Table of contents

What is web hosting?Web hosting featuresTypes of web hostingHow hosting worksWeb hosting vs domain nameHow to choose a hosting providerHosting optionsAdditional resources

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What is web hosting?

Reliable web hosting is crucial for maintaining a strong online presence. It affects your website’s speed, security, and overall performance, which can impact user experience and search engine rankings. Ultimately, good website hosting is essential for good business performance.

Web hosting overview

Web hosting is a service that stores your website’s files on a server and makes them accessible on the internet. These files include text, images, code, and databases. Hosting providers manage these servers and provide internet connectivity. This makes your website accessible to users worldwide.

Key elements of web hosting:

Accessibility: How easily users can reach your website online, influenced by factors like server reliability and network speed.
Bandwidth: The amount of data your website can transfer to visitors over a period, affecting how much traffic your site can handle.
Control panels: User-friendly dashboards (like cPanel or Plesk) that help you manage website settings, domains, emails, and files.
Cost: The price you pay for hosting services, which varies based on features, resources, and support levels.
Disk space: The physical space on a server used to store your website’s files, emails, databases, and media.
DNS (Domain Name System): A system that translates your domain name into an IP address, directing visitors to the correct web server.
Domain name: The human-readable address (like example.com) that points users to your website’s hosted files.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP): A standard method for uploading, downloading, and managing files on your web server from a local computer.
Functionality: Refers to the hosting features that support your site’s operations, like scripting languages, email services, and databases.
Managed support: Hosting plans that include expert help with server setup, updates, security, and troubleshooting.
Security: Protects your website and data from threats like malware, DDoS attacks, and unauthorized access through tools like firewalls and SSL.
Storage: The total space available on the server for your website content, including files, images, scripts, and backups.
Types: Hosting comes in various forms—shared, VPS, dedicated, and cloud—each offering different levels of performance, control, and scalability.
Uptime: The percentage of time your website stays online and accessible, with good hosts aiming for 99.9% or higher.

Web hosting types:

Shared hosting: Multiple websites share server resources, making it an affordable but less secure option. Best for small personal websites and beginners on a tight budget.
Cloud hosting: Websites are hosted across a network of virtual servers. Best for users who prioritize scalability.
VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting: A server is divided into virtual sections with allocated resources for each user, offering more control and performance than shared hosting. Best for developers and businesses that need reliability and security without the spend of a dedicated server.
Dedicated hosting: An entire physical server dedicated to one client, with full control, high performance, and enhanced security. Best for large websites or apps with high traffic, strict security/compliance needs, or custom software requirements.
GPU hosting: A type of hosting that includes servers equipped with GPUs, designed to accelerate tasks like AI, machine learning, video rendering, and 3D modeling. Best for developers, researchers, and content creators running compute-intensive workloads.
WordPress hosting: A shared, cloud, VPS, or dedicated hosting environment optimized specifically for WordPress sites, often with pre-installed tools and performance enhancements. Best for WordPress users who want speed, security, and ease of use tailored to their CMS.
Managed hosting: A shared, cloud, VPS, or dedicated hosting service where the provider handles server maintenance, updates, security, and performance. Best for site owners who want expert technical support and don’t want to manage server tasks themselves.

How does web hosting work?

File storage: Your website consists of various files and data that need storage.
Server: These files are stored on a web server that’s always connected to the internet.
Access: When users type your website address, their browser sends a request to the server.
Display: The server sends your website files back to the browser, which displays your website.

When a user types your website address into their browser, their computer sends a request to the server where your website is hosted. The server then responds by sending the requested files back to the user’s browser, which displays the website.

This process ensures your website is available 24/7 to visitors worldwide. This process happens in milliseconds, allowing for seamless digital experiences. The speed and efficiency of this interaction depend on factors like server performance, website optimization, and the user’s internet connection.

There are different types of web hosting, including VPS hosting, cloud hosting, and dedicated server hosting. Each type caters to different needs and applications, offering varying levels of resources, control, and scalability.

Hosting providers offer an array of services and features beyond basic file storage. These may include automatic backups, content delivery networks (CDNs), SSL certificates, and one-click software installations to enhance website functionality and security.

Why is web hosting important?

