Hosting
What web hosting is and how to choose the right plan
Hosting is where your website lives. We explain what it is, how it differs from a domain, which types exist and what to check to choose the plan your project actually needs.
HostSpace team
5 min read
Key takeaways
- Hosting stores your site’s files; the domain is its name.
- Shared hosting, VPS and business email solve different needs.
- Choose by resources, backups, SSL and support, not just price.
- You can start with a small plan and grow later.
Article contents
What web hosting is
Your website is made of files: pages, images, styles and often a database. For anyone to see it, those files must live on a computer that is always on and connected to the internet. That computer is a server, and renting space on it is hosting.
When someone types your domain in a browser, the request reaches that server, which answers by sending your site. That is why hosting quality directly affects how fast your page loads and how stable it stays.
Domain and hosting are not the same
This is a very common mix-up. The domain is your site's name (for example, yourbusiness.com) and the hosting is where its files live. They are purchased separately, often from the same provider, and connected through DNS records.
To understand how that connection works, read our guide on what DNS is.
Types of hosting
- Shared hosting. Several sites share the resources of the same server. It is the most affordable option and the easiest to manage.
- VPS server. A virtual server with resources dedicated to you and full access to its configuration. It requires more technical knowledge or a team's support.
- Business email. Not web hosting, but often purchased together: it gives you email accounts on your domain.
We explain the difference between the first two in depth in shared hosting or VPS.
How to choose a plan
Rather than starting from the price, start from what your project needs:
| Your project | Usual option |
|---|---|
| Brochure site or portfolio | Shared hosting: enough for most small websites. |
| Online store with steady traffic | A hosting plan with more resources, or a VPS, depending on volume. |
| Your own app or custom software | VPS: full control of the server and dedicated resources. |
| Just email on your domain | A business email plan, no web hosting needed. |
Besides the type of plan, check these points before you buy:
- Disk space and storage type (NVMe drives are faster).
- How many sites and email accounts are included.
- Whether an SSL certificate is included so your site loads over HTTPS.
- How often backups run and how they are restored.
- In which language and through which channels you get support.
Common mistakes when buying hosting
- Choosing on price alone. A very limited plan can slow your site down right when it gets the most visits.
- Not checking backups. Always ask how your site is recovered if something goes wrong.
- Registering the domain in someone else's name. The domain should belong to your business, not to a third party.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you want to publish a website. The domain is only the name; hosting is where the site’s files live.
In most cases, yes. Ask the provider how upgrades work before you buy.
It depends on the plan. Some hosting plans include email accounts, and there are also email-only plans.
HostSpace team
We provide hosting, domains, VPS servers and business email with Spanish-speaking support. We write about what our customers ask us most.