The most basic web hosting service is the webpage and small-scale file hosting. Files are delivered to the Web with little processing. This service is often offered by Internet service providers to their subscribers. This is typically for personal web site hosting only.

Business web site hosting begins usually contains multiple web pages with a comprehensive package that provides database support. Application development platforms, such as JAVA, are also a part of these packages. This allows customers to install scripts for forums and content management.

Web hosts may provide an interface control panel for managing the Web server and for installing e-mail, scripts and other services. Some hosts will specialize in certain software or services, especially those used by larger companies to outsource network infrastructure to a hosting company.