There are a whole set of website tasks and technologies that are not tied to your website technology specifically. But, your website technology cannot run without them. One of them is a web server, which is owned by a web hosting company. All the files and the database for your website live on the web server. The fact that it’s a web server means that it can create a web page from your code and send it to your viewers. Otherwise, your website is just a bunch of files that no one can use.
Two Types of WordPress Installs
WordPress as a Web Service
WordPress has a web server system of its own called WordPress.com. Their system has a version of WordPress that can run millions of websites. You can put a free site on their server. You can also pay to use specific services, such as having your WordPress.com site use your own domain name, instead of yoursite.wordpress.com. The WordPress.com service has features that are similar to Wix or Weebly.
One of the benefits of using WordPress.com is that you do not need to worry very much about the security of your site. The downside of this service is that it does limit you in how much customization you can do on your site. It also limits you in what plugins and themes you can use. They do this to protect their servers from both careless users and hackers. Also, if you want to use other themes or plugins, you have to pay for the privilege. If you use WordPress.com, they are your web host.
Your Own Hosted Site
The other option is self-hosted, also called shared hosting because there are many websites on the same server. That means that you purchase the use of a web hosting space and then put a copy of the WordPress software and your content into that space. That’s a lot like renting an office space. You can put whatever furniture in that space you want, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the building itself or the other folks in the building. One of the things you can add to your server space is a WordPress install. In fact, many web hosts have a copy of the WordPress install on their server already, and you can install it right from your hosting account.
If you choose shared hosting you have many more options in custom coding or using themes and plugins. But, you have to do your own maintenance and security updates.
Both Setups Have Hosting
No matter which version you choose for your WordPress site, you have a web host. For the first option, using WordPress.com, your host is WordPress.com. For the second option, using shared hosting, the web host is whatever company you choose.
But, why do you need them?
WordPress is just a set of files. Some of those files make the WordPress core run. Some of those files determine what your WordPress site will look like. Other files allow you to install plugins. But, none of those files can run on their own.
More to come! If you would like specific topics covered in this or a different article, add a comment!