Types of Web Hosting Services

There are a number of different types of web hosting services: 

Dial-up Access/DSL/Cable Modem
These methods of online access relate to your personal browsing/use of the Internet. Generally speaking, having Internet access will not provide you with a web hosting package - although some providers will include a limited hosting plan with your Internet access account. However, most web hosting companies do not offer Internet access because it takes up server capacity, which they would rather dedicate to web hosting clients. Although some companies offer both, you should be cautious, as performance can suffer if a company uses the same network for both access and hosting.

Non-Virtual Hosting
Non-Virtual web hosting is where you lease space on someone else's server. They allow you a sub-directory from their domain. For example, www.hostingcompany.com/yourdirectory/. The advantages to this sort of hosting is obviously the cost. Non-virtual hosting services are almost always cheaper and are often offered as an added feature to a dial-in account. However, in the Internet world, subhosted accounts are not nearly as professional as a virtual server or domain hosting. Most non-virtual hosting plans disappeared by 2001 and the next type of hosting is now the most popular.

Virtual Hosting
Virtual Hosting allows your company/organization to have its' hosted pages on the Internet with your own domain. For example, www.yourdomain.com, which would bring you to your website. These hosting packages are the most common and offer a professional and well-established appearance. Having a domain also allows you to move your website to a different hosting provider with minimal interruption and trouble.

Dedicated Server/Managed Hosting
Dedicated Servers (frequently named managed hosting) allows an entire server to be dedicated to your website. Generally speaking, most shared accounts (virtual hosting / non-virtual hosting) place many accounts on a single webserver to lower the end cost. However, a dedicated server is used solely for you which means faster performance and greater programming flexibility. This type of hosting is best designed for mid-sized businesses and high-traffic websites.