Web hosting is a collection of services offered by IT companies that allows you to store and maintain the files that comprise your website to make it accessible to people. In other words, a web host makes it possible to keep your website online for your audience to use.
That said, there are many aspects of web hosting, including domain registration and sometimes, web development. If you are interested in expanding your knowledge about web hosting for any reason, here is a quick run-down of some of its important aspects.
1. Website Development
As the name implies, website development is how a website is created from start to finish. This process is ever-evolving, meaning something that is commonplace today can radically change within a few years.
Many web developers utilize the LAMP or WAMP stack with multiple programming languages to produce a variety of applications. Developers can also program these websites with open-source scripts or proprietary frameworks. Custom stacks can also be developed to run various web scripts and different platforms like blogs, social networks, and even e-commerce websites.
With that in mind, a thorough understanding of website development is the hallmark of any great web host. This familiarity allows them to develop excellent websites as needed by their clients and customers, and it means that they know exactly how to host these sites for full functionality.
2. Data Centers
Data centers are used by web hosts to offer various web hosting solutions such as dedicated hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, and more. There are different types of data centers out there, with tier 4 being the highest quality.
A Tier 4 data center connects multiple telecommunication companies to one another, bridging different servers to form the data center. It is this data center that web hosts use to offer their web hosting solutions.
When choosing a web host, it is always vital that they use a high-tier data center. This way, you can enjoy reliable hardware that offers excellent speed and security to host your website.
3. Web Servers
Web servers are the individual rack-mounted hardware found in data centers we previously talked about. These servers can contain different operating systems such as Linux or Windows, both governed by their respective creators. Note that Linux is open-source, meaning that it can differ depending on their provider, such as Red Hat, Ubuntu, and so on.
Both operating systems are utilized by web hosters to run extensions that help host websites. These servers also offer customizable environments to adjust for different requirements. Having a web host that is knowledgeable of these types of operating systems for their web servers can give you the ability to create an environment that fits perfectly for your website.
Conclusion
There is a lot more to web hosting than what we have shared, but these are just some of its most important aspects.
When looking for a web host, you must spend time researching what hardware they use, what service they offer, and what reviews they have received from their customers. Doing so will help you understand what to expect from each web hosting provider, allowing you to pick the right option that will give you the most reliable solution for your needs.
Springboard Website Design of Meridian Idaho is a website designer and developer for designing, building, and hosting WordPress websites for large and small businesses. If you are looking for a Meridian-based website designer that can also host, contact us today!
