What Is Web Hosting?

Web hosting refers to the service of providing storage space and resources for websites to be accessible on the internet. When you create a website, it consists of various files, such as HTML, CSS, images, and other media. These files need to be stored on a server, which is a powerful computer designed to serve web pages to users who request them.

Web hosting companies own or lease servers and offer their storage space and resources to individuals or organisations who want to make their websites available on the internet. When you sign up for web hosting services, you are essentially renting space on a server to store your website's files.

Once you have a web hosting account, you can upload your website files to the server using various methods, such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or through a web-based control panel provided by the hosting company. These files are then stored on the server and can be accessed by anyone who visits your website by entering your domain name or website address in a web browser.

Web hosting providers typically offer different types of hosting plans to cater to the varying needs of different websites. Some common types of web hosting include:

1. Shared Hosting: In shared hosting, multiple websites are hosted on the same server. This means that server resources, such as CPU, RAM, and disk space, are shared among all the websites on that server. Shared hosting is usually affordable and suitable for small to medium-sized websites with moderate traffic.

2. VPS Hosting: Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting provides a virtualized environment where multiple websites are hosted on the same physical server, but each website has dedicated resources and operates independently. VPS hosting offers more control, scalability, and flexibility compared to shared hosting.

3. Dedicated Hosting: With dedicated hosting, you have an entire physical server dedicated solely to your website. This provides the highest level of performance, control, and security but comes at a higher cost. Dedicated hosting is typically used by large websites or organisations with high traffic and resource-intensive applications.

4. Cloud Hosting: Cloud hosting utilizes a network of interconnected servers to host websites. It offers scalability and reliability by distributing resources across multiple servers, ensuring that your website remains accessible even if one server fails.

Web hosting companies also provide additional services such as domain registration, email hosting, database management, security features, and technical support to help you manage and maintain your website effectively.

In summary, web hosting is a service that allows individuals and organisations to make their websites accessible on the internet by providing storage space, server resources, and technical support. It enables your website to be available to users worldwide, 24/7, ensuring its visibility and functionality on the World Wide Web.