A Primer on Website Hosting
Website hosting is the process of buying or renting webspace so you can post a site onto the World Wide Web. It's often linked to purchasing a domain name. Although they're different from each other, both work hand in hand. Think of this way: the domain is the address of your house while the other is the actual structure that address is pointing to.
How It Works
Sites are hosted on servers, which refers to both hardware and software. The hardware side is a computer that stores programs and component files such as images, cascading style sheets, and HTML documents. Meanwhile, the software side includes parts that control how your customers, for example, access hosted files like an HTTP protocol.
The division of the server's resources (hard drive space, bandwidth, and RAM) will vary depending on the plan you choose. Before you find one that suits you, you need to know what website hosting plans are available.
Common Types of Hosting Services
Plans differ in terms of server speed, storage capacity, required technical skills, control, and reliability. The most common types available are:
Shared
As the name suggests, shared hosting means you'll be sharing the server's resources with other website owners. Start-up businesses find this the simplest option available, besides the fact that the costs are relatively low. People with personal blogs, community groups, and small companies opt for this option, too. It's an entry-level service that's perfect for those who are still in the initial stages of their site.
Dedicated
The opposite of shared is dedicated hosting. This type gives website owners control over the server where the page is stored. Choosing this means having full administrative access, from the security to the operating system. But it'll need a high level of technical expertise for installation, ongoing maintenance, and management. Usually, companies who expect high online traffic opt for this.
VPS
A virtual private server (VPS) plan gives users the authority of a dedicated plan with the cost benefits of shared hosting. People see this as a unique option. Why? Even though a webpage will still share the server with other users, each will be hosted within its own space. With it, brands have the ability to customize their site, but it can't handle spikes in user traffic. VPS is used by owners who want control but don't have the required technical knowledge to handle the system.

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