When you type a website address into your browser, you’re asking a web host, a server that stores and delivers your website’s files to visitors. Also known as web hosting, it’s the digital land where your site lives—no different than needing a physical address to open a store. Without a web host, your website is just code on your computer. It won’t show up for anyone else. Think of it like a mailbox: your website files are the letters, and the web host is the post office that delivers them when someone asks for them.
A web server, the hardware and software that runs on a web host, is what actually handles those requests. It’s not just storage—it’s the engine that runs your site’s code, responds to visitors, and serves up pages in milliseconds. Most people don’t realize that a web host isn’t one thing—it’s a mix of servers, security, bandwidth, and support. Some offer shared hosting, where your site shares space with hundreds of others. Others give you dedicated servers, cloud storage, or even managed WordPress hosting. The right choice depends on your traffic, budget, and how much control you need.
Many of the posts here dive into how web hosting connects to what you build. If you’re using WordPress, your host affects speed, security, and how easy it is to install plugins. If you’re coding with HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, your host determines whether your site loads fast on mobile or gets buried by slow servers. Even freelance web developers know that recommending the wrong host can cost clients time, money, and traffic. You don’t need to be a tech expert to pick a good one—you just need to know what questions to ask.
What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from people who’ve been there. From whether you need a web host for a simple blog to how shared hosting can slow you down, these posts cut through the noise. You’ll see what works for beginners, what trips up freelancers, and why some hosts are better for SEO than others. No fluff. Just what you need to pick the right one and keep your site running.
You don't need to pay for hosting to get your website online, but you always need a server. Free options exist, but they come with big limits. Here's what really matters when choosing how to host your site.