What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the business of housing, serving and maintaining files for one or more websites. As a web host, you are providing internet users services that include online systems for storing information, images, video or practically any content available on the world wide web. Web hosts provide space on a server that they own for use by their clients. Web hosts also provide internet connection and data center space. In essence, web hosting is a subscription service. The client pays a monthly or yearly fee in exchange for web space.
Web hosting is a service which allows users to post web pages to the internet. A web host, or hosting service provider (HSP), provides technologies and services which are necessary in the creation and maintenance of web sites.
After obtaining internet access, a client may inquire about web hosting services. This will allow a user to create their very own website which will allow them to disseminate their own information resources to internet users world wide. A web hosting provider offers its clients access to a web server. This will direct the client’s content to readers upon request.
There are different types of web hosting companies available today. Depending on your individual needs and budget, you can determine which type of company would best suit you. Free hosting is best suited for small sites that typically have very low traffic volume. The technical support, as well as options of free hosting are usually minimal. Users of free hosting companies are usually assigned a domain name rather than choosing their own. This type of web hosting is best suited for personal sites, where a variety of options are not needed. Free web hosting companies usually offer free email and not much else. The security options are also quite limited and little or no data base is offered.
Shared or Virtual Hosting is among the most common types of web hosting. With shared hosting, your website is most likely on a powerful server along with many other sites. Each site usually has its own domain name. Shared hosting offers many more options than free hosting. When using shared hosting, email and editing options are usually available. There is also some technical support offered with shared hosting.
Dedicated hosting is the most expensive form of web hosting. This is best suited for high traffic web sites. Dedicated hosting offers unlimited technical support and options. The email solutions, as well as database support is usually extensive.
Collocated hosting means that it is co-located. It is a web hosting option that allows its clients to place their web server on the premises of a service provider. This means that you are running your own server in a location better designed for web hosting. This type of hosting is quite expensive because it requires highly skilled technicians. The services and options in this type of hosting in unlimited. Very high security is also offered, as well as unlimited software options.
In the simplest terms, web hosting is a service that is provided that enables a person, organization or corporation to store web pages on a server which can then be seen by internet users everywhere.
Todd Mumford is co-owner and operator of GDO Web Hosting, offering state of the art web hosting with Cpanel 10, Fantastico and free setup on every new account.