Web hosting is the service that allows your website to be accessible on the internet. When you create a website, its files (such as HTML, images, videos, and scripts) need to be stored on a server connected to the internet. A web hosting provider offers these server resources to store your website and ensure it is available 24/7 to visitors. There are different types of web hosting services, including:
- Shared Hosting – Your website shares server resources with other websites. It's cost-effective and suitable for small websites with moderate traffic.
- VPS Hosting – Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting offers more dedicated resources by partitioning a physical server into several virtual servers. It provides better performance and control compared to shared hosting.
- Dedicated Hosting – You get an entire server dedicated solely to your website. This offers the highest level of performance and control, ideal for large websites with high traffic.
- Cloud Hosting – A scalable and flexible hosting option where your website is hosted on multiple servers. This ensures uptime and handles traffic spikes efficiently.
- Managed Hosting – A hosting provider takes care of server maintenance, security, updates, and backups for you, which is great for businesses that don’t have an in-house technical team.
Key Features of Web Hosting:
- Storage Space – Amount of space available for your files.
- Bandwidth – Determines how much data your website can handle.
- Uptime Guarantee – Ensures your website remains online, typically 99.9%.
- Support – 24/7 customer service to assist with technical issues.
- Security – Protection against malware, viruses, and other security threats.
Domain Registration
A domain name is the address or URL (e.g., tekisoft.com) that people use to visit your website. Domain registration is the process of securing a unique name for your website through a domain registrar. The domain name system (DNS) connects your domain name to the server where your website is hosted. The registration is usually done for a year and can be renewed annually.
Types of Domains:
- Top-Level Domains (TLDs) – These include popular extensions such as .com, .org, .net, and .info.
- Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs) – Domain extensions associated with specific countries, such as .tz for Tanzania, .uk for the UK, and .jp for Japan.
- Generic TLDs (gTLDs) – Newer extensions like .tech, .store, .online, and others for specific industries or communities.
Key Features of Domain Registration:
- Domain Privacy – Protects your personal information from being visible in public WHOIS databases.
- DNS Management – Configures how your domain connects to your web server and email services.
- Domain Locking – Prevents unauthorized transfers of your domain.
Benefits of Combining Web Hosting and Domain Registration:
- Seamless Setup – Using the same provider for both services simplifies the process of linking your domain to your web hosting.
- Better Support – You only need to contact one provider for any technical issues.
- Cost Savings – Many hosting providers offer domain registration as part of their hosting packages, often with discounts.