Web hosting refers to the storage of web pages on a Web server, which is run by a web host (Internet Service Provider). They provide space on their servers for Internet users. Hosting companies provide online systems for internet connectivity and for storing of information by means of image and of the other Internet content available. The concept of web hosting refers to the placement of web sites on the server. A server is a computer which is normally equipped with high storage capacity and a broadband connection to the Internet. The scope of individual pacts and web hosting services is very different. Starting from a simple web presence, which consists mostly of a few HTML pages that contain about packages with scripting language support, for example PHP, and databases for packages up to that pre-installed software, or other services such as monitoring, data backup, load balancing, and much more.

How files get transferred to the web server?

The site can be uploaded in many ways on the web server itself; probably the most common transfer is made via a FTP server. By using an FTP client, files can be loaded easily by drag and drop to the server and be there at any time changed and expanded. On the homepage of the Internet for web hosting provider usually an overview of the current traffic (which already transferred data) and the number of users is specified. There, further immediate changes and extensions of the services can be requested.

Selection criteria of the webhosting provider:

The range of suppliers is broad and as the web hosting and web space is subject to rapidly changing market, it seems difficult to keep track. While selecting the right provider you should give emphasis on the services provided to customers. You should take care of pricing, disk space and data traffic is included in the offer.

There are several types of web hosting available:

The free hosting is a little expensive, but the most limited with regard to services and space, though it can be a consideration, so that a single professional or a small business starts out. The restrictions on advertising, bandwidth and permissible edit sites, can limit a company looking for rapid growth.

Shared hosting places your website on the same server as several (possibly hundreds) of other sites. But these are less restricted than free hosts. Each website has its own space, uses its partition to keep it separate from other sites. This is one of the most economical way as many people share the overall cost of server's maintenance.

The reseller plan provides large amount of bandwidth and space available on its account and divide the room while it sees fit. This is similar to shared hosting. But with reseller server you can decide on the set of departments and with whom to share. You can further sell it out to customers, by this ways you can have your own business. You assign separate control panels to customers from where they can host and manage their websites by themselves.

The dedicated hosting and virtual private server hosting provide very similar results. A dedicated hosting is relatively expensive, but is less restricted than the previously discussed. With dedicated hosting you have, as the user that a human operator to itself, there is very little restrictions and you are on your own terms of service.

Virtual Private Server technology enables one server to run multiple virtual environments. This climate has the properties of each single operator. Essentially, the results are the same, even though a virtual private server is less costly.

Operating System Based Hosting provides user the liberty to choose web hosts according to Operating system. There are basically 4 types of operating system specific web hosting services i.e. Windows, UNIX, Linux. Windows is expensive as compared to others. Windows provides you with the platform of running specific programming like ASP.NET. Whereas a UNIX and Linux servers allow you to run static websites and open source programming like PHP.

Domain Hosting

You still have to worry about two other things before you can post your website on the Internet. First, you must register your domain name. This ensures that only you have the right to use this domain name. Second, you must select a domain hosting service providers, or publish your website on the Internet. Fortunately domain hosting company offers domain registration services also, which makes the whole process a bit. All you have to do is to choose one among the many domain hosting providers.

Since domain hosting is an important part of publishing your website, you should be sure that you select a company to which you can rely on, and your needs. Whether you are a freelancer who wants to start a blog or portfolio site, or a small or medium sized business, you should look around to see who offers the services you need.

Here is a list of things that you should take as first-time creator of a Web site with a domain hosting service.

Technical understanding: Some domain hosting companies offer free or fee-technical assistance, either through the Internet or the telephone.

Templates for Websites: If you do not know how to program a website you have many domain hosting companies which provide templates on which you can build your website. Some of the vendors even provide software for easy, programming-designing your Web site, or offer fee-based web sites designers.

Choice of Top Level Domain: Choice of a top-level domain should depend firstly on the nature of the site and secondly, of the nationality of the visitors. Web offer domains for informative websites or products based websites ready for an international audience. A top-level domain is known to visitors (and with which you can identify) radiates most seriousness and commitment, thus achieving more confidence in the services offered.

E-mail address: A domain name is more than just a website - it gives you additional rights to e-mail addresses. When you register a domain name, then you are entitled to use any e-mail addresses ending in your domain name. If you want to use these e-mail addresses, then you should make sure that your domain hosting company makes it easier to use.

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