What is Web Hosting?
In a nutshell, web hosting is renting or buying space to host or house a website on the World Wide Web. Website content such as HTML, CSS, and images have to be stored on a server to be viewable online.
What exactly is a server? A server is a computer that allows internet users to connect to your site from anywhere in the world. As the name implies, web hosting service providers like Outdoorsman Media Group have the servers, connectivity, and associated services to host websites. By offering a variety of hosting plans, we cover the spectrum of hosting needs, from small businesses to and large organizations.
If you’re planning on creating an online presence, reliable web hosting is essential. There are literally hundreds of web hosts available today providing thousands of varieties of web hosting services. Plans range from free with limited options to expensive web hosting services specialized for business. The plan you choose will depend primarily on how you plan to use your website and how much you have budgeted for hosting.
Choosing the right hosting plan will mean having access to the right allocation of resources to keep your website loading quickly and reliably for your visitors. Think about how many businesses these days operate primarily online; their sales and business leads come from their website. If someone lands on a website and there’s a problem — it takes too long to load or doesn’t appear at all — potential customers won’t wait around. They’ll bounce off that site in search of a one that works correctly and can deliver what they are looking for, seamlessly.
If you’re new to purchasing a website, web hosting and other related terms can be a confusing topic. Many a first time website owner elect to used the cheapest option or anything bundled with the domain name purchase. Unfortunately they mistakenly believe that all hosting options are essentially the same.
This can be a costly mistake.
This article includes everything you need to know about web hosting and how choosing the right one is important to the success of your website, all in simplified manner you will understand.
How does web hosting work
Web hosting happens when the files that make up a website are uploaded from a local computer on to a web server. The server’s resources, (RAM, hard drive space, and bandwidth) are allocated to the websites using it.
The division of server resources varies depending on the type of hosting plan chosen. To choose the appropriate hosting plan, you first need to differentiate between the plans available. This doesn’t have to be complicated. For the non-technical readers, let’s use a simple analogy: Choosing web hosting is similar to searching for office space:
How do you decide which type of office space is right for your needs? Is a workstation in an open co-working space enough, or the next best thing; an office within a business center. Do you have intentions to expand quickly or expect a lot of people coming and going? Would you consider renting an entire building or would building your own space appeal?
Aside from the style of office you use there are other considerations. How easy the rooms are to access, which functions they offer (extras such as a whiteboard, high-speed internet, and other facilities), and where are they located and the overall cost. These considerations will determine your needs and help decide which type of office is right for you. This is kind of how you determine the amount of space you might need for your web hosting service.
- Basic Web Hosting – Is our most inexpensive and hosting plan for businesses who expect fairly low web traffic. For example maybe a couple thousand visits per day. Generally hosting packages run monthly or annually. You can save a considerable amount of money by paying for a longer period or time upfront. For example if you purchase an 2 year, 3 year or 4 year hosting package you will pay much less. OMG Basic hosting can be purchase for the term that best fits you needs. Contact us today to find out which hosting package is best for you.
- Managed Hosting – Managed Hosting is where the hosting provider provides dedicated service to meet all your hosting needs. Our Managed hosting services allows you to focus on your business while we focus on your web presence. We take care of all the updates, security patches, and ensure you’re online 24X7 If anything goes wrong we fix it at no additional cost. Managed hosting is generally paid monthly, but annual terms are available. If you’d like more information please feel free to Inquire Now!
Web hosting and domain hosting
Once you’ve purchased a domain name, the files that hold your website’s content (HTML, CSS, images, databases, etc.) need to be stored on an host to be connected to the internet — a web server. Once the website’s files are uploaded to a hosting company’s web server, the web host server is then responsible for delivering the files to users on the screen.
We’ve mentioned that hosting makes websites available for people to visit through their web browser, but how does that work exactly? The domain name system (DNS) makes sure that website browser connects to the right computer (server) that stores your website files.
What is DNS?
In simple terms it’s when someone types in your web address into their browsers, their computer connects through the internet to the web server holding your website files. It locates your domain’s IP address (where it’s stored on the domain name system) and directs the users to the right website. Their browser will then show your website information (all the data that makes your pages) so that they can browse your web pages anytime.