What is web hosting? Simply explained
In short: web hosting is the storage space on a server where your website and email are kept, so visitors can access them 24/7. Think of a server as a computer that is always on and connected to the internet. Without hosting, your website has nowhere to live—and no one can find it.
In this blog, we'll explain how web hosting works without using complicated jargon, whether you actually need it, and how to choose the right hosting package as a beginner. Want to know right away which package suits you best? Take a look at our complete beginner's guide.
How does web hosting work?
Every website consists of files: text, images, and code. Those files need to be stored on a computer that is always online. That computer is a server at a hosting provider such as bHosted.
Here's how it works:
- You register a domain name (for example,
yourbusiness.com). - You purchase a hosting package—the storage space for your website.
- Someone enters your domain name into their browser.
- The server instantly sends your website to the visitor's screen.
At bHosted, our servers are located in a Dutch data center on our own hardware. This means your data stays in the Netherlands, and we use fast NVMe servers to ensure your website loads quickly.
Do I need web hosting?
If you want your own website or a professional email address using your own domain name (such as info@yourbusiness.com), you'll need hosting. Here are a few common situations:
- You only want professional email. A Mail Only package is all you need—starting at €8.00 per year.
- You want a small website or blog. Choose a compact web hosting package starting at just €1.33 per month.
- You only want to reserve a domain name for future use. You can do that for free with domain parking.
How much does web hosting cost?
That depends on what you need. The good news is that high-quality hosting doesn't have to be expensive. At bHosted, web hosting starts at just €1.33 per month, including free SSL and 24/7 backups. Want to know exactly what you're paying for? Read How much does web hosting cost?.
What should you look for when choosing a hosting provider?
- Reliability: Check the uptime guarantee. At bHosted, we guarantee 99.99% uptime, so your website is almost always online.
- Performance: NVMe servers deliver noticeably faster loading times.
- Security: A free SSL certificate and daily backups should come as standard.
- Support: Can you reach a real person when you need help? Our support team won the Customer Service Award for the fastest response time in the Netherlands (an average of just 19 minutes).
- Independence: bHosted is an independent Dutch company with over 23 years of experience—not a large, impersonal corporation.
Frequently asked questions
Is web hosting the same as a domain name?
No. Your domain name is the address (yourbusiness.com), while hosting is the "building" where your website lives. In most cases, you'll need both.
Can I upgrade my hosting package later?
Yes. You can easily upgrade or downgrade your package through the control panel. Start small and scale as your website grows.
How much storage do I need as a beginner?
For a simple website or blog, 1GB or 2GB is more than enough. Our beginner's guide explains which package best fits your situation.
Get started
Now that you know what web hosting is, the next step is choosing the package that fits your needs. Not sure which one to pick? At bHosted, we're happy to help. Feel free to call or message us. We'll make getting started simple, so you can focus on your website without worrying about the technical details.
