Web Hosting Services
All ServicesPut simply, web hosting is essentially the process of renting or buying ‘space’ to house your website. Any content on your website including HTML, CSS and all imagery must be retained on a server – a computer that connects other web users to your site from anywhere in the world – in order to be viewed online.
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As the name implies, web hosting service providers maintain the servers, connectivity and associated services to host all websites. Through a variety of hosting plans, they’re able to offer an entire spectrum of hosting needs to all types of businesses, from small, independent blogs to large, multinational organisations.
At Platform81, we know that your website is the first chance you get to make an impression. Our dedicated web developers and designers deliver technical expertise and design flair to every single project, ensuring your website stands out and boasts an engaging layout, simple UX and content that has real impact.
Types of hosting
The four main types of web hosting consist of shared, dedicated, VPS and reseller. Each one differs depending on the kind of technology used for the server, the level of management provided and the additional services on offer.
Shared hosting can be compared to renting a workstation in a busy open plan office. Although you have access to a number of amenities such as a desk, stationery and kitchen area, you can’t implement any “extras” that will affect the overall appearance or functionality of the co-working space. For this reason, this option is popular for launching small websites as opposed to large-scale commercial projects.
A virtual private server (VPS) is ideal for medium sized businesses simply because users are isolated from each other – you have neighbours, but you are less dependent on them, and you can carry out as many customisations as you wish.
Hosting on a dedicated server is the equivalent to renting an entire office building and is best for businesses who want a high performing, reliable website. This option gives you complete control and more say over configurations, however, it’s only worth investing in if you fully utilise the space included.
Choosing the right plan
Reliable web hosting is essential for any business that wants to create and maintain a strong online presence. There are hundreds of web hosts available, providing thousands of varieties of web hosting services – ranging from free plans with limited options to more expensive specialised web hosting services. Using our expertise, we can recommend the ideal plan for you and your business, taking into account how you plan to use your website and how much you have budgeted for hosting.
Choosing the right hosting plan will allow you access to the correct allocation of resources to keep your website loading quickly and reliably for your visitors. In this day and age, the majority of businesses operate primarily online, so if a potential customer lands on a website and there’s a problem – it takes too long to load or doesn’t appear at all – they won’t wait around. They’re likely to search of an alternative that works efficiently and can deliver what they are looking for, seamlessly.
How can Platform81 help?
Platform81 can take your online presence to the next level and help you achieve your business objectives through a tailored solution based on the size of your business and level of online traffic. Our sister company, WebHost81, will host your site on a fully monitored and protected UK-based server, guaranteeing speed, security and reliability.
Through offering dedicated servers, security, cloud hosting, shared hosting, technical support and daily offsite backups that are scalable and robust enough to allow your business to grow, we have partnered with a number of leading UK and US hosting providers and we are trusted by our clients for our 99.9% uptime guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between your hosting and cheaper options out there?
With hosting, you really do get what you pay for. Cheaper options often cram thousands of websites onto a single server, which can slow your site right down and leave you open to security issues if one of your neighbours gets targeted. We aim for 99.9% uptime, so your site is always ready for business.
What kind of hosting do I need for my business?
Don’t you worry about the technical stuff; that’s our job. We’ll have a proper chat about what your business does, how much traffic you’re expecting, and what your goals are. Whether you need a simple shared hosting plan, a more powerful cloud server, or your own dedicated machine, we’ll recommend the right fit for your needs and budget.
How do you keep my website safe and sound?
Our servers are locked down tighter than a drum. They’re fully monitored and protected around the clock, and we run daily offsite backups. This means that in the unlikely event that something does go wrong, we can get your site back online sharpish, with minimal fuss or data loss.
Will my website load quickly with your hosting?
Aye, speed is the name of the game. A slow-loading website is a surefire way to lose customers – folk are impatient online! Our hosting is built for speed and reliability, ensuring your pages load in a flash. This keeps your visitors happy and gives your SEO a nice little boost at the same time.
My current hosting is rubbish. Can you move my website for me?
Absolutely. We handle website migrations all the time. Our team will take care of the entire process of moving your site over to our servers, making sure everything is transferred safely and securely with as little downtime as possible. We’ll handle the techy bits so you can focus on running your business.
What does aiming for '99.9% uptime actually mean?
It means we promise your website will be online and available to your customers at least 99.9% of the time. In the real world, that means you’re protected against server wobbles and outages. We’ve invested in top-drawer infrastructure to make sure your digital front door is always open for business.
Where are your servers located? Does it matter?
It matters a great deal! Our servers are all based right here in the UK. Having a UK-based server is a big plus for your site’s speed if your customers are mainly in Britain, and it’s also a big tick in the box for your SEO rankings. It helps tell Google that you’re a proper UK business.
Are your backups stored somewhere safe?
They are indeed. We run backups every single day, and they’re stored ‘offsite,’ which means they’re in a separate, secure location away from the primary server. So, in the dead unlikely event of a major server issue, we have a safe and recent copy of your entire website ready to be restored.
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