Think of web hosting vs. a web server as two friends who live together. A web server is a home, and the web host is like the landlord who owns that home.
The role of the web server and web hosting services has changed considerably as new technologies have been introduced.
Both services are essential for creating a website, but they offer very different things. The two services are not exclusive to one another; you can have both at the same time.
However, they operate in very different ways and have specific functions only necessary for certain circumstances.
Understanding the differences between these two services will help you make the right choice when launching your site.
Let’s look ar or software that hosts your website and serves content to users. It is one of the key components of the website infrastructure.
When users access your site, the server receives the request and then delivers the content back to the user by sending it to their browser.
In the early days of the internet, web servers were mainly physical computers located in data centers.
However, as the world has become increasingly digital, the need for physical servers has started to diminish.
Web servers can also be virtual, meaning they are hosted on virtual machines rather than physical hardware. This has created a lot of confusion about what a web server is.
What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting refers to the service of providing a server for your website. It is a type of cloud hosting where you have very few physical resources and are mostly virtualized.
A hosting provider will provide you with a server that hosts your website files. This means all your site’s content is stored on their servers, and they are responsible for serving it to the users.
Hosting providers typically offer different types of hosting services, such as shared hosting, reseller hosting, virtual private servers (VPS), dedicated servers, and more.
There are different types of web hosting, including;
Shared host
Most of the time, a shared hosting account will use shared servers. This means that multiple websites and users are hosted on the same server. It’s the type of hosting you get with most free website builders.
You’ll be given a limited amount of space and bandwidth, so you’ll have to be careful not to exceed these limits.
Dedicated host
It’s most commonly used by large, high-traffic websites that need a huge amount of server space. Instead of hosting websites for a wide range of clients, you’ll be the only one using the server. Your website will have access to a huge amount of server space and bandwidth.
Free host
It’s not uncommon for free hosting services to be littered with pop-up ads, redirect you to shady places, or even be completely non-existent.
They’re easily the riskiest option for hosting your website, but they’re also one of the simplest. Because the service is free, you won’t need to go through the same rigorous signup process as you would with paid hosting.
Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. While shared hosting is usually less expensive than dedicated hosting, it can cause slower load times because multiple computers are competing for limited resources.
Dedicated hosting is typically more expensive than shared hosting, but it’s ideal for those who plan to run many sites or have heavy traffic or file sizes.
What’s The Difference Between Web Servers And Web Hosting?
Web server and web hosting are two terms used interchangeably in the context of a computer network.
These terms refer to the technology that allows computers to communicate and share data. In simple terms, web servers are computers that run the websites, while web hosting is the process of using servers to host websites.
Web hosting allows website owners to make their websites accessible via the World Wide Web. On the other hand, a web server provides services to programs or devices in the network.
How To Choose A Web Server And Hosting Service?
Now that you know the difference between a web server and web hosting, it’s time to learn how to choose the right service for your website.
When selecting a hosting provider and web server, you need to think about several things. First, you need to consider what operating system your website runs on.
This will help you decide which virtual server hosting provider will best fit your site.
Next, you must carefully consider the traffic your site receives. This will help you to choose the right hosting level for your site.
Finally, consider how long you plan to keep your site online. This will help you to choose the right long-term hosting plan for your site.
If you want to create a fast, reliable, and secure website, you need to choose the right web hosting services.
If you check out the DreamHost reviews, you’ll know that they are one of the best web hosting service providers on the market.
Your hosting provider will also be responsible for things like data backups, dealing with malicious attacks, and network uptime. This is because the website is being hosted on their servers, after all.
Summing Up
By now, web server vs. web hosting should be clear. A website is the presence of a business online, and it will only be successful if the server hosting it is fast, reliable, and secure.
When selecting a hosting provider and web server, you need to consider several factors, including the OS your website runs on, the amount of traffic your site receives, and the duration you plan to keep your website online.
This will help you to choose the best long-term hosting plan for your site.