Starting an online business or brand requires you to understand different web terms. Website hosting is the backbone of any website, and to succeed in the digital space, it is crucial to have a good grasp of the basics of web hosting. However, the hosting industry is full of technical terms and jargon that can be overwhelming, especially for beginners. This web hosting glossary aims to provide entrepreneurs, business professionals, and tech enthusiasts with a comprehensive list of common hosting terms along with brief explanations. By reading this collection of terms, you will have a clear understanding of hosting terminology and feel confident in your ability to communicate with your hosting company.

Types of Web Hosting

List of Common Types of Web Hosting

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting, commonly referred to as web hosting, is the most popular form of website hosting in which multiple websites share the same server resources, including CPU, RAM, and disk space. Shared hosting is the most popular and affordable hosting type, making it ideal for small businesses and individuals looking to launch their first website.

WordPress Hosting

WordPress hosting is a service where the hosting provider takes care of the technical aspects of WordPress hosting management. This includes server maintenance, security, and software updates.

VPS (Virtual Private Server)

Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is a hosting type in which a single physical server is divided into multiple virtual servers, each with its operating system, allocated resources, and dedicated storage. VPS hosting offers better performance and flexibility than shared hosting, making it ideal for medium-sized businesses with moderate web traffic.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting is a website hosting type in which a website is hosted on a single physical server that is dedicated to that website. With dedicated hosting, the website owner has complete control over the server, including the choice of operating system, software, and hardware. This hosting is ideal for large businesses with high web traffic and complex websites.

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting is a type of hosting that uses a network of virtual servers to deliver site content from multiple locations simultaneously. Cloud hosting offers better scalability, uptime, and reliability than traditional hosting solutions. Cloud hosting is ideal for businesses of all sizes that need high availability and performance.

Reseller Hosting

Reseller hosting is a form of hosting that allows users to resell web hosting services to other clients.

Common Terms and Definitions

Web Hosting Glossary: Common Web Hosting Terms

Apache Web Server

The Apache web server is an open-source web server software that is commonly used to host websites. Apache is known for its stability and security and is widely used in the web hosting industry.

Backup

A backup is a copy of website data that is stored separately from the main server for disaster recovery purposes. A backup allows a website to be restored to its previous state in case of data loss or corruption.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred between a website and its visitors. Bandwidth is measured in bytes and is a key factor in determining the speed and performance of a website.

Cache

Cache is a temporary storage location for website data that helps to speed up website performance. Cache stores frequently accessed data, such as images, scripts, and stylesheets, so that they can be quickly retrieved from the server when needed.

CDN

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a network of servers that helps to deliver website data to users quickly and efficiently. A CDN stores website resources in multiple locations worldwide, reducing the distance between the website server and the user, resulting in faster website performance. One of the most popular CDNs is CloudFlare

CMS (Content Management System)

A Content Management System (CMS) is a software application that allows website owners to create, manage, and publish web content without needing technical expertise. CMS provides website owners with an easy-to-use interface to create and publish digital content.

Control Panel

A control panel is a web-based interface that allows website owners to manage their web hosting account. Control panel provides access to various web hosting features such as domain, file, database, and email management.

cPanel

cPanel is a very popular control panel for web hosting that simplifies website management for website owners and developers. This user-friendly interface provides easy access to website backups, email accounts, domain management, file management, and database tools. cPanel is a powerful tool that can be customised to fit the unique needs of each website.  Numerous providers include cPanel as part of their hosting options.

Cron Job

A cron job is a scheduled task that runs automatically at a predetermined time. Cron jobs are useful for automating repetitive tasks, such as database backups or updating site content. This feature is available on most web hosting platforms.

Database

A database is an organised collection of data that can be accessed and manipulated by software applications. Databases are commonly used for storing and retrieving site content, user information, and product data. MySQL and PostgreSQL are two popular database management systems used in web hosting.

DDoS

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt normal website traffic by flooding the targeted website with traffic from multiple sources. DDoS attacks can cause website downtime and disrupt website operations. Most hosting companies have measures in place to prevent and mitigate DDoS attacks.

Dedicated Server

A dedicated server is a type of hosting service where a website owner has complete access and control over an entire physical server. Dedicated servers are typically used by businesses with high traffic websites that require a lot of server resources.

DirectAdmin

DirectAdmin is a web hosting control panel that provides an easy-to-use interface for website management. This platform provides access to email accounts, file management, domain management, and website statistics. DirectAdmin is a popular alternative to cPanel.

Domain

A domain is the address of a website. It’s a unique name that you type into your web browser to visit a particular website. For example, google.com is the domain name for the Google website.

DNS

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the system that translates website domain names into IP addresses. DNS servers are responsible for directing website traffic to the appropriate server. DNS management is an essential component of web hosting.

Email Hosting

Email hosting is a service that allows website owners to use a custom email address that matches their domain name. This service is typically included in most hosting options.

Firewall

A firewall is a security tool that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing website traffic. Firewalls are designed to prevent unauthorised access to a website and protect against security threats. Many web hosts offer firewall protection as part of their hosting offerings.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard protocol used to transfer files between servers and client computers. FTP is commonly used for website file management, such as uploading or downloading site content. Many web hosting platforms offer FTP access to their users.

Hosting Package

Web hosting packages refer to the different plans offered by web hosting companies. These plans typically differ in the amount of storage, bandwidth, and other features offered.

