Greetings everyone! Today I'd like to discuss the fundamentals of how a website works. Let's begin by acknowledging that a website cannot function without hosting, a server, and a hosting provider.

Hosting is a combination of various technologies that allow you to store not only your website but also applications, databases, and more.

The server is the device where your project data is stored. It runs continuously, even when you're not active online! Virtual and real servers are the two types available, and if you store data on your computer, you won't have to pay rent for a server as it'll belong to you.

A hosting provider is a group of individuals who can access your website or application. This is crucial so that experts may test or develop new features for your project. When selecting a hosting provider, be sure to be meticulous, because the performance of your site/application will be reliant upon it.

There you have it, the basics of how a website works!

Hosting refers to the act of placing a website on the internet. Once your website is hosted on a server, it can be accessed at any time by typing in the domain name in a browser. This means that access to the site is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

To host your website, you must first have your own site. You can have a copy of your website on your computer or use ready-made materials with a script that allows you to create a website directly on the server. Additionally, you need to purchase a domain name that's relevant to the website content and easy to remember. Domain names can end in different extensions like .com, .net, .org, etc., each having different intended uses.

A server is a computer provided by an Internet provider where a copy of your website is stored. One server can host numerous websites due to its large disk array and high performance. The server's disk space, computing power, and the bandwidth of the web hosting provider's Internet channels all play a significant role. You can access your site from any web browser by typing the website's address in the browser bar.

Web hosting is comparable to renting real estate, and many companies offer affordable web hosting, but not all provide quality hosting. A fee per month for hosting shouldn't exceed $5 for most websites. Hosting companies should offer at least 300 megabytes of disk space on the server, scripts installation and support, database support, and an administrative panel (your control panel) for the website and email settings.

Choosing the right web hosting provider is as important as determining what level the website will be. More than 70% of website owners switch providers at least once due to dissatisfaction with services provided. It's necessary to choose a provider carefully because losses may occur if there is no access to the company's website, making it impossible for potential clients to find vital information. Small carelessness in selecting a provider can cause significant damage.

When considering hosting, I look at the different types of hosting services available, such as shared hosting, virtual private servers (VPS), and dedicated hosting. Each type offers a unique set of resources, performance capabilities, and scalability options. Understanding these distinctions allows me to tailor the design to the specific hosting environment, ensuring that the website operates smoothly and efficiently.

The server plays a critical role in the performance and reliability of the website. I take into account the server's hardware specifications, including CPU, RAM, and storage capacity, to optimize the design for seamless functionality. This involves creating design elements that are optimized for fast loading times and minimal server resource consumption, ultimately enhancing the user experience.

Considering the hosting provider, I meticulously evaluate their infrastructure, network reliability, and data center facilities. It's essential to ensure that the hosting provider offers robust security measures, such as firewalls, DDoS protection, and SSL certificates, to safeguard the website and its data. Additionally, I look for hosting providers that offer scalable solutions, allowing for future expansion of the website without compromising performance.
I collaborate closely with hosting specialists and engineers to align the design requirements with the hosting environment. This includes discussing server-side technologies, database configurations, and content delivery networks (CDNs) to optimize the design for speed, security, and overall performance.

Hosting isn't just a "combo of tech" - it's a critical ecosystem involving virtualization tech like KVM or Xen, orchestration tools like Kubernetes, and failover mechanisms. The server isn't just a "device" but a complex machine running OS-level virtualization or bare metal setups.

And hosting providers? They're not just "people who access your app," they're gatekeepers of your uptime and security posture. If you think storing data on your PC beats professional hosting, you're ignoring risks like IP blacklisting, power outages, and zero redundancy.