What Does a Website Host Actually Do?
There are currently more than 1.5 billion websites on the internet. Let that sink in.
A lot goes into getting a website up and running from the initial concept to the site going live. One of the most important elements is the hosting service. The hosting service that you use for your website will make a huge difference in terms of the quality of your site and the results that come from it. You might be thinking, will it really though?
Let me put it this way. Once we tell you what a website host is and what it actually does, you’ll want to hug us. Which will be awkward for you to hug a computer, luckily, we don’t judge.
What Is a Website Host?
A website host is a service that provides a space for individuals or organizations to store their website files, making them accessible to users. These files will typically be things like HTML and CSS as well as other content and media that make up a website. All of these can be stored on a server, then people can visit the site through any device that's connected to the internet.
Web hosts generally operate, maintain, and configure physical servers. Once your site is stored on one of these, users can enter your website URL and it will connect them to the server so that they can actually see your page.
Types of Web Hosting Services
So now you have a clearer idea about Web Hosts, here are the range of website hosting service types. They work in different ways. So knowing how they work will help you decide which is best for your website.
Shared
Sharing is caring! Which is why this is the most common type of hosting. Multiple websites share a single server. As these sites are sharing one server, they also share the resources that it has, such as storage space and bandwidth. Basic websites with low traffic will work fine on a shared server.
Dedicated
A dedicated server is one that's used by a single website. If you use one of these you'll have more control over the server, and your site will be the only one using its resources. These are generally ideal for websites that need a lot more resources to operate properly.
VPS
A VPS (virtual private server) is similar to a shared server, but you'll have specified amounts of resources. If you need more resources than a shared server can offer, this can be a good solution.
Cloud
Cloud computing has made cloud hosting possible, where your website can be hosted across multiple servers. This makes it incredibly easy to scale your site up or down as and when needed.
What Is Domain Hosting?
Domain hosting is a service provided by domain hosts (domain name registrars). Who? What? Why?
The domain website hosts purpose is to host different domain names, which are what users type into the address bar when wanting to access a specific website.
A domain host will use DNS (domain name system) records to link your website's domain with the IP address of the server it's on. The domain name is the first thing a person will see when visiting a site, so it's best to have your brand name, or something suitable for your brand.
You can create your own domain name, or some website hosts offer domain registration services. Doing it through your host can make things a bit easier as you'll be able to manage your website hosting and domain hosting through one account. That is what we recommend our clients at Your WP Guy do anyway!
Why Is Web Hosting Important to Your Small Business?
Website hosting is crucial for making it possible for people to access your website. While self hosting is technically free, hosting a website yourself is often quite impractical. You need to have your server turned on and connected to the internet at all times, which presents several drawbacks:
- High electricity bills
- Website issues in power outages
- Complicated to set up
- Poor search engine rankings
Yeah, no thanks to any of that.
There are many benefits of website hosting with a hosting provider. For starters, it's much easier as they'll take care of all the administration. You won't need to go through the lengthy setup process or manage the server moving forward.
Using a web hosting service will generally improve your SEO (search engine optimization). This is one of the most important elements for increasing traffic to your website. You're also likely to experience better speeds and reliability from your site. Bring on the fast and furious!
Many web hosts also have control panels that you can use to adjust your website as needed. This includes things like domain names, media files, and website applications.
What to Look For in a Web Hosting Service
There are plenty of website hosting services out there. When trying to find the ideal one, there are several things that you should look for in a good website host.
Reliability
Many consider this to be the most important factor. Any downtime can cause losses for your business, so you want a provider that's going to keep your website up and running consistently.
Speed
If your website is too slow, visitors will quickly move on to a competitor's site. Having a host that can provide high speeds is essential.
Customer Support
While you don't want things to go wrong, it's always a possibility. If there are any issues, it helps to be able to contact the host to find out what's wrong. Some website hosting services have 24/7 customer support, so you can get assistance at any time of the day.
Security
Cybersecurity is crucial, so you want a host that takes this seriously. Look for services such as DDoS protection and malware scanning, as these will help keep your website and its users safe.
Scalability
As your business grows, your website will grow too. If you're with a host that can't support this, you'll end up having to switch to another hosting service. Find one that can scale from the start, and you won't have to worry about this further down the line.
Pricing
Most website hosting services offer different pricing plans. Look for something that provides good value for money and is within your budget.
Your Website
You're no longer wondering "what is a website host?" but there are still many other elements to getting your website up and running. Fortunately, Your WP Guy can help with this. We offer a range of WordPress services such as plug-in updates, security monitoring, technical fixes, and more.
What Does a Website Host Actually Do? Summary
• Web hosting services provide space for users to store website files and typically operate, maintain, and configure physical servers.
• Different types of web hosting services include Shared, Dedicated, VPS, and Cloud.
• Domain hosting links a website's domain name with its IP address.
• Website hosting is important as it provides access to your site, improves SEO and increases speed and reliability.
• When looking for a web hosting service it is important to consider Reliability, Speed, Customer Support, Security, Scalability and Pricing.
If you want to make your website the best it can be, we've got you covered. To find out more about we can help you, click here to schedule an appointment.
What is the difference between web hosting and domain hosting?
