24 Things To Know Before Getting A Web Hosting Plan

WRITTEN BY

Daren Low

UPDATED

September 27, 2023

It’s crucial to know a little about the world of web hosting if you’re planning to launch a website. After all, you can’t run a website without a web host.

Selecting the right web hosting service and plan is an important decision that deserves some time and effort. Our team of experts have compiled our years of knowledge from researching and testing web hosts into this comprehensive guide. Read on as we explain everything you need to know before you purchase a web hosting plan.

What Is Web Hosting And How Much Does It Cost?

Web hosting is simply the service that allows your website to be accessible on the internet. Web hosts provide the server space and resources needed to store and deliver website files to your visitors, usually in return for a subscription fee.

You can expect to pay somewhere $1 to $150 a month to host your website, depending on the type of hosting you choose and the web host brand you opt for. Shared hosting is the cheapest option, whilst VPS, dedicated, cloud hosting will cost more.

What is shared hosting?

Shared hosting is a type of web hosting service that allows multiple user accounts to share a single web server. In this arrangement, accounts don’t have dedicated or permanently assigned resources but instead tap into a general pool of resources.

Shared hosting is the most popular and affordable type of hosting plan for individuals launching their first website. However, there is a possibility for shared servers to become overcrowded, which can affect your website performance.

What is WordPress hosting?

WordPress hosting is hosting that is optimized for WordPress.org websites. These web hosts often offer benefits such as easy installation of WordPress, 1-click installers, and expert support. There are two types of WordPress hosting: managed and unmanaged. Managed WordPress hosting is ideal for those who want a more hands-off experience, since the host will look after routine tasks like backups, security, and updates. Unmanaged WordPress hosting tends to be cheaper, and suits users who prefer more control.

What is VPS Hosting?

VPS hosting, short for Virtual Private Server hosting, divides a server into multiple virtual partitions. Each VPS account gets allocated dedicated resources such as memory, storage, and CPU power. This is a more powerful alternative to shared hosting since your site shouldn’t be affected by the resource usage of other accounts on the server.

What is dedicated hosting?

Dedicated hosting provides users with an entire physical server that’s uniquely theirs. Unlike shared hosting, where resources are split between more than one account, dedicated hosting gives you exclusive control and resources.

This makes it ideal for larger websites that need maximum performance, security, and reliability. You’ll have the ability to customize server settings, install specific software, and handle high volumes of traffic without resource limitations. However, dedicated hosting is expensive.

What is cloud hosting?

Cloud hosting is a form of web hosting that draws resources from multiple servers that are connected together as one unified entity. It usually offers superior reliability and scalability over shared hosting, since even if one server fails, your website can draw from other servers to stay online.

The biggest names in the cloud hosting industry include the Google Cloud Platform (GCP), EC2, and Azure, which offer enterprise-level solutions. A simpler and more affordable alternative to these services is to use web hosts like SiteGround, Cloudways or Hostinger which are more suitable for small to medium businesses.

What is reseller hosting?

Reseller hosting enables individuals or businesses to sell web hosting services to third parties. As a reseller, you’ll purchase a hosting package from a provider, customize the plans, and then resell it to customers under your own brand, typically at a markup. It allows you to set up your own hosting business without needing to invest in expensive hardware or spend time and resources on server maintenance.

How much do I need to pay for web hosting?

Web hosting costs vary depending on the provider, hosting plan, and plan chosen.

What Is A Domain Name And How Much Does It Cost?

A domain name is the online address that works as your site’s unique website’s identity. It allows people to find your website by typing it into a browser’s URL bar, and is something that you’ll need to purchase and set up when launching a new website. On average, domain name registration ranges from a few dollars to several tens of thousands of dollars per year.

The cost of a domain name depends on factors such as the domain registrar, the domain name itself, the type of TLD extension, and whether you want additional services such as WHOIS protection. Generally, the more ‘in demand’ or valuable the domain name is, the more expensive it will be. You will need to renew a domain every year, but renewal fees are typically similar to the initial registration cost.

There are multiple types of domain, including subdomains, parked domains and add-on domains. The number of domains you can host should be specified in your web host plan.

What is a subdomain?

A subdomain is a subdivision or extension of a primary domain name. They’re created by adding a prefix to the primary domain, resulting in a URL structure like ‘”subdomain.domain.com”. Subdomains let you create separate sections within your main website, which lets you easily categorize and manage sections or types of content.

