Web Hosting

What are the essentials I'll need for my site?

• Traffic: Traffic means how much data is used on a website. If you have lots of visitors, you are getting a lot of traffic.
• Web space: Web space is the storage available on the web server. It is also called storage space.
• Domain: The domain is the name of your website. If you need to run more than one website under different names, then you may need more than one.
• Subdomains: Some websites will have lots of different parts and sections. A subdomain helps organize these.
• Email accounts: Perhaps you'll need different email accounts for people to contact you.
• Databases: Most hosting providers will allow you to create MySQL or MS SQL databases. Depending on your package, you will be able to have a certain number of them.

When you look at other hosting providers you may have noticed that there are three words in particular which are used to describe the features included in their hosting packages:

• Unlimited: This is a tricky label, because certain things, such as data transfer speed, are not unlimited. Unlimited traffic might mean levels of traffic that cannot be exceeded.
• Unmetered: This means that the provider is offering a set amount of web space which can be used as you see fit.
• Scalable: This means that the amount can be adjusted to meet demand.

Which web hosting plan is the right one for me?

This depends on your requirements. If you are planning a simple website, consisting mostly of static HTML pages and minimal multimedia content with manageable data traffic, then our starter package is the ideal option for you. We also offer more advanced packages that are suitable for dynamic web projects and high traffic.

With our most powerful web hosting packages, you can comfortably manage resource-intensive, multimedia-based websites as well as extensive online stores and shops. Compare the respective product details to find the right web hosting packages. You will also find comprehensive instructions and detailed information on all aspects of web hosting in the IONOS Help Center.

What should I look out for when it comes to technical configuration?

How the web hosting service is configured is an essential element to take into consideration. Most web hosting services have Linux as their operating system, but if you want to run Windows programs you may be better off choosing a package with a Windows operating system using ASP, ASP.NET and SQL Servers. The different DBMS are also a key factor in making a decision, and not all providers offer each one. Most offer MySQL or MMSQL, but if you want to use PostgreSQL or MariaDB, take a closer look to see which providers offer this. Not all web hosting providers offer SSH — this can be an important feature for those who want to use more modern solutions, as the outdated FTP is not as secure. In terms of hardware, check whether the provider offers SSD hard disks, and where the data centers are located. It is important to know which type of programming language is available, because it will change how you develop your website in the future. Ruby, Perl and Python, Node.js, SSI and CGI are the usual supported languages.

Are web hosting services expensive?

IONOS offers you attractive deals on professional web hosting. The costs vary depending on the package you opt for and the optional additional features you choose. Please refer to the respective package for more information.

Which target group is the IONOS web hosting package best suited to?

Our packages are aimed at companies, agencies, institutions and private individuals. Beginners will find suitable offers just as easily as bloggers, web developers, students and start-ups. We offer companies and agencies enough storage space and resources for multimedia company websites, brand showcases and extensive eCommerce sites. IONOS web hosting is also a suitable option for anyone who wants to move to an experienced provider.

What is the difference between web hosting and a server?

A server, or web server, is part of the web hosting infrastructure. They are powerful computers on which both configuration files and the data of the hosted websites are stored, i.e., websites and all website content. A root server is a server with "root access" to the configuration data of a server.

The IONOS web hosting service does not offer root access as we take care of all the necessary configurations for you. If you choose a dedicated server, a virtual private server or a cloud server, you will have root access and can configure the server yourself.

What is the difference between web hosting and a domain?

A domain is an internet address that leads to a web server. This server stores the respective content, services and offers that you publish on your domain, i.e., the content that makes up your entire website. If you enter an internet address in the search bar of your web browser, you can retrieve the data that has been provided on the respective server. Providing adequate storage space on a web server is called hosting. Your domain is your business card on the web. It should be as simple and as distinctive as possible, so that interested parties can easily find your content on the internet. An internet address ideally consists of a short and memorable domain name and a distinctive top-level domain (also known as an extension), like .com or .org. A domain is structured like this: www.yourdomainname.co.

Which security aspects do I have to consider?

• One of the most obvious risks to site security is lack of encryption. If you have SSL for your site, hacking attacks become harder to execute, securing your online presence.
• The different types of DDoS attacks target the different aspects of web hosting through volumetric attacks, application layer attacks and TCP state exhaustion attacks. Getting DDoS protection is therefore an important security precaution.
• Backups are not only helpful in the cases of hacked sites, it could happen that you delete important files, or that you install a software or update that breaks the site. If you've backed up your website, however, there is nothing that you can't fix.
• The final vital security feature you should look at is whether web hosting providers enable two factor authentication (2FA). Most providers offer this, and it is an easy way to make sure only authorized users can gain access to your website.