Building your own website is one of the most fulfilling and empowering experiences you can have. You’ve written all the content, spent hours perfecting the aesthetic appeal of your site, and even purchased your dream domain name. Now what? Do you need web hosting for your domain in order to get your website live on the internet?
It is absolutely critical for every website to have web hosting. Your domain is simply your address on the internet – it’s what people type into their browser to find your website. In order for your website to be visible to anyone online, it must be hosted on a physical web server. Without web hosting, your domain name would lead to a dead end.
Fortunately, web hosting isn’t at all rocket science. In fact, it’s relatively inexpensive and you can get one set up within a day or two! In this article, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about web hosting – what it is, why you need it, and how to get started. We’ll also recommend some of our favorite web hosting providers to get you started. Let’s jump in!
What Exactly Is Web Hosting?
In order to understand web hosting, it’s first important to understand a little bit about how the internet works. When you type a URL into your browser and hit enter, your computer sends a request over the internet to the server where that website is hosted. The server then sends the requested information back to your computer, which displays it in your browser.
This process happens incredibly quickly – so quickly that you probably don’t even notice it happening. But it’s important to understand that, without a web server, your website would simply be inaccessible to anyone trying to visit it.
Web servers are powerful computers that are specifically designed to host websites. They usually come equipped with large amounts of storage space and high-speed internet connections. When you purchase web hosting, you’re essentially renting space on one of these servers. This is where your website’s files and data will be stored and served to anyone who visits your domain.
Difference Between Web Hosting and Domain Names
Before we move ahead, let’s take a quick look at the difference between web hosting and domain names.
| Web Hosting | Domain Names |
| Web hosting is the space on a server where your website’s files and data are stored. | Domain names are your website’s address on the internet. |
| Web hosting is what enables your website to be accessible online. | Domain names are how people find your website online. |
| Web hosting requires the use of physical servers. | Domain names are registered in the DNS (Domain Name System) – also called the phonebook of the internet. |
| Web hosting providers offer different plans with different features and price points, payable monthly or yearly | Domain names can be purchased from many different providers and usually only cost a few dollars paid on an annual basis. |
Pro Tip: Here’s a simple parallel to easily remember the difference between web hosting and domain names – think of web hosting as renting an apartment, and domain names as your address. Just like you need an address to tell people where your apartment is, you need a domain name to tell people where your website is. Once people follow your domain name to your website’s address, they’ll be able to access your website (on the web host) just like they would enter your apartment!
How Can I Get Web Hosting for My Website?
Now that you understand how important web hosting is, you’re probably wondering how you can get started. There are two different ways in which you can start web hosting – you can either purchase it from a web hosting provider, or you can set up your own web server.
- Setting up your own web server: If you’re feeling ambitious and want to set up your own server, you can go ahead and do that. However, it’s important to note that this option requires a significant investment of time and money. Not only do you need to purchase the hardware for your server, but you also need to install the necessary software and keep it updated. Plus, you’ll need to ensure that your server has a high-speed internet connection with sufficient bandwidth. Unless you’re an experienced computer engineer, we don’t recommend this option.
- Purchasing web hosting from a provider: The vast majority of people opt for this option, as it’s much simpler and more affordable. When you purchase web hosting, you’re essentially renting space on a server that’s already been set up and is being maintained by a professional. This takes a lot of the hassle out of the equation, and frees you up to focus on other aspects of your website.
Plus, most web hosting providers offer a wide range of features and options, which gives you the ability to customize your hosting package to suit your specific needs. And, of course, if you ever need any help, most providers offer 24/7 customer support.
5 Steps to Get Started with Web Hosting
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started with web hosting:
Step 1: Choose A Web Hosting Provider
There are hundreds of different companies out there offering web hosting services, so it’s important to take your time and choose one that’s right for you. Some things you may want to consider include:
- Pricing: How much are you willing to spend?
- Features: What features are you looking for?
- Customer support: What level of customer support do you need?
- Scalability: Can the provider accommodate your future needs?
Some web hosting providers even offer domain names, which can simplify the process even further. Check out our webhosting packages.
Step 2: Register Your Domain Name
If your web hosting provider offers domain name registrations, well and good. If not, you’ll need to register your domain name with a separate provider. Here are some of the best domain name providers:
- NameCheap
- Domain.com
- Google Domains
- Dreamhost
- Hover
Step 3: Set Up Your Hosting Account
Once you’ve chosen a provider and registered your domain name, it’s time to set up your hosting account. This is usually a simple process that just requires you to fill out a few forms with your personal and billing information.
Step 4: Select Your Hosting Plan
Once you’ve created your account, you’ll need to select a hosting plan. This is where you’ll need to decide how much space and bandwidth you need, as well as what other features you want. Most providers will usually give you three main types of plans:
- Shared Hosting: Shared hosting is the most popular and affordable option. As the name suggests, you’ll be sharing the server with other websites. This means that the resources will be split among all the different sites, which can sometimes lead to slower speeds. Best for small to medium sized websites with low to moderate traffic levels.
- VPS Hosting: VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting is a step up from shared hosting. With VPS, you’ll still be sharing the server with other websites, but each site will have its own dedicated resources. This means that your site won’t be affected by the traffic levels of other sites on the same server. Best for medium sized websites with moderate to high traffic levels.
- Dedicated Hosting: Dedicated hosting is the most expensive option, but it’s also the most flexible and powerful. With dedicated hosting, you’ll have your own server that’s not shared with anyone else. This means that you’ll have complete control over the resources and can customize the server to suit your specific needs. Best for large websites with high traffic levels.
Step 5: Publish Your Website
Once you’ve selected your hosting plan, it’s time to publish your website. This usually just requires you to login to your hosting account and use the provided tools to upload your website files. Alternatively, you can use FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to upload your files directly from your computer to your server.
That’s it! You’re now the proud owner of a website that’s hosted on the World Wide Web. Congratulations!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about web hosting.
Q.1. What is the cost of web hosting per month?
A. On an average, most entry level shared hosting plans cost between $3-$22, VPS plans cost around $25-$100, while dedicated hosting plans can range from $100-$500 per month. However, these prices can vary depending on the specific features and resources offered by the provider.
Q.2. Does it matter where I purchase my domain name from?
A. No, it doesn’t matter where you purchase your domain name from. You can register your domain name with any provider of your choice. At the end of the day, a domain is just a domain, and there are no real advantages or disadvantages to using one provider over another. The only difference would be in the price that you pay, as some providers may offer discounts or special deals on domain names.
Q.3. Is it cheaper to get a domain name and web hosting from the same provider?
A. Yes! Most companies actually provide a free domain name when you sign up for web hosting with them. And, in some cases, they may even offer a discounted rate if you purchase both services from them. So, it’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking to save some money.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this article has helped you to better understand what web hosting is and how it works. Armed with this knowledge, you’re now in a much better position to select the perfect hosting plan for your website! So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get your website up and running today!