Accessibility: Web hosting ensures your website is available to users anytime, anywhere in the world.
Technical management: Hosting providers handle server maintenance, security updates, and connectivity issues.
Infrastructure: You can rent server space instead of buying and maintaining expensive equipment.

What is an example of a web host?

Common examples of web hosts include:

GoDaddy: Popular for domain registration and basic hosting.
Bluehost: WordPress-recommended hosting provider.
AWS (Amazon Web Services): Enterprise-level cloud hosting.
Hostinger: Budget-friendly shared hosting.
Liquid Web: Managed hosting for businesses.

Website hosting essentially rents space on a server for your website’s files. This server maintains a constant internet connection, ensuring your website is available to visitors at any time.

Web hosting providers offer various plans to suit different needs, from small personal blogs to large e-commerce sites. These plans include features like storage space, bandwidth, email accounts, and technical support.

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Web hosting vs domain name

Web hosting and domain names are distinct but interconnected components of establishing an online presence. A domain name is your website’s address on the internet, like “example.com”. It’s what users type into their browsers to find your site.

Website hosting, on the other hand, is the service that stores your website files and makes them accessible online. Think of the domain as your street address and hosting as the physical building where your website “lives.”

While you can purchase domain names and hosting separately, many providers offer both services. Linking your domain to your hosting account allows visitors to access your website using your chosen domain name.

Types of web hosting

Examples of web hosting include shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, and cloud hosting. Each type provides different levels of resources, control, and scalability.

Shared hosting

Shared hosting is when multiple websites share one server. Websites share CPU, RAM, and storage resources. This is the most affordable hosting type. Small businesses, personal websites, and blogs often use shared hosting.

Key features include:

Managed server maintenance by the hosting provider.
Control panel access for management tasks.
One‑click software installations.
Basic security features.

Shared hosting has limited resources, so performance may decline during traffic spikes. Server configurations cannot be customized extensively.

VPS hosting

Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting divides a physical server into multiple virtual servers. Each VPS has a reserved CPU, RAM, and storage. This provides more control and consistency compared to shared hosting.

Key features include:

Balances affordability and performance.
Scalable to handle traffic growth.
Root access for server customization.
Greater stability and security than shared hosting.

VPS hosting is commonly used by medium‑sized businesses, e‑commerce stores, and developers who need configuration freedom.

Learn more about virtual private servers →

Cloud hosting

Cloud hosting uses a network of connected servers instead of relying on a single machine. Resources are distributed across multiple servers, improving uptime and load handling.

Key features include:

High reliability through redundancy.
On‑demand scalability.
Load balancing and automated backups.

Cloud hosting suits websites with fluctuating traffic, applications needing high availability, and businesses that prefer pay‑as‑you‑go pricing.

Dedicated hosting

Dedicated hosting provides one physical server for a single client. All CPU, RAM, and storage resources are reserved for that client’s websites or applications.

Key features include:

Full control of operating system and software configuration.
Consistent high performance.
Customizable server environment.

This type of hosting is used for high‑traffic websites, complex business applications, and organizations with strict compliance or security requirements. Dedicated hosting usually requires advanced technical expertise to manage.

Learn more about dedicated servers →

Bare metal hosting

Bare metal hosting is a single‑tenant dedicated server without virtualization. Users access the physical hardware directly, which maximizes performance.

Key features include:

No virtualization overhead, enabling faster I/O and CPU performance.
Custom hardware configuration options.
Strong isolation for security and compliance.

Bare metal hosting is used for large databases, machine learning workloads, and other resource‑intensive applications.

Learn more about bare metal →

WordPress hosting

WordPress hosting is optimized specifically for WordPress websites. It streamlines installation, updates, and performance tuning for the CMS.

Key features include:

One‑click WordPress installation.
Automatic updates for WordPress core and plugins.
WordPress‑specific caching systems.
Security measures such as firewalls and malware scanning..

This hosting type is commonly used by bloggers, small businesses, and developers working extensively with WordPress.

Reseller hosting

Reseller hosting allows individuals or agencies to sell hosting services under their own brand. The reseller purchases server resources in bulk and allocates them to clients.

One‑click WordPress installation.
WordPress‑specific caching systems.
Automatic updates for WordPress core and plugins.
Security measures such as firewalls and malware scanning..

Reseller hosting is typically used by web designers, developers, or entrepreneurs starting hosting businesses without managing server infrastructure.

