If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’re accustomed to doing almost everything yourself.

If you want something done right, you do it yourself.

But that gets tricky sometimes, especially when dealing with the joys of technology. For example, finding the right web hosting service can be particularly challenging.

We get it. It’s a pain, sometimes. That’s why in this post, we’re discussing small business web hosting and the differences between Windows and Linux web hosting.

Small Business Web Hosting

Deciding what service your small business web hosting should go through is already a difficult process.

Should your website be hosted on a Cloud VPS (Virtual Private Server) or not? Or… should you back up all your hard disk data with cloud storage? Should your web hosting service utilize Windows or Linux?

If you’re lost already, that’s okay. Let’s backtrack slightly. Windows and Linux are computer operating systems. An operating system can also be referred to as computer system software. This software regulates how both computer hardware and other software interact and exchange resources.

First and foremost, it’s important to note that the operating systems you use personally have absolutely nothing to do with the operating system used by your web hosting service.

In the sections below we’ll explain small business web hosting and the differences between Windows and Linux web hosting packages.

Windows Web Hosting

Like anything from Microsoft, web hosting with Windows is the more costly of the two options due to licensing. That is, even the basic installation will cost you.

Furthermore, Windows web hosting only allows the use of software and applications designed specifically for Windows, many of which also require licensing agreements.

But Windows web hosting does come with a fancy Graphical User Interface and supports Remote Desktop access. Online support is also easily sourced, and software distributors often emphasize their Windows-only products.

Also, if you’re familiar with the ASP.NET programming language, Windows hosting might be the better option.

Linux Web Hosting

Linux is an open source operating system, which means the original source code is free to the public and anyone can make and distribute improvements to the software. This translates to lower costs when compared to Windows hosting.

But don’t let open source software scare you, Linux is one of the most widely used operating systems in the world.

Compared to a Windows web hosting installation, Linux uses very little hard disk space and doesn’t require much RAM.

Linux is also more secure than Windows. Because it’s open source, anyone in the world can update and improve upon the system code.

Overall, Linux web hosting is more secure, more inexpensive, and offers more flexibility than Windows web hosting. There is, however, a steep learning curve when it comes to using Linux. This can be avoided, though, with the right web hosting provider.

Which is Best Suited For Your Business?

The answer to this question depends on your budget, needs, goals, and personal preference.

If you intend to or need to utilize Windows specific software, Windows web hosting should be your go-to.

However, the capabilities of Windows web hosting is somewhat limited and unstable when compared to Linux web hosting.

Linux is the more popular of the two around the globe, and for good reason. It’s inexpensive, secure, and reliable.

Do you have a Linux or Windows small business web hosting story to share? Leave us your feedback in the space below!