Everyone must have thought, ‘Putting up a website is what is technical and intimidating! If you follow the right approach, you can launch your website in a few minutes. All the knowledge you will require is web hosting. It is a necessary service that will help you get your website live on search engines.
There are plenty of ways to host a website, either through shared or managed hosting. But here we won’t be talking about which one is better, rather we will shed some light on the steps on how to host your own website.
So, in this blog, we will show you step-by-step exactly how it is done without any technical knowledge. So, let’s get started.
What Does Website Hosting Mean?
So basically, hosting a website means putting website files on the server, so that your files can be publicly accessible. This way anyone can visit this website around the world anytime. There is a software called a web server that makes sure to receive arriving requests and response by providing the demanded page to the user’s browser.
Now, this all may sound like technical jargon but you do not have to learn all of it for hosting a website. There are plenty of companies that offer hosting services at a minimum cost. Even big tech giants like Netflix and PayPal also make use of third-party service providers for hosting their websites.
Only a handful of companies, like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, host their services with their own platforms. They can perform such hectic tasks all because of their huge technical and financial team.
What Do You Need for Hosting a Website?
Here’s how to host a website with two essential things that you will need in hosting:
- Domain Name
- Web Hosting Service Provider
Domain Name
Your website’s domain name acts as its address, so users can find it online. For example, this page may be accessed by using the domain name. Domain names are offered for sale by accredited registrars.
Web Hosting Service Provider
A web hosting service provider provides a ready to use web servers to host a website. They manage the technical aspects and offer website owners with user-friendly tools to oversee their hosting.
5 Steps for Website Hosting
If you want to host your own website, here are several steps of website hosting:
Decide Your Website Type
When building a website, choose between static and dynamic. Static sites offer the same content to all visitors, suitable for blogs, resumes, and portfolios, needing fewer server resources. Dynamic sites, like eCommerce or web apps, adapt content based on factors like location and user behaviour, requiring more server resources and flexible features. After deciding, estimate resource needs—just as businesses might use cost estimating software to project expenses—and select a hosting plan like shared, cloud, VPS, or managed WordPress hosting.
For websites requiring extensive customization and functionality, consider website builders like the ones listed in this Attrock curated list, which offer robust features like plugins, app integrations, and built-in marketing tools. These can simplify complex website creation without requiring coding knowledge.
Select Web Hosting Provider
Your hosting provider significantly affects your website’s performance. Higher prices don’t guarantee better quality. To find the best web hosting:
- Compare providers thoroughly.
- Look for reviews that discuss technology, features, and suitability for different projects.
- Consider user feedback on the pros and cons.
Choose a provider with user-friendly site creation tools and easy CMS integration for website hosting.
Choose a Web Hosting Plan
Selecting a web hosting plan is a critical decision in website development, as each type of hosting provides distinct resources. Factors such as storage space, memory, and CPUs should be taken into account when selecting a hosting service.
Register a Unique Domain Name
Register a different domain name for your website, which serves as its address. Choose wisely, as it includes a second-level domain (SLD) and a top-level domain (TLD). Use a domain name generator to help generate ideas and ensure originality. Incorporate popular keywords, opt for a .com extension, avoid complexity, and check availability online. Register through a web hosting provider that includes a free domain name with their hosting plans.
Upload Your Website
To get your website live, consider using a CMS or website builder. Many web hosts, like Hostinger, and WP Provider offer one-click installers for popular CMSs, so you don’t have to install WordPress manually.
After installing your platform:
- Start building your site by selecting a theme, adding plugins, and creating content. If you already have a site, upload it to the web server using tools like an FTP client or website importer.
- Check your domain to ensure it directs to your site, noting that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally.
- Use a global DNS checker to track the process.
Types of Website Hosting Services
Every website is different, some are smaller and have low traffic while others are larger with ample content and visitors. A smaller website would require fewer resources such as disk space and bandwidth while larger websites would need more resources to run seamlessly.
That’s why website hosting companies provide different types of hosting offers designed to address different issues. So, if you are thinking how to host your own website, here are some common hosting options that are available:
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting, the most affordable option, involves multiple websites sharing resources on a single server. It’s ideal for small businesses and personal websites with moderate traffic. However, customization options and resources are limited due to resource sharing among users. The hosting provider manages server maintenance and security, freeing users from these technical responsibilities.
VPS Hosting
VPS hosting provides a virtualized server environment within a larger physical server, offering users more control and resources compared to shared hosting. It’s particularly beneficial for websites experiencing growth or requiring greater customization. Users are granted root access to their virtual server, enabling them to configure settings and install software with greater flexibility. This level of control makes VPS hosting an attractive option for businesses and developers seeking scalable and customizable hosting solutions.
Dedicated hosting
Dedicated hosting provides exclusive access to a whole physical server, ensuring maximum control and performance. It’s ideal for high-traffic websites and large applications needing robust resources. However, it requires advanced technical knowledge or dedicated server management services for setup and maintenance.
Managed WordPress Hosting
Managed WordPress hosting is a specialised service designed exclusively for WordPress websites. It offers comprehensive support and maintenance aimed at improving performance, security, and scalability. With managed WordPress hosting, tasks like software updates, security monitoring, daily backups, and website optimization are taken care of by the hosting provider. This allows website owners to focus on creating content and expanding their business. Additionally, this type of hosting often includes features such as staging environments for testing site changes, built-in caching for faster loading times, and expert WordPress support for addressing technical issues.
Furthermore, a WordPress manager often ensures advanced security measures are in place to protect against malware, DDoS attacks, and other online threats, reducing the risk of downtime and data loss. Overall, a WordPress manager offers a convenient and reliable solution for individuals and businesses looking to maximize the potential of WordPress without the complexities of server management.
Conclusion
Hosting a website may feel like a daunting task, particularly when you are not familiar with the concepts of web development. But worry not; with the ever-evolving world of technology, new ways and techniques are coming into existence to make it easy to host websites for web owners.
Although there are different website hosting plans, the most preferred option is to go with managed WordPress hosting. If you encounter any issues, the hosting providers can help you find the best solution. So, what are you waiting for? Go through the above content and get started on hosting your website.
