Web hosting is the service of storing your website's files on a computer, called a server, that is always connected to the internet, so people can open your site at any time. Your domain name is the address; hosting is the building the address leads to. You need both for a website to work.
Visitor
Taps your link or types your address.
Domain name
The address they used.
DNS
Looks up where the site is stored.
Hosting
The server sends the page back.
What happens when someone opens your website
When a customer types your address or taps a link, their phone asks the internet where your site lives. DNS answers with the location of your hosting server. The server sends back the page, and the phone shows it. That whole trip normally takes a moment.
Domain name versus hosting
| Domain name | Hosting | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The address | The place the site is stored |
| Example | yourbusiness.com.na | A server that holds the pages, pictures and files |
| Paid to | A registrar | A hosting provider |
| Renewed | Usually yearly | Monthly or yearly |
| If it stops | The address no longer works | The site goes offline |
The main kinds of hosting
- Shared hosting. Many websites share one server. It is usually the cheapest and fine for small sites, but a busy neighbour can slow you down.
- Virtual private server (VPS). Your own slice of a server, with more control and more responsibility for keeping it updated.
- Managed or platform hosting. The provider looks after the technical setup, and often updates and backups. It suits businesses that do not want to manage a server.
- Website builders. Services like drag-and-drop builders include hosting in the monthly price. Easy to start, but moving away later can be hard.
Which one fits depends on how the site is built and how much it is used. A simple business site rarely needs more than a small plan.
Benefits and limits
- Your site is online all day without a computer of your own running at your shop.
- A good provider handles security updates to its servers and offers backups.
- You can start small and move to a bigger plan as the site grows.
- Cheap hosting can mean slow pages or little support.
- Hosting does not protect a badly built website. The website's own software also needs updates.
- A provider's “uptime” promise is a promise, not a guarantee. Ask what happens when something goes wrong.
What to ask a hosting provider
- What exactly is included, and what is the price after the first term?
- Are backups included, how often, and how do I restore one?
- Is a secure connection (HTTPS) included? Visitors' browsers warn about sites without one.
- Who can I contact for help, and how?
- Whose name is the account in, and can I move my site away later?
Speed also depends on how the website itself is built: the size of pictures and the amount of code matter a lot. web.dev has a free course on performance (external site, opens in a new tab) if you want to learn more.
Common mistakes
- Not knowing where the site is hosted. If your developer disappears, you must still be able to log in.
- Putting the hosting account in the developer's name. See who owns your website.
- Choosing only on price. A few dollars saved can cost days of downtime.
- Mixing up hosting and email. They can be separate services. Email on your own domain is covered in our business email guide.
Key terms and where the definitions come from
Show key terms and sources
These explanations are ADA's own words, adapted from the independent sources named. Those organisations do not endorse or work with ADA, and the examples are illustrations, not real clients.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is renting space on a server, a computer that is always on, to store your website's files and send them to visitors who ask for them. A domain name is the address; hosting is where the site lives.
Source: Based on MDN Web Docs, What is a web server?.
Reference: MDN Web Docs: What is a web server? (external site, opens in a new tab)
For a Namibian business: A restaurant in Windhoek pays a hosting provider so its menu pages are available day and night, instead of only when someone's own computer is switched on.
Related ADA service: Business website design
What is a domain name?
A domain name is a human-readable address for your website, such as yourbusiness.com.na. You rent it from a registrar for a set period and renew it to keep it.
Source: Based on MDN Web Docs, What is a domain name?.
Reference: MDN Web Docs: What is a domain name? (external site, opens in a new tab)
For a Namibian business: A Rundu business that registers its own name controls where its website and email addresses point, even if it later changes its web designer or host.
Related ADA service: Who owns your website
Common questions
What is the difference between web hosting and a domain name?
A domain name is the address people type. Hosting is where your website's files are stored. The domain points to the hosting.
Do I need hosting if I use a website builder?
The builder normally includes hosting in its price, so you do not buy it separately. You are renting both the tool and the hosting from the same company.
How much does hosting cost?
It varies by provider and plan. Ask for the price after the first term in writing. Our website cost guide lists published examples.
Can I change my hosting provider later?
Usually yes, if you keep copies of your files and can edit your domain's DNS settings. This is easier when you own every account.
Does hosting include backups and security?
Some plans do and some do not. Ask exactly what is included. Even then, the website's own software must be kept up to date.
Need help with this?
Optional. You do not need any ADA service to use what you have just read.
- Website care plans
Monthly updates, backups, security checks and small changes. - Hosting and domain help
Help choosing and setting up suitable hosting for your site.