Web Hosting Jargon: Must-Know Terms and Glossary Definitions

The language of web hosting

Understanding web hosting starts with mastering its core terminology. Each term represents a specific technology or service that powers your online presence.

Core concepts: Where to start

Domain & DNS – How websites are found

Nameservers: Nameservers are servers that store DNS records. They direct traffic to the correct web hosting server. Most domains use at least two nameservers for redundancy.

DNS (Domain Name System): DNS is the Domain Name System. It translates domain names into IP addresses. DNS makes it possible to type website.com instead of remembering numerical addresses.

Domain Name: A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. It’s what people type to find your site. Domain names end with extensions like .com or .org.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator): A URL is the complete web address for specific pages. It includes your domain name and page location. URLs help visitors navigate to exact content.

Subdomain: A subdomain extends your main domain name. It creates separate sections like blog.website.com. Subdomains organize different areas of your site.

Hosting Basics – the foundation

Web host: A web host is a company that provides server space for websites. Web hosts maintain the servers that store website files. They ensure websites remain accessible on the internet.

Server: A server is a computer that stores website files. Servers process visitor requests 24/7. They deliver website content to browsers worldwide.

Bandwidth: Bandwidth is the data your website can transfer monthly. It determines how much content visitors can access. Higher bandwidth supports more visitors and downloads.

Disk space: Disk space is storage available for your website files. It includes HTML files, images, and databases. More disk space allows larger websites.

Uptime: Uptime is the percentage of time your website stays online. Most providers guarantee 99.9% uptime or better. Higher uptime means better reliability.

Types of Hosting – different solutions

Shared hosting: Shared hosting places multiple websites on one server. Each website shares the server’s resources with others. Shared hosting costs less than dedicated options.

VPS Hosting: VPS hosting creates virtual servers within a physical server. Each VPS has dedicated resources. VPS offers more control than shared hosting.

Dedicated server: A dedicated server gives you an entire physical server. You get full control and all resources. Dedicated servers handle high-traffic websites best.

Emerging hosting models

Distributed/Decentralized hosting: Distributed hosting spreads website data across multiple nodes. It uses peer-to-peer networks instead of centralized servers. This approach increases resilience against outages. Technologies like IPFS enable distributed file storage. Blockchain can provide distributed domain resolution. Distributed hosting reduces single points of failure.

Security & protection terms

SSL Certificate: An SSL certificate encrypts data between websites and visitors. SSL certificates enable HTTPS connections. They protect passwords and payment information.

Malware: Malware is malicious software that infects websites. It includes viruses, trojans, and ransomware. Regular scanning prevents malware infections.

Performance & speed terms

CDN (Content Delivery Network)

A CDN is a content delivery network. CDNs distribute website content across multiple servers globally. They serve content from the server nearest to each visitor.

CPU resources

CPU resources determine your website’s processing power. They affect how fast your site handles requests. When CPU usage exceeds allocated limits, websites may slow down or become temporarily unavailable.

Email hosting

Email hosting manages your domain’s email accounts. It handles sending and receiving messages. This includes features like spam filtering, autoresponders, email forwarding, and webmail access.

Root access

Root access provides administrative control over servers. Users can install custom software and modify settings. Root access enables complete server management.

SSD storage

SSD storage uses solid-state drives instead of spinning disks. SSDs access data faster than traditional hard drives. They improve website loading times.

Traffic

Traffic measures your website’s visitors and page views. It tracks unique visitors and session duration. This includes metrics like page views, bounce rates, and session duration user engagement.

Web application

A web application is software that runs on servers. It delivers dynamic content to visitors. Software programs that run on web servers and deliver dynamic content to visitors create interactive website experiences.

Web hosting terminology: Complete glossary

This A-Z web hosting glossary includes detailed explanations of every hosting-related term you might come across, organized alphabetically for easy reference.

Hosting terms A–C 

404 Error

A 404 error is an HTTP response code. It indicates a requested webpage cannot be found. 404 errors occur when pages are deleted or moved.

Accessibility

Making websites usable for everyone, including people with disabilities. This means adding features like text descriptions for images, making sure the website works with keyboard navigation, and ensuring text is easy to read. Good accessibility helps all visitors use your website’s features and access your content, regardless of how they browse the internet.

Backup

A backup is a copy of your website’s files and data. Backups protect against data loss and corruption. Regular backups enable quick recovery from problems.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth is data transfer capacity per month. It limits how much content visitors can access. Exceeding bandwidth limits may temporarily restrict access.

