Every website is really just a folder of files — HTML, images, code — sitting on a computer somewhere. Web hosting is the service that keeps that computer, called a server, running and connected to the internet all day, every day, so those files are available the moment someone types in your address.
Where your domain fits in
Your domain name (like yoursite.com) and your hosting are two separate things that work together. The domain is the address; the host is the building at that address. You can buy them from the same company or from different ones and point one at the other.
The main types of hosting
- Shared hosting — your site sits on a server alongside many other websites, splitting the cost and the resources. It's the cheapest option and enough for most new sites.
- VPS hosting — you get a dedicated slice of a server's resources, walled off from other accounts. More power, more cost, more responsibility.
- Dedicated hosting — an entire physical server just for your site. Overkill for almost everyone starting out.
- Managed WordPress hosting — shared or VPS-level resources, but tuned and maintained specifically for WordPress sites.
What you actually need starting out
If this is your first website, shared hosting from a reliable provider is almost always the right starting point. You can always upgrade later — most hosts make that a one-click process — so there's little downside to starting small.
The most common beginner mistake isn't picking the "wrong" host. It's overpaying for VPS or dedicated resources a new site doesn't need yet.
Once you understand the basic categories, the next step is matching a specific plan to your situation — see our guide on how to choose a web host.