Each subdomain can have its own unique content, design, and functionality while still being associated with the main domain.

What is a parked domain?

A parked domain refers to a registered domain name that is not associated with any specific website or content. Instead, it is temporarily “parked” and will often display a placeholder page instead of a full website. Parked domains are usually used when someone wants to reserve a domain for future use, or just wants to prevent other people from acquiring it.

What is an add-on domain?

An add-on domain is an additional domain that is added to an existing web hosting account.

It allows you to host multiple websites under a single hosting plan. With an add-on domain, you can create and manage a separate website with its own unique content and domain name, while sharing the resources of the main hosting account.

Each add-on domain has its own directory within the hosting account, making it independent and distinct from the primary domain. It provides a cost-effective way to manage multiple websites without the need for separate hosting accounts.

How many domain names can I host?

The amount of domain names you can host completely depends on the web host provider you choose, and the tier of plan you’ve purchased with them. Some may limit you to only one domain, while others offer multiple, or unlimited domain hosting. Make sure to double check that your chosen plan will meet these needs if you have a specific number of domain names in mind.

What Can I Use Web Hosting For?

Web hosting is used to make many types of content accessible online, including websites. Small businesses use web hosting to launch websites, enterprises use web hosting for establishing a robust online presence, and eCommerce platforms can use it to sell online.

Web hosting also facilitates professional email hosting, and enables easy hosting and sharing of personal pictures and videos. However, some web host brands impose limits on some types of content, such as adult content.

Can I host my personal pictures & videos?

Web hosting providers typically allow only the hosting of website-related files, rather than personal pictures and videos. This means that you cannot directly host your personal pictures and videos as standalone files using most web hosting services. However, these services do allow you to host a gallery of photos or videos, but this needs to be in the form of a gallery generated by a Content Management System (CMS) such as WordPress.

If you wish to host personal pictures and videos, your best bet would be to use cloud storage services. Once stored, these multimedia files can be shared with others by providing the corresponding links or embedding them on websites or social media platforms.

Can I host adult content?

Whether you can host adult content on your web host depends on the specific terms and policies of the web hosting provider. Some companies allow it, whilst others have strict policies prohibiting it. Make sure to review the terms of service, acceptable use policy, and any applicable legal restrictions of the hosting provider first. To be safe, look for a web hosting provider that explicitly states that it permits adult content.

How Many Disk Storage Can I Get With A Web Host Plan?

Web hosting plans offer disk storage ranging from a few gigabytes, while others offer larger storage allocations of hundreds of gigabytes or terabytes. Some will even claim to offer ‘unlimited’ disk storage. The amount varies depending on the specific hosting provider and the plan you choose.It is important to carefully review the features and specifications of each hosting plan to determine the amount of disk storage included.

Is unlimited storage real?

No, unlimited storage is not real when it comes to web hosting. This is because hosting providers have physical infrastructure and finite resources, so there will always be a capacity limit. While some hosting providers advertise “unlimited” storage as part of their plans, this typically just means that the hosting provider does not set a specific cap on storage. It doesn’t mean you have an infinite amount of storage to use.

Typically providers will impose fair usage policies which restrict excessive resource usage. This is actually a good thing, since it helps them ensure that resources are distributed fairly amongst all their users.

What is the difference between unlimited and unmetered?

The difference between “unlimited” and “unmetered” lies in how usage is measured and managed. “Unlimited” implies no specific limit is set, while “unmetered” suggests no specific measurement or monitoring is in place. In both cases, web hosts will still expect users to act reasonably in how they use resources.

Some web hosts will claim to offer “unlimited” storage or bandwidth, but in practice there are usually some hidden limitations or fair usage policies in place to prevent the abuse of resources. On the other hand, “unmetered” refers to plans that do not impose specific caps on usage, but still monitor resource consumption.

What is bandwidth?

Bandwidth, in the context of web hosting, refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted between a website and its visitors within a specific time period, as usually measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). This affects how quickly and smoothly your website can deliver content to users.

Every time a visitor accesses your website, data is transferred from the server to their device, which eats away a portion of your allocated bandwidth. You may experience slower loading times, performance issues, or even temporary unavailability if a website exceeds its bandwidth limit This makes it important to choose a hosting plan with sufficient bandwidth to accommodate your website’s expected traffic and data transfer needs.

