The history of web hosting has always been fascinating, especially as it is intrinsically linked to the development of the internet itself. But, as this article will explore, it all began with CERN and Tim Berners-Lee’s groundbreaking invention that inspired an entire industry.
The birth of the web hosting industry comes from two sources. The first is Tim Berners-Lee’s World Wide Web project, and the second is CERN, in Switzerland.
It wouldn’t be long until commercial web hosting would become available
Commercial web hosting began to be available in the 1990s when the internet was made public for commercial uses. Early web hosts were focused on selling services to small businesses but would eventually target more prominent clients.
The internet was new, and there weren’t many companies jumping on the bandwagon. It was a time of experimentation, where companies were trying to find the best way to start up their businesses.
As the internet became more widespread and technology advanced, traditional web hosting companies did. As a result, this industry grew exponentially throughout the 1990s and into the next century.
Back in the day, you had to be a tech geek to use web hosting
Being a geek was a prerequisite for using web hosting in the late 90s and early 2000s. However, the variety of services available was limited, and you needed to handle all areas of the internet if you wanted to succeed.
This meant you had to be skilled in design, programming, and marketing. And on top of that, you also needed to have a solid knowledge of how the internet worked because it wasn’t as easy to use back then.
Today it’s a whole different story
Now there’s cheap website hosting that everyone can afford, and more importantly, can use without the need for a computer science degree. Companies like HostGator and Bluehost have simplified the process of running your own website, making it more accessible to the everyday person.
HostGator, for example, allows those who are not tech-savvy to set up and run a WordPress website or blog. It all comes down to ease of use, which has always been the biggest draw for people that want to start their own website. The ease of use has contributed significantly to the growth of this industry, and it’s only getting better.
What is the future of web hosting?
The best website hosting is only going to get better. It will become cheaper, faster, and easier to use. And more importantly, it will be able to handle high traffic volumes. This business doesn’t look to be slowing down, as more and more people get online every day.
The web hosting industry is alive and well and will continue to grow and improve for years to come. People worldwide can reach out to the public and spread their information through websites. Not only that but it’s become easier than ever to do so.
So, all in all, the future of web hosting looks bright. It’s hard to believe that everything we know today had such humble origins. The internet has changed lives, and the backbone of it all was the hosting that made everything possible.