What is web hosting? A plain-English guide
By Leonardo Araújo, CEO of Leaven Marketing · Code verified at checkout on
Web hosting is a service that keeps your website's files on a server connected to the internet, so anyone can open your site at any time. If you're about to buy hosting from Hostinger, the coupon code JX9LEOSPEPWF takes 20% off the first term for new customers.
Hostinger coupon code
JX9LEOSPEPWFPaste it in the coupon field at checkout. The “O” is a letter, not a zero.
Affiliate disclosure: the Hostinger links on this page are affiliate links. Leaven Marketing may earn a commission if you buy through them or with our referral code, at no extra cost to you.
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Web hosting in one minute
A website is a set of files: pages, images, code and often a database. For people to see it, those files need to sit on a computer that is always on and connected to the internet. That computer is a server, and a company that rents you space on one is a web host.
When someone types your address, their browser asks your server for the files and shows them as a web page. The host’s job is to keep that server fast, secure and online.
How web hosting works, step by step
- You rent space on a server from a hosting company.
- You point your domain to that server, so example.com leads to your files.
- You upload or build your site: install WordPress, use a website builder or upload your own files.
- Visitors type your domain; the domain system finds your server, and the server sends the page.
The host also handles the things you’d rather not: hardware, network, security updates, backups and the SSL certificate that puts the padlock in the browser.
The main types of web hosting
| Type | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Shared hosting | Many sites share one server’s resources | New sites, blogs, small businesses |
| Cloud hosting | Your site gets dedicated resources across connected servers | Growing sites, online stores |
| VPS | A virtual server with your own resources and root access | Apps, developers, custom software |
| Website builder | Hosting and a drag-and-drop editor in one plan | People who don’t want to touch code |
A full comparison is in shared vs VPS vs cloud hosting.
What to look for in a web hosting plan
- Number of websites the plan allows.
- Storage type: NVMe and SSD are faster than old hard drives.
- Backups: weekly is the minimum; daily is better for stores.
- Free SSL for the padlock in the browser.
- Email accounts on your domain.
- Support that answers when something breaks.
- Renewal price, not just the first payment.
- Money-back guarantee, so you can leave if it isn’t right.
Save 20% with Hostinger code JX9LEOSPEPWF
If you’ve decided to start, Hostinger’s Premium web hosting is a good first plan: up to 3 websites, a free domain for the first year, free SSL and email accounts. New customers get 20% off the first term with JX9LEOSPEPWF on a 12-month or longer term.
Check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary before paying. See how to buy Hostinger step by step or which Hostinger plan to choose.
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FAQ
What is web hosting in simple words?
It's renting space on a server that is always online, so your website's files are available to visitors 24 hours a day.
Do I need web hosting to have a website?
Yes, someone has to host the site. Website builders include hosting in the plan; with WordPress you choose and pay for the hosting yourself.
Is a domain the same as hosting?
No. The domain is your site's address, like example.com. Hosting is where the files live. You need both, and many hosting plans include a free domain for the first year.
Which type of hosting should a beginner choose?
Shared web hosting. It's the cheapest, the provider manages the server, and you can upgrade to cloud or a VPS later.
Opens Hostinger with the code applied. Check for REFERRALDISCOUNT -20% in the order summary.