What Is Website Hosting?

Introduction: How it works

So you want to know about website hosting - well you’re in the right place. In its most basic form, hosting is an empty plot of server space waiting to store the files for your website. To be visible online, website files such as HTML, CSS, and pictures must be stored on a server. A custom website has an array of files that need to be hosted somewhere appropriate.

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What is a server?

A server is a machine that links other online users from all around the world to your site. Web hosting service providers, as the name indicates, provide the servers, connection, and related services needed to host websites. They address the entire range of hosting needs, from tiny blogs to major corporations, by offering a choice of hosting options.

Types of Hosting

There are a variety of web hosting providers to choose from, each tailored to a certain sort of website. Here are some website hosting examples:

• Shared web hosting - this is the most fundamental type of web hosting. For small or entry-level websites, it is the most cost-effective solution.
• Virtual Private Server (VPS) - a step above shared web hosting, your website will still share a single server with other websites, however the number of websites utilising it will be substantially decreased, resulting in your site functioning better due to more resources.
• Cloud hosting - this web hosting is similar to a VPS but more cost-effective. Multiple remote servers, each with distinct roles, are included in cloud hosting services. If one of the servers is hacked or has a difficulty, the network's other servers will step in and take over those duties. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a great example of cloud hosting (and also our favourite here at Paddle Creative).
• Dedicated hosting is a good web hosting solution, but it is also the most costly. Because you have a dedicated server that is only yours, that comes at a high cost. Extra features, such as better customisation are commonly included with dedicated hosting. On the downside, this requires more maintenance and comes with added risks that need managing.
• Email hosting - Emails, although they share the same domain name as your web hosting, are actually hosted separately to your website hosting, even if they share the same host. For example, if you host your website with AWS web hosting with Paddle Creative, your emails will be hosted on a different server, usually Microsoft or Google.

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How Much Does Web Hosting Cost?

There are plenty of cheap web hosting options out there, from just a few pounds per month. However, cheap isn't necessarily better when it comes to website hosting...

If you want to build an online presence, you'll need to invest in dependable web hosting. Today, there are an array of web providers offering thousands of different web hosting options. Plans range from free with basic features to high-priced business-focused web hosting services. The plan you select will mostly be determined by how you want to use your website and how important SEO and security are.

When picking a web hosting package you need to research which one will provide you with the resources to keep your website loading quickly and reliably for your visitors. Consider how many businesses nowadays operate solely online, generating revenue and business leads through their websites. Potential clients will not wait if they arrive at a website that has a problem – it takes too long to load or does not load at all. They'll leave your site in search of one that operates properly and reliably delivers what they're searching for.

If you're considering a free hosting option, consider the size of your site and the number of daily visits you anticipate. Many free web providers restrict the amount of traffic your site may receive on a daily or monthly basis. The web host has the power to deactivate your website for violation of contract or give you a fee if your material includes a lot of photos or videos that attract more visitors per day, week, or month than the "agreed" quantity.

Another thing to keep in mind when using free or cheap web hosting services is that the files you upload are often limited in size. A premium host allows you to load greater file sizes and a more comprehensive website experience.

To pay the expenses of offering your site with free web space, many, but not all, free providers put advertising on your website. Ad-heavy websites are often seen as low-quality and even spammy, which is an automatic turn-off. Before you join up, read the fine print to discover if advertisements are required in return for free hosting.

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Does Web Hosting Impact Website Speed?

Choosing a suitable and dependable web hosting service provider is a crucial step in getting online, especially if you're hosting a growing business website. Hosts not only make your website accessible to others, but they also provide services such as server management, software support, bandwidth, CDNs and impact speed and security, among other things.

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Does Web Hosting Impact Website Security?

Whether you run a personal website where you only write once in a while or an enterprise level corporation, security is paramount.

It's critical to know what kinds of security to check for and how to tell if your host is secure enough since a lack of security can have devastating consequences like loss of revenue or even identity theft!

SSL certificates (SSL creates an additional layer of safety that protects the information visitors choose to share with a website), CDNs, firewalls, and attack prevention should be considered for all hosting options. Many of the better web hosts out there (including AWS) include all of this out of the gate, meaning you simply do not need to even think much about it.

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What is a CDN?

Another way of protecting your sites is with a CDN - another abbreviation I know! To start off, CDN stands for Content Delivery Network and is a group of geographically distributed servers that work together to provide fast delivery of Internet content since they reduce the physical distance between a user and the web host. 

A correctly designed CDN can also assist in the prevention of several typical malicious attacks. Working with a CDN provides valuable information security and with updated SSL certificates, you can keep your CDNs and site safe.

A CDN enables the rapid delivery of materials such as HTML pages, JavaScript files, stylesheets and imagery that are required for loading Internet content. CDN services are becoming increasingly popular, and they now handle the bulk of online traffic, including traffic from big sites such as Facebook, Netflix, and Amazon. As a result, selecting a CDN-enabled web hosting company is key and something that you simply cannot do without in today’s online world. The good news is that AWS hosting used by Paddle Creative includes CDNs as standard.

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What Web Hosting Do Paddle Creative Offer & Why?

As you may know, Paddle Creative are certified Webflow Experts - the latest technology in building websites.

One of the most appealing features of Webflow is that you can simply publish your site to AWS web hosting that seamlessly integrates with Webflow. This worldwide hosting network eliminates the need for continuous updates, plugin fixes, security patches, and developer upkeep. It saves time and reduces stress, both of which are beneficial to your organisation.

AWS (Amazon Web Servers), the best website hosting money can buy, provides Webflow website hosting. This makes the platform practically hack-proof, which is precisely what we want, right? We at Paddle Creative value your business's security above all else, which is why we chose Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host our websites; only the finest will do!

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Conclusion

Now you are equipped with some basic web hosting knowledge! But don’t forget, if you need any more information about web hosting or have a general question get in touch!

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