Cache/Caching

Caching is a process that stores temporary copies of website pages. It reduces server load and improves speed. When someone visits your site again, they see the saved version instead of loading everything from scratch. This makes your website faster and uses less server power. Most hosting providers use caching to improve performance.

CMS (Content Management System)

Software that makes it easy to create and update website content without specialized technical knowledge. You can add text, upload images, create new pages, and organize your content through a user-friendly dashboard. Popular examples include WordPress, which powers many websites.

Control Panel (cPanel) 

A web-based interface that simplifies website and hosting account management tasks.  It lets you set up email accounts, manage files, create databases, and check your website’s performance. 

Hosting terms D–F

Dedicated server

A dedicated server provides exclusive use of physical hardware. You get all server resources without sharing. Dedicated servers offer maximum control and performance.

DNS (Domain Name System) 

DNS is the Domain Name System. It translates domain names into IP addresses. DNS makes websites accessible by name instead of numbers.

Domain name

A domain name is your website’s internet address. People type it to reach your site. Domain names include extensions like .com or .org.  

Domain privacy

Domain privacy protects your personal registration information. It hides your contact details from public databases. Privacy protection prevents spam and unwanted contact.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) 

FTP is File Transfer Protocol. It uploads files from your computer to servers. FTP handles large files and bulk transfers efficiently.

Hosting terms G–L

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) 

HTML is HyperText Markup Language. It structures website content and layout. HTML tells browsers how to display web pages.

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)

HTTPS is secure HTTP protocol. It encrypts data between websites and visitors. HTTPS protects sensitive information like passwords. 

IP address

An IP address is a unique numerical identifier. Every internet-connected device has one. IP addresses locate websites on the internet.

IPFS is the InterPlanetary File System. It creates a peer-to-peer network for storing files. IPFS enables distributed web hosting.

Load balancing

Load balancing distributes traffic across multiple servers. It prevents server overload during high traffic. Load balancing improves website reliability and speed.

Hosting terms M–P

MySQL

MySQL is a relational database management system. It stores website data in organized tables. MySQL handles user accounts, posts, and product information. 

PHP

PHP is a server-side programming language. It creates dynamic web pages and applications. PHP powers most content management systems.

Plugin

A software add-on that extends the functionality of a website or content management system. They can be installed and removed easily through your website’s dashboard, letting you add features without changing your core website files.

POP3/IMAP

POP3 and IMAP are email retrieval protocols. POP3 downloads emails to single devices. IMAP synchronizes emails across multiple devices.

Hosting terms Q–S

Responsive design

Responsive design is a web design approach. It automatically adjusts content for different screen sizes. Responsive websites work on phones, tablets, and desktops.

Root directory The root directory is a website’s main folder. It contains all website files and subfolders. The root directory typically holds index.html.

Server

A server is a computer that stores website files. Servers process visitor requests 24/7. They deliver website content to browsers worldwide.

Shared hosting

Shared hosting places multiple websites on one server. Each website shares the server’s resources with others. Shared hosting costs less than dedicated options.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

An SSL certificate encrypts data between websites and visitors. SSL certificates enable HTTPS connections. They protect passwords and payment information.

Staging Environment A staging environment is a test version of your website. It mirrors your live site for testing changes. Staging prevents errors on production sites.

Subdomain

A subdomain creates separate website sections. It extends your main domain name. Subdomains organize different site areas independently.

Hosting terms T–Z

Uptime

Uptime measures website availability as a percentage. Most providers guarantee 99.9% uptime minimum. Higher uptime means better reliability for visitors.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

A URL is a complete web address. It points to specific pages or resources. URLs include domain names and page locations.

VPS (Virtual Private Server)

VPS hosting creates virtual servers within physical servers. Each VPS has dedicated resources. VPS offers more control than shared hosting.

Web host

A web host provides server space for websites. Web hosts maintain infrastructure and support. They ensure websites stay accessible online.

WordPress

WordPress is an open-source content management system. It powers millions of websites worldwide. WordPress offers themes, plugins, and easy content editing. 

Elevate your online presence: Selecting the right web hosting solution

Understanding web hosting terminology helps you make informed decisions about your website’s future. This comprehensive guide breaks through technical jargon to help you navigate hosting options with confidence.

The next step in your web hosting journey starts with finding the right hosting partner. Liquid Web combines solid technical infrastructure with expert support to help businesses of all sizes succeed online. From managed hosting to custom solutions, their team of specialists ensures your website performs at its best. 

Ready to get started? Contact Liquid Web today to explore hosting solutions tailored to your unique requirements.