Short answer
Hosting is a service that provides the server where your website or system is stored and served from. The domain is the address; hosting is the place where the site "lives". Hosting determines the site’s speed, security, availability and where its data is stored.
Types of hosting
- Shared hosting — cheap, several sites on one server; fine for simple sites.
- VPS, or a virtual server — more resources and control.
- Cloud services — AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean; flexible and scalable.
- Static site hosting — very fast and secure for sites that are generated in advance.
- Managed hosting — the provider takes care of updates and security.
How to choose
- Speed and a server location close to your customers.
- Security — an SSL certificate, updates, a firewall.
- Backups — how often, and how to restore them.
- Data location — the EU, if you process personal data.
- Support — who will help when the site is down.
A website or a system
A simple website needs only modest hosting. Business systems, online stores and portals need monitoring, backups and clear responsibility for maintenance — see how much website maintenance costs.