Contact Support
Sign In
Web hosting is a service that allows individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible on the internet. Think about web hosting as renting space on a server for files, information, and website content.
The data on your website is stored on this file server, which is created to ensure users can access it easily.
When a user enters your website domain name into their browser, the browser sends a request to the server that hosts your website. The server then responds and sends the website’s files to the user’s browser; this enables the user to view the website.
This guide assists beginners in understanding the fundamentals of website hosting. It explains several technical terms relating to web hosting.
Table of Contents
Internet Access & Hosting
Access to the internet and website hosting are supplied by an authorized Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP provides the gateway for your PC, or mobile device, to access the world wide web (www) through various methods that can ‘dial in’ to an exchange that provides access to data.
Note: Always use an ISP registered with the ISPA (Internet Service Providers’ Association).
This non-profit organization mediates between companies that provide internet services and connections and the consumers that use their ISPs.
Owning a website is like having a small electronic publication about your company, goods, and services. Web pages are published after they have been uploaded to an ISP’s web server. At that point, everybody around the world can access them.
Types of Web Hosting
Shared Web Hosting
Websites using Shared Web Hosting share resources on a single web server. This simple and cost-effective solution is perfect for personal websites and small businesses.
Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting
VPS hosting offers a middle ground between a dedicated server and shared hosting by providing resources on a virtual private server shared with other users. It is less expensive than a dedicated server and, compared to shared hosting, it provides improved performance, stability, and security.
Dedicated Server Hosting
With dedicated server hosting, businesses can have exclusive access to a physical server that provides unrivaled performance, security, and management. With dedicated resources, companies are more scalable and reliable. This type of hosting is ideal for resource-intensive applications and high-traffic websites.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting makes websites and applications available using the cloud. This hosting method lets businesses use resources from a network of physical and virtual servers. It’s cost-effective, as users can change and reallocate resources depending on demand, and they only pay for what they use. This type of hosting uses advanced technologies, ensures reliability, and enhances website performance.
Basic Concepts of Web Hosting
To grasp the essence of web hosting, you should acquaint yourself with the various terms associated with the service.
Hosting
Once you have had a website developed or created your own, it must be placed into a ‘library’ so that others can see it, too. This process is called hosting. It means that your website is in a ‘library’ on the ISP’s server which offers others access to view it. Making the website available to be viewed globally is called ‘going live’.
Data
This describes electronic information processed and transmitted by a computer. The information includes text, photos, files, sound files, and videos. The size of electronic data is expressed in KB, MB, GB, and TB (kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes and terabytes). These describe the amount of stored data, or the capacity required to store this electronic information on a storage device. Data in the form of text, images and videos is transmitted on email accounts – this is the electronic version of written correspondence. This email data is stored on the server.
Bandwidth
This defines the maximum amount of data that can be sent to and from a hosting account in a specific time. The data is calculated in megabits per second (Mbps). The traffic volume in peak operating hours, such as 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, can impact bandwidth. Large traffic volumes can affect how quickly data is uploaded to and downloaded from your computer. Each month, your bandwidth is renewed.
Disk Space
This describes the storage space available to host your website and email accounts. This is how much space your website and services need in the library (Data Center).
Data Center
This is a ‘library’, a physical facility where digital data is stored. This is generally a climatically controlled environment on secure premises where servers, data storage drives, and network equipment are located. Electrical power is supplied to the data center 24/7 and it’s protected from fire hazards, amongst other things.
Domain
A domain name is the unique name of your website; you must register or buy this web address from an authorized body and renew it every year. If you don’t renew it when it expires, someone else can purchase it. Read how to choose a domain on the Hosted website.
Hosted.com customers can visit Lookup to check if a domain name is available.
CPU and RAM
CPU (Central Processing Unit) and RAM (Random Access Memory) are vital components of web hosting that directly impact your website’s performance. CPU interprets, gives instructions and processes the computer’s power, while RAM is the shorter-term memory the CPU needs to open files, move data etc. Higher CPU and RAM resources result in better responsiveness and scalability for your website, especially if it experiences spikes in traffic or runs resource-intensive applications.
DNS (Domain Name System)
DNS translates domain names into IP addresses, allowing browsers to locate the correct web server hosting your website. The DNS is how users can access your website.
Control Panel
Most hosting providers offer a control panel to manage your hosting account. Hosted.com customers have access to the user-friendly cPanel, which facilitates file uploads, creation of email accounts, management of databases, installation applications (like WordPress), and the ability to perform other administrative tasks.
Find out more about our cPanel Hosting packages.
Hosted.com has helpful sales and support staff who can assist you with anything you need to know about web hosting. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions if you are uncertain how to proceed, or if something doesn’t make sense. Open a ticket with our support team.
