What is Web Hosting?
Let's start with Web Space. Web Space is found on a web server and is where you store your files on the Internet. A web server is a high-powered computer that provides essential services across a network. In order for your website to have access to Web Space on the Internet you must rent some from a web host. Hosting providers have web servers for you to rent web space. A web service provider puts your website live on the Internet once you have published (uploaded) it to them. If you don't have a website yet, most web hosts offer website builders to help you create your website. If you need to create a website, look for a web host with ease of use website building capabilities unless you are computer savvy enough to build your own. Search for hosting companies that provide 1 click installs of content management systems (CMS), like ............................ where programming skills are not needed to create a professionally looking website. Simply put, web hosting is your website's home.
Let's start with Web Space. Web Space is found on a web server and is where you store your files on the Internet. A web server is a high-powered computer that provides essential services across a network. In order for your website to have access to Web Space on the Internet you must rent some from a web host. Hosting providers have web servers for you to rent web space. A web service provider puts your website live on the Internet once you have published (uploaded) it to them. If you don't have a website yet, most web hosts offer website builders to help you create your website. If you need to create a website, look for a web host with ease of use website building capabilities unless you are computer savvy enough to build your own. Search for hosting companies that provide 1 click installs of content management systems (CMS), like ............................ where programming skills are not needed to create a professionally looking website. Simply put, web hosting is your website's home.
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is the address of your website. The DNS (domain name system) assigns IP addresses to Internet web servers. An IP address or (Internet Protocol address) is a unique number used to identify every single computer on the Internet. An IP address is not your domain name. It is a set of numbers the DNS automatically translates by way of your domain name into the correct IP address. A domain name is part of a larger Internet address called the URL. The URL includes more specific information including the exact page address, protocol language and folder name. In a URL the domain name appears in bold letters. If you need a domain name, hosting services offer this as well, sometimes free of charge. Some hosts give you free domain for life. This can save you money over a period of time when you take into account how much it costs per year. Your domain name can be whatever you want it to be. If you're in an online business you may want to choose something relevant to your type of business as this could increase your SEO (search engine optimization) and help bring traffic to your site. Once you have a web hosting service, a domain name, and your website is live on a server it can be accessed by anyone on the Web.
A domain name is the address of your website. The DNS (domain name system) assigns IP addresses to Internet web servers. An IP address or (Internet Protocol address) is a unique number used to identify every single computer on the Internet. An IP address is not your domain name. It is a set of numbers the DNS automatically translates by way of your domain name into the correct IP address. A domain name is part of a larger Internet address called the URL. The URL includes more specific information including the exact page address, protocol language and folder name. In a URL the domain name appears in bold letters. If you need a domain name, hosting services offer this as well, sometimes free of charge. Some hosts give you free domain for life. This can save you money over a period of time when you take into account how much it costs per year. Your domain name can be whatever you want it to be. If you're in an online business you may want to choose something relevant to your type of business as this could increase your SEO (search engine optimization) and help bring traffic to your site. Once you have a web hosting service, a domain name, and your website is live on a server it can be accessed by anyone on the Web.
What is Bandwidth and Disk Space?
Bandwidth is the rate your web site hosting transmits your website to a visitor's computer, or how much information can be transmitted over a connection in a given period of time. So, unlimited bandwidth would mean infinite speed, but that does not exist in our world. When a web service provider offers unlimited bandwidth they're not referring to rate or speed; but to the amount of data transferred usually within one month's time. Disk Space is the amount of storage your website has on the web hosts web server. Unlimited plans are frequently offered for both bandwidth and disk space, but they often put restrictions on audio/video downloads because they cause a substantial increase in the amount of bandwidth and disk space, costing the hosting company money. There are excellent unlimited web hosting plans available out there that allow audio/video and you will find them on my site. If you are unsure what a certain web host offers read the Terms and Conditions of their hosting package.
