What Is Web Hosting? Definitions, Examples and How It Works
If you’re launching your first site, the jargon can be overwhelming. This plain-English guide explains what web hosting is, how it works, and what type you need.
Table of contents
Simple definition
Web hosting is a service that stores your website’s files on a server connected to the internet so anyone can access them via your domain name.
How hosting works
- A visitor enters your domain name.
- DNS maps the domain to your host’s server.
- The server sends the website content via HTTP/HTTPS to the visitor’s browser.
Web hosting vs website vs domain
- Domain: Your address (e.g., example.co.za)
- Hosting: The rented space/computer where your site lives
- Website: The content and code visitors see
Common types of hosting
- Shared: Low-cost, resources shared. Great for small sites.
- VPS: Virtual private server with dedicated resources. Good for growing sites.
- Cloud: Scalable clusters with pay-as-you-grow.
- Dedicated: A whole server to yourself.
- Managed WordPress: Hosting tuned for WP with updates and staging.
Explore pros and cons in Shared vs VPS vs Cloud vs Dedicated.
Linux vs Windows hosting
- Linux: Default for PHP, WordPress, Joomla. Cheaper.
- Windows: Needed for ASP.NET, MSSQL. Niche use.
Control panels: cPanel and others
cPanel is the most popular panel for managing email, files, backups, and domains. Some hosts use custom panels (e.g., hPanel) with similar features.
Next steps