Here’s a beginner-friendly glossary to help you understand common web hosting jargon:
1. Web Hosting
A service that provides space on servers to store your website files, making them accessible online.
2. Domain Name
The address users type into a browser (e.g., example.com) to access your website.
3. DNS (Domain Name System)
The system that translates your domain name into an IP address so browsers can locate your website.
4. Server
A powerful computer that hosts website files and delivers them to visitors when requested.
5. Shared Hosting
An affordable hosting option where multiple websites share resources on a single server.
6. VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server)
Hosting where a server is divided into isolated virtual servers, offering more resources and control than shared hosting.
7. Dedicated Hosting
Hosting where you lease an entire server, providing maximum control, performance, and resources.
8. Cloud Hosting
Hosting using multiple interconnected servers, offering high scalability and reliability.
9. Bandwidth
The amount of data transferred between your site and visitors; usually measured monthly.
10. SSL Certificate (Secure Sockets Layer)
Security technology that encrypts data between your website and visitors, enabling HTTPS.
11. Uptime
The percentage of time your website is accessible online. Higher uptime is crucial (99.9%+ is preferred).
12. FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
A protocol used to transfer files between your computer and your hosting server.
13. Control Panel (cPanel, Plesk)
A user-friendly interface allowing you to manage hosting settings, databases, domains, and emails.
14. CMS (Content Management System)
Software (e.g., WordPress, Joomla) used to easily create and manage website content.
15. Database
Organized storage system that allows websites to store, retrieve, and manage structured data (e.g., MySQL, MariaDB).
16. Backup
A saved copy of your website’s files and databases used for restoring data in case of loss or corruption.
17. IP Address
A unique numeric identifier assigned to your server, enabling it to communicate online.
18. TLD (Top-Level Domain)
The last part of a domain name (.com, .org, .net) indicating the type or country code.
19. CDN (Content Delivery Network)
A global network of servers that deliver content faster to visitors worldwide by storing copies closer to users.
20. Migration
The process of moving your website files and data from one hosting provider to another.
This glossary provides foundational knowledge to navigate web hosting confidently.
