A web host stores the files that make up your website. Every website is made up of a number of files that are accessed every time a user visits and loads your website. Web hosting is the storage of these files, folders, and data.
For a user to access all of those files, they need to be placed on a server. Web hosting providers will store all of your website’s files on their server, for a fee, allowing users worldwide to have access to your website.
Every website on the internet needs to have web hosting. Web hosting companies present users with all of the files that make up your website when they load up your web pages.
There are different types of web hosting options, and the one you need will differ depending on your website.
Shared hosting: this is where your website will be hosted on a server alongside multiple other websites. The cost of shared hosting is usually pretty low, so it’s the ideal option for entry-level websites.
Dedicated hosting: this is where you exclusively rent a server, and your website is the only one that’s stored and hosted on it. This will give you extensive control over the admin and security of your server – however, it’s also the most expensive option.
VPS hosting: VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a middle ground between shared and dedicated hosting. Each website is stored within its own space within the server, yet still shares the wider, physical server with other users.
