Web hosting is a service that allows individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible on the internet. When you create a website, all of its files (like HTML, CSS, images, and videos) need to be stored somewhere so that people can access them online. Web hosting companies provide the technology and services needed for your website to be viewed on the internet.
Here's a breakdown of what web hosting involves:
Servers: Web hosting providers have large computers (servers) where your website files are stored. These servers are connected to the internet and configured to serve web pages to users who visit your website.
Domain Name: To access your website, users need to know its address, called a domain name (e.g., www.example.com). The domain name is connected to your website’s files stored on the web host’s server.
Types of Web Hosting:
- Shared Hosting: Multiple websites are hosted on the same server. It's cost-effective but can be slower and less secure due to resource sharing.
- Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting: Your website is hosted on a virtual server that simulates a dedicated server environment. It offers better performance and security than shared hosting.
- Dedicated Hosting: You rent an entire server for your website. This provides maximum performance and security but at a higher cost.
- Cloud Hosting: Websites are hosted on a network of servers in the cloud, offering scalability and reliability as resources are drawn from multiple servers.
- Managed Hosting: The hosting provider takes care of server management tasks like updates, security, and backups, which can be offered with any type of hosting.
Features of Web Hosting Services:
- Storage: The amount of disk space your website files can occupy.
- Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transferred from the server to users.
- Uptime: The percentage of time the server is up and running, making your website accessible.
- Support: Assistance from the hosting provider for technical issues.
- Security: Measures like SSL certificates, firewalls, and backups to protect your website.
Choosing the right web hosting service depends on factors like the size of your website, the amount of traffic you expect, and your technical expertise.