Web hosting
The service that provides the infrastructure (server, storage, network connectivity) to make a website accessible on the internet.
Also known as: website hosting, hosting
Web hosting is the service that provides the infrastructure required to make a website accessible on the internet: a server (or distributed servers) where the site’s files live, storage for those files, network connectivity, and software that responds to visitor requests.
When someone visits a website, their browser connects to a hosting provider’s server (or CDN edge node), which returns the site’s files.
What a hosting provider typically supplies
- Server resources. CPU, memory, storage on a physical or virtual machine
- Network connectivity. Bandwidth to deliver the site to visitors
- A control panel or interface for managing the site
- Domain integration. Tools to connect a domain to the hosted site
- Email accounts (sometimes)
- SSL certificates. Most modern hosts include free Let’s Encrypt SSL
- Backups (varies by plan)
- Security and uptime monitoring (varies by plan)
Common types of web hosting
| Type | Description | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Static hosting | Serves static files; no server-side execution | Static sites, JAMstack sites |
| Shared hosting | Multiple sites share one server’s resources | Small WordPress sites, brochure sites |
| VPS (virtual private server) | Dedicated virtual server with root access | Custom applications, mid-size sites |
| Dedicated server | One physical server for one customer | Very high traffic, specialized requirements |
| Managed hosting | Provider handles maintenance, updates, security | WordPress hosting (WP Engine, Kinsta), managed app hosting |
| Cloud hosting | Resources provisioned from a cloud provider, often auto-scaling | Modern applications, variable traffic |
| Serverless / Functions hosting | Pay per execution, no servers to manage | APIs, event-driven workloads |
| Platform hosting | Hosting bundled with a CMS or site builder | Squarespace, Wix, Webflow, Shopify |
Common hosting providers
- Static / JAMstack: Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, Vercel, GitHub Pages
- Cloud platforms: AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, DigitalOcean, Linode
- WordPress-managed: WP Engine, Kinsta, Flywheel, SiteGround
- Shared hosting: Bluehost, HostGator, A2 Hosting, Hostinger
- Application hosting: Heroku, Render, Fly.io, Railway
What hosting does and does not include
Hosting includes the infrastructure to serve the site. It typically does not include:
- The domain name itself (purchased separately from a registrar)
- Site design or development
- Content creation
- Marketing or analytics services
- Email marketing tools (some hosts offer add-ons)
Choosing hosting
Common factors:
- Site type. Static, dynamic, application, ecommerce
- Expected traffic. Influences capacity, scalability, and cost tier
- Geographic audience. A CDN-backed host helps for global audiences
- Technical requirements. Specific runtimes (PHP version, Node.js, Python), database support
- Performance. Server location, network quality, caching infrastructure
- Reliability. Uptime guarantees and historical track record
- Support. Self-service vs. managed support
- Pricing model. Flat monthly, per-resource, per-request, or per-execution
- Migration ease. How easily the site can be moved away later
Hosting and CDN
Hosting and CDN are complementary, not interchangeable. The host stores the canonical site; the CDN caches and delivers content from edge locations near users. Many static hosting platforms (Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, Vercel) include a built-in CDN.
Pricing models
| Model | Example providers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, GitHub Pages | Generous limits suitable for many small sites |
| Flat monthly | Most shared and managed hosting | Predictable cost |
| Per-resource | DigitalOcean, Linode | Pay for CPU, memory, storage |
| Per-request / per-execution | Vercel, Cloudflare Workers, AWS Lambda | Scales with usage |
| Per-seat / per-feature | Squarespace, Wix, Webflow | Bundled with platform |
Common misconceptions
- “All hosts perform similarly.” Performance, reliability, and support quality vary widely between providers and tiers.
- “Free hosting is unsuitable for real sites.” Modern free tiers from Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, GitHub Pages, and others power many production sites.
- “Hosting includes everything you need.” Most hosting is infrastructure only; design, content, and ongoing maintenance are separate.
- “Switching hosts is always painful.” For static sites and standard WordPress sites, migration can be straightforward; for highly customized or platform-locked sites, it can be complex.