If you’re a new or casual Webmaster and your site is non-revenue generating with static HTML pages you generated from boxed software, you can probably host on a Linux server. This is the best solution overall for you because Linux hosting doesn’t require more advanced functions.

If you decide you want your site to have more complex features like members only area, e-commerce, live help and so on, then the server operating system becomes more important. Interactive features rely on server side programs that process your site visitor’s input and returns something intelligent. There are many programs out there but most common are ASP, PHP and Perl.

Windows Desktop And Server Operating System

Just because you run a windows desktop doesn’t mean you must opt for Windows web hosting. This is true vice versa. Whatever operating system you use on your desktop has little to do with your choice of Windows or Linux servers for your hosting. As long as you understand your FTP or web publishing software, your host can be any operating system.

Aims Of Your Website

It is important that you know what you want your site to do and what you want to offer on your website. This is what will ultimately lead you to the type of hosting. Interactive sites usually rely on ASP, PHP or Perl type languages. Each programming language has it’s own strengths and weaknesses and sometimes one can give you something the other can’t although not very often. PHP and Perl are Linux based and ASP Windows.

If you opt to use ASP to power your web site, then you’ll want to go with Windows hosting. ASP is available on Linux hosting packages and that is true. But it might not work as well on Linux as it would on Windows. This is also true the other way around. While you can have PHP or Perl on a Windows web host, they weren’t developed for Windows and might not work as well. It’s always best to go with the operating system the language was built for.

Security

You’ll most likely be told flatly Unix based servers have better security. Mainly because these operating systems have consistently been reliable while Windows is a big target for exploitation. However, both our Windows and Linux servers are regularly updated and configured to offer maximum security.

In conclusion, the key that decides if you should have a Windows or Linux host is what you want your site to do now and in the foreseeable future.