A website is a collection of files and, often, a database. Web hosting is the service that stores those files on a server that is connected to the internet around the clock, so anyone can load your pages at any time.
How hosting works
When a visitor types your address, the domain name is translated into the server's IP address (DNS). The visitor's browser then requests the page from that server, which sends back HTML, CSS, JavaScript and images. A host provides the server, the network connection, and usually a control panel to manage files, email and databases.
Domain vs hosting
A domain is your address; hosting is the place the site lives. They are separate products, often sold together. You can buy a domain in one place and point it to hosting somewhere else.
Main types of hosting
- Static hosting: serves prebuilt files. Fast and simple, ideal for portfolios and documentation.
- Shared hosting: many sites share one server. Affordable and usually includes a control panel such as cPanel.
- VPS hosting: a virtual slice of a server with guaranteed resources and more control, but more responsibility.
- Dedicated hosting: an entire physical server for one customer.
- Managed WordPress hosting: tuned for WordPress, with updates and caching handled for you.
What to look at next
Once the basics are clear, read how to choose web hosting, then compare shared hosting and VPS before deciding.