What is Website Hosting?
In a nutshell, a website is made up of digital files, data and media such as images and videos which need to be stored, or hosted, on a computer or web server.
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Website hosting describes how a computer system, known as a web server, is configured. Working in conjunction with a domain name or IP address, website hosting is setup to store, secure, operate and provide, websites and applications, over the internet.
Web servers are usually located in specialist facilities called data centres, where they can benefit from reliable electricity, fast internet connections, cooling systems, physical security and backup systems.
A hosting provider may operate thousands of servers in one or more data centres, allowing web servers and hosting services to be provided. The hosting provider will allow website owners or administrators to access the web servers to manage their website hosting services, which are required to operate and maintain a website or application.
Website hosting providers will make options available for customers to choose a variety of services and packages, to fully manage and operate one or more websites. The following examples provide an overview of the different hosting types which are used by website owners, dependant on their budget, to manage the levels of traffic, performance and levels of control required for their website:
- Shared Hosting: A server which is shared with other websites.
- Virtual Private Server Hosting: Known as a 'VPS', it provides a virtual server environment.
- Dedicated Server Hosting: This involves the use of an entire physical server for a website.
- Cloud Hosting: Uses a network of connected, multiple servers to share technical resources.
Within the various types of hosting, providers will offer services such as 'Managed', or 'Wordpress', hosting. This will provide extra services to help the customer to manage the technical requirements of a server, or to optimise and provide hosting services for software such as WordPress.
Hosting Services
Regardless of the type of hosting, whether a shared or dedicating server is being used, a website hosting provider typically provides some combination of services within a hosting package.
FTP and File Manager
FTP or 'File Transfer Protocol', is used to access the files and folders which make up a website.
Normally located in a 'File Manager', this includes folders where text files and other media can be uploaded, stored and accessed.
Most hosting companies will provide users with some basic email services. This normally includes the option to create email addresses using the same domain name that is being used for the hosted website.
For example, if a website's domain name is techible.net, hosting providers will allow the user to setup and use an email such as anything@techible.net
The amount of storage per mailbox and the services being provided, such as webmail to access emails in a web browser, will depend on the website hosting provider.
However, most website hosting providers will include the facilities to create an email address, along with the settings and services which are required to use email from devices, such as a smartphone or computer.
Website Databases To Check
Most websites will use a database to dynamically store and access data, with hosting companies providing several types of databases to choose from. There are various types of databases which can be used, depending on the software being used and the type of website that is setup.
The databases, along with the management tools for them, will vary between each hosting provider. However, hosting providers will offer the generic databases such as MySQL, which is used for most website data storage while allowing website owners some flexibility to use their own database and configure their own data requirements. creation and management tools provided by a website hosting company, will also provide the data storage and access requirements for a website or application.
Domain Name System Settings
The 'Domain Name System', or DNS acts as a phone book of the internet and provides the facility to manage the records included within the settings of a domain name.
The records which are created as part of the DNS, ensures that any web servers, hosting, email or other third party services which use the domain name, are correctly setup.
Most web hosting companies will provide the options for the owner of a website to fully manage the DNS for a domain name.
Backup & Security
Once setup, a website hosting company will normally provide the options to create a standard or timeline backup of a website.
They will also provide the options to install any security tools and services such as SSL Certificates, or at least allow a website owner or administrator to install their own security certificates, which creates a secure connection between a website and the people using it.
Caches & Content Delivery Services
In order for a website to load quickly, website hosting providers will provide the options to use tools such as a 'Cache', or other web optimisation tools, such as a 'Content Delivery Network', or CDN.
These services and tools are aimed at improving the availability of a website, increasing its speed and delivery to website visitors, without adding further costs.
Website Hosting Options
The options and tools which are made available as part of a website hosting service will be different with each provider.
The types of services that are provided by hosting companies will differ but the protocols and specifications are generally the same.
This means that any website or app can easily be migrated from one hosting provider to another, if the requirements to host a website changes.
In Summary
Website hosting is a service that provides the technology and resources needed to make a website or app available on the internet.
Related Information
To understand and learn more, the following information and related resources are available within our Knowledge Base.
Further Information, Websites & Links
The following websites and links provide further information and resources if you would like to learn more.
