What is webhosting and why does my business need it?
What is webhosting?
Web hosting is a service that allows organisations and individuals to post a website or web page onto the Internet. A web host, or web hosting service provider, is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for the website or webpage to be viewed in the Internet. Websites are hosted, or stored, on special computers called web servers. When Internet users want to view your website, all they need to do is type your website address or domain into their browser. Their computer will then connect to your server and your webpages will be delivered to them through the browser.
What is domain hosting?
Domain hosting, also known as web hosting or website hosting, is the business of hosting a website on a server so it can be accessed over the Internet. When you host a website, you provide a space on a server for your website files to be stored. When someone types in your website’s address (such as www.example.com), the Internet connects to the server where your website files are stored and then transfers your website information back to their computer. From there, their computer will render the website on their screen.
How much does webhosting cost?
The cost of web hosting can vary significantly depending on the type of hosting plan you choose. Shared hosting, which is the most basic and most common type of hosting, can cost as little as a few dollars per month. However, the cost of shared hosting can also go up to £10 or more per month for higher-tier plans.
Virtual private server (VPS) hosting and dedicated hosting, which are more advanced types of hosting, tend to cost more than shared hosting. VPS hosting plans can start at around £20 per month and go up to several hundred dollars per month for higher-end plans. Dedicated hosting plans can start at around $100 per month and go up to several thousand dollars per month for higher-end plans.
The cost of a domain name, which is the address of your website (e.g., www.example.com), is typically not included in the cost of web hosting. Domain names can cost anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per year, depending on the extension and the registrar you choose.
It’s worth noting that many web hosting companies offer discounts for the first term of service, so the initial cost of hosting may be lower than the regular price. Additionally, some web hosting companies offer discounts for paying upfront for a longer term of service (e.g., a discount for paying for a year of hosting upfront instead of month to month).
It’s also important to consider the features and resources that come with each hosting plan. Some hosting plans offer more storage, bandwidth, and other resources than others, which can affect the cost. It’s important to choose a hosting plan that meets the needs of your website in terms of features and resources.