Web hosting is a service that allows you to store your website’s files on a server so that it is accessible to users on the internet. Hosting provides the infrastructure and technology needed to display your website online.
- Types of Hosting:
- Shared Hosting: Multiple websites share the same server and resources (most cost-effective for small sites).
- VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server): More dedicated resources for each website, but still sharing a server.
- Dedicated Hosting: One website has an entire server to itself (expensive but high performance).
- Cloud Hosting: Uses a network of servers to distribute resources and handle traffic spikes.
- Key Hosting Features:
- Storage: The amount of disk space you get to store your website’s content (files, images, videos, etc.).
- Bandwidth: The amount of data transfer allowed between the server and the site’s visitors.
- Uptime: The amount of time your website is accessible online (99.9% uptime is standard for good hosting).
- Security: Hosting providers often offer SSL certificates, backups, and other security measures.
Importance of Good Hosting:
- Speed: Faster hosting leads to quicker load times, enhancing user experience and SEO rankings.
- Security: Reliable hosting includes protection against threats like hacking, malware, and data breaches.
- Reliability: High-quality hosting ensures minimal downtime, so your website stays online and accessible.
Summary
Domain: Your website’s address (URL) that users type into the browser to visit your site.
Hosting: The service that stores your website files and makes your site available on the internet.
CMS: A platform that allows you to build, manage, and maintain your website without needing to write code.
These three components—domain, hosting, and CMS—are fundamental to building and maintaining a website. Together, they provide the framework and infrastructure needed to establish an online presence.