Bandwidth is the rate your web site hosting transmits your website to a visitor's computer, or how much information can be transmitted over a connection in a given period of time. So, unlimited bandwidth would mean infinite speed, but that does not exist in our world. When a web service provider offers unlimited bandwidth they're not referring to rate or speed; but to the amount of data transferred usually within one month's time. Disk Space is the amount of storage your website has on the web hosts web server. Unlimited plans are frequently offered for both bandwidth and disk space, but they often put restrictions on audio/video downloads because they cause a substantial increase in the amount of bandwidth and disk space, costing the hosting company money. There are excellent unlimited web hosting plans available out there that allow audio/video and you will find them on my site. If you are unsure what a certain web host offers read the Terms and Conditions of their hosting package.
Shared, VPS and Dedicated Hosting?
Shared web hosting is the best option for the small business owner or someone just starting out. You share a server with hundreds of other users. In the past, one really busy site could cause a traffic spike and an interruption of service. Today, with web hosts using multi-server load balancing technology, you immediately get routed to a live server if one goes down. This greatly minimizes downtime. Shared hosting is inexpensive and, with the right web service provider, you get plenty of features for your money. It's available for either Linux or Windows although not every host offers windows hosting; but if that's what you want there are some great web hosts that do provide it. The cost for the average shared plan is around $5/mo. but it can cost more based on features and extras offered. It's a balancing act - you take everything the web host has to offer into account and then determine if you're willing to pay the price they're charging for their service.
Shared web hosting is the best option for the small business owner or someone just starting out. You share a server with hundreds of other users. In the past, one really busy site could cause a traffic spike and an interruption of service. Today, with web hosts using multi-server load balancing technology, you immediately get routed to a live server if one goes down. This greatly minimizes downtime. Shared hosting is inexpensive and, with the right web service provider, you get plenty of features for your money. It's available for either Linux or Windows although not every host offers windows hosting; but if that's what you want there are some great web hosts that do provide it. The cost for the average shared plan is around $5/mo. but it can cost more based on features and extras offered. It's a balancing act - you take everything the web host has to offer into account and then determine if you're willing to pay the price they're charging for their service.
VPS is Virtual Private Server and is like having a separate computer with its own CPU and memory and disk space by partitioning a single server to appear as multiple servers. With shared web hosting all you are allocated is disk space. With VPS you have root access to install any custom software or other applications you choose. Most hosting services offer managedVPS although with some of the less expensive lower performance servers you are responsible for managing any problems that may arise with the server. With managed VPS the web hosts take care of any problems that arise with the server. When looking for a VPS web host package we strongly recommend one with at least 768GB of RAM as this will give you plenty of room for growth. Anything less and you are really not getting the full benefits out of VPS and may be better off with a shared plan. It costs more than shared web hosting and there are other websites on the server, but if you want more control over your website(s), security, and flexibility, you may want to consider this option. Prices start around $15/mo. for basic VPShosting.
Dedicated web hosting is when you rent the entire server and you can choose whatever hardware and/or software you need for your server. Another benefit is you have the whole server so performance because of other sites isn't an issue. There is a wide range of dedicated servers from basic to high performance based on the Processor, Memory, Storage, Bandwidth and number of Dedicated IP's, and it's reflected in the price. However, unless you choose to go with managed, you're responsible for maintaining the server. Managed or not, dedicated hosting costs hundreds of dollars a month and offers a lot of storage space just for your site(s). It is the best option if you are getting thousands of visitors to your site(s) each month and want complete control over your online business.
What is SSL?
SSL is Secured Socket Layer protection. SSL generates a secure connection between your web server and your visitor's browser by encrypting it. It provides your website with added security against hackers, data tampering and forgery. It is often needed when personal information is required like credit cards, and most visitors won't do business without it if any personal information is required. To get SSL on your site you will need to get an SSL certificate which is required by the web server and provided by Certificate Authorities. Some web hosts offer shared SSL. With this type of security you are using your web host's SSL certificate so their name will appear on your URL as well as yours. With private SSL, as explained above, you need to get a certificate and have a dedicated IP address (this is an IP address just for your website with no other site listed on it). Some web hosts offer SSL certificates which average $60 per year. If you have an online business where visitors are required to log in, use a credit card or provide any other personal information, it is a must to have a private SSL. Not only will you keep your web host's name off your URL, you will receive a SSL certificate and logo to display on your site for your visitors to see and provide them with a sense of security.
