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A web host is a service provider that places your web site on a computer which is connected to the internet. This then gives people who surf the internet a way to access your website. The computer that the web hosting company uses is typically just like the computer you have at home, the only difference being that it is set up to serve up web sites and is therefore called a server.

A web host has multiple servers which they utilize for web sites, that potentially can reach into thousands. Because of this, they typically have hi-speed connections which allows them to "rent space" to those individuals that want to post their websites to the World Wide Web.

While some large web hosting companies have their own servers, other companies will rent servers from larger companies and sell space on these under their own name. In such cases the web space will actually belong to another much bigger company although the web host you are dealing with will be the one managing your account on the server.

Different web hosting companies promote competing plans to meet various budgets and needs. Any one plan may or may not be right for your budget and needs. Monthly quotas, stated as bandwidth limits, often apply. Such a limit caps the amount of data your website may provide to visitors before added charges begin accruing to your account.

In case you happen to cross limits, you will either need to pay additional charges or your website will no longer remain accessible. The total number of web surfers visiting your website determines your bandwidth usage.

While some web hosting companies claim to offer unlimited bandwidth, this gimmick is actually an outright lie and these companies are should be avoided. Not only is unlimited bandwidth technically impossible, bandwidth costs a web hosting company money just like any other commodity, so if unlimited bandwidth was possible, it would cost an infinite sum of money. Therefore, you should focus on selecting the right web hosting company for your needs.