Web hosting is the space on a server where your website is stored, so that visitors can request it over the internet day and night.
What exactly is web hosting?
A website consists of files: pages, images, style sheets and sometimes a database. Those files need to be stored somewhere, on a computer that is always on and permanently connected to the internet. Such a computer is called a server. Renting space on it is what we call web hosting.
When someone types in your address, the browser requests the files from that server and shows them on the screen.
Hosting and domain name are two different things
These two are often confused. The domain name is your address, for example yourcompany.nl. The hosting is the building where your website lives. You can own a domain name without hosting, and vice versa.
They are linked to each other via DNS settings. We explain how that works in domain name and DNS explained.
What types of hosting are there?
Hosting comes in different sizes: from a shared server to an entire machine just for you.
Shared hosting
You share a server with other customers. Affordable, and more than sufficient for most websites.
VPS
A partitioned section of a server, with its own capacity. More control and better performance, suitable for heavier applications.
Dedicated server
An entire machine just for you. For large or specialised applications.
Managed hosting
Hosting where the provider takes care of the technical management, updates and monitoring for you.
What should you look for when choosing?
Not every package is the same, even if the prices look similar. Pay particular attention to these points:
- SpeedModern hardware and up-to-date software ensure short loading times. That also counts towards how easily you are found.
- BackupsAre copies made automatically, and can you have them restored?
- SecurityFirewalls, server software that is updated on time and a valid SSL certificate.
- LocationDutch hosting means short distances and clarity about privacy legislation.
- SupportWill you get a human being on the line if something goes wrong?
- The right sizeA static website needs far less than a heavy webshop.
What does your website need?
If your site runs on a CMS, a management system such as WordPress, you need hosting with PHP and a database. If the site consists of ready-made pages, a light and cheaper package without those components is sufficient.
So it pays to know how your site is built before you choose a package.
Management through a control panel
Almost every hosting package comes with a control panel. There you arrange things such as email addresses, backups and certificates. We work with Plesk; you can read how to log in to it in logging in to Plesk.
You will find more about our packages on the page web hosting. We tell you more about our hosting platform at Plesk web hosting in the Netherlands.