movies. Those physical machines can be servers, but “web server” can also mean the software that runs on them. You usually won’t need to choose the physical machine or software yourself. Instead, you’ll choose a web hosting plan that gives your website the right amount of space, power, and support.

Here’s how to find the best server for web hosting you can use for your small business website.

What are the different types of web servers?

When we talk about types of web servers, we don’t mean the physical machines. We’re referring to the server software that runs on that hardware. This software essentially determines how your site is served to visitors. It can also affect everything from speed and website traffic handling to plugin compatibility and content management system support.

Here are four common types of web server software:

• Apache: Apache is one of the most widely used web servers. It’s known for being flexible, stable, and compatible with popular website platforms, including WordPress. It also works with common server-side programming languages used to create dynamic content. Many hosting providers use it, which makes it a solid all-around choice for small business websites.
• Nginx: Nginx (pronounced “engine-x”) is designed for high performance. It handles large amounts of traffic efficiently and is often used to help websites load faster. Some hosting providers use Nginx alone, while others pair it with Apache to boost speed and scalability without sacrificing compatibility.
• Internet Information Services (IIS): IIS is Microsoft’s web server software. It’s typically used for websites built with ASP.NET and other Microsoft-based technologies. If your website is developed in a Windows environment or depends on Microsoft integrations, IIS is likely the server behind the scenes.
• LiteSpeed: LiteSpeed is designed as an alternative to Apache. It can read many Apache settings and includes caching features that can help websites deliver content more efficiently. Caching means saving ready-to-use copies of website content so the server doesn’t have to rebuild the same page for every visitor.

Most small business owners don’t choose this software directly. The hosting provider usually selects and manages it.

How to decide which web server to use

Whether you’re running your own server or renting one, the process starts the same way. You’ll need to understand what your business needs and choose a setup that fits. From there, it’s all about deciding how much control , cost and support you’re comfortable handling.

1. Select the right hosting option
2. Look at uptime and performance
3. Make sure the server supports your website
4. Check scalability and room to grow
5. Look for built-in security features

Disclaimer: Pricing estimates below are current at time of writing but can change without prior notice.

Step 1: Select the right hosting option

Hosting options vary widely, so before you make a choice, it helps to know what’s out there. The five main web hosting options are:

• Shared hosting
• Dedicated hosting
• VPS hosting
• Cloud hosting
• WordPress hosting

Note: Managed and unmanaged hosting aren’t types of hosting themselves. They’re actually settings you choose within VPS or dedicated plans. With managed hosting, your provider handles server updates, security patches, and monitoring. With unmanaged hosting, you handle those tasks yourself, which usually costs less but takes more technical know-how.

Shared hosting

With shared hosting, your provider supplies space for multiple websites on a single server. This offers an affordable, hassle-free solution for small business websites, as most don’t receive enough traffic to require a dedicated server.

Some of the key benefits include:

• Budget-friendly with useful tools: Some plans include email, a domain, or a website builder. Check whether these features are free permanently or only during an introductory period.
• Less server maintenance: The provider manages the physical server and many backend tasks, although you may still need to update and maintain your website software.
• Basic security protections: Plans may include firewalls, monitoring, and other server-level protections. You’re still responsible for securing your website and account.

Dedicated hosting

Dedicated hosting gives one customer full use of a physical server. With a dedicated host, your website files will live on their own server, which means they won’t share space with other business websites. The biggest pro of dedicated hosting is that it ensures a consistent website performance even during large spikes of traffic.

However, this option also comes with a significant con: it costs more than shared hosting. Dedicated hosting often starts at around $100 per month. Plans with more powerful hardware, management, or support can cost considerably more. So, unless you have a high-traffic website, it’s not advisable to use it.

Keep in mind that dedicated hosting doesn’t guarantee that a website will always be fast. Website design, software, traffic, and server configuration also affect performance. As your website traffic grows and your business needs change, you can always speak to your hosting provider about upgrading from shared to dedicated hosting services.

For more options, read about VPS hosting vs. dedicated hosting: Which is right for your business?

VPS hosting

Virtual private server (VPS) hosting divides one physical server into separate virtual environments. You won’t manage the physical hardware, but you can often install applications and change server settings.

The main benefits include:

• More control: You can customize more settings than you typically can with shared hosting.
• Dedicated resources: Your plan gives you a set amount of processing power, memory, and storage.
• Lower cost than dedicated hosting: You get more control without paying for an entire physical server.

VPS hosting commonly costs around $30–$70 per month. Basic unmanaged plans may cost less, while managed plans with more resources and technical support may cost more. If you want to check your options, read VPS vs shared hosting: What’s the difference and how to choose?

Cloud hosting

Cloud hosting uses multiple servers that are connected together. Your website can receive computing resources from this larger group instead of depending entirely on one physical machine.

Imagine a store with several checkout counters. When properly configured, cloud hosting can use additional resources when one part of the system becomes too busy or unavailable. Whether this happens automatically depends on the provider and plan.

Some benefits include:

• Flexible resources: You may be able to increase your resources when website traffic grows.
• Better resilience: Some cloud plans use backup resources when a server has a problem.
• Support for traffic changes: Cloud hosting can help websites that experience sudden or unpredictable traffic.

Not every cloud hosting plan includes automatic scaling or failover. Failover is the process of moving work to another system when the main one stops working. Ask the provider which features are included.

WordPress hosting

WordPress hosting is designed specifically for WordPress sites. Depending on the plan, it may include automatic updates, backups, security monitoring, caching, and specialized support. This can make WordPress easier to set up and manage, especially for beginners. If you want a streamlined way to run a WordPress site without managing the backend, this is a practical and low-maintenance choice.

