What Are Web Hosting Companies and How They Work

Ever wonder how a website exists on the internet? You type a name like truehost.co.ke into your browser, and a website appears in seconds. 

Behind that simple browsing is a crucial, behind-the-scenes service that makes it all possible.

That service is provided by web hosting companies.

You have interacted with countless websites, and each one is made of files, code, images, and text. 

However, these files cannot simply exist in cyberspace; they require a secure location, always powered on, and connected to the global internet so that anyone, anywhere, can visit, day or night.

In this article, we’ll tell you how web hosting companies are involved in ensuring that any website is accessible to everyone who needs it.

You’ll know how a website finds its home on the web. 

What Is a Web Hosting Company?

A web hosting company is a service that provides the technology and space needed for your website to be viewed on the internet.

Every website you’ve ever visited, for example truehost.co.ke, is a collection of files: code, text, images, and videos. 

These files need to be stored on a superior, always-on computer called a server. 

Web hosting companies own and maintain thousands of these servers in massive, secure facilities known as data centers.

When you pay for a web hosting plan, you are renting a space on one of these servers to store all your website’s files securely.

So, 

Your website is similar to a shop, and your website files are like the inventory and furniture in that shop.

The web hosting server is the physical building that houses your shop. 

Therefore, a web hosting company like TrueHost is the landlord who owns the building, ensures the electricity is on, the security is working, and the doors are open for business.

How Web Hosting Companies Work

This is how a web hosting company delivers your site to a visitor:

Step 1: The User’s Request

It starts when someone types your website address (URL) into their browser or clicks on a link. It is similar to looking up your address on a map and deciding to visit.

Step 2: The DNS Lookup

When someone looks up a website, the browser doesn’t inherently know where your website lives. 

So, it checks with a system called the Domain Name System (DNS).

Then, it translates the human-friendly domain name, such as www.truehost.co.ke, into the computer-friendly numerical IP address of the server where your website is hosted.

Step 3: The Server Receives the Request

The request, now with the correct server address, zips across the internet to the specific server in the hosting company’s data center where your website files are stored.

Step 4: The Server Processes the Request

The server locates the requested files, such as the homepage, an article, or an image and retrieves them. 

If your site uses a database for features such as user accounts or product listings, the server will also retrieve that information.

Step 5:The Delivery

The server packages all these files and data and sends them back across the internet to the user’s device.

Step 6: The Website Appears

The user’s browser receives the data, interprets the code, and displays it as a fully-formed, visual webpage. 

The entire process, from step 1 to 6, takes less than a few seconds.

Other Services By Web Hosting Company 

We’ve mentioned that a web hosting company is an online landlord. Hence, their job extends beyond providing a place for your files to reside. 

A web hosting company provides a range of services to ensure your website is secure, fast, and always accessible.

They also provide:

1) Server Space and Storage

Web hosting companies rent out space on their dominant servers for you to store every single file that makes up your website. 

For instance, our hosting plans include SSD storage, a faster and more reliable type of storage, ensuring your website loads quickly for your visitors.

2) They Keep the Lights On 24/7

A shop that’s randomly closed will lose customers. Hosting companies invest heavily to guarantee your site is accessible around the clock. 

Truehost, for example, tracks a 99.97% uptime, meaning your business website experiences minimal to no interruptions.

3) They Protect Your Website

Web hosting companies provide security for every website. At Truehost, we guarantee:

Free Automated SSL Certificates: Truehost provides this for free on all plans, activating the padlock icon in the browser to encrypt data and build trust with your visitors.

Free Daily Backups: As offered in our Starter and Pro plans, this acts as a safety net, allowing you to restore your site if anything goes wrong.

4) Customer Support

When something goes wrong with your website, you need help fast. The quality of support is a critical differentiator. 

For example, Truehost guarantees you experienced customer support available 24/7 through multiple channels, including live chat, WhatsApp, and phone, ensuring you’re never left without assistance.