Key elements of web hosting

Bandwidth

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data your website can transfer to visitors over time. Higher bandwidth allows more simultaneous visitors and supports media-rich content, ensuring smooth user experiences, even during traffic spikes.

Disk space

Storage space determines how much content your website can hold. It’s crucial for websites with numerous pages, large media files, or extensive databases. Adequate storage ensures your site can grow without limitations.

Email management

Many hosting plans include email services, allowing you to create professional email addresses using your domain name. This feature typically includes webmail access, spam filtering, and the ability to set up multiple email accounts.

File transfer protocol (FTP)

File transfer protocol (FTP) enables you to upload, download, and manage website files on your server. It’s essential for updating your website content, especially if your site is not using a content management system (CMS).

Dashboards and control panels

Control panels like cPanel, Plesk, or InterWorx provide user-friendly interfaces to manage various aspects of your hosting account. They simplify tasks such as file management, database creation, and email configuration.

Uptime guarantees

Uptime refers to the percentage of time your website is accessible online. Many hosts offer uptime guarantees, often 99.9% or higher, ensuring your site remains available to visitors with minimal downtime.

Security

Web hosting security features protect your website from threats like malware and hacking attempts. These may include firewalls, malware scanning, SSL certificates, and regular security updates to keep your site safe.

Storage

Storage refers to the amount of disk space allocated on a server to store your website’s files, including HTML, images, videos, and databases. The more content your site has, the more storage you need to ensure everything loads properly for visitors.

Support

Technical support is crucial for resolving hosting-related issues quickly. Quality hosts offer 24/7 support through various channels like live chat, phone, and email, helping you maintain your website’s performance and accessibility.

Managed VPS hosting services can help

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How to choose a web hosting provider

Selecting the right web hosting provider is crucial for your website’s success. It requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure your site’s performance, reliability, and scalability.

1. Bandwidth and storage

Ensure the hosting plan provides sufficient resources for your current and future needs. Bandwidth determines how much data your site can transfer to visitors, while storage dictates how much content you can host.

Consider your website’s size, expected traffic, and growth projections when evaluating these resources. Look for plans that offer scalable options or unmetered bandwidth to accommodate traffic spikes or future expansion.

2. Scalability

Look for providers offering easy upgrades as your website grows. Scalability is crucial for accommodating increased traffic and resource needs without disrupting your site.

Make sure the host offers seamless upgrades to higher-tier plans or different hosting types (e.g., from shared to VPS). Also, consider if they provide load balancing or content delivery network (CDN) options for improved performance as your site expands.

3. Reliability

Check uptime guarantees and server performance metrics. Aim for providers offering at least 99.9% uptime guarantees. Research the host’s track record for reliability and read customer reviews about actual performance. Look for information about their data center infrastructure, redundancy measures, and disaster recovery plans to ensure your site remains accessible even in unforeseen circumstances.

4. Security features

Evaluate included security measures like SSL certificates and malware protection. Consider hosts that offer regular malware scanning, firewalls, DDoS protection, and automated backups. Check if they provide free SSL certificates or easy integration with third-party security services.

For e-commerce sites or those handling sensitive data, look for hosts compliant with relevant security standards (e.g., PCI-DSS).

5. Customer support

Assess the availability and quality of technical assistance. Look for 24/7 support through multiple channels (e.g., live chat, phone, email, ticketing system). Consider the responsiveness and expertise of the support team. Some hosts offer premium support options for more personalized assistance, so check for support tiers. Ask if they provide comprehensive knowledge bases, tutorials, or community forums for self-help options.

6. Price and contract terms

Compare costs and understand any long-term commitments or hidden fees, like setup fees, domain registration costs, or charges for additional services.

Then, evaluate the long-term, overall value: Consider renewal prices, included features across different plans and providers, the flexibility of contracts, and any money-back guarantees.

What web hosting options does Liquid Web provide?

Liquid Web offers the most comprehensive suite of hosting services in the industry – from fully managed VPS hosting to self-managed dedicated servers, and everything in between.

A hosting leader for decades, we provide expert support 24/7, 99.999% uptime, hassle-free hosting migrations, the fastest servers, and the tightest security. Check out our most popular hosting services below, and if you’re not sure where to start, our experts are always available.