SSL is Secured Socket Layer protection. SSL generates a secure connection between your web server and your visitor's browser by encrypting it. It provides your website with added security against hackers, data tampering and forgery. It is often needed when personal information is required like credit cards, and most visitors won't do business without it if any personal information is required. To get SSL on your site you will need to get an SSL certificate which is required by the web server and provided by Certificate Authorities. Some web hosts offer shared SSL. With this type of security you are using your web host's SSL certificate so their name will appear on your URL as well as yours. With private SSL, as explained above, you need to get a certificate and have a dedicated IP address (this is an IP address just for your website with no other site listed on it). Some web hosts offer SSL certificates which average $60 per year. If you have an online business where visitors are required to log in, use a credit card or provide any other personal information, it is a must to have a private SSL. Not only will you keep your web host's name off your URL, you will receive a SSL certificate and logo to display on your site for your visitors to see and provide them with a sense of security.
What's the Next Step after Choosing a Web Hosting Plan?
Create your website. You can use a template, some HTML, and add your own content. If you don't know or don't want to learn HTML many web hosting services have website builder tools to help you build your site. There are many applications such as the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) web page editor. There are many variations of web page editors ranging from free to expensive. You have to do a little research to find the one that meets your needs. As mentioned previously WordPress is a powerful and versatile platform to use to create a website. There are literally tens of thousands of plugins (applications made by developers), that can do literally anything you need. Once you have a website you will need to get it live on the Internet. You will need to upload files as well as any downloads (that you want to be available to your visitors) to the web server. You will do this via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) which lets you transfer files between your computer and your web server. Free trial programs like WS_FTP are available. Type that into your search engine and look for a 30 day trial. Download it, answer a few simple questions, and you'll be on your way. Any assistance or information you need your web hosting service should provide you with during this process. Creating a website is an extension of you; put time into it and be creative. Remember there are tens of millions of websites on the Web and at least thousands on the subject you are covering. What will make your site unique and stand out from the rest? What will you have to offer that will make your site unique and stand out from the rest? What will you have to offer that will make visitor's want to return to your website?
Create your website. You can use a template, some HTML, and add your own content. If you don't know or don't want to learn HTML many web hosting services have website builder tools to help you build your site. There are many applications such as the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) web page editor. There are many variations of web page editors ranging from free to expensive. You have to do a little research to find the one that meets your needs. As mentioned previously WordPress is a powerful and versatile platform to use to create a website. There are literally tens of thousands of plugins (applications made by developers), that can do literally anything you need. Once you have a website you will need to get it live on the Internet. You will need to upload files as well as any downloads (that you want to be available to your visitors) to the web server. You will do this via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) which lets you transfer files between your computer and your web server. Free trial programs like WS_FTP are available. Type that into your search engine and look for a 30 day trial. Download it, answer a few simple questions, and you'll be on your way. Any assistance or information you need your web hosting service should provide you with during this process. Creating a website is an extension of you; put time into it and be creative. Remember there are tens of millions of websites on the Web and at least thousands on the subject you are covering. What will make your site unique and stand out from the rest? What will you have to offer that will make your site unique and stand out from the rest? What will you have to offer that will make visitor's want to return to your website?
A strong online presence has limitless potential toward putting you on the path to success, but finding a web hosting company in today's market can be an overwhelming task. At Web Hosting Review Innovations all the research and hard work has been done for you. We have compiled a table of the best web hosting companies, key web host features and editor's reviews to enable you in making an informed decision. You have questions-we have answers and options.
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