Why Windows Server Matters for Web Designers Hosting Client Websites

• By Abby Tan
• 18-08-2025
• Web Design

Are you working as a web designer with several clients' websites? The hosting environment can make or break your workflow. While others use Linux hosting, Windows Server is an equally powerful and sometimes a better choice for web designers.

You may be working on Linux for its open-source appeal and ease of use, but what about Windows Server? If you use ASP.NET and .NET Core, the Windows Server easily works with them. You will find it stable and scalable, too. It creates a tailored experience that makes hosting websites for web designers like you a strategic advantage.

In this post, you will find out how the Windows Server will help you with your work and how you can use it to provide a better service for your clients. Are you running small business websites or large-scale ecommerce platforms? Find out the pros and cons of working on a Windows server as a web designer below.

Compatibility With Microsoft Technologies: The First Reason Windows Server Matters

Did you build your client websites using Microsoft technologies like ASP.NET, .NET Core, and Microsoft SQL Server? If yes, Windows Server offers the best compatibility, so you can build, deploy, and manage sites hassle-free.

If you are a web designer heavily using ASP.NET and .NET Core applications, you can still run them on a different server; however, Windows Server is optimized for them. You can also access Internet Information Services, a server role designed for Microsoft technologies to handle requests. Everything works seamlessly and efficiently when running on a Microsoft server.

If you have been working as a web designer for years, you understand how vital it is to run a website at its optimal performance. Plus, if you can reduce your troubleshooting hours, you can do more with your time. Although we love Linux for its flexibility in handling various technologies, it also requires some configuration to work seamlessly with Microsoft tools.

Performance and Stability That Compete With the Best

Does Linux always outperform Windows Server? You may have heard of this rumor, but in terms of speed and stability, Windows Server can perform just as well. As a web designer, one of your goals is to have a well-managed website. When you use the modern versions of Windows Server along with well-managed and updated hardware and configurations, it can perform even better than Linux.

You will also receive regular updates from Microsoft when you use Windows Server, offering improved stability and enhanced security. You will never have to worry about these for your hosted websites. The constant updates will also help you have consistent uptime and experience minimal interruptions. As a result, you will experience a much better end-user experience for the websites you are managing.

When your client sees consistent website uptime, you become a valuable asset. Trust built on reliability can lead to further opportunities. A single outage can significantly impact your website’s performance and your professional reputation, so Windows Server’s reliable uptime lets you focus on important tasks.

When stability is tied to client trust, this becomes even more important. A single extended outage could harm a client’s brand and your professional reputation. By choosing a reliable Windows Server environment, you position yourself to meet uptime guarantees confidently.

Security Features That Protect Your Clients’ Data

Are you running an IT company for web designers or a freelancer? Nonetheless, client data is important to you. This also comes with client trust, and as mentioned a while ago, once your client trusts you and your output is amazing, then more good things will happen to you.

Security is vital for all IT companies, and for web designers, it is an even critical matter. Working on Windows Server for web designers also comes with the highest form of security, as it comes with Windows Defender and BitLocker encryption.

In addition to the advanced firewall settings, your vulnerabilities are addressed quickly. The regular security patch cycle makes web designers love the Windows Server even more.

Another feature to consider as a web designer is server security. If you have worked as a web designer for years, you know how overwhelming this could be. Windows Server simplifies this through centralized monitoring. You can manage permissions and even conduct troubleshooting with ease.

You can also integrate security tools if your client prefers another layer for security, like PCI DSS compliance. There are several strategies to secure your environment, and Windows Server protection tips for better practices in hosting websites. As long as you have taken all measures, you can reduce the possibility of minor incidents to major security breaches!

Usability and Management: A Designer-Friendly Environment

Another feature that you will love about Windows Server for web designers is its approachability. If you are already familiar with the Windows operating system, it's easier to get started compared to a Linux terminal. It also includes graphical tools like the Plesk control panel.

You can manage websites, email accounts, and databases with ease and spend less time working on complex command lines, and focus on design and client communication. Plus, you can also monitor your website's performance while applying updates with Windows Server’s user-friendly interfaces.

If you are a seasoned Linux user, you might prefer a command-line precision, and that’s alright. You can also try a GUI-driven approach. You may find it convenient and lower your chances of committing mistakes. It also makes it easier for you to add more team members and manage multiple client projects with ease.

Scalability and Flexibility for Any Project Size

In terms of scalability, you will love Windows Server. It works well for both small websites and massive e-commerce platforms. Do you work with a small number of clients or small businesses? You can start with a virtual private server. The great thing about this is you can also use it to host the same websites as they scale up to become high-traffic websites or businesses!

As long as you have the resources, your dedicated Windows Server offers powerful tools for custom configurations to meet high-performance needs and protect sensitive data. You also gain full control over bandwidth, RAM, CPU, and storage.

