Windows or Linux Hosting

If you are on the lookout for your first web hosting provider, you may have noticed that some web hosts offer Windows Hosting while others offer Linux Hosting. You may or may not know what the differences are between the two hosting platforms. In fact, you may not even think it matters that much. In many cases it may not really make much of a difference which hosting format you select. Really it depends on what you are looking for in hosting services as well as what features you will be using for your website.

Windows

Windows hosting should be used if your website is going to be using Microsoft Features. If you are planning to have a website that utilizes databases, you will also want to use Microsoft hosting. In addition, a Microsoft hosting platform is often considered the most ideal for very interactive websites. Websites in which you can interact with your visitors or customers often work the best under Windows Hosting. Visitors can easily access databases; you can easily implement online chat services and so many other interactive features. These features often perform better on Windows Hosting platforms than Linux based.

With Windows hosting, websites can use ecommerce features. Business owners can interact with customers with ease and efficiency. Windows based hosting platforms are known for being extremely user friendly. If someone has little to no webmaster experience, they probably should consider Windows hosting. Linux hosting services can be a little more difficult to manage for someone who does not have much experience.

Websites that were created to be hosted on Windows servers can be difficult to convert so that they can easily be used on a Linux server. However, it is generally not as difficult to change a website originally hosted on a Linux server so that it can be moved to a Windows server. This may be something you want to consider when planning your website or deciding between Windows and Linux hosting.

Linux

Although Windows hosting platforms are typically very reliable and secure, Linux platforms have gained a reputation in specific for providing both stable and reliable hosting services. Customers with websites hosted on a Linux server can rest assured that their websites are secure. Hosting services are typically also very powerful and dependable. This is something any hosting customer looks for. Again, Windows hosting typically offers a high level of security and reliability. However, Linux has gained a top reputation for being able to provide stable, reliable and secure hosting services.

If your website is much like a brochure that is placed online, you may want to use Linux hosting. The stability of Linux will handle such a website very well. Your website can still include some interactive features. For example, you can use online enquiry forms and other similar forms and applications. Linux hosting is also compatible with ecommerce features.

Conclusion

Both Linux and Windows hosting platforms can provide secure, powerful and reliable hosting services. They both have their areas of expertise so to speak. If you are looking to run specific features or applications, this may affect which hosting platform you will use. Windows and Linux hosting will both work with ecommerce websites which is good news for businesses. For those who are very much novices when it comes to webmaster related tasks, Windows is often a better option. It is considered more user friendly than Linux. On the other hand Linux hosting has been around for a long time and is often known first and foremost for stability and reliability.