Hosting Plan

A hosting plan is a package of services and resources provided by a website host. These plans vary in price and features, and are designed to meet the unique needs of different websites. Common plans include shared, VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting.

HTML

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the standard markup language used to create website content. HTML provides a framework for creating web pages that can be displayed in a browser.

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the protocol used to transfer data between web servers and web browsers. HTTP is the foundation of the World Wide Web and is responsible for enabling the transfer of website files and data.

HTTPS

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is a secure version of HTTP that uses encryption to protect website data and user information. HTTPS is commonly used for online transactions and secure website content.

IMAP

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is a protocol used by email clients to access email messages sent to the client’s web server.

IP Address

An IP address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to each device connected to the internet. IP addresses are used to identify and communicate with devices on the internet, and are essential for website hosting and domain name management.

IPv4

Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) is the fourth version of the internet protocol used to assign IP addresses to devices on the internet. IPv4 is the most widely used version of IP addresses.

IPv6

IPV6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol (IP) and is used to identify devices on a network. It is an improvement over IPv4 and provides more IP addresses, better security, and improved performance.

Landing Page

This is the first page that visitors see when they arrive on a website. It is designed to capture the visitor’s attention and encourage them to take a specific action, such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.

Linux Hosting

This is a form of hosting that uses the Linux operating system. It is a popular choice among developers due to its flexibility, stability, and security.

LiteSpeed Web Server

LiteSpeed is a high-performance web server that is designed to improve the speed and performance of websites. It is a popular alternative to Apache and is known for its scalability and reliability.

Load Balancer

This is a device or software that is used to distribute network traffic across multiple servers. It is used to improve the performance and reliability of websites and to prevent downtime.

Mail Server

This is a server that is used to send and receive email. It is an essential component of any web hosting service and is used to manage email accounts.

MySQL

This is an open-source relational database management system that is used to store and retrieve data. It is a popular choice for web apps due to its speed, reliability, and scalability.

PHP

This is a popular programming language that is used to create dynamic web pages. It is used to build everything from simple contact forms to complex web applications.

Plesk

Plesk is a hosting control panel that is used to manage website hosting accounts. It is known for its ease of use and is popular among web hosts.

Server

A server is a computer that is used to store and manage data and applications. It is the foundation of any web hosting offering and is responsible for delivering content to website visitors.

SSD (Solid-State Drive)

A solid-state drive (SSD) is a type of storage device that is used in web hosting servers. It is known for its speed and reliability and is a popular alternative to traditional hard drives.

SSH (Secure Shell)

Secure Shell (SSH) is a secure protocol that is used to access servers remotely. It is used by web developers and system administrators to manage servers and perform maintenance tasks.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

SSL is a security protocol that is used to encrypt data transmitted between a web server and a browser. It is used to protect sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers.

Uptime

Uptime is the amount of time that a web hosting server is operational and available to visitors. It is an important metric for hosting companies and is used to measure the reliability of their service.

Web Application

A web application is a software program that is accessed and used through a web browser like Chrome, Firefox or Safari. It can be used for a variety of purposes like online shopping, social media, email, and productivity tools, among others.

Web Browser

A web browser is a software application that is used to access websites and web pages on the internet. Some of the most popular browsers include Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Web Development

Web development is the process of creating and maintaining websites. This process includes designing the website’s layout, creating the content, and implementing the website’s functionality.

Web Hosting Provider

A web hosting provider can also be referred to as a web hosting company, or web host. It is a company that offers services and technologies needed to host a website on the Internet. These companies offer a variety of hosting plans and are responsible for maintaining the server infrastructure that hosts their clients’ websites.

Web Hosting

The service of providing storage space and access to websites and web pages on the internet; is typically offered by web providers.

Web Log

A web log, or blog, is a website or section of a website that contains regularly updated content in the form of articles or posts. Blogs are commonly used to share information, express opinions, or promote products or services.

Web Server

A web server is a computer program or a physical computer that stores web content, such as websites and web pages, and delivers them to users upon request over the internet.

Web Services

Web services are software systems designed to allow different applications to communicate with each other over the internet. Web services are commonly used to integrate different software systems and automate processes.

Website

A website is a collection of related web pages that are accessed through a single web address.

Website Builder

A website builder is a tool that allows non-technical people to create a website without needing to know how to code. It typically uses drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-designed templates to make it easy for users to customise their website’s appearance and layout. Website builders can be a cost-effective and simple way for small businesses, individuals, or organisations to establish an online presence quickly and easily.

Website Page

A website page is a single page on a website that contains specific information. Website pages can be static, meaning they don’t change often, or dynamic, meaning they are updated regularly.

Windows Hosting

Windows hosting service that uses Microsoft Windows as its operating system, typically for websites that require compatibility with Microsoft technologies such as ASP.NET or MS SQL databases.

WWW

This is short for “World Wide Web” and refers to the collection of websites and web pages that are available on the internet.

In Summary

We hope that this list compilation has helped you to better understand the technical jargon that is thrown around in the hosting industry. With this comprehensive terminology list, you should have a better understanding of the technical terms used in the web hosting industry.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced website owner, understanding these terms will help you make informed decisions when choosing a hosting plan or managing your website. As you continue to explore web hosting, remember that there’s always more to learn, and staying informed will help you stay ahead of the curve.