How much bandwidth can I get with a web host plan?

Some plans offer limited bandwidth that starts from around 100GB, while others provide unmetered or unlimited bandwidth. It is important to review the web host plan’s specifications for the specific bandwidth allocation.

How much bandwidth do I need?

You can use a simple mathematical formula to calculate the bandwidth your site needs. You need to consider four factors: the average number of website visitors per month, the average size of each webpage, the average number of web pages a single visitor visits, and room for unexpected traffic spikes. By multiplying these factors together and leaving some room for unexpected spikes, you can determine your monthly bandwidth requirement.

For example, a website with an average page size of 3MB, 10,000 monthly visitors, and each visitor viewing 3 pages on average, this would require a minimum bandwidth of 90GB per month. To this, you should add on a 50% margin for any unexpected traffic spikes.

The total recommended bandwidth in this case would be 135GB.

What is a database?

In web hosting, a database is a structured collection of data used to store, retrieve, and manage information for websites, e-commerce stores, and applications. Different types of databases, such as SQL and NoSQL, offer varying features and capabilities. Web hosts provide powerful and secure databases for efficient data management, but you’ll need to make sure that your host plan provides an adequate number of databases.

How many databases do I need?

To know how many databases you need, count up the number of content management systems (CMS) or WordPress installations you plan to use. Typically, each WordPress installation or CMS requires its own separate dedicated database. For example, if you have one WordPress site, you’ll need one database. Every CMS installation will require one database.

This means the number of websites you can host is limited by the number of CMS installations you have, since each requires its own database. You may not need any databases if you are hosting a traditional HTML site that does not rely on a CMS.

Can I Host My Email With My Web Hosting?

Yes, you can host your email along with your web hosting service. Most web hosting providers offer email hosting as part of their packages, allowing you to create one or more professional email addresses using your domain name and manage your email accounts through the same hosting control panel.

You can also usually configure your webmail on local clients if you prefer a more familiar interface.

How many email addresses can I have with my web host plan?

You can have anywhere from 1 to 100 email addresses with Hostinger’s shared hosting plans, while for Kinsta’s WordPress Hosting, you’d need to host your email address elsewhere such as G Suite or Office 365. Different web host providers manage email addresses differently, it is always best to check the details of your specific hosting plan or ask your hosting provider directly to know for sure.

Can I set up my webmail on local clients such as Mail in iOS?

Yes, you can set up your webmail on local clients such as Apple’s Mail app on iOS. This allows you to send and receive emails from your web hosting email account directly from your device. To do this, you will need specific information from your web host, including the incoming and outgoing mail server names and the type of security protocol used (such as SSL).

What is green hosting and how does it work?

Green hosting refers to environmentally friendly web hosting. It usually involves business practices such as using renewable energy sources, offsetting emissions via green credits, reducing waste, or implementing sustainable employee habits. Some providers repurpose excess heat, while others buy offsets or plant trees to compensate for CO2 emissions. The goal of green hosting is to minimize environmental impact.

What is green credit?

In the context of web hosting, “green credit” refers to what certain web hosts like GreenGeeks or HostPapa purchase in order to offset the carbon emissions of their business operations. Green credit must be issued from an accredited source.

For example, GreenGeeks works with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), a certified Green-e Partner, to calculate their energy consumption and carbon footprint and purchase 3x the amount of green credits in the form of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). A REC signifies one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity that is put back into the electricity grid from a renewable energy source such as wind, solar or hydroelectric plants.

What Is Server Response Time?

Server response time is simply the amount of time it takes for a server to respond to a request from a web browser. In the context of web hosting, it helps us to understand how well a web host’s hardware and software is optimized for speed. Server response time is measured in milliseconds (ms). A good server response time reading is below 180 ms. A bad server response time reading is higher than 500 ms.

What is server response time used for?

Server response time is a way to measure and access server performance. A lower server response time indicates faster processing contributing to improved user experience and faster page loading times.

The easiest way to check server response time is to use a tool like our Bitcatcha Server Speed Checker. It calculates the average server response times across 10 locations worldwide, to emulate different visitors coming from different parts of the world, and provides a ranking.

What Is Web Hosting Uptime?

