03 · Where the website lives
Hosting and servers
A website needs a computer somewhere that can deliver its files whenever someone visits. That service is called hosting.
Plain meaning
Hosting is like renting space in a building. Your website files live there, and the hosting service keeps the lights on so visitors can reach them.
What is a server?
A server is simply a computer that is prepared to answer requests. When a visitor opens your domain, the server finds the right files and sends them back to the browser.
Common hosting choices
- Shared hosting: Like sharing a building with many businesses. Affordable and simple.
- Managed hosting: Someone else handles much of the maintenance for you.
- Virtual server: A reserved slice of a larger machine with more control.
- Your own server: Maximum control, but you are responsible for updates, security, backups, and reliability.
What to compare
Ask about: reliability, speed, backups, security updates, support, traffic limits, storage, and how easy it is to move away later.
Next step
Choose hosting based on the business need—not just the lowest price. A simple brochure site and a customer-facing application may need very different homes.