Web hosting is basically a way for individuals and companies to store digital media (websites etc.) on the Internet for others to access. Most people will require their services which may be provided as part of a package which will probably at a charge but could be free. Digital files like websites, videos and programs for instance are stored on a web host server sometimes called a data center where they can be retrieved by anyone who wishes to view the slide or video footage for example.
There are a great many services available which may include software testing ; you even have free hosting where you won't have to spend a single dime, this is ideal for absolute beginners. There are many limitations to free web hosting services and they are not generally regarded as an option for serious web users as the amount of storage space is limited along with many other functions a web user may require. You can search the Web for many of the paid hosting services but their prices may vary depending on the packages they're offering.
You may settle for a shared server (where you share your space with other website owners) and it is a good tip is to go for the shared hosting first. However, it is often a good idea to see if the company is reliable before this more costly option of a dedicated server is taken. Websites require a domain name (not necessarily supplied by the web hosting company)otherwise no-one will be able to find you; once this has been done your domain will be allocated a specific amount of space for you to store your website, etc. All companies will allocate a certain amount of space for your website and any other files required to be stored there (photos and MP3 tracks, for example) and this can be anything from 500Mb or more, depending on the host and package you are paying for.
If you have your own domain name, this allows for your own email address without another company (Google for example) having their name as part of the address; this is another benefit of paid web hosting. It always looks like the user is more serious about their internet presence if they have their own email and domain name, it increases credibility. The next thing to consider with your hosting package is how much information will be stored on the server that can be downloaded from your website as it will use a facility called bandwidth; the greater amount of files stored that can be accessed, the greater amount of bandwidth will be required.
Problems will occur in the form of an inaccessible website if the bandwidth is exceeded so if the web host cannot provide the bandwidth you require you will need to use another company. This is extremely important if your website has many images, MP3 tracks or other large files like video clips; even a single webpage can contain a great deal of information, all of which is considered as bandwidth. Some people use their own home computers for web hosting but there can be serious security and reliability issues here so it is best to look for a professional company to supply this service.
