Web hosting

Once you create a Web site, how do you connect your site to the Internet? While you can turn a home computer into a Web server, there are technical issues involved that can often be better handled by a professional Web hosting organization. Web hosting companies offer servers with a very high speed connection to the Internet. They also provide your Web site with a unique IP address, mapped to your domain name, so when your address is typed into a Web browser, that browser is directed to the right Web page.

Web hosting can be free or cost thousands of dollars per month — depending on the type of service you need.

Shared or virtual hosting means your Web site will reside on a Web server with many other sites. Shared hosting is like renting an apartment in a large building. Shared hosting is an economical option for sites that don't expect thousands of hits per day.

Dedicated hosting means your site will reside on its own server and won't share resources with other Web sites. Dedicated hosting is like having your own house on the Internet. If a Web site requires strong security or customized database connectivity, a dedicated server will provide the best solution.