A web hosting service is an internet service which enables individuals and institutions to create their own website accessible through the World Wide Web, usually over the IP Address. This service usually comes with a monthly fee, though there are free options available that work well for students building websites – though these likely have some limitations. The host provides all the tools and software required to have an online presence and encourages one to become an affiliate to avail of its features. However, it may not be clear at first glance what this service does and how does it work. It is an effective way to get your first website online quickly and easily.
The first thing that web hosting services do is to host websites on their servers. It means that when someone enters a website address in the host’s web browser, the web hosting service first searches for websites that can satisfy that requirement and then it gives the individual website address and finally connects it to the server. At the same time, the host also acts as the web directory. So, a user searching for a particular web hosting service will be given a list of available websites to choose from based on the type of website he wants.
It is a very simple way of presenting the web hosting services. Basically, you will get a web hosting account with the domain name of your choosing. The domain name will be the website’s URL. The website name is what makes it different from a sub-domain. The difference is that the domain name resolves to a specific IP address.
Some hosts are paid to service providers, while others are free hosts. There are different types of hosts such as Windows, Linux, Sun, etc. They offer different types of hosting accounts. The most common types are shared, reseller, dedicated, managed, virtual, collocation, cloud, home servers, etc. Based on the need of the user, a user can choose the best option.
Reseller web hosting is one kind of web hosting service where a reseller, or web host, buy a physical server from a supplier and resells it to another user or client. In this case, the physical server belongs to the web hosting provider, but the customer does not have to purchase any license for using the service. The reseller is allowed to make money by allowing other users or clients to have access to his website. However, the reseller should keep in mind that he is not legally responsible for anything that may go wrong in the server.
There is another type of web hosting plans in which the website owner has an account on a server but does not own it. This is similar to shared hosting plans. The web hosting provider maintains and backs up the website. They also provide Internet connectivity for the users. Therefore, this type of service is more convenient especially if the server is not too much costly.
In a dedicated web hosting plan, the website owner or client has an exclusive right to be an operator or host his/her website. He/she will have to pay for the services as well as for the server and the tools needed for the website. In this case, the user has to search for a free web hosting plan that will give him/her enough bandwidth to accommodate his/her website. It is preferable that the user does not overuse the free service because he/she may eventually end up with nothing to show for his/her investment.
The last kind of web hosting plan is the managed hosting plan. This is where a web hosting provider either provides or manages the website operation. It may involve some costs for the management of the site such as the monthly fee for the domain name, the operating system, security updates and patches, support, etc. However, the users can still enjoy a lot of advantages if they find the company that offers the services most suitable for their requirements.
Ryan is a computer high school teacher. Aside from that, he also volunteers at youth centers to teach some kids that are unprivileged but wanting to learn more.