Platforms 101: Microsoft vs. LAMP

Your new website is much more than just the pretty interface users see when they visit it. There is a whole underlying layer that determines how the site operates, its capabilities and functionality: platform.

When you or your web design company set up hosting for your new site, you will have the option for either Microsoft or Linux/LAMP hosting. It’s important for all parties involved to understand the differences between the two, as this decision will affect many other choices down the line in terms of what your site can do and how it will be built.

Some web designers have more experience, are more comfortable, or have more resources in place to develop a site on one platform or the other. You need to be sure the designer you select has expertise in this area, and doesn’t try to sway you into adopting one platform or the other just because that’s what they like. The platform you choose must above all meet the needs of you and your customers.

It’s crucial to note that Microsoft hosting does not mean your site will work better in Windows. Microsoft and Linux hosting refer to the back-end technology that runs your site, and determine factors like what types of database interactions are at your designer’s and developer’s disposal.

Microsoft

Microsoft hosting servers are a closed ecosystem, meaning that you have fewer options for components like content management systems and databases. In terms of programming, Microsoft hosting depends on ASP.NET, a proprietary programming language. The costs for Microsoft hosting are higher, but developers can depend on frequent updates and patches from Microsoft.

If your company already uses Microsoft tools like Exchange and Sharepoint, Microsoft hosting may be a good solution for you. These tools are all integrated and talk with each other easily. Implementing each solution is aided by the availability of certified Microsoft developers and systems engineers.

Linux/LAMP

Linux is open-source, meaning anyone can develop code for it. Hosting your site on a Linux platform actually means that it will run on what is called a LAMP stack: Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP. Linux is the hosting environment where the website lives, Apache is the web server that runs the web traffic to and from your site, MySQL is the type of database that runs applications, and PHP is the programming back-end of the website itself. Your web design company will know what this all means, and will tell you if they have the designers and developers in place to work within this system.

One of LAMP’s advantages is that, since it is open source, the software is all free. It is also supported by a huge community of independent developers all working to make the software and systems better. Popular content management systems like WordPress and Drupal run on a LAMP stack.

Do Your Research

Work with your web design firm to figure out which solution is best for you. Talk with other companies and find out what their experiences are. In all, don’t get railroaded into one solution or the other because that’s what a designer and developer want.