The web hosting explained
Web hosting explained here! Web hosting is one of the basic technologies of the Internet – there will be no websites without web hosting. Business users face different available host models on the market. Even private website operators cannot avoid understanding the basics of web hosting if they want to choose a suitable web server provider and the right server product.
Web hosting expalined: What does web hosting mean?
Web hosting is a provider offering storage space on a server (webspace) for publishing websites.
Websites & Homepages are similar to text documents in this respect. In order to call up documents again and again, they can be stored on the hard disk of the computer. To ensure that website content can be accessed at any time and from anywhere in the world – from a computer or cell phone – the website must be stored on a powerful server that is connected to the Internet around the clock twenty-four hours.
In this way, the website created is available online at all times and the content can be accessed by users worldwide. Such servers are usually provided by professional web hosting providers.
Who needs web hosting?
The Web Hosting explained: Anyone (businesses and private) who wants to publish a website on the Internet must – in whatever form – make use of web hosting. Whether it’s a blog, a corporate website with CMS, an online store or an online magazine – web hosting is part of the technological basis for publishing content on the web.
It does not matter whether it is a private or professional online project. For companies, it can make economic sense to operate their server through which they place their website on the Internet. For private individuals, the costs of operating their server are usually too high, so they rent a webspace from a provider. For companies, too, it can be worthwhile to use external web hosting when looking at the overall picture.
How does web hosting work?
Web hosting ensures that users can enter a domain name into their browser and have the appropriate website content displayed. To do this, the website creator must first register a domain and then store content on a web hosting provider’s server. The domain name system (DNS) is used to link the domain name and the server. For this purpose, the information under which IP addresses of a certain domain can be found is stored on name servers. If a user now calls up a URL, the domain name is resolved into an IP address and the corresponding address is searched for on the Internet. If successful, the website is displayed to the user.
Since hardware failures can occur, many hosting providers use multiple servers for a domain (high availability). This way, the resolution of the request can be carried out successfully even if one server is offline. Additional performance can be achieved with a content delivery network (CDN): Content is duplicated on multiple data centers and thus distributed around the world. This way, even users who are far away from the actual web hosting provider can achieve fast loading times even when your customer is on the other side of the globe.
A typical web hosting package includes...
Web Hosting explained: A typical web hosting offer also includes a 1) database, a 2) PHP installation an 3) SL certificate, and applications like 4) WordPress (WP) that can be installed. Nowadays, almost no online presence can do without these basic web technologies. That is why many include them as a matter of course in their hosting packages.
What services does web hosting include beside storage space?
What services does web hosting include besides the provision of storage space (usually few Gigabytes (GB) to few Terabytes (TB))? Depending on the type of hosting chosen, web hosting consists of different elements. The basic scope of every provider is the provision of webspace and web servers, i.e., the linking of domain names with the webspace. In addition, users can book further services.
Especially in the area of shared hosting and managed hosting, e-mail services and 1-click installations of CMSs such as WordPress (WP) or TYPO3 are also offered in different packages or for an additional charge with the webspace.
Web hosting explained: Services that are offered from hosting providers
Web hosting explained:
- Domain-Transfer and Domain Purchase
- E-Mail-Service (also creating your own business domain)
- Content Management System (CMS), e.g. WordPress (WP)
- Backup-Service (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Database-Backend (access your data)
- High availability (SSD, CDN and multiple locations)
- SSL-Certificate (make secure “https” out of “http” web pages)
- Statistical Analysis (who visited my webpage?)
- Technical Support (Help me!)
- Monitoring (informing me when something is unusual with my homepage)
- Choice of the Server-location (choice of country, e.g. has effect on more strict or less strict data protection law
- Cyber Security Features
Take a look at all the fantastic Internet services the best choice web host 2022 from Dr. Davids
Anyone who wants to publish a website can choose between different types of web hosting. Here is an overview of the most relevant hosting options in the corporate context.
1. Free hosting (the cheapest web hosting)
Free hosting: the cheapest web hosting option is only listed here for completeness. With ad-financed hosting, there are no fees, but users must expect severe restrictions in configuration freedom and performance. Since it makes no economic sense for companies to display third-party ads on their websites, this option is not suitable for businesses. However, it is a free offer and a great opportunity to get know the server provider, the web platform and the vendor company. At Dr. David (David Care), we advise not to invest extensive project time using any free offer for web hosting. Take a look at our Top Pick web host provider.
2. Shared Hosting (web host option for most private webpages and small businesses)
Shared hosting: This form of hosting is one of the most common. Here, several web hosting accounts (websites) are hosted on one and the same server. They share the hardware resources and the bandwidth of the system. However, the operators of one account do not have direct access to the data of another account. Both private and smaller professional users choose this form of hosting with relatively low fees. Security aspects speak against shared hosting – after all, the data is stored on a shared server together with external company data. Performance is also limited because resources are used jointly. If you operate a high-traffic site and want to ensure fast loading times, you are more likely to opt for hosting on a single server. As you share the server, your website also shares the IP address with other customers. Take a look at our Top Pick web host provider.
3. Virtual Dedicated Web Servers (good for small-sized companies)
Virtual dedicated web servers: Virtual dedicated servers offer more security. Here, companies share the hardware of a server, but their accounts are created separately as their own virtual systems. Users usually have more extensive configuration options here than shared hosting offers.
4. Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting: With this new form of hosting, website content is located on interconnected (clustered) servers. This distributes the workload better and performance weaknesses of shared hosting can be compensated for to a certain point, while costs remain moderate. Cloud hosting is criticized in terms of data protection. If the hosting provider does not take appropriate security precautions, sensitive data can more easily fall into the wrong hands.
5. Dedicated Server
Dedicated servers: Similar to the virtual dedicated server, a company’s data is stored here clearly separated from other customers of the hosting provider – in this case on its own physical server, a completely separate device. The advantage: This allows you to use the full bandwidth of the system for your online presence. Companies also get full administration access and can configure the server independently. Often you get your own dedicated IPv4 address with this option. Take a look at our Top Pick web host provider.
6. Managed Hosting Server
Managed Hosting Server: Here, the user’s website content is stored on its own server, but the user does not get full control over the hardware as with the dedicated server. The configuration options are more limited. In return, the web host takes over administration and maintenance and relieves the company’s IT resources. Take a look at our Top Pick web host provider.
7. Server Housing (Colacation Web Hosting)
Server housing / colocation web hosting: With this form of hosting, a hosting provider provides companies with a space for their servers. Configuration, administration, and maintenance are completely in the hands of the company. This form is intended for companies that use their hardware, but want their servers to be in a professional environment. Colocation web hosting is one of the most costly hosting options.
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