
If you’re thinking about building a website, you’ve probably heard the term “web hosting”. But what is web hosting, and why is it so important? In simple words, web hosting is the service that puts your website on the internet so people can visit it.
Web hosting providers give you space on their server, which is like a home for your website, where all files etc. are stored. They also offer user-friendly control panels to assist with management. Hosted.com’s Web Hosting for example, makes use of the popular cPanel control panel. Control panels make it easier to manage your site’s settings, files, and other features.
Your choice of web hosting provider and plan therefore directly affects how fast your website loads, how often it’s available, and how secure it is.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from what is web hosting, to understanding the basics and signing up for the right hosting plan for your needs. Let’s dive in and start exploring the world of web hosting together.
Table of Contents
What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is a service that makes your website accessible online, allowing people to visit it. This service includes keeping your website’s files, images, and other content on a server. A server is a robust computer that delivers your website to visitors when they access it. Without web hosting, your website would not be available on the internet.
How Web Hosting Works?
Multiple factors make web hosting work:
Servers
A server stores your website’s data and makes it available to the world. When people type in your website address (also known as your domain name) into a browser, the server sends your website’s information to their device so they can see your site. Remember, servers need to be reliable and fast so that visitors have a smooth experience when browsing your website.
Storage
Your website’s files, including HTML, CSS, images, text, and videos, are stored on the server. Think of storage as the space your website uses on the server. Different hosting plans offer different amounts of storage space, so you can choose a plan that matches the size of your website and the amount of content you plan to host.
Bandwidth
It is the amount of data that can be transmitted between your server and your visitors in a certain period. In other words, it’s how much traffic your website can handle. If your website gets a lot of visitors, you’ll need more bandwidth to ensure they can access your site quickly. High bandwidth helps your website run smoothly, even during peak times.
Connectivity and Security
The secure web hosting provider connects your site to the Internet, ensuring it’s accessible to visitors worldwide. This connection is crucial for keeping your website live and available when people want to visit it. Good connectivity also helps your site load quickly.
Moreover, a hosting provider protects your website from cyber threats with measures like firewalls and malware protection. This keeps your website and your visitors’ data safe from hackers and other dangers.

Why Do I Need Web Hosting?
Now that you know the hosting definition and how it works. It’s time to explore the importance of web hosting—why do you need it?
Access to the Internet
Web hosting is required for making your website available online. With web hosting, your website can be seen by people all around the world through the internet, answering the question of what is web hosting. This way, visitors can find your site anytime they want to learn more about you, your business, or your services.
Storage and Maintenance
Hosting providers give you space on their servers to store your website’s files, such as text, images, and videos. They also handle server maintenance, keeping your website running so visitors have a good experience. This means you don’t have to worry about managing the technical side of things.
Technical Support
Many hosting providers offer customer support to help you with any issues you may encounter. Whether you have questions about your hosting plan or need assistance with your website, you can rely on their support team to guide you. This can save you time, especially if you’re new to website management.
Website Security
Web hosting providers take steps to protect your website from cyber threats. They use security measures like firewalls and encryption to keep your website safe and secure. Choosing a hosting provider with good security features helps protect your website and your visitors’ data.
Performance Optimization
Hosting services often offer optimization options to ensure your website runs fast and efficiently. These include caching, which speeds up your site, or other tools that improve performance. A fast-loading website keeps your visitors happy and can boost your search engine ranking.
Types of Web Hosting
When choosing web hosting, you have several options to consider. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look:
Shared Hosting
In shared hosting, several websites reside on a single server, similar to living in an apartment where residents share resources. This hosting option is budget-friendly and simple to handle, making it ideal for newcomers. However, sharing server resources with other sites might result in slower performance during peak times.
VPS Hosting
Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting offers you a portion of a server with your own dedicated resources, like a virtual apartment where you have more space and control. It’s a good option for growing websites that need more power because it includes better performance and more customization options. But, it costs more than shared hosting and may require more technical knowledge.
