Web Hosting - Linux or Windows?
A Web Hosting Article Contributed by Raj Rao
Introduction to Web Hosting
Web Hosting is a service provided by Internet Service Providers (ISP) and Web Hosting Service Providers. This service is required for you to make your content or shop visible on the Internet. Web Hosting is nothing but storing your content or application on a Web Server that is directly connected to high speed Internet Access.
Why Should You Choose between Linux or Windows?
Web Hosting can be done on either Linux or Windows Operating System. Linux is a free Operating System while Windows Operating System is developed and marketed by Microsoft Inc. The application development on Linux and Windows Operating System are quiet different. The tools available and the development skills available for developing applications on Linux and Windows are also different.
Benefits of Web Hosting on Linux
Web Hosting on Linux is the preferred choice of many Internet Service Providers. This is because, Linux Operating System and several applications required for Web Hosting like the Web Server Software are available free.Due to this factor, the Web Hosting charges on Linux is relatively cheaper than Web Hosting on Windows. However, there are very few programmers available for programming on the Linux platform and hence the cost of programming is relatively higher.
Benefits of Web Hosting on Windows
Web Hosting on Windows is much easier than Web Hosting on Linux. There are also many more programmers available for creating custom applications on Windows platform, and hence the programming is cheaper.
Tips for Selection between Linux and Windows for Web Hosting
Web Hosting is a technical matter. However, we are providing you some tips to choose the right platform for Web Hosting:
a) If you have a personal website consisting of a few pages of content, without any interactive feature or application, and cost is a constraint, we recommend that you go for Linux Web Hosting;
b) If you are a small organization with requirement of multiple email accounts and a small web site with just a form for receiving feedback, then we recommend using Linux Web Hosting;
c) If you already have a small website and wish to add e-commerce features to your website, then we recommend using Windows Web Hosting;
d)If you have a small web site, but wish to develop some standard interactive applications like discussion board or guest-book then you can go for either Linux or Windows web hosting, subject to your budget;
e)If you have a large catalogue of products and have the need for multiple applications like Discussion Board, E-commerce, Multiple Emails, E-Learning etc, then we recommend going for Windows Web Hosting.
f) If you already have a team of programmers in house who are familiar with Linux Operating System and at least one other development environment like PHP or PERL, then we recommend going for Linux Web Hosting, as this will give you complete control over your website and applications.
Whichever Web Hosting you choose, remember to check for Support for basic applications provided by the Web Hosting Provider or your ISP.
