What is web hosting

Web hosting is easily acquired and essential for all web designers, how to explain web hosting is another matter entirely. If you are about to delve into the complicated world of web design one of the first things you will need to do is buy web hosting. So I hear you say, explain to me what exactly is web hosting? The simple explanation is as follows, web hosting is the computer where all the information from your website is stored and where it can be accessed via the internet. It is possible to self host a website but the information would slow down your computer and you would have to leave your computer switched and connected to the computer all day every day. Web hosting services do this for you, you pay them and they “host” your website. In return you get peace of mind that your websites is online and won’t be interrupted by problems with your computer. The large computer where your website is stored is known as a “server”.

Now, I’ll explain in a more detail the services that web hosting companies provide. Firstly, you should know that not all web hosting companies are the same and the quality of the service provided varies quite considerably. Web hosting companies firstly and most importantly promise to leave your website up and accessible most of the time. I say most of the time because most web hosting companies will have “downtime”. Downtime is usually for maintenance and usually means that your website is inaccessible for a short period of time. They also provide security, this is to stop hackers entering and tampering with your website. Most have an uninterrupted power supply, this means that if there is a power outage they will have a generator on standby to ensure that your website doesn’t do down. They provide large bandwidth that allows multiple visitors to your site at one time; if for some reason your website becomes the most popular on the web over night they should be able to adapt their system to make sure that your website can handle all the traffic. This may in some cases require a little extra money on your part. A web host is the adopted home of your website, you still control the website and can change and tamper with it as you see fit but the websites lives in the server.

If you want a “real world” view of how it works consider this. If you want to set up a shop or business the first thing you have to do is rent space. This space is used for the storage of equipment, dealing with customers, making phone calls etc etc. Likewise, web hosting is like renting a space in cyber world. Here you can design, colour or build your business just like you would with your shop or office space in the real world.

If you are considering launching a website this article will help you learn more about the types of hosting available and which type will suit you best.