When using a web hosting service, you get access to webspace on the internet which allows you to start building, publishing, and maintaining your own website.

Your web hosting provider gives you the resources necessary in order for people, customers or friends to be able to connect to your website (the host and the name of your domain).

The term "web host" (or "web hosting service provider"), refers to a local or international business which provides the technologies and support services that are necessary in order for a website to be accessible through the internet. For private users, freelancers or small enterprises that do not have access to their own webserver, web hosting providers usually offer cheap solutions to start a new web presence.

Yes. In general, a very broad range of web hosting products is available to everyone who is interested in starting their own web presence. Most web hosting services are tailored to the needs of the mass market (free web-hosting, shared web hosting, reseller web hosting), meanwhile others target a very specific, more professional audience (dedicated hosting services, managed hosting services, cloud hosting services).

In order to identify the right web hosting service and provider, users usually evaluate competing offers along some of the following dimensions:

- User satisfaction
- Service- and support quality
- Server locations
- Uptime
- Backup-services
- Database options
- Security features (e.g. anti-spam, anti-malware, anti-DDOS)
- Choice of operating systems
- Pricing
- Money-back guarantee
- Payment options (e.g. month-to-month vs. annual)
- Ecommerce options
- Eco-friendliness

When preparing a new web hosting project, keep the following how-to-guidelines in mind:

- What is the purpose of your web hosting project?
- How much web space are you going to need?
- How much traffic do you expect your website to have?
- Are there special requirements in terms of security?
- What is the domain name that best suits your project and is it still available?
- Is your site built for personal use or do you intend to start a business?
- Are you planning to upload large amounts of data onto your webspace (e.g. videos or photo galleries?)
- Are you planning to connect your web hosting project to an ecommerce platform?
- Which is your preferred website builder technology in order for you to publish your content online?

1&1 offers a variety of basic web hosting packages to ensure you get the very best value for money whilst enjoying all of the features you require to build a successful website. Our entry-level package is perfect for web developers who are looking to start small and require cheap web hosting - providing you with everything you need to build simple and functional HTML based websites. However, with the 1&1 mid-level package, web developers benefit from a large increase in power, performance and storage – giving you the opportunity to build a truly professional web presence with ease. For web developers looking for the very best in web hosting, then the 1&1 premium package offers unparalleled performance and storage. Including additional features that allow the development of dynamic and interactive websites, this 1&1 package gives unlimited webspace and the option of hosting multiple websites at the same time. In addition to this, the top of the range web hosting package includes 1&1 Expert App Support to ensure you make the most out of your development software as your website continues to grow.

Once you have decided upon the web hosting package that is most suited to your requirements, 1&1 has a number of ways to ensure you get the most out of your web developing experience. To begin with, regardless of whether you are a programming expert or not, the 1&1 Website Builder will give you the opportunity to create beautiful, functional websites with its simple and intuitive interface. Here, you can select and edit a variety of professional templates that function on both desktop and mobile devices – a great way to get your web hosting off the ground. More advanced users can also take advantage of the NetObjects Fusion® – 1&1 Edition for ultimate control and creativity. Once your website is up and running, 1&1 can help you promote your site through your webhosting package. With the implementation of the 1&1 Newsletter Tool, the integration of social media and the use of 1&1 SEO tool, you'll be able to reach out to new customers or users and ensure that your website helps build an enduring web presence. What's more, with a range of powerful analysis tools at your disposal, you'll be able to monitor the performance of your website and website hosting and learn more about visitor behaviour.

A free web hosting solution is rarely suitable for professional web hosting since the supply and maintenance of the server hardware creates costs for the operator. As a web host, we target customers who place an emphasis on basic hosting equipment of real quality, and who expect more than simply web space for their professional web hosting needs. Therefore, we equip our affordable hosting packages with an inclusive domain, matching email accounts and support for popular programming languages and databases. What's more, you can enjoy the first few months completely free of charge with 1&1.

