How to Host a Website in 5 Steps (Choose, Host Lookup, Self-host) (2024)

Knowing how to host a website is a critical step in getting any website online and accessible to a global audience. This article covers the 5 steps to host a website, from identifying your website type and choosing a web hosting type, to creating or uploading your website files to make it live. We then explain how to choose the best web hosting provider for your website. We also share a method to find out what web hosts your competitors are using.

Hosting a website is possible through either looking up a third-party web host, or through self-hosting. This article focuses more on the first option of using web hosting providers because this is the easiest way to host a website.

1. Identify your website type

The first step of hosting your website is to identify your website type. A website type is the specific purpose and structure of your website, such as a blog, an eCommerce website, or a personal website. The type of website you plan to build directly influences your priorities and resource needs. Determining your website type therefore helps you determine your hosting requirements.

For example, a blog type website expects lower traffic and therefore typically requires fewer web server resources. A simple static type website needs basic hosting features like storage and bandwidth without advanced functionalities or database support. An eCommerce type site, however, expects higher and fluctuating traffic and may have thousands of individual pages for products. This means eCommerce sites require web hosting with generous resources, higher scalability and high security to handle transactions and protect customer data.

2. Choose a web hosting type

The second step is to choose a web hosting type based on your website type requirements. Start by researching the different types of hosting that are available on the market. The most common types of web hosting for websites are Shared Hosting, Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting, Dedicated Hosting, Cloud Hosting and WordPress hosting.

Shared hosting is a type of web hosting where a single server hosts multiple websites. This makes it suitable for small websites with low traffic. Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is a type of hosting where a physical server is divided into multiple virtual servers with dedicated resources. VPS hosting is ideal for growing websites needing more resources. Dedicated hosting is where a user rents an entire server. This makes dedicated hosting perfect for high-traffic sites requiring maximum control. Cloud hosting uses multiple servers working together. This makes cloud hosting best for sites requiring high resources, reliability, and scalability. WordPress hosting is hosting that’s optimized specifically for WordPress. It best suits websites that are built on the WordPress platform.

There are also Managed and Unmanaged types of web hosting. Managed hosting is a hosting service where the web host’s team handles the technical aspects of a website. This takes the burden away from the website owner. Managed services are typically offered on 3 types of web hosting: WordPress, VPS and dedicated server hosting.

The type of web hosting you should use, and whether it is managed or unmanaged, depends on your website’s resource demands and your level of technical expertise.

3. Select a web host

The third step is to select a web host. A web host is the company that provides the server space and services needed to make your website files accessible on the internet. Choosing the right web host brand is vital as they are the foundation of your website’s performance and reliability.

The huge range of web hosts on the market is overwhelming which makes it confusing to choose the right one. It’s essential to research thoroughly and avoid being swayed by false promises, the cheapest price, or the oldest brand. Look into each host’s reputation and online customer reviews to ensure reliability. Examine what they offer within their plans and be sure to check the fine print. When you’ve selected your web host and the appropriate plan, it’s time to move on.

4. Get a domain name

The fourth step is to get a domain name. A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. There are two options for getting a domain name. The first is to register a domain through your web host. Many web hosts bundle in a free domain name for the first year when you sign up with them. Getting your hosting and domain services bundled helps simplify setup because they are automatically connected.

The second option is to get your domain name directly from a domain registrar. A domain registrar is a company authorized to sell and manage domain names. Purchasing your domain from a domain registrar gives you the option of a greater range of domains and domain extensions. Bear in mind you need to manually connect your domain to your web host’s servers via the “DNS Settings” section of your domain registrar.

5. Create or upload your website

The fifth step is to create or upload your website. Either creating or uploading your website is the final step in making your site accessible to users.

You have two options for creating a website. The first option is using a website builder. A website builder is a tool that lets you build a website using templates and drag-and-drop elements. Most web hosts provide free website builders. The second option for creating a website is to use WordPress. WordPress is a content management system (CMS) for creating websites via customizable themes, plugins, and code. Many web hosts offer one-click WordPress installation.

To upload your website, upload your website files via FTP. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a method of transferring files from your computer to your web server. To use FTP, you need an FTP client like FileZilla. Use the FTP to upload your website files to the server’s public_html directory. This method requires a basic understanding of file management and server structure.

How do I choose the best web host for my website?

Choosing the best web host for your website involves both determining your own needs and then doing detailed research into popular web hosts on the market.

The full process of choosing a host includes comparing host features like one-click installations, SSL certificates, and backup features. Evaluate their data center locations, security measures, performance technologies, and uptime guarantees. It’s also important to check the user interface, control panel, and customer support.

Who are the popular web hosts for hosting websites?

Popular web hosts include Hostinger, TMDHosting, and GreenGeeks. These providers offer reliable services, good customer support, and a range of hosting plans. Choosing a well-known and tried and tested host provides peace of mind that they have expert experience. Check out our best web hosting writeup to explore other popular web hosts.

How do I know where a website is hosted?

You know where a website is hosted by using the Bitcatcha Who Is Hosting Tool. Paste the website’s URL into the Who Is Hosting Tool to display the name of the web host that is hosting that particular website. The web server, IP address, Autonomous System Number (ASN) and the host’s nameservers are also displayed. You’ll also be able to know the geographical location (country, region and city) of the data center the site’s being hosted from. This information is useful for anyone researching the web host providers and hosting configuration of competitor websites. Try out the Bitcatcha Who Is Hosting Tool for yourself.

Can I host a website by myself?

Yes, you can host a website by yourself on your own physical server. Hosting a website yourself requires high-level knowledge of server-side technologies like FTP, TCP/IP, Apache, and MySQL. Self-hosting offers more control and customizability but involves significant maintenance and investment in the necessary hardware. If you lack the time, physical space or technical expertise, consider professional hosting services.

Can I create a website by myself?

Yes, you can create a website by yourself as long as you have the core essentials of a domain name and a hosting service. Even beginners without technical expertise are able to create functional and visually appealing websites through the use of drag-and-drop website builders provided by most web hosts. Such tools allow you to customize layouts, add content, and incorporate advanced features without knowledge of HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. Do check out our full guide on creating websites here.

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