Web hosting
Simple web hosting explained without server jargon
Web hosting sounds complicated because providers describe the machinery behind it. A website owner usually needs only a small mental model: your domain is the address, DNS is the directory, hosting is the place the site runs, and your website software creates the pages.
The domain is the name
A domain such as example.ca is the name people type. Registering the name does not automatically create a website. The domain needs DNS records that direct browsers and other services to the right systems.
Hosting is the website’s working environment
Hosting provides storage and the software environment that responds when someone visits the domain. Shared hosting puts many customer accounts on a managed server platform while keeping each account within defined limits.
A VPS gives one customer a virtual server and is usually more flexible, but it is not automatically easier.
WordPress is the website application
WordPress runs inside the hosting account. It stores content in a database and uses themes and plugins to control how the site looks and behaves.
The hosting company operates the platform; the website owner still needs to maintain the WordPress application and its credentials.
SSL protects the connection
A TLS certificate allows visitors to use HTTPS. Most modern websites should use HTTPS by default. The certificate protects the connection between the visitor and the site; it does not replace application security, backups or strong passwords.
Backups are your undo button
Backups preserve copies of files and databases so you have a recovery path after mistakes or failures. Know where the copies are stored, how long they are kept and how to restore them.
Once these five pieces make sense, most beginner hosting tasks become much less mysterious.
Common questions
Is web hosting the same thing as a domain name?
No. The domain is the public name, while hosting is the environment where the website runs. They can be purchased from the same provider or different providers.