A web hosting service is usually a kind of Internet hosting service that enables organizations and individuals to create their own website accessible through the World Wide Web. It is generally provided by a web hosting provider. The provider usually offers space on his server to accommodate various web pages, e-mail accounts and databases. It is also accessible free of cost to any individual or organization who wants to establish an Internet website for various purposes. The most common uses for web hosting services are online advertising, business information, media production, research and market analysis.
Web hosts use a variety of tools and technologies to provide their clients with an Internet website that is easy to operate, secure, and flexible. In order to ensure that the websites provided by them are always up-to-date, web hosting plans include features like email, database management, uptime guarantee, etc. The web hosting plan that one chooses should have a measure of control over the maintenance of servers and the servers must be checked periodically by the provider in order to ensure that they are in good working condition. In case of any difficulties, a customer can report his problem directly to the web host.
Reseller hosting is another popular kind of web hosting account. In reseller hosting, an account holder is allowed to sub-lease a host at a higher price than what it would normally cost to buy the entire server. The reseller is allowed to manage its own servers, install its own software, and customize its own operating system. In addition, users are allowed to advertise their websites on the server as well.
Another kind of web hosting is called shared hosting. In this kind of service, several websites share a single web server. In most cases, these websites are low-traffic sites. Shared hosting account providers have less flexibility compared to dedicated servers. Users are not allowed to install their own software, and they are not able to choose their own IP address from a pool of IP addresses.
There are other types of web hosting too. For instance, virtual or managed hosts provide web hosting services without having to buy any hardware or software. They use a specialized control panel and a remote user access program to provide support to the clients. Users may also find some hosts that provide technical support through e-mail. Web hosts have to follow standards set by IANA.
The performance of the servers should also be taken into consideration while choosing a web hosting provider. If your site experiences a high amount of traffic, it is better to opt for a server with higher uptime. If there are problems with the servers, it could take days to get them repaired. Some hosts offer guaranteed uptime, but they do not actually guarantee it. Choose carefully and select a web hosting provider with a good reputation and with servers that offer excellent performance.
