Web Hosting Reviews & Ratings

April 06, 2011

Why Linux Web Hosting Is Preferred by Small Business Owners

When it comes to operating systems there are two that stand above the rest – Windows and Linux. While most of you are familiar with the Windows operating system in terms of home computer use, the majority of webmasters and web hosting providers prefer the Linux operating system for various reasons. Linux is a flexible, open source operating system that can be used by small business owners and large corporations alike. However, there are several advantages to the Linux operating system that makes it especially ideal for small business owners. The following are three reasons why Linux web hosting is preferred by small business owners.

Application Compatibility

The Linux operating system is compatible with commonly used programming languages such as PHP, Perl, MySQL. These programming languages are in found in a plethora of web applications, including nearly every type of content management system. Small business owners need to utilize such web applications to simplify their business management tasks and boost productivity. On the other hand, the Windows operating system provides compatibility with applications that utilize Microsoft-based programming languages such as ASP (active server pages), which are usually not needed by small business owners. Microsoft-based applications are usually geared toward larger corporations that have extensive database management and e-mail communication needs.

Affordability

Being that Linux is an open source software, all distributions of it (also known as 'flavors', i.e. – Ubuntu) are completely free. Since the web hosting provider does not have to pay for a license of the operating system, they're able to pass the savings on to their customers. Thus, Linux web hosting is significantly cheaper than Windows web hosting, and is therefore more preferable from the perspective of a small business owner on a budget. Unlike the Windows operating system, the Linux operating system can be fixed and improved without any input or updates from the software manufacturer. This means that web hosting providers can utilize in-house technical support staff rather than relying on Microsoft - another reason why Linux hosting is cheaper than Windows hosting.

Reliability

Surprisingly, although Linux web hosting is cheaper than Windows web hosting, it is also considered to be more reliable. Reliability is an extremely important aspect of a web hosting plan for a small business owner, as even a little bit of site downtime can result in the loss of customers and potential sales. The reliability of the Linux operating system originates from the fact that it can be fixed and supported by any Internet technology specialist with the skills needed to do so. In fact, it has been statistically proven in several studies that the Linux operating system provides more server uptime than the Windows operating system under similar conditions. Linux is also more flexible, offering greater compatibility with virtualization software that will allow you to install the Windows operating system within the Linux operating system to use a diverse range of software and eliminate compatibility issues. Thus, even if you have a Linux hosting plan, it is possible to install a virtual machine on the server (depending on what type of hosting plan you have) and utilize Windows web hosting applications as well.

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