Welcome, Dev, to the world of hosting websites. In today’s world, it is essential to have an online presence to increase the reach of your business. For this, you need a website, and to make your website live on the internet, you need to host it on a server. Hosting a website might sound complex, but it’s not rocket science. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about hosting a website on a server.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Types of Web Hosting
- Selecting a Web Host
- Domain Name and DNS
- Uploading Files to the Server
- Configuring the Server
- Securing the Server
- Backup and Recovery
- Optimizing Performance
- Scaling the Server
- Monitoring the Server
- Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Migrating Hosting Providers
- Adding SSL Certificate
- Using cPanel
- Hosting WordPress Website
- Hosting eCommerce Website
- Hosting a Blog
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Introduction
Before we proceed to host a website, let’s understand the concept of web hosting. Every website on the internet is hosted on a server. A server is a computer that is connected to the internet 24/7 and can store the website files and data. When a user types the website URL in their browser, the browser contacts the server, and the website is displayed on the user’s device. In simple words, when you host a website on a server, you make it accessible to the internet users worldwide.
Hosting a website involves many steps, from selecting a web host to configuring the server, securing it, and optimizing the performance. We’ll take you through each step in detail to make it easier for you to understand.
Types of Web Hosting
There are different types of web hosting available, and it’s essential to choose the right one for your website. Here are the types of web hosting:
Type |
Description |
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
Shared Hosting |
A web host provides hosting on a shared server with multiple websites hosted on the same server. |
Low cost, suitable for small businesses or personal websites. |
Limited resources, slow loading speed, security concerns as other sites may affect your site. |
VPS Hosting |
A web host provides a virtual private server with dedicated resources but multiple sites hosted on the same server. |
More control over the server, higher performance than shared hosting. |
Higher cost than shared hosting, technical knowledge required for server management. |
Dedicated Hosting |
A web host provides a dedicated server for your website, with all resources and access exclusively for your site. |
Higher performance, complete control over the server. |
Expensive, technical knowledge required for server management. |
Cloud Hosting |
A web host provides hosting on multiple servers connected in a network, offering higher scalability and reliability. |
Scalability, reliability, pay-as-you-go pricing model, high performance. |
Technical knowledge required for server management, higher cost than shared hosting. |
Managed Hosting |
A web host provides hosting with server management services like backups, security, updates, and monitoring. |
Easy server management, expert support available. |
Higher cost than self-managed hosting, limited control over the server. |
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is the most common type of web hosting, where the web host provides hosting on a shared server with multiple websites hosted on the same server. This hosting is sufficient for small businesses or personal websites that do not have high traffic or resource requirements.
The main advantage of shared hosting is its low cost, making it affordable for beginners. However, shared hosting has some limitations, like limited resources, slow loading speed, and security concerns. As multiple sites are hosted on the same server, the actions of one site may affect other sites on the same server. For example, if one site on the server receives a lot of traffic, then other sites may slow down or crash.
Shared hosting plans usually come with a control panel like cPanel or Plesk, which makes it easy to manage the website files, databases, and email accounts.
VPS Hosting
VPS hosting provides a virtual private server with dedicated resources but multiple sites hosted on the same server. This hosting is suitable for websites that require more resources and performance than shared hosting.
In VPS hosting, the server is divided into virtual machines, each with its operating system, and allocated resources like CPU, RAM, and disk space. This ensures that each website on the server gets its resources and does not affect other sites on the same server.
VPS hosting provides more control over the server than shared hosting, allowing users to install their operating system, software, and applications. However, VPS hosting requires technical knowledge for server management, as users are responsible for managing the server and ensuring its security.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting provides a dedicated server for your website, with all resources and access exclusively for your site. This hosting is suitable for websites that require high performance and complete control over the server.
In dedicated hosting, the server is not shared with other sites, ensuring higher performance and security. Users have complete control over the server, including the operating system, software, and applications. However, dedicated hosting is expensive and requires technical knowledge for server management.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting provides hosting on multiple servers connected in a network, offering higher scalability and reliability than traditional hosting. This hosting is suitable for websites that have high traffic and require high availability and scalability.
In cloud hosting, the website files and data are stored on multiple servers, and the user can scale the resources as per the website’s requirements. Cloud hosting offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, meaning users only pay for the resources they use. However, cloud hosting requires technical knowledge for server management.
Managed Hosting
Managed hosting provides hosting with server management services like backups, security, updates, and monitoring. This hosting is suitable for users who want hassle-free server management without technical knowledge.
In managed hosting, the web host takes care of server management tasks, ensuring the server’s security, performance, and availability. Users do not need to worry about server management tasks like backups, updates, and monitoring. However, managed hosting is more expensive than self-managed hosting, and users have limited control over the server.
Selecting a Web Host
Now that you know the types of web hosting let’s move on to selecting a web host. When selecting a web host, consider the following factors:
Uptime
Uptime is the percentage of time a server is available and accessible to users. Choose a web host that guarantees at least 99% uptime, as downtime can affect your website’s availability and user experience.
Speed
Website loading speed is crucial for user experience and search engine ranking. Choose a web host that provides fast server speed and uses the latest technologies like SSDs, HTTP/2, and CDN.
