What Is Web Hosting? (And Why Do I Need It?)
ReRegistering a domain name is the first box you need to tick if you want to set up a website for your business. However, by itself, a domain name does not enable you to build a website. To build a website, you also need web hosting.
What is Web Hosting?
A web host is how and where your website lives. The way this works is your domain name gets assigned to a web hosting package which is actually server space. The server is owned by a hosting company that manages the server for you.
In other words, your web host provides your web hosting.
It’s important not to mix the two up, so here’s a distinction between the two:
- A web host is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for your website to be viewed on the Internet.
- Web hosting refers to the product of hosting itself, which is essentially rented space on a server in return for a monthly or annual fee.
It’s important to point out that you do not need a web host for web hosting. You can do it yourself with a server. However, because of a web host’s access to state-of-the-art hardware, the added value of support and massive uptime, and the fact you need no expertise to open a host account (versus configuring your own server and managing it) means web hosting is the best option for most people.
Why Do You Need Web Hosting?
Web hosting is essential because it ensures that your website is accessible to anyone on the Internet. Without web hosting, your website’s files would not be stored on a server, and users would be unable to view your site. Hosting companies provide the infrastructure and support needed to keep your website online and running smoothly, offering various features like email accounts, databases, and technical support.
Moreover, web hosting services often include security measures, backup solutions, and high uptime guarantees, which are critical for maintaining your website’s performance and reliability. This makes professional web hosting a cost-effective and practical solution for businesses and individuals looking to establish a robust online presence.
By choosing a reputable web host, you ensure that your website is not only live but also secure, fast, and reliable, providing a better experience for your visitors and potential customers.
How Web Hosting Works
Web hosting is essentially rented server space.
Rather than have your own physical server under your desk, you rent server space from a company that provides it as a service. This is true of all types of third-party hosting, which is an important point to make because in your search for web hosting, you’ll come across three main types:
- Dedicated Hosting
- VPS (Virtual Private Server) Hosting
- Shared Hosting
At UKHost4U, we offer a range of hosting solutions designed to meet the needs of different websites and applications. Whether you are running a small personal blog, a growing e-commerce site, or a large enterprise application, we have the right hosting plan for you.
By renting server space, you benefit from the expertise and infrastructure of the hosting provider, ensuring your website is always up and running smoothly. This allows you to focus on your content and business, while we handle the technical aspects of server management.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting provides you with exclusive access to a single server for your website. This is the most powerful type of hosting because you get access to the server’s RAM, CPU, and storage without the resources being split, unlike with VPS hosting. For websites that require a significant amount of resources, this is the optimal choice.
Pros
- Highly configurable: You have complete control over the server’s configuration, allowing you to tailor it to your specific needs.
- The most powerful choice for resource-heavy sites: Ideal for websites or applications that need substantial processing power and storage.
- Won’t be affected by anyone else’s server: Since the server is dedicated solely to your website, you don’t have to worry about other users impacting your server’s performance.
- Scalable architecture: Depending on the hardware, you can scale your server’s resources as your website grows.
Cons
- Expensive: Dedicated hosting tends to be the most costly option due to the exclusive use of the server.
- Not really relevant to smaller websites: Smaller websites or those with minimal traffic may not need the extensive resources provided by dedicated hosting, making it an impractical choice for them.
VPS Hosting
VPS hosting also utilizes a server; however, the server’s resources are split to create a number of virtual private servers. In other words, it is one physical server that functions like several separate servers. The server uses software (a hypervisor) that gives each website its own private space with its own resources. This space is reserved just for you with guaranteed minimum resources. For smaller sites, VPS hosting is often all you need.
The downside to VPS hosting is it isn’t as powerful as dedicated hosting. The upside is it costs considerably less.
Pros
- You get your own private server space: Each VPS operates independently, ensuring your resources are not shared with other users.
- Cheaper than a dedicated server for most: VPS hosting offers a more affordable solution while still providing dedicated resources.
- The performance is plenty for most websites: Adequate for the majority of websites, providing a good balance between performance and cost.
Cons
- Not as scalable as a dedicated server: While you can scale up, it’s not as seamless or extensive as with dedicated hosting.
- Not as configurable as a dedicated server: There are some limitations compared to the complete control you get with dedicated hosting.
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is a cost-effective solution where multiple websites are hosted on the same server. Unlike VPS hosting, where you get your own virtual space with dedicated resources, shared hosting means your domain shares resources like CPU, RAM, and storage with other website owners on the same server. This shared environment makes it the most affordable option but can lead to performance issues as you scale.
Pros
- The cheapest option: Shared hosting is the most budget-friendly choice, making it ideal for small websites and personal blogs.
- Absolutely fine for small sites: For smaller websites, such as those running on WordPress, shared hosting provides sufficient performance and functionality.
Cons
- Shared resources mean performance uncertainty: Because resources are shared with other users, your website’s performance can be impacted by the activity on other websites on the same server.
The Domain Name and Hosting Relationship
Now that you understand how web hosting works, let’s explore the relationship between a domain name and web hosting. Essentially, your domain name is what people type into their web browser to visit your site. When someone enters your domain name, the web host (server) receives that request and delivers your website to their browser almost instantly.
To visualize this, think of it like this: imagine a house with a long path leading up to it. Your domain name is the path, and your web hosting (server) is the house. Your website and its files are the contents inside the house.
Registering a domain name is the first step to establishing your online presence. At UKHost4U, we make it easy to register a domain name and connect it to your web hosting package seamlessly.
Creating the Link
As you may have grasped by now, domain names and web hosting are rather useless without each other. You cannot use a domain name without web hosting or vice versa. You need both to create a website for your business. Most people purchase the two together, but this isn’t necessary. You can purchase a domain from any domain registrar.
So, you might ask, “how do you link a domain with a hosting package?” The answer to this question is simple: nameservers.
A nameserver is a server permanently connected to the Internet. All web hosts have them. When you buy a domain name, you point the domain to these nameservers, and the nameserver will create the connection as long as you have a hosting package. Once you’ve changed the nameservers, you need not do anything else!
Nameservers play a crucial role in directing traffic to your website. They act like a directory, translating your domain name into an IP address that browsers use to locate and display your website. This seamless connection ensures that when someone types in your domain name, they are quickly directed to your website, hosted on your web server.
What to Look for in a Web Hosting Provider
Let’s summarise everything we’ve learned so far with two points:
- A web host is how and where your website lives.
- Without anywhere to live, your website can’t exist.
That’s why you need web hosting if you want to have your own website. So, let’s move on and talk about what to look for in a web hosting provider.
Uptime
Uptime should be critical in your decision. It is a matter of reliability and your website being available for your customers. No host can guarantee 100% uptime because you cannot guarantee the unforeseen; however, an uptime of 99% is typical. High uptime ensures that your site is always accessible to your visitors, which is crucial for maintaining customer trust and ensuring continuous service.
24/7 Support
Good hosting runs like clockwork, but there’ll be times when you need to ask for a little help. A web host who is willing to provide support around the clock is invaluable. Whether you encounter a technical issue or need assistance with your hosting setup, having access to 24/7 support can make all the difference. Look for providers that offer multiple support channels, including live chat, email, and phone support. Contact our Support Team.
Scalability
As your business grows, your hosting needs will change. A good web hosting provider should offer scalable solutions that can grow with your business. This means providing options to upgrade your hosting plan easily without causing significant downtime or technical issues.
Security
Security is paramount for any website. Ensure your web hosting provider offers robust security features such as SSL certificates, regular backups, firewalls, and protection against DDoS attacks. This helps in protecting your website from potential threats and ensures that your data remains safe.
Ease of Use
An intuitive control panel is essential for managing your hosting account. Look for providers that offer user-friendly interfaces like cPanel or Plesk, which make it easier to manage files, databases, and email accounts. This can save you a lot of time and hassle, especially if you are not very tech-savvy.
Cost
While cost should not be the only factor, it is certainly an important consideration. Compare the pricing plans of different providers to ensure you are getting the best value for your money. Be wary of providers offering extremely low prices, as they may compromise on essential features or support.
Choosing the right web hosting provider is crucial for the success of your website. By considering factors such as uptime, support, scalability, security, ease of use, and cost, you can find a provider that meets your needs and helps your website thrive.ick up the phone and answer emails and support tickets quickly will be invaluable to your business.
cPanel Control Panel
cPanel puts everything you need to manage your website in one place. You may only need to use it once or twice a month, but when you do, you’ll be glad to have it because you can manage your files, email, and domains using shortcuts. This user-friendly interface simplifies complex tasks, making it easy even for those with limited technical knowledge to handle website management effectively. For more detailed guides on cPanel, you can refer to cPanel Documentation.
Free Backups
Although many web hosts run backups as a matter of course, some don’t provide the service free of charge. Backups are crucial because they can restore your website to a previous version should anything go wrong, ensuring that your data is safe and recoverable. Regular backups are an essential part of website management, offering peace of mind and security against data loss. For more on the importance of backups, you can visit this guide on website backups.
One-Click Install
Whether you plan on launching one website or a small series of them, one-click install is incredibly useful because it enables you to install a CMS like WordPress without having to create any databases yourself. The process is automated, making it easy to set up your website quickly and efficiently. This feature is especially beneficial for beginners who may not be familiar with the technical aspects of website setup.
Scalability
When we say scalability, we refer to your ability to upgrade and downgrade your hosting plan to suit your requirements. Your needs could change at any time, so it’s quite useful if your web host can accommodate this flexibility. Scalability ensures that as your website grows, or if your traffic fluctuates, you can adjust your resources accordingly without significant downtime or technical issues. This flexibility is essential for managing growing websites and adapting to changing needs.
Choosing the right web hosting provider with features like cPanel, free backups, one-click installs, and scalability can significantly enhance your website management experience. These tools and services not only simplify the process but also ensure that your website remains secure, efficient, and capable of growing with your business.
Choosing the Right Web Hosting Provider for Your Needs
There are plenty of web hosting choices out there, but it’s critical to the future of your site that you understand your needs and compare hosts in order to make the right selection.
If you’re planning to start or transfer a website, you need a quality web host that provides the tools and support you need. UKHost4u is a premier hosting company that offers a range of website packages to fit needs from personal blogs to multinational companies.
Our state-of-the-art data centers are located outside London to ensure fast and reliable access. A variety of hardware, software, security, and support features allow us to customize your hosting solution.
To learn about the benefits of UKHost4u’s services or if you need to know more about all the features we offer in our Web Hosting plans, feel free to have a look at our website or contact our support team directly.
For any queries or assistance, you can contact us and our friendly support team will be happy to help!