Some benefits include:

• Simpler setup: Many plans include an automatic WordPress installer.
• WordPress-focused features: Plans may include caching or other tools designed for WordPress.
• Optional technical management: Managed WordPress plans may include updates, backups, security monitoring, and specialized support.

These features are not included with every WordPress hosting plan. Check the plan details to see which tasks the provider handles and which remain your responsibility. Explore your options by reading VPS hosting vs WordPress hosting: Which is right for your website?

After checking out the best web hosting service for your site, you’ll also need to compare managed and unmanaged hosting.

As mentioned, managed hosting tends to suit beginners best since the provider handles many technical tasks for you, such as server updates, security patches, monitoring, and maintenance. With unmanaged hosting, you’re responsible for more of these tasks.

Managed hosting usually costs more, but it is often the better option for beginners. Unmanaged hosting may suit someone who knows how to configure, update, and secure a server.

Step 2: Look at uptime and performance

Uptime matters because customers can’t visit your website when the server is unavailable. Many hosting providers advertise 99.9% uptime, but you should check how they measure it and what their uptime guarantee actually covers.

Look at the systems supporting that promise. A reliable data center may use backup power, extra servers, and regular server maintenance to reduce interruptions. Caching can also store ready-to-use copies of website content, helping pages load more quickly.

A content delivery network (CDN) stores copies of your content in different locations and sends it from a server closer to each visitor. You can also use free testing tools to check your website’s speed and availability.

Step 3: Make sure the server supports your website

Not all servers support the same software. If your website uses WordPress, PHP, or a specific database, make sure the hosting environment is compatible with it.

You’ll also need the right operating system. Linux hosting is the common and often more affordable choice for WordPress, PHP, and many small business websites. Windows hosting may be necessary if your site relies on IIS, the Windows-only .NET Framework, Microsoft Access, or another Windows-specific tool.

Modern .NET and SQL Server can also run on Linux, so they don’t always require Windows. If you don’t have the technical knowledge to choose, ask your developer or hosting provider which option your website needs.

Step 4: Check scalability and room to grow

As your existing website gets more traffic or content, you’ll need more power and space. Some providers let you add scalable resources easily, while others might require you to migrate to a new server entirely. Look for a setup that gives you room to grow without major disruption.

Step 5: Look for built-in security features

Your hosting provider should offer basic security tools that help protect its servers and your website. Look for features such as:

• Firewalls
• Malware scanning
• Secure account access
• Software updates
• Automatic backups
• Free SSL certificates

Security matters even when you’re just getting started. If your business accepts card payments, ask how the hosting service can support your Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) responsibilities. Businesses that handle certain health information may also need to follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Check whether email hosting is included, too, since some providers sell it separately. Remember that hosting features alone don’t make a business compliant.

Factors to consider when choosing a server

Your hosting provider will usually choose and manage the physical server and server software. However, you can ask these questions to make sure its hosting services meet your needs:

• Where are the servers located?
• Can I change the server configuration?
• What reliability systems are in place?

Where are the servers located?

Ask where the provider’s data centers are located. A closer server location to your audience may reduce latency, which is the time it takes data to travel between the server and visitor. However, caching, a content delivery network, website design, and server capacity also affect loading speed.

Can I configure the server if needed?

Some websites need custom plugins, advanced caching rules, or non-standard software. Ask how much control the plan provides and whether it includes a control panel or SSH access for managing server settings. Some providers allow advanced changes, while others limit access to keep the server simple and secure.

What systems are in place for reliability?

Even reliable servers can fail, so ask what safeguards the provider uses. Look for backup power, mirrored storage, failover systems, and automatic backups. These features can help keep your website available, protect its data, and make it easier to recover if something goes wrong.

Do you need your own dedicated server?

A dedicated server may sound ideal for a small or medium-sized business (SMB). Since you don’t share the server, traffic or resource use on other customers’ websites won’t affect your website’s performance.

Dedicated hosting may be useful if your website needs isolated resources, advanced server settings, or a large amount of computing power. Large online stores, popular publications, and complex business applications are examples that may benefit from it.

However, renting dedicated hosting is different from self-hosting a physical server. With dedicated hosting, you rent a server housed and maintained by a hosting provider. With self-hosting, your business owns and operates the physical equipment.

Self-hosting your SMB’s dedicated server can be risky for the following reasons:

• Everything depends on you, including the availability and security of your website.
• You’ll have to take care of maintenance, upgrades, and patches for its operating system. Servers that aren’t maintained and patched can quickly become vulnerable to hackers who might try to disable your website or even steal customer information.
• You’ll need to take precautions to protect sensitive information, such as financial records, customer details, or your own intellectual property.
• You’ll need to reserve enough bandwidth for high-traffic periods. If your site attracts significant traffic during certain seasons or if you receive unexpected publicity that brings traffic to your site, you’ll need to have enough network resources to keep your site up and running during these periods of high demand.

For example, online business sites that accept payment cards may have responsibilities under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Organizations that handle certain health information in the United States may need to follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

A hosting plan alone does not make a business compliant. The business must understand and meet every requirement that applies to its systems and data.

For most small businesses, renting hosting from an established provider is easier and more practical than running physical server hardware.

Frequently asked questions

Set your website up with the right server environment

The best server for web hosting depends on your website, budget, expected traffic, and technical experience.

A small website may work well on shared hosting. A growing website that needs more control may benefit from VPS or cloud hosting. Dedicated hosting may suit a large or demanding website, while WordPress hosting can make managing a WordPress site easier.

Before choosing a plan, compare its resources, uptime commitment, security features, support, email options, and upgrade process. Make sure it supports your website software and gives you enough room to grow.

Our web hosting plans offer options for small business websites at different stages of growth. Compare the available features and resources to find a hosting package that fits your needs.