Web hosting and domain hosting serve different but complementary roles in making a website accessible on the internet. Web hosting involves storing the actual website files on a server, so that users can access them when they visit your site. This includes everything from HTML and CSS files to media and content. Domain hosting, on the other hand, involves linking a domain name to the IP address of the web server where your website files are stored. While some service providers offer both web and domain hosting, they are distinct services that are often provided separately.
How do I choose the right web hosting service for my website?
Choosing the right web hosting service depends on various factors such as the type of website you are running, the expected amount of traffic, your budget, and specific technical requirements. For smaller websites or blogs, a shared hosting plan may suffice. However, if you're running a larger website or an e-commerce platform, you may need a dedicated server or VPS hosting for better performance and control. Cloud hosting is also an option for websites that need to scale quickly. Additional considerations should include reliability, customer support, security features, and speed. It's always advisable to compare different hosting providers and plans to find one that aligns with your needs.
Can I host my own website instead of using a hosting service?
Technically, yes, you can host your own website by setting up a web server on a computer and connecting it to the internet. However, this approach comes with a series of challenges and drawbacks. Hosting your own website requires technical expertise to set up and maintain the server. You'll also need to keep the server running and connected to the internet 24/7, leading to high electricity costs. Additionally, self-hosted websites often face issues like limited bandwidth, poor search engine rankings, and increased vulnerability to security threats. For these reasons, most people opt for professional web hosting services that offer reliability, speed, and security.
What is bandwidth and why is it important in web hosting?
Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred between your website and its users over a specific period, usually measured in gigabytes per month. It's an important factor in web hosting because it affects how quickly your website can load and how many users can access it simultaneously. If your website has high-quality images, videos, or receives a lot of traffic, you'll need a hosting plan with higher bandwidth to ensure a smooth user experience. Exceeding the bandwidth limit set by your hosting provider could lead to additional charges or temporary suspension of your website, which is why it's crucial to choose a plan that adequately meets your bandwidth needs.
What is uptime and why is it important for my website?
Uptime refers to the amount of time that a web server is operational and accessible to users. It is usually expressed as a percentage, such as 99.9% uptime, which indicates that the server is expected to be available 99.9% of the time. Uptime is crucial for any website, as any downtime can lead to lost revenue, decreased user trust, and poor search engine rankings. When choosing a web hosting provider, look for one that guarantees a high uptime, preferably above 99.5%, to ensure that your website remains accessible to users as much as possible.
What are the security features I should look for in a web hosting provider?
Security is a crucial aspect of web hosting, and there are several features you should consider when choosing a provider. Look for services that offer firewalls, DDoS protection, and SSL certificates to secure data transmission between your website and its users. Some hosts also offer malware scanning and removal services to protect your website files. Secure FTP (SFTP) access and the ability to create secure, unique passwords are also valuable features. Additionally, a reputable web hosting provider should perform regular backups and have a plan for disaster recovery to protect your data.
What is the difference between Shared, Dedicated, VPS, and Cloud hosting?
These terms refer to different types of web hosting services, each with their own set of features and advantages:
-
Shared Hosting: Multiple websites share the same server and its resources, including bandwidth and storage. This is generally the most economical option but may suffer from slower speeds and limited resources.
-
Dedicated Hosting: Your website is the only one hosted on a particular server, giving you full control over its resources. This is ideal for larger websites that require more power and security.
-
VPS (Virtual Private Server) Hosting: Your website is hosted on a shared server, but with dedicated portions of the server's resources. This offers more control than shared hosting without the cost of a dedicated server.
-
Cloud Hosting: Your website is hosted across multiple servers, allowing for easy scaling and generally better uptime and reliability.
Choose the type that best suits your website's needs in terms of traffic, control, scalability, and budget.
How does web hosting affect SEO?
The quality of your web hosting can significantly impact your website's search engine optimization (SEO). Factors like site speed, uptime, and security are considered by search engines when ranking websites. A slow-loading website or one that experiences frequent downtime will likely rank lower in search engine results. Moreover, search engines prioritize websites that are secure (using HTTPS), making SSL certificates a must-have feature in your web hosting package. Therefore, choosing a reliable and high-performing web hosting service can indirectly boost your website’s SEO.
Can I switch web hosting providers easily?
Switching web hosting providers is generally a straightforward process, but it does require careful planning to minimize downtime and data loss. The steps usually involve backing up your website files and database, purchasing a plan with the new provider, uploading your files to the new server, and then updating your DNS settings to point to the new server. Some hosting providers offer migration services that can make this process easier. Before making the switch, ensure you have backups of all your data and consult both your current and future hosting providers for specific guidance.
What are the key factors to consider when choosing a web hosting provider for a small business?
When selecting a web hosting provider for a small business, consider the following key factors:
-
Reliability: Choose a provider with high uptime guarantees to ensure your website is always accessible.
-
Speed: Fast loading times are crucial for user experience and SEO.
-
Customer Support: Opt for a provider with responsive and knowledgeable customer service that can assist you in case of issues or queries.
-
Security: Look for features like SSL certificates, firewalls, and DDoS protection to keep your website secure.
-
Scalability: Select a hosting plan that can grow with your business, whether that means upgrading your current package or easily migrating to a different type of hosting.
-
Pricing: While it's tempting to go for the cheapest option, remember that you often get what you pay for. Consider the value each provider offers, including any additional features or services that may benefit your business.
Choosing the right web hosting provider is a crucial decision that can significantly impact the performance and success of your small business website.