Web sites are hosted, or stored, on a special computer called a server. The server, or host computer, allows internet surfers from around the world to reach your site when they put in your domain address www.yourdomain.com. Hosting companies charge a rental fee for the service of storing your web site and letting web site visitor traffic flow through their computers to get to the information on your site.

The host computers are set up so that when someone types in your domain name (www.yourdomain.com), the address will follow a route from computer to computer until it reaches your host computer and your web site. Then the internet surfer will be able to browse through your web site. Hosting companies usually require that you own your own domain name in order to host with them. If you don't have a domain name, most hosting companies will help you purchase one.

Q: My Internet Service Provider (ISP) gives me a web site for free. So, why should I pay a hosting company every month?

A: Most free sites do not host domain names and usually do not allow "for profit" business to be conducted or advertised on the site. Free sites are also often tag-alongs such as www.whateverisp.com/myfreesite/, including the name of the free site provider ISP. In addition, the free site provider normally requires that their advertising be shown at the top of the page. If you want to have your own domain name, you must pay someone for the use of the domain name and server space.

One advantage to using a web hosting company is that hosting companies ONLY host. Hosting with a company also allows you to set up a secure online store and has many other hidden benefits on the programming and storage end. If you simply want a personal web site and do not plan on conducting business through your website, you may consider staying with free ISP web site. However, if you are serious about doing business on the web, hire a hosting company to design and manage your site.