If you have signed a professional web hosting contract for the minimum term, you will receive free webhosting for the first few months. Only after this will you begin to pay the regular monthly tariff, with no hidden costs along the way. If you opt for a contract without a minimum term, then you will pay the regular tariff from the beginning of your contract, however, in both cases you can enjoy a free 30 day trial to test our professional web hosting solutions. This means that you can cancel your package with a money back guarantee within 30 days, making our professional web hosting completely free within the trial period. Our powerful webhosting with fair terms gives you the opportunity to make your web project a success. Try us today.

1&1 is committed to providing the very best service to all of our customers - which is why we are constantly striving to ensure the very highest levels of security and safety. Our high performance data centre employs the latest technologies to provide 300 Gbit/s of external connectivity and optimal reliability for your website hosting. Alongside this, enhanced SSL protection with an external firewall helps protect against any outside attacks. To ensure your valuable data is safe, 1&1 offers a webspace recovery for users with Linux hosting. This gives administrators the option of restoring 6 days of website backups should you experience any issues. Individual files can also be restored from separate folders – giving you complete control and peace of mind. Finally, 1&1 SiteLock performs monthly scans of your applications, SQL, injection scans and cross site scripting over 25 user-defined subpages. This means that any vulnerabilities are identified before hackers can exploit them. For advanced users, 1&1 SiteLock Premium is also available with the ability to scan up to 500 pages – providing you with the very best security tool for your website hosting.

All of 1&1's website hosting packages are extremely flexible and allow your site to grow naturally and when you wish to expand. If you require greater storage and performance options, then it's simply a matter of upgrading to the hosting package most suited to your requirements. This is achieved seamlessly thanks to 1&1's geo-redundant servers that employ the very latest technology and software. In addition to this, 1&1 offers a number of optional extras that can be bolted on to your web hosting package at any time. These include 1&1 SiteLock Basic and 1&1 CDN for entry-level hosting packages and additionally SEO Pro, Search Engine Marketing and ListLocal across all hosting packages. This gives you the ability to add powerful features as you need them – helping you to keep costs and maintenance at a level comfortable for you. Finally, the ability to include a comprehensive range of open source apps such as WordPress, Joomla! and Drupal, ensure that your website hosting solutions are completely future proof. What's more, they can all be installed with just a few simple clicks.

Yes. In order to manage the content of your new website, our hosting packages give you the opportunity to use a variety of relevant apps, such as WorPress, Joomla!, Drupal or Typo3. With just a few clicks, your new web hosting service comes to life.

Yes. If you are planning to set up an ecommerce website using your new 1&1 web hosting tariff, you can choose from open source applications, such as Magento, PrestaShop, osCommerce or Zen Cart.

With over 13 million customers, 1&1 is proud to offer unparalleled customer service that ensures you can always depend upon comprehensive support for your website hosting. Our highly trained technical experts offer 24/7 telephone and email support, giving you constant access to excellent advice and assistance, whatever your webhosting question. Of course, 1&1 is also on hand to answer any other questions or queries you may have regarding any of our products – particularly useful as your website grows and you require greater support. 1&1 has been providing happy customers with the very best products since 2001 and we are committed to continuing to operate as industry leaders with excellent credentials. Our high-level customer support has been recognised with a host of awards and customer testimonials – which means your cheap web hosting solution is both secure and reliable at all times. Whatever your expertise or level of experience with website hosting, 1&1 can help guide you through any difficulties you are facing. From simple questions regarding package choice, to more complicated technical questions about system infrastructure, 1&1 is here to ensure you make the most of our products and enjoy the very best of the web.

Yes. If you have questions or experience difficulties with one of our hosting products, please contact our experts directly for help 1-866-991-2631. For questions regarding billing, please contact 1-877-300-8316. If you would like to place your web hosting order via phone, please contact our sales department directly through 1-844-871-2631.