Web hosting uptime is the percentage of time your website is accessible to visitors. It’s calculated by dividing the time the hosting server is available, by total time, and multiplying by 100. For example, if your server is available for 59 minutes out of one hour, your uptime would be 98.333%. This metric measures the reliability and performance of your web hosting provider in ensuring continuous access to your website.

Most web hosts offer a certain uptime guarantee, however it is important to be realistic with your uptime expectations.

Is 100% uptime guarantee real?

No, a 100% uptime guarantee is not real. The 100% in this context usually refers to network uptime only, meaning the network infrastructure is expected to be available at all times.

However, it is practically impossible to achieve absolute uptime due to a number of factors, including maintenance, software updates, and unforeseen circumstances. Despite a host’s best efforts, there may still be occasional disruptions that result in temporary downtime.

What is the uptime I should expect?

A realistic uptime to expect is around 99.9%, which accounts for minor and unavoidable downtime. It is important to review the specific terms and conditions of a hosting provider’s uptime guarantee to understand the scope and limitations of their uptime commitments.

What Is SSL?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a protocol that encrypts data sent to a web server and helps protect the data transferred between the website and its visitors. It’s highly secure and used to protect sensitive information like credit card transactions and email.

In the context of website building, a SSL certificate is an essential digital certificate that every site owner needs to install on their sites to establish trust with their visitors. Luckily, SSL is both easy and budget-friendly to install.

How do I get SSL for free?

Many web hosting providers, such as Hostinger and DreamHost, will throw in a basic SSL certificate for free when you purchase any of their web hosting plans. This is often done via Let’s Encrypt SSL. Many web hosts also allow you the option to upgrade to other types of SSL for an extra fee.

How Do I Protect My Website And The Data?

Protecting your website and its data takes a combination of your web host company efforts, your personal effort, and 3rd party services.

Firstly, partnering with a reliable web hosting provider is essential. Secondly, there are certain measures you should personally take to prevent your website getting hacked, such as keeping your site software up to date. Lastly, you should consider services such as online backup or third party software to help keep your website data safe.

Can my web hosting be hacked?

Yes, it’s possible for web hosting to be hacked. Therefore you need to look out for a host that implement robust security measures like periodic scanning and regular server backups.

Can my website be hacked?

Yes, it’s possible for your website to be hacked, but there is plenty you can do personally to reduce the chances. Make sure to keep your website’s software and plugins up to date, use strong passwords, and implement additional security measures like using multi-factor authentication. By combining these measures and working with a reputable web hosting provider, you can help protect your website and its data.

Do I need online backup for my web hosting?

Yes, we’d recommend looking for a web host company that provides either automatic or manual online backups. This helps you make sure your website data stays safe and recoverable in the event of a hack, data corruption, or accidental deletion. Online backups regularly save a copy of your website data so that in the event of data loss, you can easily restore its data. Users can also use 3rd party services like Sucuri to back up and clean their websites for additional safety.

What Is A Web Hosting Control Panel?

A web hosting control panel is the interface used by site owners to manage their website hosting. Control panels give you a more intuitive way to handle various aspects of your website, including domain management, email accounts, website file management, security, database and CMS management, and advanced features.

Different web hosts offer different control panels, ranging from industry favorites like cPanel and Plesk, to custom-built control panels that are exclusive for the customers of that web host.

What are the brands for web host control panels?

Popular brands for web hosting control panels include:

What Is A 1-Click Installer?

A one-click installer is a convenient feature provided by web hosts that allows users to quickly download and install applications like WordPress or Magento with just a single click. It simplifies the installation process by automating tasks such as database setup and software download, making it easy for users without technical expertise.

What are the brands available?

Some popular brands of 1-click installation tools for web hosting include:

What Is CMS And What CMS Should I Look For In My Web Hosting Plan?

A CMS, or Content Management System, is a software application or set of tools that enables users to create, manage, and publish digital content such as text, images and videos. Popular CMS options include WordPress, Joomla, PrestaShop, WooCommerce and Magento. When choosing a web hosting plan, it’s important to check that it supports the CMS you plan to use. For example, those running an eCommerce site may opt for a CMS that specializes in building online stores.

What CMS do I need to build an eCommerce site?

