Website Hosting: Everything They Don’t Tell You

When you decide to create a website, one of the first decisions you need to make is to choose a suitable website hosting.

But here’s the problem: most hosting companies don’t tell the whole truth about their services.

They focus only on the positive aspects and leave aside crucial information that can directly impact the performance of your online project.

What Really Is Website Hosting

Website hosting is basically the rental of a space on a server connected to the internet where your files are stored.

Imagine that your website is a house and the hosting is the land where it will be built.

Without the land (hosting), your house (website) has nowhere to exist.

But this simple analogy hides a technical complexity that companies rarely explain clearly.

The Types of Hosting That Exist

There are several types of website hosting, each with specific characteristics:

Shared Hosting It’s like living in an apartment where you share resources with other residents.

Several websites are on the same server, sharing CPU, RAM and bandwidth.

VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server) It’s like having your own apartment in a building.

You have dedicated resources, but you still share the physical infrastructure.

Dedicated Hosting It’s like having your own house.

You have an entire server just for you, with all the available resources.

Cloud Hosting It’s like having a house that can expand automatically when you need more space.

The resources are distributed among several servers.

The Truths That Hosting Companies Hide

“Unlimited” Traffic Limitations

Many companies promise unlimited traffic, but this promise comes with fine print.

In practice, there is always a limit based on “fair use” or “normal use”.

If your site starts to receive a lot of traffic, they may restrict your speed or even temporarily suspend your service.

Real Uptime vs Promised Uptime

Companies love to show statistics of 99.9% uptime (online time).

But 0.1% downtime represents about 8.7 hours per year offline.

For an e-commerce, this can mean thousands of reais in lost sales.

Loading Speed Does Not Only Depend On The Server

Companies sell the idea that a more expensive server automatically means a faster website.

The truth is that speed depends on multiple factors: image optimization, clean code, CDN use, proper cache and geographical location of the server.

How to Choose the Right Website Hosting

Analyze Your Real Needs

Before hiring any website hosting, ask these questions:

• How many visitors do I expect per month?
• Will my website have many images or videos?
• Do I need a professional email?
• Will I use CMS like WordPress?
• Do I need an SSL certificate?
• What is my monthly budget?

Essential Technical Resources

Resource	Basic Hosting	Professional Hosting
Disk Space	1-5 GB	10-100 GB
Monthly Transfer	10-50 GB	“Ilimited” (normal use)
Email Accounts	5-10	“Inlimited” (normal use)
Databases	1-5	“Unlimited” (normal use)
SSL certificate	Optional	Included
Daily Backup	No	SIM

Server Location Matters A Lot

If your audience is in Brazil, choose servers located in the country.

The physical distance between the server and the user directly affects the loading speed.

A server in the US can add 200-400ms of latency for Brazilian users.

The Hidden Costs of Website Hosting

Higher Renewal Rates

Many companies offer promotional prices for the first year, but renewals cost 2-3 times more.

Always check the renewal price before hiring.

Charge for Extra Resources

Features that seem basic can generate additional costs:

• Premium SSL certificate
• Automated backup
• Priority technical support
• Website migration
• Additional domain

Fines for Cancellation

Some companies charge fines for early cancellation or make the migration process difficult.

Always read the terms of use before signing any contract.

Warning Signs To Avoid

Unreal Promises

Be wary of companies that promise:

• 100% free hosting forever
• Truly unlimited resources
• Instant 24/7 support
• Google positioning guarantee

Lack of Transparency

Reliable companies are transparent about:

• Server location
• Detailed technical specifications
• Backup and security policies
• Public uptime history

How to Migrate from Hosting Without Losing Data

Migration Planning

Website hosting migration requires careful planning:

1. Make a full backup of all files
2. Export databases
3. Write down DNS settings
4. List all email accounts
5. Document plugins and themes used

Step-by-Step Migration Process

Step 1: Preparation Configure the new hosting in parallel, without changing the DNS yet.

Step 2: Upload Files Transfer all files via FTP or control panel.

Step 3: Bank Configuration Import the databases and adjust connection settings.

Step 4: Tests Test all features before changing the DNS.

Step 5: DNS change Change the nameservers and wait for propagation (24-48 hours).

Future Trends in Website Hosting

Green Hosting

Sustainability is becoming an important factor in choosing website hosting.

Companies are investing in renewable energy and more efficient servers.

Edge computing

Processing is moving closer to end users.

This means better performance and lower latency for global websites.

Artificial Intelligence

AI is being integrated for automatic performance optimization, threat detection and load balancing.

Important Metrics To Monitor

Server Response Time

The ideal time should be below 200ms.

Use tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights to monitor.

Upload/Download Fee

Regularly monitor the data transfer speed.

Significant drars may indicate problems on the server.

Use of Resources

Track CPU, RAM and disk space usage.

This helps identify when it’s time to upgrade.

Website Hosting Security

Main Threats

Websites face several threats daily:

• DDoS attacks
• Malware and viruses
• Invasion attempts
• Spam and phishing
• Vulnerabilities in plugins

Essential Protective Measures

Web Application Firewall (WAF) Filters malicious traffic before it reaches your server.

Automated Backup Perform daily backups and store in safe places.

Regular Updates Keep CMS, plugins and themes always up to date.

24/7 Monitoring Use services that constantly monitor your site.

Technical Support: What To Expect

Service Channels

Good website hosting companies offer multiple channels:

• Online chat 24/7
• Support ticket
• TELEPHONE
• Knowledge base
• Tutorial videos

Adequate Response Time

Type of Problem	Expected Response Time
Off-Air Website	15-30 minutes
Severe Slowness	1-2 hours
Email Problems	2-4 hours
Technical Questions	4-24 hours
General Requests	24-48 hours

Conclusion: Making the Right Decision

Choosing the ideal website hosting is not just about the promised price or features.

You need to consider your specific need, planned growth and level of technical support required.

Remember that migrating from hosting can be laborious and generate additional costs.

Therefore, invest time in the initial research to make a choice that meets your needs for a long period of time.

A good website hosting is invisible to your visitors – it simply works.

When you need to worry about technical issues constantly, it’s a sign that the time has come to look for a better alternative.

Hosting is the foundation of your online project.

Just as we would not build a house on unstable land, we should not build our digital presence on a fragile base.

Make your choice wisely and your website will have all the conditions to thrive on the internet.