If you’re looking to get your website hosted then you’ll probably keep coming across the term ‘web server’. These are the centrepoint of web hosting and you need to be up to speed on them to ensure you are getting the most from your web hosting provider.

When you employ a web hosting service, you are essentially leasing space for your web site on a server. A server is essentially a hyper-powerful computer whose main purpose is to store the files that make up your website remotely and transmit them across the internet as and when requested by a visitor.

Servers are identified by their IP addresses; every server and computer connected to the web has a unique IP (Internet Protocol) number which serves a dual purpose – to address internet traffic, like a postal address in the real world, and to help identify the different servers and computers on the internet.

When a client visits your site, their computer will send a request to your web server’s IP, which responds with the requested information. Consequently, an IP address is an essential part of the process by which information is passed around the web.

While it is possible to host your own website, this can be a costly option; which is why web hosting is so popular. Over 90% of current websites are hosted on a leased server, with no negative impact on business or retail. Hosting is a cost-effective solution to running a website, allowing you to lease only the server space you need and have top-level technical support – essential if you are need to e-commerce and website hosting.

For a no-obligation quote on web hosting packages contact NSDesign.

Web hosting is the act of renting space on servers to ‘host’ a website. As well as space for your site, web hosts, like NSDesign, also provide full internet connectivity. In short, it’s the internet equivalent of renting shop space.

Hosting comes at the very end of your web design process and is the final step to getting your site live on the internet. Personal web pages and small, simple constructions can be hosted from home through various methods, most of which are free, but require your page to carry advertising.

Complex sites, or those who require a professional advertising-free approach, will need to link up with a web hosting provider. So what questions do you need to ask when choosing a provider?

•    What is the average downtime per month? Downtime is when your website, for whatever reason, is unavailable. Most providers aim to average 99.5% uptime per month, this means a loss of 45 minutes each month.

•    Is there 24 hour technical support? Unexpected downtime can occur when it is least welcome, so you need to know you can speak to somebody quickly and easily to ensure the issue is resolved with minimum impact on your business.

•     What type of hosting is it? Dedicated hosting allows you to retain full control over your server, whereas managed hosting allows the provider to retain administrative functions. There are several other types of hosting, and a good web host should be able to take you through the options to find the one that is right for you.

If you’re looking for a home for your website, then speak to NSDesign for flexible web hosting packages that use the latest Linux technology.