Ready to boost website speed, security, and performance in 2023? Find the perfect web server and maximize your online visibility. Read on to improve your website.
What is a Web Server?
A website server is a type of server that is made to handle and send web pages to users. When a user types an address into their browser, it communicates with the server hosting the site to receive the desired page. When a user requests a web page, the server responds by sending it to their browser.
Hosting a Website Server
Two common types of website server hosting are:
-
Self-hosting
Self-hosting involves hosting the website on your own computer or server, which requires technical knowledge and expertise to set up and maintain. It can be cost-effective. But it also requires more time and resources to ensure the website is secure and performs well.
-
Employing hosting
Employing a hosting service involves renting server space from a third-party provider, who takes care of the technical aspects of hosting the website.
Example of Web Servers Hosting
Using a service like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is an example of using a hosting provider for website server hosting. With these plans, you can lease space on a server owned and managed by the service provider. This solution will benefit companies that lack the expertise or staff to manage their website server effectively.
Types of Website Servers
There are many types of web servers, and some common types we will be discussing are:
-
Apache:
Apache is a popular hosting web server that is used all over the world. It is free and open-source. Thus it will work with any computer. It works well for sites of all sizes because it is flexible and has many features.
-
Nginx:
Nginx is a well-known open-source website server known for being fast and using few resources. It works well for websites that get a lot of traffic and can handle many connections simultaneously. Nginx can also work as a reverse proxy and load balancer, which makes it a flexible choice for serving websites.
-
Microsoft IIS:
Internet Information Services (IIS), which Microsoft makes, is a website server that is usually used in Windows environments. It offers a wide range of features and can be configured in various ways. For companies that use Windows, this is an excellent choice.
-
Lighttpd:
Lighttpd is a resource-efficient, open-source website server focusing on high performance. It works well for websites that get a lot of traffic and can handle many connections simultaneously. Lighttpd can also work as a reverse proxy, which makes it a flexible choice for serving websites.
-
Tomcat:
Tomcat is an open-source web server and servlet container usually used for Java-based web applications. It is often used with an application server like Apache or Nginx to handle the web serving needs of a Java-based web application.
-
LiteSpeed:
Lighttpd is an open-source web server that emphasizes high performance and efficient use of resources. It’s ideal for high-traffic websites and can handle many connections simultaneously. LiteSpeed also has extra features, like caching and security options, which make it a complete solution for serving websites.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Website Server
Here are some factors to consider when choosing a website server. To ensure you make the right choice, research and try out different web servers to find the one that best meets your needs.
-
Performance
Performance is another factor to consider when choosing a website server. It’s important to pick a website server that can handle the traffic and resources your website needs.
-
Security
Security is a critical factor to consider when choosing a website server. It’s important to pick a website server with built-in security features that are easy to set up for security. Includes things like SSL/TLS encryption, and protection from DDoS attacks.
-
Scalability
Scalability is another crucial issue to consider when selecting a website server. As your website gets more visitors and uses more resources, choosing a website server that can keep up is important. Features like load balancing and horizontal scaling are part of this.
-
Technical Support
As with any software, it’s important to think about technical support. Some web servers have a lot of information and help from the community, while others have paid support options. Having access to dependable technical support is crucial for resolving any issues that may arise.
-
Ease of Use and Management
The web server should be easy to use and manage, with clear documentation and a user-friendly interface. It can also reduce the risk of making errors that could negatively impact your website’s performance.
-
Cost
Price should be the last consideration when deciding on a website server. While some website servers, like Microsoft’s IIS, require a license, others, like Nginx and Apache, are open-source and free to use. If you’re running a business, it’s important to consider the cost of the website server and the resources you’ll need to keep it running.
Web Server vs Application Server
Knowing how a website server differs from an application server is important. The role of a website server is to handle and send web pages to users, while the part of an application server is to run and manage business logic and application-level functions. In other words, a website server delivers a website’s front end, while an application server provides a website’s back end.
Conclusion
Choosing the right web server is a critical decision that can impact the overall success of your website. Understanding the different types of web servers available and considering factors such as performance, scalability, security, support, and cost can ensure that your website can handle traffic and resources and provide a great user experience. Remember that a website server is not the same as an application server. Choose the right server for your specific needs.