Dedicated Hosting
This hosting gives you an entire server just for your website. It’s like owning a house with your own yard—you’re in control of everything and have all the resources to yourself. With this hosting, you’ll get top-notch performance, security, and control. It’s the most expensive option and requires technical expertise to manage.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting uses multiple servers working together, like a web of resources, to host your website. It allows your site to draw resources from different places as needed, making it flexible and scalable. This hosting comes with excellent scalability and reliability, so your website can handle traffic spikes easily. However, it may be a bit more complex to manage and could be pricier than shared hosting.
Each type of hosting has its strengths and weaknesses, so choose the one that best matches your needs and budget. How can you do it? Let’s find it below.

Choose the Best Web Hosting Provider
Knowing what web hosting is and understanding its various types are not enough. Selecting the right web hosting provider is also essential for the success of your website. Here are some important factors to consider when picking a hosting provider:
Reliability and Uptime
The website uptime is the amount of time your website is available and running. Look for a provider that guarantees high uptime (close to 100%), so your website is always accessible to visitors. Reliable hosting means your site will be live and working smoothly most of the time.
Customer Support
Good customer support is important. “What is web hosting?” and “How does it work?” are not the only questions you will need answered during your website journey. You’ll encounter issues with your website or come across technical problems that will need to be solved. A provider with helpful support staff can resolve problems quickly and guide you through troubleshooting. Look for providers that offer great and expert support.
Scalability
You may need more resources (bandwidth, storage space, etc.) as your website grows. A hosting provider with scalability options can easily modify your plan to fulfill your changing needs. This flexibility ensures your site can handle more visitors and content as it expands.
Pricing
Hosting providers offer different pricing models, from affordable to premium plans. Compare these prices to find a plan that fits your budget and provides the features you need. Watch out for hidden fees to ensure you’re getting good value for your money.
Security
Security is an important factor in protecting your website and your visitors’ data. Choose a hosting provider that offers measures like firewalls, malware protection, and regular backups. These features keep your site safe from cyber threats and help you recover if something goes wrong.
Features
Check for additional services like backups, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates, and easy-to-use control panels (e.g., cPanel). These features help in managing your website easily and keep it secure. When learning what web hosting is, look for a provider that offers these extras as part of their hosting plans.
How to Get Started with Web Hosting?
Getting started with web hosting is easier than you might think. Follow this step-by-step guide to launch your website:
Research Hosting Providers
- Start by looking at different web hosting providers. You can check recommendations and online reviews to find a reliable provider.
- Look for providers that offer good customer support, security features, and the right type of hosting for your needs.
Compare Plans and Prices
- Once you’ve found a few potential hosting providers, compare their plans and prices.
- Consider what you need, such as storage space, bandwidth, and any extra features like email accounts or backups.
- Choose the best website hosting plan that fits your budget and meets your website’s requirements.
Sign Up and Set Up Your Hosting Account
- After choosing a hosting provider and plan, it’s time to sign up for an account.
- Follow the instructions given by the hosting provider to create your account and set up your hosting plan.
- You may need to provide your payment information and personal details during the signup process.
Connect Domain Name to Hosting Account
- If you already have a domain name, you’ll need to connect it to your new hosting account.
- Your hosting provider should provide instructions on how to do this. It usually involves changing your domain’s DNS (Domain Name System) settings.
- If you don’t have a domain name yet, many hosting providers offer domain registration services. You can select and register a new domain through them.
After completing the above-mentioned steps, your website will be ready to go live! Make sure to test everything to ensure your site is working properly and is accessible to visitors.
![For The Best In Shared cPanel Web Hosting, Choose Hosted.com! Strip Banner Text - For The Best In Shared cPanel Web Hosting, Choose Hosted.com! [Sign up]](https://www.hosted.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/what-is-web-hosting-3-1024x229.png)
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “What is web hosting?” is one of the first questions many new website owners ask.
