Web hosting is the service of storing website files on internet-connected servers so the site is accessible to visitors worldwide. When users type a web address, they connect to the hosting server that delivers the website content. Hosting options range from shared hosting (multiple sites sharing one server) for small sites, to dedicated servers, virtual private servers, and cloud hosting for larger or high-traffic sites. Hosting services include storage space, bandwidth (data transfer capacity), security features, backup services, and technical support. For government websites, hosting considerations include: security and privacy compliance, reliability (uptime), Canadian data residency requirements for sensitive information, accessibility standards, and disaster recovery capability. Government organizations may use private data centres, provincial shared services, or commercial hosting providers meeting security requirements. Hosting quality affects website performance—slow or unreliable hosting frustrates users trying to access government services.