Web hosting refers to the service of providing storage space and access for websites on servers that are connected to the internet. When you create a website, you need a place to store all your website files, such as HTML, CSS, images, and videos, so that they can be accessed by visitors. Web hosting companies offer these services by allocating a portion of their servers for customers to store their website files.

When you sign up for a web hosting service, you are essentially renting space on a server to store your website files. This allows your website to be accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Web hosting providers usually offer various hosting plans, which can range from shared hosting (where multiple websites share the same server) to dedicated hosting (where you have an entire server dedicated to your website).

In addition to providing server space, web hosting companies also offer services such as domain registration, email hosting, website backups, security features, and technical support. These services help to ensure that your website is accessible, secure, and optimized for performance.

Overall, web hosting is an essential component for any website to be available on the internet, as it provides the necessary infrastructure and resources for your website to operate effectively.