- Answering the “What is web hosting?” question involves understanding that servers hold your website’s files, which are then sent to visitors when they visit your site.
- Web hosting is therefore required to make your website available on the Internet.
- There are different hosting choices such as shared hosting, dedicated hosting, cloud hosting, and VPS hosting, each with unique advantages and disadvantages, all falling under what is web hosting.
- Understanding the hosting definition helps you realize that hosting services offer storage, upkeep, technical assistance, security, and performance enhancements for your website.
- Web hosting keeps your website’s files, whereas a domain name is the web address people use to locate your site. Both are important for establishing a professional online presence.
- When choosing the best hosting provider, key factors to consider include reliability, customer support, scalability, pricing, security, and extra features, which are all part of what is web hosting.
FAQs
What is web hosting, and why is it so important?
Web hosting is a service that allows your website’s files and content to be stored on a server and made accessible on the internet. It is required because it provides the infrastructure needed for your website to be online and accessible to visitors worldwide.
What is web hosting providers?
Companies that offer services to host websites on their servers, making them accessible on the internet.
What are the web hosting types?
The primary types of web hosting are shared hosting, dedicated hosting, VPS hosting, and cloud hosting, each with its own benefits.
I explored what is web hosting; however, what’s the difference between web hosting and a domain name?
Web hosting stores your website’s files on a server, while a domain name is the address people use to find your website online.
What are web hosting servers?
Physical or virtual servers used to store and manage websites, making them available online.
How do I select the right web hosting provider?
Consider factors such as reliability, customer support, storage, bandwidth, security, and pricing when selecting a provider.
What is web hosting plans?
Packages offered by web hosting providers that include various features and resources for hosting websites.
What factors should I consider when choosing a hosting plan?
Different factors need to be considered while choosing a hosting plan, such as storage space, bandwidth, uptime, security, and the provider’s reputation.
How does bandwidth affect my website?
Bandwidth determines how quickly your website loads for visitors. Higher bandwidth allows your site to handle more traffic smoothly.
What is web hosting uptime?
The percentage of time a web hosting service is operational and accessible to users.
What is web hosting meaning?
The service of providing storage space and access for websites on the internet.
What is uptime, and why is it important for a website?
Website uptime is the percentage of time a hosting server is online and accessible. High uptime, an important aspect of web hosting, ensures your website is available to visitors most of the time.
What is web hosting definition?
A service that allows individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible via the World Wide Web.
Can I switch web hosting providers if I’m not satisfied? Can I upgrade my web hosting plan there if I need more resources?
Yes, you can switch hosting providers, but the process may involve transferring your website’s files and domain name. You can also update the hosting plan there. Most hosting providers offer easy upgrades, allowing you to switch to a plan with more storage, bandwidth, or other features, related to what is web hosting.
What should I do if I encounter technical issues with my web hosting?
Contact your hosting provider’s customer support for help with what is web hosting or any other technical issue. Good providers offer reliable support to resolve issues quickly.
How do I get started with web hosting that provides valuable security features?
To get started, research hosting providers, compare plans, sign up for an account, and connect your domain name to your hosting account. For security features, look for SSL certificates, firewalls, malware protection, and regular backups to keep your website secure.
Other Blogs of Interest:
– cPanel vs WordPress Hosting -What is the Difference
– CloudLinux and Hosted.com: Bringing You the Best in Web Hosting Server Performance
– cPanel and Web Hosting with Hosted.com
– WordPress Hosting vs Web Hosting: Advantages & Disadvantages to Help You Choose
– Tips to Successfully Scale An Online Business
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Wayne Diamond, the founder and CEO of Hosted.com, has over 20 years of expertise in the domain name and website hosting industry.
Under his leadership, Hosted.com will work towards transforming the way SMEs, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and established enterprises of all sizes manage their domain names, website and WordPress hosting, and online presence.