What is web hosting?
If you are new to the world of blogging, it is quite normal not to know exactly what web hosting is.
In summary, web hosting refers to a storage space made available to websites. It makes your site accessible on the web.
This article should interest you: The complete guide to creating a successful blog
But what does that mean exactly?
The answer is very simple: for a blog to be viewed, it must be on a secure server. It is comparable to a text document which one wishes to consult regularly and which one then saves on the hard disk of your computer.
When you visit any blog or site, your computer receives various information that corresponds to the content of the web page consulted: images, categories, buttons, etc. These data are transmitted by web languages (HTML, Javascript, PHP, etc) which take the form of files and which require storage space.
Where are these files stored? Where does all this information come from? You guessed it: a space called “ server ”, offered by companies called “ web hosts ”!
Servers take the form of a super powerful computer that has a hard drive and a huge operating system. This is why it is quite possible for a company or an individual to open and have a personal server. However, this often results in a cost/benefit ratio that is too high.
It is then advisable to use an external web host that offers secure and powerful servers to host your blog, and this, at a good price/quality ratio.
Nowadays, a web host not only offers to host your blog, but also presents other services such as computer support, server management, activating an antivirus on your blog and its automatic backup.
Yes, it is very beautiful technology! You can not find ?
Does it pay to host your blog?
Generally, web hosting can be free or paid. But it pays off most of the time. It all depends on the option you choose to create your blog.
Indeed, you can create two types of sites:
The hosted blog – the easy life
A hosted solution is an option for having an “all-in-one” blog. You only deal with one and the same platform to have your domain name, your web hosting, as well as your management tool (to edit and operate your site).
Among the most popular self-hosted platforms, we find WordPress.com , Squarespace , Wix or Webnode .
The vast majority of its solutions offer a free plan. You then have the possibility of benefiting from free web hosting.
However, the services offered by the free offers are often very limited, including ultra-low storage space and an inability to customize.
Personally, I recommend this option only to familiarize yourself with the world of blogging, or if you want to blog out of passion, without any particular ambition. If you want to launch a blog that aspires to evolve and has generated traffic, you will inevitably have to turn to the paid packages offered by these platforms.
The self-hosted blog – for more serious projects
Self-hosted blogs are similar to a DIY blog: Do It Yourself. Here you need to complete the following steps by yourself:
However, I assure you that it is less complicated than it looks! And for good reason, a good web host offers you to carry out its steps in a few clicks, or at least to help you.
A self-hosted solution is certainly more complicated to set up, but brings much more flexibility, independence and security. You’re the boss here! Your blog belongs to you and is not affiliated with any other platform.
This is the option I recommend if you want to make a more relevant and successful blog in the future, even if it requires you to get your hands dirty and in your wallet!
Are there free alternatives?
Are there alternatives that allow you to host your blog for free, in a relevant way? Without going overboard: yes.
For this, I recommend reading this article: Create a blog for free . As explained earlier, most offer free offers. But that’s not exactly what interests us here.