“Web hosting” to put it in very simple terms is the process of renting or buying space to have a website on the World Wide Web.
An easy way to put it is if the domain name is the address of your house, then web hosting is the actual place on the World Wide Web where the address points to. All websites on the internet need to have web hosting. Web hosting service providers have the servers and associated services to host websites.
What exactly is a server?
A server is a computer that connects other web users to your site from anywhere in the world. Web Hosting companies offer a variety of hosting plans to cover the spectrum of hosting needs, i.e. from small blogs to large organizations.
Starting a new website
When you decide to start a new website, you need to find a hosting company that provides you with the server space. Your web host stores all your files, assets, and databases on the server. Whenever someone types your domain name into the address bar of their browser, your host transfers all the files necessary to serve this request.
Web hosting is an online service which enables you to have your website on the internet. You basically rent some space on a server on which you can store all the files and data necessary for your website to work properly. You need to choose a hosting plan that will best fit your needs and purchase it. Web hosting works similarly to your housing rentals in which you pay the rent regularly in order to keep the services running continuously.
Services provided by Hosting Companies:
Other than providing server space for your website, hosting providers also offer other services related to website management like:
- SSL certificates (for secure sites using the https:// protocol)
- Page builders / Website builders
- Developer tools
- Email hosting
- Customer support service (live chat)
- Automated backups
- One-click software installs (e.g. for WordPress or Drupal)
Types of Web Hosting
Most web hosts offer different types of hosting to serve the needs and goals of various clients. The following are the most common types of hosting types available in the market:
- Linux Shared Hosting
- Windows Shared Hosting
- WordPress Hosting
- VPS Hosting
- Dedicated Servers
- Windows Dedicated Servers
- Managed Servers
- Cloud hosting
The space you need on the server is according to the size of your website. It’s best to start with a shared hosting plan as it is cheaper. Going forward in the future as your site gets bigger, you can upgrade to a more advanced type of hosting.
Web Host Software
Well of-course if you are going to get a web host, then you need to have software along with it. You can use various open source software to perform various business functions.
Ideally if you would like to just host a website, then you can choose from the 100’s of free open source content management systems available, our choice is WordPress.
We at Infinity Host also provide you with Softaculous installer which can help you install 350+ open source applications, which come to you at absolutely no cost.
Here is a list of Software that you will get with your Web Hosting Account, powered by Softaculous:
- Blogs / Micro Blogs
- Portals / Content Management Systems
- Forums
- Image Galleries
- Wikis
- Social Networking
- Ad Management
- Calendars
- Gaming
- Mails
- Polls and Analytics
- Project Management
- e-Commerce
- ERP
- CRM
- Learning Management Systems / Educations
- Music
- Video
- File Management
- Personal Cloud