Getting your website online is more than writing code — you need a place for your files to live. That’s where web hosting comes in.

Whether you're building a portfolio, launching a SaaS product, or deploying a static site, understanding hosting is essential.

What Is Web Hosting?

In simple terms, web hosting is the service that stores your website’s files and makes them accessible on the internet.

Think of it like this: if your website is a house, then web hosting is the land it sits on. Without hosting, your website has nowhere to live — and no one can visit.

When someone types your domain into a browser, their device connects to a server (owned by your hosting provider), fetches your website’s files, and displays them.

Types of Web Hosting

There are several types of hosting, each suited for different needs and skill levels.

1. Shared Hosting

• Cheapest and easiest to start with.
• Your site shares server resources with others.
• Great for small websites or beginners.

2. VPS (Virtual Private Server)

• Offers more control and resources than shared hosting.
• Ideal for developers who want a balance between cost and flexibility.

3. Dedicated Hosting

• You rent an entire physical server.
• High performance, high cost.
• Best for enterprise apps or high-traffic sites.

4. Cloud Hosting

• Scalable and reliable.
• Your site is hosted on multiple virtual servers (the cloud).
• Examples: AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean.

5. Managed Hosting

• Hosting provider handles server maintenance, updates, and security.
• Popular for WordPress and other CMSs.

Choosing the Right Hosting for Developers

As a developer, consider the following before picking a host:

• Tech stack compatibility (Node, PHP, Python, etc.)
• SSH access and CLI tools
• Deployment options (Git integration, CI/CD pipelines)
• Scalability as your app grows
• Support for containers or serverless if you need advanced infrastructure

💡 For a deeper dive into version control and deployment, check out:

Getting Started with Git and GitHub

Final Thoughts

Understanding web hosting is a core part of your developer toolkit. Once you know where and how your site lives, you’ll be better equipped to build, deploy, and maintain it.

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Originally published on DevMagz.