Web hosting is a service that allows individuals or organizations to store their website files (HTML, CSS, images, databases, etc.) on a server that is connected to the internet. When someone types your website’s address (like www.example.com) into a browser, the hosting server delivers the content to them.
In simple terms:
🏠 Web Hosting is the “house” where your website lives.
🌍 Domain Name is the “address” to find that house.
⭐ Key Features of Web Hosting
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Disk Space | Storage space for your website’s files and databases. |
| Bandwidth | The amount of data that can be transferred from your site to users. |
| Uptime Guarantee | The percentage of time your website is guaranteed to be accessible (ideally 99.9%). |
| SSL Certificate | Encrypts data to secure your site (https://). |
| Email Hosting | Create custom email addresses like you@yourdomain.com. |
| Control Panel (cPanel) | Interface to manage your hosting: files, emails, domains, etc. |
| Database Support | Support for databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc. |
| Backup & Security | Automatic backups, malware protection, firewalls. |
| Technical Support | 24/7 help via chat, ticket, or phone. |
🏷️ Types of Web Hosting Services
1. Shared Hosting
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Multiple websites hosted on the same server.
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Affordable and ideal for beginners.
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Limited performance and control.
2. VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server)
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A virtualized server with dedicated resources.
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More power and customization than shared hosting.
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Good for growing websites or small businesses.
3. Dedicated Hosting
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You rent an entire physical server.
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Full control, high performance.
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Expensive; best for large businesses or high-traffic sites.
4. Cloud Hosting
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Uses multiple servers to balance load and ensure uptime.
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Scalable and reliable.
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Ideal for e-commerce and fast-growing websites.
5. Managed WordPress Hosting
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Hosting optimized specifically for WordPress.
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Includes automatic updates, backups, and security.
🌍 What Is a Domain Name Server (DNS)?
A Domain Name Server (DNS) is like the phonebook of the internet. When you enter a website URL like www.google.com, DNS translates it into the actual IP address of the web server (like 142.250.190.14) so your browser can load the site.
How DNS Works:
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You type
www.example.com. -
The DNS checks which IP address is linked to that domain.
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It sends your request to the correct hosting server.
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You see the website on your screen.
🔗 Key DNS Records
| DNS Record | Purpose |
|---|---|
| A Record | Maps domain to IPv4 address. |
| AAAA Record | Maps domain to IPv6 address. |
| CNAME | Aliases one domain to another (e.g., www to example.com). |
| MX Record | Defines email servers for your domain. |
| TXT Record | Used for SPF, DKIM, and domain verification. |
| NS Record | Points to name servers responsible for your domain. |
🏢 Popular Web Hosting Providers
| Hosting Provider | Known For |
|---|---|
| Bluehost | Great for beginners, WordPress integration. |
| Hostinger | Affordable pricing, fast speeds. |
| SiteGround | Strong customer support, WordPress hosting. |
| GoDaddy | All-in-one services (domain + hosting + email). |
| A2 Hosting | High-performance servers, developer-friendly. |
| AWS / Google Cloud / Azure | Cloud hosting for enterprise-level apps. |
🧭 Choosing the Right Hosting Plan
Consider the following:
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Website type (blog, e-commerce, portfolio)
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Expected traffic
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Budget
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Required features (email, storage, speed)
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Technical support needs
🧩 Putting It All Together: Hosting + Domain + DNS
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Buy a Domain Name (from GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
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Buy a Hosting Plan (from Bluehost, Hostinger, etc.)
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Connect Domain to Hosting by updating your DNS settings (set nameservers).
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Upload your website or install WordPress.
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Your site is live on the internet!
🧼 Summary
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Web Hosting | Stores your website on an internet-connected server. |
| Features | Disk space, bandwidth, SSL, email, control panel. |
| Hosting Types | Shared, VPS, Dedicated, Cloud, WordPress. |
| DNS | Resolves domain names to IP addresses for your website to load. |
| Popular Hosts | Bluehost, Hostinger, SiteGround, GoDaddy. |