Popular CMS options for eCommerce include PrestaShop, WooCommerce, and Magento. PrestaShop offers simplicity and flexibility for small to medium-sized online stores. WooCommerce seamlessly integrates with WordPress, making it a convenient choice for those familiar with WordPress. Magento is a robust CMS suited for larger, complex online stores.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is an open-source CMS used by individuals and businesses who want to build and maintain a website. 43.2% of websites in the world run on WordPress, according to research by W3 Techs. WordPress offers a user-friendly interface and a wide library of themes, templates, and plugins that extend its functionality and customizability. It is widely used across a range of website types, including blogs, business websites and e-commerce stores.

What is Joomla?

Joomla is a free and open-source CMS that supports various applications like forums, galleries, e-commerce, and user communities. With its versatile features and user-friendly interface, Joomla is a popular choice for web developers and website owners.

What Is The Difference Between WordPress & Web Hosting?

You can think of WordPress as a website’s building tool, and web hosting as the service that stores your website’s data on servers and makes it accessible to the wider world. Whilst they are connected, they serve very different functions.

WordPress is a popular CMS used to build and manage websites, and comes in two forms: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com is a version which includes its own web hosting whilst WordPress.org needs to be set up with a third-party web hosting provider.

What Is A WYSIWYG Website Builder?

A WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) website builder is a tool that lets you make a website without needing to know code. The user interface of a WYSIWYG editor typically resembles the finished product or website as closely as possible. This means that text, images, and other elements can be dragged and dropped into place, resized, and modified within the tool. Examples of these easy-to-use builders are Hostinger Website Builder, Wix and Squarespace.

Which web hosting brands come with free website builders?

Many web hosting brands include website builders as part of their plans, including Hostinger Website Builder and DreamHost’s WordPress website builder. There are also some internet services that position themselves as an all-in-one website building program with hosting included, such as Wix and Squarespace.

What Kind Of Customer Support Should I Expect From My Web Host Provider?

The most important thing to expect in a web host is helpful, responsive support that you can rely on. Look for hosts that offer 24/7 support availability and a choice of different support channels, such as live chat, a ticket system, email, phone, and social media. They should also offer personalized, friendly service, focusing on clear and helpful communication. Some hosts, like Hostinger, even offer multilingual support. The best hosts offer robust money-back guarantees to ensure true customer satisfaction.

Is a ticket system better than live chat?

Ticketing systems are generally preferred for more complex customer enquiries. Ticket systems not only provide detailed documentation and progress tracking of the problem but also allow issues to be escalated to engineers or other technical experts. Therefore, for significant problems, a ticket system is more efficient and effective than live chat. Look for a web host that has a proven record of fast ticketing response times by reading reviews.

What are the money back guarantee schemes like with web hosting?

The industry standard for money-back guarantees is 30 days, but some web hosts like DreamHost offer a 90-day money back guarantee. If customers aren’t satisfied within this period, they can request a full or partial refund. However, take note that there are often some non-refundable fees for things like domain registration. Make sure to read the fine print of the policy first.

What Is A Data Center?

In the context of web hosting, a data center is a physical facility where web hosting providers house the servers that store websites’ data. Data centers usually have robust physical security measures, cybersecurity measures, and backup power supplies to keep their servers safe and online.

Many web hosts operate multiple data centers in different locations around the world. When hosting your website, it’s important to choose the right country to host from, since this has important implications for your website speed.

How does data center location affect website speed?

The nearer the data center location to your audience’s location, the quicker your website will be. This is due to a concept called “latency”; the time it takes for data to travel from the server (in the data center) to the user’s device. The closer a user is to the data center where your website is hosted, the lower the latency, and the faster your website will load for them.

For instance, if your data center is in New York and a user is accessing your website from London, the data has to travel a considerable distance, which could cause a delay in loading the website. Conversely, if a user is in New York, your website will likely load faster for them.

In which country should I host my website?

The best country to host your website from always depends on your audience. It’s ideal to choose a data center location that is close to the majority of your audience so that you can keep latency low and loading speeds fast. It’s also important not to forget about GDPR and HIPAA compliance. Whether your web host needs to comply with them depends on the kind of website you are building and which country your customers are based in.

What is GDPR?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation in EU law that addresses data protection and privacy for individuals in the European Union and the European Economic Area. With regards to web hosting, the GDPR dictates how data should be handled, stored, and protected by web hosts. Even if the host is outside the EU, they need to adhere to GDPR if they’re dealing with any personal data of EU residents.

