What is web hosting? The complete beginner's guide
Web hosting is the foundation of every website on the internet. Without hosting, your website simply is not accessible to visitors. But what exactly is web hosting, and which type is right for you? This guide gives you a clear overview.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is a service that provides space on a server so your website can be stored and accessed over the internet. When you create a website, all its files – HTML, images, databases and code – need to be stored somewhere that can serve them to visitors' browsers. That is exactly what a web hosting provider supplies: server space, network connections and the technical systems that keep your website running.
The process works like this: a visitor enters your URL in their browser → the browser sends a request to your server's IP address → the server returns the relevant files → the browser displays your website. All of this happens in milliseconds.
Types of web hosting
There are several types of web hosting to suit different needs and budgets:
Shared hosting
With shared hosting, you share server resources with many other websites. It is the cheapest solution and suits smaller websites, blogs and simple sites. The downside is that other users' activity can affect your website's speed.
VPS hosting (Virtual Private Server)
A VPS gives you dedicated resources on a shared physical server using virtualisation technology. You get full root access, guaranteed CPU and RAM, and your performance is not affected by other users. Ideal for growing websites and applications.
Dedicated server
You rent an entire physical server exclusively for your own use. Maximum performance and control, but at a considerably higher price. Suitable for large websites with very high traffic.
Cloud hosting
Your website runs on a network of servers, with resources scaling automatically as needed. Good for websites with fluctuating traffic, but it can become expensive under heavy load.
Comparing hosting types
| Type | Price | Performance | Control | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared hosting | From DKK 29/month | Variable | Low | Blogs, simple sites |
| VPS | From DKK 29.95/month | Stable | High | Online shops, apps |
| Dedicated | From DKK 500/month | Maximum | Full | Large portals |
| Cloud | Variable | Scalable | Medium | Variable workloads |
What should you look for in a web hosting provider?
When choosing a web hosting provider, there are several factors to consider:
- Uptime: Look for providers guaranteeing 99.9% uptime or higher
- Speed: NVMe SSD storage and LiteSpeed web servers deliver considerably better speeds than traditional solutions
- Support: Danish support in your time zone is invaluable when problems arise
- Security: SSL certificates, DDoS protection and automatic backups are essential
- Data centre location: A Danish data centre provides lower latency for Danish visitors and ensures GDPR compliance
- Scalability: The ability to upgrade as your website grows
Shared hosting at GITC
At GITC, we offer web hosting in Denmark with a DirectAdmin control panel, LiteSpeed web server and a free SSL certificate. All plans include unlimited email accounts, automatic WordPress installation and daily backups. Our servers are located in a Danish data centre with DDoS protection using Arbor technology.
If you need more control and dedicated resources, you can easily upgrade to one of our VPS plans with SSD. We will be happy to help you find the solution that best fits your website and budget.