Hosting for social website

Started by paddy12, Sep 29, 2022, 12:54 AM

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paddy12Topic starter

As I contemplated social network servers, I calculated the daily volume of photos and videos uploaded to Instagram and was initially perplexed by how it all fits. Special disks with enormous capacities are utilized to accommodate this content, and this isn't even considering YouTube.

When it comes to creating a small-scale social network for a particular region or city that operates on the same principles as Instagram where photos and short videos up to 1 minute in length are published, a large amount of resources aren't immediately necessary.

I attempted to find information on web storage for social networks but didn't have much success. If anyone has any insights, please share, but bear in mind that I'm not looking to compete with Facebook and require massive amounts of data centers and millions of dollars. Instead, I hope to develop a hybrid of a theme-based website and social network.
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Lucatall

If you opt for virtual hosting, the hosting provider may request that you move away from it or to a dedicated server if there is a sudden surge in traffic. When there is a need for scalability, a cloud virtual server is the recommended option.

Personally, I've had great experiences using BlueHost. With a base of 5000 active visitors, there are many classic and semi-classic PHP shared hosting services available at very affordable prices due to the current competition. Using this type of hosting allows for quality service without needing to manage HTTP server stack configurations.

If you're dealing with small loads like PHP or WordPress, it doesn't make sense to choose VDS. It's better to choose a hosting provider that can take care of most of the problems, including proper configuration of the HTTP server stack.

Note: I previously confused DigitalOcean with DreamHost but have since corrected my mistake. Nevertheless, my advice remains the same.
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Kingvers

It's impossible to give a one-size-fits-all solution for organizing static storage, as it largely depends on the needs of a particular project. Thus, blindly providing advice without knowledge of such needs is unwise.

When catering to users in France, distributing static content from Germany, no matter the scale of the social network project, is impractical. Any recommendation to the contrary comes from a person who has never dealt with a high-traffic project.

To start, it's best to use low-cost servers at a colocation data center with a minimum rating of third-shooting range. Based on our experience with a daily audience of roughly 2 million, this would cost around $1500/month. This would include 3-4-5 simple machines that distribute static content. Using a CDN (costs depending on individual needs) would require an additional $500.
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Arkanello

I know Rightservers.com is an excellent host, which is well-priced and easy to work with. By bringing all of the domains together, I can easily manage them. I feel that their Managed VPS package is well-suited for all individuals and any size of business.
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jackgrylls

To address the concern of web storage for social networks, it's important to consider the storage requirements for photos and short videos. Nowadays, there are numerous cloud storage solutions that offer scalable storage options suitable for hosting user-generated content. These solutions can be cost-effective and allow for seamless scaling as the platform grows.

From a web hosting perspective, it's crucial to select a reliable hosting provider that offers scalable infrastructure, such as cloud hosting or virtual private servers (VPS). This ensures that the platform can adapt to increasing demands without the need for massive upfront investments in data centers or hardware.

Furthermore, implementing content delivery networks (CDNs) can optimize the delivery of photos and videos, enhancing the user experience by reducing load times and ensuring high availability of media content.

In terms of development, adopting modern programming languages and frameworks can facilitate the creation of a responsive and feature-rich social network platform. Leveraging technologies like React or Vue.js for the front-end and Node.js for the back-end can enable efficient content delivery and seamless user interaction.

When it comes to user engagement and growth, a targeted marketing strategy focused on local communities can help drive user acquisition and establish the platform as a go-to social network for the region or city. Building a strong brand identity and fostering a sense of community around the platform can be instrumental in its success.
With the right approach to web hosting, infrastructure scalability, technology stack, and marketing strategy, it's possible to create a theme-based social network tailored to a specific region without the need for massive data centers and exorbitant financial investments. This hybrid approach can offer a unique and localized social networking experience while remaining resource-efficient and cost-effective.
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