This guide is designed for beginners and aims to simplify the fundamentals of website hosting. Many newcomers to the online business world find themselves overwhelmed by unfamiliar terminology and concepts. Often, there is a reluctance to ask questions, as it may seem that everyone else is already knowledgeable.
Internet access and website hosting are provided by an authorized Internet Service Provider (ISP), which serves as the gateway for your PC or mobile device to connect to the World Wide Web (WWW) using various methods. Note: Always choose an ISP registered with the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA).
What is a Website?
A website acts as an electronic mini-publication for your business, products, and services. It is hosted on an ISP's web server and made accessible to anyone around the world. This can be likened to publishing a book that is stored in a local library, except that the entire world can read it online.
Key Terms to Understand:
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Data: This term encompasses all electronic information transmission, including text, images, files, audio, and videos. Data size is measured in kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), and terabytes (TB). Hosting accounts typically include email accounts, and data transmission (known as traffic) is monitored when users visit your website or send/receive emails.
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Bandwidth: This term defines the volume of data transmitted to and from your hosting account. Bandwidth may be impacted by high traffic during peak hours (e.g., 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM), potentially affecting download and upload speeds. Bandwidth is refreshed monthly.
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Disk Space: This refers to the storage capacity available to host your website and email account data—essentially, how much room you need in the data center.
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Data Center: Think of it as a library for electronic data. The data center contains banks of servers and is located in Johannesburg, ensuring a climate-controlled environment with 24/7 power and fire protection.
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Domain: A domain is the unique address of your website. It belongs to you as long as you renew it annually. If it expires, someone else may purchase it. Domains are issued by various authorities worldwide.
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Hosting: After developing a website, it must be placed in the 'library' (server) so others can access it. This process is called hosting and makes your website available globally, referred to as ‘going live.’
Support and Assistance
If you have questions or need help navigating your journey into website hosting, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are always available to assist you with any uncertainties or confusion.