What is web hosting?

Web hosting is renting space and bandwidth through a company that has web servers so that you may publish your web site on the internet.

How do I get my file to a host?

The most popular method of uploading files is via FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Using software such as CuteFTP or WS FTP, you can log into your host and drag and drop files into your web site.  These files become live online instantaneously. Some hosts provide a browser based file manager that allows you to upload, delete and modify files on your domain.

Can I host my web site on my computer?

Yes, but it is not a good idea for several reasons. First, the majority of ISPs will not let you legally use a residential cable modem or a DSL line to host a public server. You would have to get a more expensive business package. Second, DSL and cable lines usually have lower upstream bandwidth than downstream bandwidth, so your site may appear to be sluggish under heavy traffic. Third, DSL and cable lines have a much lower reliability than dedicated T1 or better lines. Fourth, you wouldn't have the benefit of data security, data backup, UPS power, or technical support that a host can provide.

Should I choose a large or small company to host with?

There are pros and cons with both options. Larger companies offer longevity and large support staffs. Smaller companies often provide better support, are less expensive, and provide better customer service.

Email Solutions

Web hosting solutions include email accounts that come standard with your web hosting account. Email diversion allows you to forward mail that arrives to your domain to a single mailbox anywhere else. An added convenience is you do not have to go to your site to check your email.

Bandwidth is a measure of the amount of network resources you site is using. If your average web page is 25k, including images, and each day you have 500 visitors who each view 10 pages.

Your daily bandwidth usage would be: 25k x 100 visitors x 10 pages ea one views = 25mb

In one month, you would use 30 days x 25mb = 750mb

If your allowance is 1GB/mo, then you would be inside your limit.

To reduce bandwidth, you could make your pages smaller by reducing the size or number of images on each page.

Units of measure:

1 byte

1000 bytes = 1kb (kilobyte - actually 1024 bytes, but usually written as 1000)

1,000,000 bytes = 1mb (megabyte)

1,000,000,000 bytes = 1gb (gigabyte)

Although you can end up paying more for bandwidth, it usually means you have a very popular (and successful) site!

What is a Server?

A computer or device on a network that manages network resources. For example, a file server is a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. Any user on the network can store files on the server. A print server is a computer that manages one or more printers, and a network server is a computer that manages network traffic. A database server is a computer system that processes database queries. Servers are often dedicated, meaning that they perform no other tasks besides their server tasks. On multiprocessing operating systems, however, a single computer can execute several programs at once. A server in this case could refer to the program that is managing resources rather than the entire computer.

What is a Search Engine

A system for searching the information available on the Web. Some search engines work by automatically searching the contents of other systems and creating a database of the results. Other search engines contain only material manually approved for inclusion in a database, and some combine the two approaches.

SEO -- (Search Engine Optimization)

The practice of designing web pages to improve search engine ranking.

Unix

A multi-user computer operating system with built-in  TCP/IP. It is the most common operating system for servers on the Internet.

Source: Webopedia