Online store hosting - the ten most frequently asked questions

If you want to run an online store, you need store hosting. A web host provides the digital infrastructure that makes it possible to operate an online store. But what is actually behind web store hosting and what should you know before running an online store? We would like to answer this with the ten frequently asked questions about store hosting. Do you also need professional help with creating your online store or assistance with monthly support and maintenance? We at EXWE are happy to stand by your side and support you in taking your store to the next level and making your customers happy - feel free to contact us!

Reading time 5 min

1. What is hosting?
2. What is the difference between online store hosting and normal hosting?
3. What different types of hosting are there?
4. Which providers are there and how do I find the right one?
5. What costs will I incur for online store hosting?
6. Do I need programming skills to host an online store?
7. Do I need my own server to host my online store?
8. How do I protect myself from unsafe hosters?
9. Will my host grow with me as I grow?
10. When does it make sense to use SAAS and when should I use my own hosting?
11. Support for your online store

1. WHAT IS HOSTING ?

Hosting refers to the management of servers that run a website or webshop. As with all documents on your computer, a website also requires storage space. You can only access the documents stored on your PC's hard disk when it is switched on. In principle, this is also the case for a website or online store. To ensure that websites and online stores are always accessible to everyone, the "computer" or, in this case, the server must always be available and switched on. Operators of these servers offer hosting. They provide storage space for websites, which website owners can rent.

2. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONLINE STORE HOSTING AND NORMAL HOSTING?

With online store hosting, it is important that the functionality of the server matches the necessary applications of a web store. The host must provide sufficient storage space so that the webshop can be visited without any problems. A higher storage capacity is often required, as many functions such as payments must run smoothly within the online store. The server must also support certain scripting languages, offer high performance and have databases. Store hosting providers have specialized in this type of hosting and are therefore much better suited to hosting an online store.

3. WHAT DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOSTING ARE THERE?

(Shared Hosting, VPS, Dedicated Hosting etc.) There are four types of hosting in total: Shared Hosting, VPS, Dedicated Hosting and Cloud Hosting. With shared hosting, many different websites are stored on one server. The advantage is that this is cheap for the tenant of the storage space. However, RAM and CPU, among other things, are shared, which is why this type of hosting is only suitable for websites with low data traffic. With virtual private server hosting, or VPS for short, each website has its own virtual private server. This is hosted on hardware on which there may be several virtual servers. However, the servers all function autonomously and independently of each other. There is therefore no impact on the performance of a website. With dedicated hosting, a web server is rented out that is exclusively responsible for one website. The last type of hosting is cloud hosting. Here, several servers act together as a cloud. If there is a large number of visitors, different computers can handle the requests to the website.

4. WHAT PROVIDERS ARE THERE AND HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT ONE?

There are several providers for the different types of hosting. Well-known providers for webshop hosting include Timme Hosting, dogado, ALL-INKL and webgo. When choosing the right provider, it depends on which requirements your store has to meet. Approximately how many products will be available? Is your store growing? How many visitors do you expect? You should know in advance what your hosting provider needs to be able to do. Then the decision will be easier!

5. WHAT ARE THE COSTS FOR ONLINE STORE HOSTING ?

The costs for online store hosting vary depending on the service. In general, you can say that hosting an online store costs between five and 100 euros per month.

6. DO I NEED PROGRAMMING SKILLS TO HOST A WEBS HOP?

If you don't have any programming skills, you can create your online store with a hosting provider using modules. There are already prefabricated online store parts that can be put together according to your own preferences. The disadvantage of creating an online store with modules is that the store cannot be individually adapted to all requirements. There is only a limited selection of functions, designs etc. to choose from. A flexible and individual alternative is to work with a store developer. The store developer has very good programming skills and can therefore respond to individual ideas.

7. DO I NEED MY OWN SERVER TO HOST MY ONLINE STORE?

You do not need your own server to host your own online store. Of course, it is possible in principle, but not recommended. Operating your own server is much more expensive than renting a server from a hoster. There are many providers who will rent you a suitable server. They will then also take over the administration and maintenance of the server, which you would otherwise have to do if you had your own server.

8. MY WEBSHOP MUST WORK AND BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF FROM INSECURE HOSTERS ?

A reliable hosting partner is the be-all and end-all for a successful online store. To ensure that the store is always accessible, it is important that the host has taken security precautions. These include building security, data center air conditioning, power supply, firewalls, backups, updates and much more. To ensure that your online store is always accessible, you should only operate it with well-known hosting providers and not rely on unknown hosting partners.

9. I START WITH A SMALL STORE AND A FEW PRODUCTS. WILL MY HOSTING PROVIDER GROW WITH ME AS I GROW?

As a rule, your hosting partner can grow with you. You can book additional modules for your small store if you realize that your current tariff is no longer sufficient. It is best to find out in advance from the hosting provider of your choice whether additional services can be booked in the future.

10. WHEN DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO USE SAAS AND WHEN SHOULD YOU USE YOUR OWN HOSTING ?

Using Software-as-a-Service has many advantages. Software is provided via an internet connection and does not have to be installed locally. Storing a website via a web host is advantageous because the website or web store can be put into operation quickly, the server is maintained externally and the hosting customer service is available to answer any questions. But there are also disadvantages. Among other things, data must be transmitted to the hosting provider and it is up to the hosting provider to ensure that the online store is online. If there is a downtime, the online store is not available. When it goes online again depends on the hosting provider.

ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR YOUR ONLINE SHOP

Would you like comprehensive advice on how to improve your online store and generate more sales? We will be happy to take a close look at your online store and identify potential for improvement. Our developers will of course also implement these improvements directly and help you and your company move forward.

You don't have a store yet and don't know how to start this extensive project? No problem, creating an online store from scratch is part of our daily business. Already have an existing store? No problem either! We offer various service and support packages for your store - contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.