Web hosting is the service that allows individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible via the World Wide Web. Here's how it works:
1. **Server**: Websites are hosted on special computers called servers. These servers are powerful computers that store and manage the files and data that make up a website.
2. **Hosting Provider**: To host a website, you need to sign up with a hosting provider. These companies own and operate servers, and they offer various hosting plans to accommodate different needs and budgets.
3. **Domain Name**: Before setting up hosting, you typically need to register a domain name for your website (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com). You can either register the domain through your hosting provider or through a separate domain registrar.
4. **Uploading Files**: Once you have a hosting plan and a domain name, you upload your website files to the server. This can be done using various methods, such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or through a web-based control panel provided by the hosting company.
5. **DNS (Domain Name System)**: When someone enters your domain name into their web browser, their computer needs to know where to find your website's files. This is where DNS comes in. When a user enters your domain name, their browser queries DNS servers to find the IP address associated with that domain. The IP address is then used to locate and retrieve the website's files from the hosting server.
6. **Accessing Your Website**: Once the browser has the IP address, it sends a request to the hosting server, asking for the website files. The server then sends the files back to the browser, which renders them into the web pages that users see.
7. **Maintenance and Security**: Hosting providers often offer additional services like backups, security features, and technical support to help you maintain and secure your website.
In summary, web hosting involves renting space on a server from a hosting provider to store your website files, making them accessible to visitors via the internet.