What is web hosting?

Web Hosting is a service that provides internet users with online computer systems for storing information, images, video, or any content accessible via the internet or web. For Internet users to view online information, the web hosting company places the website pages (html, php, etc files) on a web server which is stored inside a data center.

Data centers are connected to the internet with extremely reliable high speed connections so that the world has access to the web files anytime. Web users access the web pages through the website's domain name or its IP Address.

What is a web host?

A web host provider (or web host) is the company that host's and maintains the web server that stores the website's pages.

Web Server is nothing but a dedicated single or multiple computer system installed a server software (eg. apache , IIS or other). Dedicated means -> Used only for Web/Internet function.

This Software is responsible for accepting HTTP/HTTPS from clients (web Browser eg. Mozilla Firefox etc) and serving them appropriate response.

Can I host my website myself?

Yes. It's preferable to have a high speed connection to the internet (DSL, Cable, or T1) and you can dedicate one computer to be a web server. Also, the internet provider may incur an extra charge for hosting.

However, this is the least efficient web hosting method since it puts heavy additional requirements on your home or office internet connection line and exposes you to security risks. It is important to note that the computer dedicated to being a web server must remain on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the website to be online all the time.

How do I transfer my website files from my local computer to the remote web hosting server?

The most common method to upload files from a local computer to your web hosting server is by using an FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, client. An FTP client is a piece of software that allows a user to authenticate and establish a connection to the remote web hosting server to upload files for the website.

Some of the popular FTP programs include Filezilla, CuteFTP and certain web page editors like Microsoft Frontpage and Macromedia Dreamweaver have a built-in FTP client. Also, specific web browsers like Internet Explorer have an FTP client built-in. For more information regarding these web page editors or FTP clients please consult with the respective vendors.

What is bandwidth or data transfer?

Bandwidth or data transfer are terms referring to the amount of data that can be transferred in and out within a given period of time, usually monthly. When a visitor browses a website, he or she has to download the HTML, images, scripts and other files to view the web page. The amount of transfer the visitor uses counts towards your allocated monthly amount of data transfer. For example, if the visitor retrieves an image that is 2KB and one HTML page at 4KB, then the total data transfer for that session is approximately 6KB. However, there are other factors that may influence your data transfer measurements, such as, FTP, SSH and other applications accessing files on your web hosting account.

What is disk space or storage space?

Disk space or storage space refers to the amount of space you are allowed to store in your web hosting account. When you upload website files, for example, HTML pages, images, graphics, scripts and so forth, it takes up space on the web server's hard drive(s). The size of the files you upload into your web hosting will respectively determine how much storage space you will use up.

How do I get my own domain name?

It's important to have domain registration is separate from web hosting. The only way to get into the domain name databases recognized by the root DNS servers is by registering your site with a domain name registrar that participates in ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. You can find a list of accredited registrars on the ICANN site.

· A few companies do offer "free" domain name registration... but only if you pay to host your website with them. At the end of the day, while these companies may be offering good service at a reasonable price, it's not really free.