Dedicated web hosting means leasing an entire host-server - not shared by anyone else - in which to locate your website. Usually the main consideration is security of data while deciding whether or not dedicated web hosting is needed for a website. In this article, we will walk down the aisle and try to understand why you would need dedicated web hosting.

Why dedicated web hosting?

Imagine you are a home-based programmer and you use your desktop computer for your work. Imagine again that your kids too use your computer, when you are not working, to chat online or to send and receive emails. A scenario such as this works fine until one fine morning you discover your computer has stopped functioning and all your data is lost. Not because you did something wrong but because your kids have inadvertently let in a virus that has wreaked havoc on your computer.

What would you do? Logic suggests you stop your kids using your computer so that your hard work is not wasted this way. Dedicated web hosting is similar to this concept. If you choose not to allow any other website to be hosted on your server, you are in fact opting for dedicated web hosting.

Who may need dedicated web hosting?

For many companies, data security is a major issue. Think of multinational banks or credit card companies. Since they store and transmit sensitive data of their customers, it is imperative that any possibility of data theft or manipulation is completely eliminated. Dedicated web hosting is a necessity for them.

Then again, consider big software companies who work on and create software products. They need to test and retest their products before releasing in the market. They have a large stake and privacy is uppermost. For them too, dedicated web hosting is a must.

Resellers of hosting services are another lot who prefer dedicated web hosting. If you are in business of providing hosting solutions, you will not want your server space cluttered with others.

Isn't it costly?

Yes indeed. Dedicated web hosting comes at a price. Starting around $100 a month the cost may top $1000 or more depending on service and amenities needed. Typically, if you settle for lower monthly charge, you get a bare-bone server plus an assurance of routine maintenance and some minimal service like system upgrade, tweaking firewall, configuring control panel and suchlike. In many cases of dedicated web hosting, hosting providers may ask to be compensated for technical support.

If you need more assistance for your dedicated web hosting, your cost will increase. But at the same time, expect greater level of management support from your hosting provider. Before you decide which way to go, it is a good idea to talk over details with a few providers to ensure that you will get what you want.

Advantages of dedicated web hosting

Despite higher cost, dedicated web hosting has certain distinct advantages. First is of course the liberty to tailor-make your software requirements that would reside on your server. You choose only those you need. This means freeing up your server space to a large extent. Second, dedicated web hosting will let you afford not only large storage space but big amount of bandwidth as well. This is crucial because surfers looking for your site can gain access fast.

Third, with dedicated web hosting, you will have direct control on your server. You can quickly attend to your clients, should the need arise.

Summing Up

If paying more than usual for your hosting solution is not a bother, dedicated web hosting will prove eminently viable. More so if your website needs:

- higher security over data storage and transmission,
- large storage space,
- large bandwidth volume, and above all,
- proprietary software to test and implement.

Be independent; be responsive with dedicated web hosting.