Overview
There are approximately 100 million Web sites on the Internet. They are "hosted" on computers (called Web servers) all over the world. The Web server (computer) where your Web site's information, graphics/photos, etc. reside, may be located in a home or office, but ideally, in a secure data center, and maintained by a "Web host" (like WestHost). Web hosting clients simply upload their Web sites to either a shared Web server (where many other clients are also hosting), or a dedicated Web server (where the entire server is their own), which the Web host maintains to ensure the Web site is always available, and can be accessed quickly (a fast download).

How Web Hosting Works
Once you have registered a domain name and ordered a Web hosting plan for your Web site, you 1) choose from various options for Web site design, then 2) upload your Web pages to your WestHost virtual private server at WestHost's secure data center where it is hosted and connected to the Internet 24 hours a day. Finally, your Web site visitors can 3) type your domain name into their Web browser and view the Web pages you have uploaded.

Why WestHost
WestHost not only gives you an incredible amount of space on state-of-the-art servers in a world-class data center. We also include all the tools and services you will need to build your Web site, enhance it with features, and promote it to the world. With your own domain name, you can also create an unlimited number of e-mail addresses for you, your business associates, family members, or friends (anything@yourdomain.com). Here is just a few of the types of Web sites you can build and host here using the free tools we provide with our hosting plans:

• Personal or Family Web Site
• Business Information or E-commerce Web Site
• Photo Album Web site
• Blog Web site
• Forum, Message Board Web Site
• Survey/Polling Web Site
• Event/Calendar Web Site
• Or a combination of the above

Ready to get your Web site?
We have all the tools, services, and support you will need.

Registering your own domain name
Choosing an feature-rich Web hosting plan
Choosing a method to design your Web site
Setting up your own private e-mail addresses
Adding e-commerce cababilities
Promoting your Web site to the world