What is HIPAA?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US law that establishes standards for protecting sensitive patient data. For healthcare related websites, web hosting providers need to ensure they are HIPAA-compliant. They should implement specific measures, like robust encryption and access controls, to keep stored patient information secure and prevent unauthorized access.
 

How do I make sure that my web host is GDPR & HIPAA compliant?

To make sure your web host is GDPR and HIPAA compliant, start by checking their policies and features. They should openly declare their compliance with these regulations. They should also detail their data handling, privacy policies, and security measures.

For GDPR, this includes data transfer protocols and the right to be forgotten. For HIPAA, look for measures such as access controls, data encryption, and audit reports. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to their customer service for clarification. For complete peace of mind, you might want to consult with a legal expert.

What Operating System Does My Web Hosting Run On?

Most web host’s operating systems run on Linux, since this is an open-source platform that is cheaper and usually more secure. That said, many web hosts also offer the option of Windows hosting, which can be better suited to specific use cases.

Is Windows hosting better than Linux hosting?

Windows hosting is a better choice than Linux hosting only if you need to use Microsoft technologies like ASP.NET, Microsoft Access, or Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL).

However, Linux hosting is generally considered more stable and secure, and it’s better for using technologies like PHP, Perl, or MySQL. Additionally, Linux hosting is often cheaper and comes with popular control panel options like cPanel.

How much does Windows hosting cost?

Be prepared to pay at least $5 per month for shared hosting on Windows to $50/mo for Windows VPS. Windows hosting is generally more expensive due to the software licensing that Microsoft charges for use of its OS.

How much does Linux hosting cost?

Linux hosting prices can range from approximately $1 to $20 per month for shared hosting plans, while VPS hosting starts around $20 to $100 per month, and dedicated server hosting can cost $80 to several hundred dollars per month. Linux hosting tends to be cheaper than Windows hosting because Linux is an open-source operating system, which means hosting providers don’t have to pay licensing fees. This cost savings is often passed on to customers.

Can I Set Up My Own Website Hosting?

Hosting your own website is possible but not recommended for total beginners due to its complexity. It requires a strong understanding of server-side technologies like FTP, TCP/IP, Apache, MySQL, among others. It involves setting up the necessary hardware and software, as well as managing and maintaining the server. While it offers you total control and customization, it demands time, energy, and technical expertise. This is the reason most people opt to find a reliable third-party web host provider.

What Are The Programming Languages Supported By My Web Host Provider?

The best web host providers support all the popular programming languages such as PHP, Python, and Java. PHP is widely used for web development, Python is popular for web applications and scripting, and Java is commonly used for enterprise-level web development. Always double check that your web host is able to support the programming languages you plan to use.

What Is A Domain Extension?

A domain extension, or Top-Level Domain (TLD), is the part of a website address that comes after the ‘dot’. Common TLDs include:

The internet started with the above 7 domains but has now grown to include thousands of domains that website owners can choose from. Different countries also have specific domain extensions. Domain name registration is overseen by ICANN.

What is CCTLD?

CCTLD stands for Country Code Top-Level Domain. These are domain extensions that are specifically reserved for a country, sovereign state, or a dependent territory. They are usually two letters long, such as .uk for the United Kingdom, or .au for Australia. CCTLDs are useful for businesses that want to target audiences in a specific geographical location.

Who is ICANN?

ICANN stands for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. It is a non-profit organization that coordinates and maintains several databases related to the namespaces of the internet, ensuring the network’s stable and secure operation. One of ICANN’s responsibilities is the management of top-level domains, including country-specific CCTLDs. ICANN also oversees domain name registration and the policies related to domain name allocation.

What Is WHOIS?

WHOIS is a public database that stores information about registered domain names. When a domain is registered, the registrar is required to submit certain details to WHOIS.

A WHOIS record typically includes information such as the domain’s registration and expiration dates, the name of the domain registrar, and the domain’s current status. It also includes the owner’s personal information, including name, phone number, email, and street address. Because this information is published online, some domain registrars offer privacy protection services to mask some of the information on WHOIS and thus protect domain owners against identity theft.

How do I hide my personal information on WHOIS?

You can either opt for WHOIS domain privacy when you’re registering a domain, or add it to an existing domain. Some domain registration services and web hosts like NameCheap and Hostinger, offer domain privacy for free when you purchase a domain from them. Other providers often charge you a little extra. Enabling domain privacy is generally recommended to keep your sensitive information safe and avoid potential issues.