Web hosting is a service that allows organizations and individuals to post a website or webpage (such as one created with WordPress) onto the Internet. A web host, or web hosting provider (such as GoDaddy, Bluehost or SiteGround etc), is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for the website or webpage to be viewed on the Internet.
When a website is hosted, the files (i.e. documents and folders – much like those you’d find on a regular computer) that the website is made from, are stored on a server that is connected to the Internet. This allows the website (which is really just made from a collection of files/documents written in code: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc) to be accessed/viewed by anyone with an Internet connection, anywhere in the world.
There are various types of web hosting available, including shared hosting, virtual private server (VPS) hosting, dedicated hosting, and cloud hosting. Each type of hosting has its own set of features and benefits, and the right one for you will depend on the specific needs of your website.
A Simple Analogy:
A web hosting service is similar to renting a physical space to store and display your products or services. Just as you would rent a physical storefront or office space to conduct business, you can rent space on a web server to host your website. This space includes the necessary technology and infrastructure to store and display your website’s content, as well as make it accessible to users on the internet.
Just as a physical storefront or office space requires utilities such as electricity and plumbing to function, a web hosting service provides the necessary technology and infrastructure to keep your website running smoothly. This includes things like a web server, a domain name, and access to the internet.
In short, a web hosting service allows you to “rent” space on a server to store and display your website, just as you would rent a physical space to conduct business.
Bonus: What is a web server? (Click to Expand)
So if that’s a web hosting, what’s web server? Here’s our super simple explanation!
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