Host your images with image hosting

A large number of images can make a website or device slow. Or even unsafe. With 1 hack, chances are your pictures are gone for good. The solution is hosting your images on image hosting. Do you want to discover all the ins and outs of image hosting? Read this article.

What is image hosting?

Image hosting, also called photo storage or photo hosting, is the external storage for photos and images on a server (computer) via hosting. Via image hosting, you can manage, edit and share pictures. Hosting images externally reduces the load on your website or device and makes it faster. Moreover, image hosting is more secure because images are stored in the cloud.

Image hosting vs photo sharing

Image hosting and photo sharing are used interchangeably. However, they are 2 different things. 

Image Hosting

Image hosting is storing images online and managing and editing them in 1 place. You can also share pictures privately or publicly, regardless of your hosting platform. 

Photo Sharing

Photo sharing is sharing images on the same platform, for example, via Instagram. So it is not a repository of images. Moreover, photo sharing allows others to interact by liking the image and leaving a comment.

How does image hosting work?

With image hosting, you upload one or more images from your device to the hosting server. This can be done via a website or app using a zip file or FTP program. After uploading the photos, you can manage, edit and share them. Depending on your purpose, sharing an image on your website, a forum, a social media channel or email via an embed code is possible. Some image hosting services give you access to useful features, such as an editing tool, data encryption, backups and more.

Why do you need to use image hosting?

There are several reasons to use image hosting. Below are 5 benefits of image hosting:

1. More storage space

High-quality images usually have a large file size. As a result, they take up a lot of space on your website or device. With image hosting, images are on an external server, which means more space is available.

2. Speed

When someone visits your website, all the server files must be loaded. By using image hosting, images do not have to be loaded, making your website faster. Your device is also quicker, as there are fewer images on it.

3. Simple sharing

Through just 1 embed code, such as a URL, you can easily share images on websites, forums, social media platforms and via emails.

4. Safe storage

Image hosting services often offer extra security, which means images are stored securely. Does something go wrong with your device or website? Your photos will be preserved.

5. Simple customisation
   The built-in editing tool makes it easy to modify images without buying sophisticated software.

The disadvantages of image hosting

However, image hosting also has some disadvantages. First of all, you are dependent on the hosting service. Is the site hacked, or does the server go offline for some reason? You may lose images. Another question is whether free image hosting services are safe. Because to which server do you upload images, and what are the conditions? Finally, with the free solutions, you may be limited to uploading several images or MBs. This can be inconvenient if you want to use many or high-quality images.

Choosing image hosting: here’s what to consider

Do you want to use image hosting? Then it is essential to consider the following 7 points.

1. Performance

Investigate whether the service can load images quickly and whether you can upload images to the platform quickly.

2. Storage

Check how many images you can store. Are you going to upload a lot of pictures in the future? In this case, choosing a service where you can upgrade to a larger plan is wise.

3. Security

Choose an image hosting service that has security in place. Do you need to create your password-protected account? Or enable two-step verification, for example? Also, check that the platform is GDPR compliant.

4. Usability

Choose a service that is easy to understand, works on different devices and where you can create several folders.

5. Editing tool

Do you not have design skills? A built-in editing tool is often easy to understand. Check if the platform offers this.

6. Media formats

Do you use different media formats like JPG, GIF, and PNG? Check if the image hosting service can handle these formats.

7. Privacy-proof

You may want some images to be private. Is this possible? Or are your images public?

12 image hosting services

Several image hosting services on the market exist. We understand this can be overwhelming. Therefore, we have created 2 groups below. Do you want to create a fast website and embed images from an external hosting service? Read on at ‘5 image hosting websites’. Do you want to store and manage images in the cloud and share them for work or private use? Continue reading at ‘The best storage for photos: 7 platforms’.

5 image hosting sites

1. Imgur

Imgur is a free site that lets you upload images, memes and gifs. You can edit and share them via social media, email or a URL. Community members can comment on your creations.

2. ImgBB

With ImgBB, you choose an image from your device, select after which period the image should be removed and upload it to ImgBB. You can embed the image via a shortened URL, HTML or BB code (markup language). ImgBB is free to use. Do you want access to more functions? Choose a paid plan.

3. PostImage

PostImage works the same as ImgBB. You choose an image size, the delete period and an image from your device or via an URL. You can choose from various embed codes to share the image on your site. It is possible to upload multiple images at the same time.

4. ImageShack

Are you looking for an image hosting service where you can upload and store unlimited photos? Choose ImageShack. You can choose from 3 accounts, each with its features. ImageShack lets you share 1 image or an entire album. You can also easily upload images to the platform and share them via a link. It is possible to follow other accounts for inspiration.

5. ImgBox

ImgBox is easy to use. All you have to do is upload an image, and you get an embed code at your disposal immediately. This is an URL, HTML or BB code. You can also share the image via social media.

The best storage for photos: 7 platforms

1. Microsoft Office 365

With Microsoft Office 365, you work securely and efficiently in the cloud. With as much as 1 TB of online storage, you can store and view thousands of images on up to 15 devices, whether you work in the office or work from home. In addition, Microsoft Office 365 is secured with advanced virus protection software, so your data is safely stored.

2. Dropbox

Dropbox allows you to store all types of files, including images. Thanks to the tool ‘The Embedder’, it is possible to embed previews of files or folders within an iframe code. The tool uses shared links by which you can control who has access to a file or folder. This documentation from Dropbox tells you how to embed files on your website.

3. SmugMug

Are you looking for feature-packed photo storage? Choose SmugMug. You can store, share and sell images. You can access various tools to manage your images, such as photo albums. You can also add images to your website or blog.

4. Photobucket

Photobucket lets you upload photos, videos and other images. Via the editing tool, editing media formats or placing them in a canvas is possible. Ready? Share your creations with a simple click of a button. In addition, you always have access to your media, as they are safely stored in the cloud. For Photobucket, you need to create a paid account.

5. Google Photos

Google Photos is Google’s photo storage service. You store photos and videos safely and efficiently in the cloud. Media is automatically organised so you can find them quickly. Do you want to change something in the image? You can do so with the editing tool. For example, you can share media and albums with friends and family via social media.

6. Flickr

Flickr is an online photo management and sharing tool. You can share images publicly or give access to a selective group of users. In your account, it is possible to create albums, add tags or allow comments. You can access your account from different devices. When you make images public, you can share them via email, social media or an URL. Flickr is free to use. Do you want to store more media? Upgrade to Flickr Pro.

7. Internxt

Internxt is an open-source and encrypted platform that allows you to store files and images in the cloud securely. The platform is 100% GDPR proof, and data remains yours. You always have access to your files, whatever device you use. Do you want to share an image? You decide how many people can access the image.

Conclusion

Image hosting is an effective and convenient way to store images online. You save space on your website’s server or your device, so they work faster. In addition, you can access pictures anytime, anywhere, as they are stored in the cloud. Good luck finding the right image hosting service!