Web hosting is the backbone of modern websites and online stores. Today's hosting delivers domains, HTTPS, scalable compute, CDNs, and integrations with payment services like PayPal and Stripe - making it easier and cheaper to run a fully online business without a physical storefront.
BellSouth once promoted the convenience of bundling internet, phone and web hosting. After its 2006 acquisition by AT&T, the hosting market shifted toward cloud and specialist providers. Bundles still offer simplicity, but modern sites often need features only dedicated hosts or cloud platforms provide.
Colocation (colo) lets organizations place their own servers in third-party data centers that provide power, cooling, security and carrier connectivity. It differs from dedicated and cloud hosting by keeping hardware ownership with the customer while offering professional infrastructure and interconnection options.