Hosting and Websites...How Does It Work?
Web hosting is the process of storing, maintaining, and serving files from a website connected through the Internet. When a user types a web address or universal resource locator (URL) into a web browser, it is the host that supplies the requested files from the website to the user’s browser.
Hosts Provide a Fast Connection to the Internet
Connecting directly to the Internet and serving files from a website requires a fast connection. However, high speed connections are expensive and out of range for the budget of many individuals and small businesses. Consequently, setting up servers and connections necessary to host a website on their own is not realistic for many. Hosting companies provide a way to share the cost of these high speed Internet connections among many users. As a result, this reduces the cost for any individual user.
There Are Several Forms of Hosting available
The type of hosting a user needs varies depending on the storage space, bandwidth, control, and cost needed. First, for a user that needs an individual web page or small website, there are services that provide free services. These basic services are also often provided by Internet Service Providers (ISP). In addition, there are also advertisement based and other companies that host for free.
For most websites, the best solution is a company that provides full service hosting often for just a few dollars per month. There are several types available from the hosts. I will talk about three here.
Three Types of Web Hosting
There are three types of hosting that meet the needs of most users. These are shared, virtual private servers (VPS), and dedicated servers. In addition, there are other specialty types as well but these will serve most. For most individuals and small businesses, shared hosting will meet the need.
First, shared hosting is what it sounds like. Many users share the storage space on a server and a high speed Internet connection. Consequently, this allows many users to share the cost and greatly reduce the cost for any individual user. Each user is separated from the others with accounts which gives the appearance and security of a single user but resources are shared behind the scenes. As a result, this is a low cost, fast, and efficient system for websites and files.
Secondly, Virtual Private Servers (VPS) are for users that need more bandwidth for heavier use, more storage than the average user, and more control of the server. VPS often gives “root access” to the virtual area making it appear like a dedicated server to the user. Therefore, VPS is more expensive than shared hosting.
Thirdly, dedicated servers, are servers dedicated to a single user. As a result, the user has a great deal of control over the server and its operating system. in addition they control the way it is set up. Dedicated servers are used by the heaviest Internet users and those requiring high volume traffic bandwidth. Thus it is not surprising that this is the most expensive type of host.
Companies Provide Multiple Services as Part of an Account
Hosting companies provide file storage and access to the internet and the World Wide Web. They also provide other services as part of their plans. For example, things like email, databases, application development platforms, and access to WordPress are often included as part of a user account. In addition, having WordPress installed on the server and ready to install on users’ websites is important. Over one-third of all websites on the Internet are created using WordPress. In addition, most hosts provide domain registration services. This allow users to buy a domain name and connect it to their website.
There are many companies that sell domain names and provide hosting to end users like you and me. Bluehost is one such company. They will give you a free domain for a year if you sign up for hosting with them. I get paid a commission (at no cost to you) if you click a link on this page and sign up for a domain and hosting by Bluehost. This helps support my site and this website is hosted by Bluehost who also acts as the domain registrar for websitesinten.com and other domain names that I own. Click here to check out what they have to offer! In addition, there are many of these hosts available on the Internet that provide comparable services if you are looking to compare.