Working with overseas clients and team members? You can integrate cloud services and adapt your client’s hosting needs, too. Your flexibility in using Windows Server can become your selling point, propelling your services and businesses to better opportunities.

Real-World Use Cases for Web Designers

How does it apply to the real world? If you are using ASP.NET-based platforms, Windows Serve offers a seamless integration. You can manage your workloads more effectively and even conduct secure transactions.

If you are handling business running on intranet portals, you know how many of them require a Microsoft SQL Server. This runs natively on Windows Server, and all you need is minimal configuration to handle business applications and high traffic. The reduced deployment time is an optimized solution for your clients.

Why Windows Server Is More Than Just an Alternative

Windows Server is more than just an alternative for web designers using Linux. If you run Windows Server in the Microsoft environment and tools, it becomes a superior option. Does your client rely heavily on Microsoft technology? When you choose Windows Server, your hosting experience improves, and you require minimal configurations due to the tools integrating seamlessly.

When integration is smooth, you will experience fewer compatibility issues. You can also expand without migrating to a different hosting platform completely, making it a perfect server for web designers working with clients on multi-year website roadmaps.

You can become an expert on Windows Server for web designers and leverage yourself better than competitors who stick to a single hosting option. This will open new markets for you in industries relying on Microsoft Software.

Balancing Costs and Value for Clients

Linux is an affordable option for you and most web designers, while also delivering the best value for your clients. But don’t take Windows Server for web designers for granted. Although it comes with a higher cost, it pays for itself when you get to experience its reduced troubleshooting time and amazing performance on Microsoft-based websites.

Security is also an excellent feature that you can gain from a Windows Server. If you have clients using Microsoft tools, they are usually willing to pay the premium. As long as it integrates seamlessly with their workflows

Additionally, clients who already use Microsoft tools are often willing to pay a premium for a hosting environment that seamlessly integrates with their workflows. This allows you to justify the higher cost while delivering a better overall product.

Best Practices for Designers Hosting on Windows Server

What are the best practices for web designers using Windows Server? If you want to explore being the best web designer with expertise in Windows Server, you need to be updated with the latest security and server updates from Microsoft. Always install them.

Next, you need to use the Internet Information Service effectively. You must know how to configure it so you can improve the performance of ASP.NET applications. Then, you monitor your resources. Ensure you are on track with your CPU, memory, and disk usage.

Ensure you have the strongest passwords, encryption, and access restrictions on your SQL Server. Lastly, always automate your backups. This way, you can restore your websites quickly for possible work issues. These are essential to your work to ensure a secure and high-performing website hosting.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide for Hosting Client Websites on Windows Server

Are your considering Windows Server for your web designing job? If you have not done it yet, here’s a practical walkthrough on how to set everything up. This is for web designers who may not have a deep server administration experience. If you are one of them and want your own hosting environments, this is for you.

• Step 1: Choose your server. You can go for a VPS one for a smaller business or lower-traffic websites. A dedicated server for large businesses, especially e-commerce websites, and a cloud-based Windows Server
• Step 2: It’s time to choose your Windows Server versions. Although the favorite is Windows Server 2019, you can go for the improved version with Windows Server 2022. The latest server always offers the newest updates and tools.
• Step 3: Install your Internet Information Services (IIS) via the Server Manager dashboard. From there, you can configure SSL certificates, site bindings, and more.
• Step 4: You can start setting up your Client Websites with their own IIS and hostnames, and then you can place website files in their own root folder.
• Step 5: You need to configure their security settings. You can start by enabling the Windows Firewall and using the SSL certificates for all sites. Next, limit the administrative access when possible or as needed.
• Step 6: Lastly, you can start integrating your third-party backup services. Although Windows Server has built-in backup tools, you can also use another one. You can use Performance Monitor or the Event Viewer to catch issues early on.

The Business Advantage of Mastering Windows Server

What are your advantages in mastering the use of a Windows Server? Besides being an expert web designer, you become more versatile by offering end-to-end solutions too. You can get higher-value projects, especially from clients working on a Microsoft ecosystem. If you manage their data properly, your client loyalty also levels up.

You can also stand out by specializing in it or making it your primary skill, in addition to your Linux hosting experiences. Windows Server is still not as popular among web designers as it is among professionals working on Linux. You can easily apply to industries where Microsoft technologies dominate.

Choosing Windows Server With Confidence

One of the toughest choices you have to make as a web designer is to choose between Windows and Linux for hosting client websites. It comes down to the specific needs of each project or industry. If you are a web designer working with Microsoft-based tech clients, you go for the Windows Server. It is the ideal choice for seamless configuration, stability, and security.

It also offers native compatibility when used with ASP.NET and .NET Core. It will also be easier for you to onboard with its user-friendly interfaces. Additionally, it offers scalable hosting options. As long as you are committed to the regular Microsoft updates, too, you have a platform that keeps evolving while being protected.