The most important basics explained simply
In order for a website to be accessible and findable on the internet, it must be hosted on a web server. This server infrastructure is referred to as web hosting, or hosting for short, and is one of the core technologies of the internet. However, web hosting is not a one-size-fits-all solution, as websites have different requirements in terms of storage, computing power, and scalability depending on their purpose—be it an e-commerce store, a blog, or a high-traffic corporate website. Hosting should therefore always be precisely tailored to the operator's content, traffic volume, and business objectives.
As part of the Schwarz Group, STACKIT consistently focuses on maximum data sovereignty, strict data protection, and the highest level of IT security. The entire infrastructure is operated in certified data centers in Germany and Austria, ensuring that all data is stored and processed exclusively within the EU – in full compliance with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). STACKIT thus combines security, regulatory compliance, and high performance to create a stable foundation that enables companies to advance their cloud strategies in the long term with minimal risk.
Learn everything you need to know about the advantages and types of hosting in this article.
Hosting – often referred to as web hosting – refers to the provision of storage space and resources on a server to make websites and other online services available on the internet. Websites and applications are stored on specially configured servers that are permanently connected to the internet. This permanent server connection ensures that users worldwide can access the content at any time. Essentially, hosting means that a website rents a "space on the internet." The hosting provider not only provides the necessary storage space, but also computing power, network connections, and a stable technical environment – in other words, the entire digital infrastructure of a website.
Professional web hosting services usually include more than just data storage. They offer additional features such as automatic data backups, security certificates, a dedicated domain, email services, and user-friendly tools for creating a website.
Website hosting therefore forms the central technological basis of any online presence.
To choose the right hosting provider, it is important to understand the different types of web hosting. It is not necessary to know every technical detail, but rather to understand the basic differences and areas of application of the individual hosting models – especially those that are relevant to your own company.
Web hosting means that storage space and computing power are provided for your web application or website on a server on the internet. The hosting provider therefore provides the technical infrastructure so that your content is permanently accessible on the internet. The domain name, on the other hand, serves as an easy-to-remember address at which your website can be accessed.
Every computer on the internet has a unique numerical identifier – the IP address. Other devices can use this to access the server and the data stored on it. However, since sequences of numbers are difficult to remember, the DNS (Domain Name System) was developed. It translates user-friendly names such as example.com into the corresponding IP addresses and vice versa. So when a user enters a domain name in the browser address bar, the DNS resolves this name into the corresponding IP address and connects to the desired website.
To make your website accessible on the web, you need both a web hosting package from a provider and a registered domain name. You choose the name yourself, but it must be registered with a registry for an annual fee. After registration, the domain name can be linked to the hosting account and thus functions as the official address of the website.
Basically, any person or company that wants to operate a website publicly on the internet needs web hosting. Whether it's a private blog, online shop, or company website – without web hosting, website files are not stored on an accessible server.
An SSL certificate ensures that all data between the website and visitors is transmitted in encrypted form. This protects confidential information such as login details, form entries, and payment information.
Web hosting costs depend on several factors, such as the type of hosting and the scope of features such as storage space and bandwidth. Many providers offer free web hosting, often as an add-on to other services such as a domain or website management tools. However, such free options usually have limitations in terms of speed, traffic, or support and are more suitable for testing purposes than for professional websites.
Depending on the hosting option you choose, web hosting consists of various components. Basically, every offer includes the provision of web space on a web server and the technical assignment of a domain name to this storage space. In addition, additional services are often offered that extend the range of functions or facilitate administration, such as email hosting and spam filtering, CMS, backup service, database administration, monitoring, technical support, and SSL/TLS certificates for secure data transmission.