What Is Web Hosting? Types of Hosting and How to Choose a Plan

Web hosting is a service that stores your website's files (pages, images, code, and database) on a server that's always connected to the internet and delivers them to your visitors. You can build a website on your own computer, but when your computer shuts down, so does your site. Hosting companies keep your site on servers that stay on day and night.

A simple analogy: your domain name is your site's address, and hosting is the house your site lives in. The two work together.

How does web hosting work?

1. A visitor types your site's address into their browser.
2. DNS finds out which server that address points to.
3. The browser connects to that server and requests the page.
4. The server prepares the page (running PHP and pulling data from the database if needed) and sends it back.

The whole process usually takes less than a second.

Types of hosting

Shared hosting

Many websites share the resources of the same server. The provider handles server management; you just upload your files. It's the most affordable and easiest option, and ideal for personal blogs, brochure sites, and small businesses.

VPS hosting

A virtual server with its own resources and root access. It offers more power and flexibility, but you're responsible for managing it. For details, see our article What Is a VPS?

Cloud hosting

Your site runs on infrastructure spread across multiple servers. When traffic spikes suddenly, it's easy to add resources. It's usually priced on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Physical (dedicated) server

An entire physical server is reserved for you. It delivers the highest performance, but it's also the most expensive option and requires the most maintenance.

What to look for in a hosting plan

• Disk space: A few GB is enough for a small site. If you'll be hosting lots of images or videos, you'll need more.
• PHP support and version: Popular platforms like WordPress run on PHP. An up-to-date PHP version means better speed and security.
• Database (MySQL/MariaDB): Dynamic websites store their information in a database.
• SSL certificate: Required for your site to load over https. We explain why it matters in What Is an SSL Certificate?
• Management tools: Tools like a file manager and phpMyAdmin let you manage your site without technical know-how.
• Backups: Regular backups matter so you can restore your site if something goes wrong. If your provider doesn't offer backups, make a habit of backing up yourself.
• Support: There should be a support channel you can reach when you run into problems.

Which hosting is right for me?

Our web hosting plans come with PHP, MySQL, a file manager, phpMyAdmin, and https.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I publish a website without hosting?

For a site to stay online at all times, you need a server that runs 24/7. Hosting from your own computer is possible, but it isn't recommended because of power outages, internet outages, and security risks.

Are hosting and a domain name the same thing?

No. A domain name is your site's address, while hosting is where its files live. They're usually purchased together, and the domain is pointed to the hosting through DNS settings.

Can I upgrade my hosting plan later?

Yes. As your site grows, you can move to a larger plan or to a VPS.

What do I need to install WordPress?

A hosting plan that supports PHP and MySQL is all you need. After uploading the WordPress files and creating a database, the setup wizard finishes in just a few minutes.