Difference between Web Hosting and Web Publishing

Key Difference: Web hosting refers to a service that is associated with internet hosting. The companies that offer this service, provide their server computers to store the web sites. Web publishing refers to the process in which the content is published on the internet. It simply refers to the placement of webpages in a location that is accessible to users. It generally includes creation of websites which are later uploaded using a web server.

Many people do not understand the differences between web hosting and publishing as both seem to be connected and interrelated. A web hosting service is a kind of service through which one gets space on a server for his/her website. This space can be owned by some other party. The facility for a leased connection may also be available for providing the space. Thus, we can also state that the space is generally owned or leased to be used by the clients. The facility of web hosting may also include the service of internet connectivity.

Web publishing is just like any other normal publishing. In context to web, it deploys the websites using a web host. One can also publish a website from the folder of his/her computer. It simply refers to the placement of web pages in a location that is easily accessible to users. However, publishing from the home computer can be troublesome as your computer needs 24X7 connectivity to the internet. Therefore, the websites are generally published using a web server. The web site pages are transferred to the web server. If the company has its own web server than it publishes its own website using its own host. However, if the company does not have a web server, then it needs the services of a web hosting provider. Web hosting providers are companies that provide the space in order to publish the web pages on the internet.

We can relate both the terms by stating that websites are published using the infrastructure provided by the web hosting companies.

Comparison between Web Hosting and Web Publishing:

	Web Hosting	Web Publishing
Definition	Web hosting refers to a service that is associated with internet hosting. The companies that offer this service, provide their server computers to store the web sites.	Web publishing refers to the process in which the content is published on the internet. It generally includes creation of websites which are later uploaded using a web server.
It includes	It includes acquisition of space in the server to store the web pages, so that the website can be accessed through the internet.	It may include many processes like developing a website, hosting it and even maintaining it. The term can also be used in context to blogging or creating a profile on social platforms like facebook.
Steps	Selecting the way to host the web site: own web server, free commercial web hosting or commercial web hosting sites for fee. Connectivity to the host. Testing the website after uploading.	Securing a domain name Acquiring web hosting services Website testing Uploading the web pages Updating the information Validating the links Promoting the site through various methods Address issues and concerns related to web publishing