Support
Choose a web host that provides expert and timely support in case of issues or queries. Check the support channels like live chat, email, and phone, and their response time.
Scalability
Choose a web host that provides easy scalability options, allowing you to increase or decrease the server resources as per your website’s requirements.
Backup and Security
Choose a web host that provides regular backups and security measures like SSL certificates, firewalls, and malware scans, ensuring the website’s security and data protection.
Cost
Compare the pricing plans of different web hosts and choose the one that provides the best value for money, considering the features, resources, and support.
Domain Name and DNS
Before hosting a website, you need to decide on a domain name and register it. A domain name is the website’s address that users type in the browser to access the website.
When selecting a domain name, keep it short, memorable, and easy to spell. Choose a domain extension that represents your website’s niche, like .com, .org, .net, or country-specific like .uk, .au, .in.
Domain registration can be done through domain registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or through the web host itself. Once you register a domain, you need to configure the DNS settings to point to the server where you are hosting the website.
DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that converts the human-readable domain name into an IP address that the server understands. When a user types the domain name in the browser, the browser contacts the DNS server to resolve the IP address of the domain name and connects to the server.
To configure the DNS settings, you need to log in to the domain registrar account and update the DNS records to point to the server’s IP address where you are hosting the website. It may take up to 24 hours for the DNS changes to propagate.
Uploading Files to the Server
Once you have selected a web host and registered a domain name, it’s time to upload the website files to the server. Here are the steps to upload files to the server:
Step 1: FTP Client
You need an FTP client to connect to the server and transfer the files. Download an FTP client like FileZilla, Cyberduck, or WinSCP and install it on your computer.
Step 2: FTP Credentials
Log in to the web host control panel and navigate to FTP accounts. Create an FTP account with a username and password and note down the server hostname, username, and password.
Step 3: Connect to Server
Open the FTP client and enter the server hostname, username, password, and port (default is 21). Click on connect to establish a connection to the server.
Step 4: Transfer Files
Once connected, you’ll see two windows, one for your computer files and the other for the server files. Select the website files from your computer and drag them to the server window to transfer them to the server. It may take some time depending on the file size and internet speed.
Configuring the Server
After uploading the website files to the server, you need to configure the server to make the website live. Here are the steps to configure the server:
Step 1: Database Creation
If your website requires a database, create a database and database user in the web host control panel. Note down the database host, username, password, and database name.
Step 2: Configuration Files
Open the website files on the server and locate the configuration files like wp-config.php for WordPress or config.php for other CMSs. Edit the configuration files and update the database details like database host, username, password, and database name.
Step 3: File Permissions
Ensure that the website files and folders have the correct permissions to avoid any security issues. Set the permissions to 755 for folders and 644 for files.
Securing the Server
Security is essential for any website, and hosting a website on a server comes with its security risks. Here are some tips to secure the server:
Use Strong Passwords
Use strong and unique passwords for the server, FTP, and database accounts. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like 123456, password, etc.
Update Software
Ensure that the server software like operating system, web server, database, and CMS are updated to their latest versions, including security patches.
Backup Regularly
Take regular backups of your website files, database, and server configuration, and store them offsite. Backup helps in case of data loss or server failure.
Use SSL Certificate
Use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate to encrypt the data transmitted between the user’s browser and the server. SSL ensures data privacy and security and boosts user trust in the website.
Enable Firewall
Enable a firewall on the server to block unauthorized access and incoming traffic. Configure the firewall to allow only necessary ports and services.
Backup and Recovery
Backup and recovery are crucial for any website, as data loss can cause irreparable damage. Here are some tips for backup and recovery:
Take Regular Backups
Take regular backups of your website files, database, and server configuration, and store them offsite. Back up your website at least once a month, and keep multiple backups of the same data.
Automate Backup
Automate the backup process using plugins, scripts, or web host tools. Automating the backup process ensures that backups are taken regularly without manual intervention.
Test Backup
Test the backup regularly to ensure that the backup files are complete and can be used for recovery. It’s essential to test the backup before a disaster occurs to avoid data loss.
Recovery Plan
Create a recovery plan in case of data loss or server failure. The recovery plan should include restoring the website files, database, and server configuration from the backup and testing the website’s functionality.
Optimizing Performance
Website performance is essential for user experience and search engine ranking. Here are some tips to optimize website performance:
Use CDN
Use a CDN (Content Delivery Network) to deliver the website content from a server closest to the user’s location. CDN ensures faster loading speed and reduces server load.
Optimize Images
Optimize images by compressing them without losing quality. Use image compression tools like Kraken, JPEGMini, or TinyPNG to compress the images.
Minify Code
Minify website code by removing unnecessary characters and white spaces, reducing the website’s size and improving the loading speed. Use tools like YUI Compressor or Closure Compiler to minify the code.
Use Caching
Use caching to store frequently accessed website data in the server’s memory or browser’s cache, reducing the server load and improving the loading speed. Use caching plugins for CMSs like W3 Total Cache, WP Super Cache, etc.
Scaling the Server
Scaling the server is essential when the website traffic increases, and the existing resources are not sufficient to handle the load. Here are some tips for scaling the server: