A web hosting service is a type of Internet hosting service that allows individuals and organizations to make their own website accessible via the World Wide Web. This service is usually provided by your ISP or a specialist hosting company that provide space on a server they own or lease for use by their clients as well as providing Internet connectivity, typically in a data center. It requires a permanent Internet connection and Web server.

The scope of hosting services varies widely. The most basic is web page and small-scale file hosting, where files can be uploaded via File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or a Web interface. The files are usually delivered to the Web "as is" or with little processing. Many Internet service providers (ISPs) offer this service free to their subscribers. People can also obtain Web page hosting from other, alternative service providers. Personal web site hosting is typically free, advertisement-sponsored, or inexpensive. Business web site hosting often has a higher expense.

Single page hosting is generally sufficient only for personal web pages. A complex site calls for a more comprehensive package that provides database support and application development platforms (e.g. PHP, Java, Ruby on Rails, ColdFusion, and ASP.NET). These facilities allow the customers to write or install scripts for applications like forums and content management. For e-commerce, SSL is also highly recommended.

The host may also provide an interface or control panel for managing the Web server and installing scripts as well as other services like e-mail. Some hosts specialize in certain software or services (e.g. e-commerce). They are commonly used by larger companies to outsource network infrastructure to a hosting company.

Things to Consider with a Hosting Provider

24-hour support

Make sure your Hosting Provider offers 24-hours support.

Daily Backup

Make sure your Hosting Provider runs a daily backup routine, otherwise you may lose some valuable data.

Traffic Volume

Study the Hosting Provider's traffic volume restrictions. Make sure that you don't have to pay a fortune for unexpected high traffic if your web site becomes popular.

Bandwidth or Content Restrictions

Study the Hosting Provider's bandwidth and content restrictions. If you plan to publish pictures or broadcast video or sound, make sure that you can.

E-mail Capabilities

Make sure your Hosting Provider supports the e-mail capabilities you need.

Front Page Extensions

If you use FrontPage to develop your web site, make sure your Hosting Provider supports FrontPage server extensions.

Database Access

If you plan to use data from databases on your web site, make sure your Hosting Provider supports the database access you need.