5) Email Hosting

The web hosting company enables you to effectively communicate via a professional email by allowing you to create custom email addresses using your domain. 

Truehost includes Unlimited Email Accounts in its shared hosting plans, helping you build a professional brand identity.

6) They Provide the Tools for Easy Management

Through cPanel access and a 1-click Installer, hosts like Truehost make it simple to

• Manage your site
• Install WordPress or other CMS platforms
• Set up e-commerce tools like WooCommerce 

Do You Need a Company to Host a Website?

Yes, if you want anyone else in the world to see it.

However, the type of company and the level of involvement can vary. 

For most people and businesses, using a reliable web hosting company such as Truehost is the best and most realistic choice. 

Hosting companies provide the service of renting you space on their servers, which are always connected to the high-speed internet backbone.

Having a hosting company to take care of your website is good because:

• It’s Reliable and guarantees uptime (99.9%), so your site doesn’t go down.
• They manage firewalls, security updates, and physical security for their data centers.
• It’s Scalable: As your site grows, you can easily upgrade to a larger plan.
• You get customer support when things go wrong.
• You get email hosting, backups, easy installers, and more.

With a web hosting company, you are paying for a specialized service so you don’t have to build and maintain the complex infrastructure yourself.

Alternative Ways to Host Your Website

While getting a web hosting company is the ideal option. You are not confined to it. There are other options to consider.

Hosting It Yourself on Your Own Computer

You can install server software, such as Apache or Nginx, on your own laptop or desktop and host your website from there.

However, this comes with some disadvantages:

• Your computer must always be on: If you turn off your computer, your website goes offline for everyone.

• Home internet can barely sustain it: Residential internet connections are often slow for uploading data and frequently have dynamic IP addresses that change, disrupting your address.

• It’s a significant security risk where you are opening a direct connection from the public internet to your personal computer, making it vulnerable to hackers.

• It can’t handle traffic: Even a few dozen visitors at once could completely overwhelm your computer and internet connection, crashing the site.

Using a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)

This is a middle ground. You are still using a company’s infrastructure, but it’s a more developer-centric and flexible environment. 

Examples include Vercel, Netlify, or Heroku.

You link your code from a repository like GitHub, and the platform automatically builds and hosts it for you.

This method is suitable for developers, programmers, and tech-savvy users who build modern web applications.

Is it a company? 

Yes, technically. You are relying on their infrastructure, but the experience is different from traditional cPanel-based hosting.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Web Hosting Company

If you are considering getting a hosting company for your website, here’s what you should have in mind:

Performance and Reliability:

• Look for a 99.9% or higher uptime guarantee to ensure your site is online almost all the time.
• Opt for providers with SSD storage and robust server technology for fast loading times.

Scalability:

Can you easily upgrade your plan? Your host should grow with you as your traffic increases.

Support:

Is support available 24/7 via live chat, phone, or ticket? Test their response time before buying. Knowledgeable support is crucial for resolving issues efficiently.

Security Features:

Look for included essentials, such as a free SSL certificate, firewalls, malware scanning, and regular automated backups.

Pricing and Value:

Don’t be content with the intro price. Check the renewal cost and ensure the features like email, backups, and storage match the price.

Ease of Use:

You need a user-friendly control panel and one-click installers for WordPress to make managing your site simple.

Your Specific Needs:

• For a blog/small business, shared hosting is perfect.

• For an online store, you need security, speed, and e-commerce features.

• For a local business, you need a host with regional data centers, such as Truehost in Kenya, for improved local performance and support.

Conclusion

A web hosting company is the essential, behind-the-scenes partner that provides a secure and reliable home for your website. 

It handles servers, security, and supports you in focusing on creating content, building your brand, and connecting with your audience. 

Understanding how web hosting companies work empowers you to make an informed choice for your online presence.

Now that you know what to look for, take the first step towards a professional website. Get started with Truehost today and experience web hosting that just gets you!