I have come across this simple question many a times. A common confusion among many customers is, whether the ISP is the one who will bring up their website online or whether a web hosting company is the one who will provide internet access.  Be advised you’re going to need both, and they are quite different.  In order to clarify the difference first let us understand the role of an ISP and a web hosting company.

Internet Service Provider (ISPs) offers its customers access to the Internet.  ISPs supply a personal computer or network of computers with a connection to the Internet, which means you will connect to the internet via a cable modem,  dial-up access,  a dedicated line or a wireless signal. Either way, this connection is provided by an ISP only.

Coming on to a Web Hosting Provider, who provides space on a server they own or lease for use by their clients. A typical web hosting company allows you to broadcast your website to the rest of the world.  In some case the Web hosting company may also provide an Internet connection, but in this case it connects your web server to the Internet.

An ISP is a company that provides service in your geographic region.  A web host, on the other hand, can be located anywhere in the world.  Many ISPs also offer web hosting services however, the sole function is to provide Internet access only.

So, in order to  run a web site,  you’ll need both: A web hosting company that will provides a server and Internet connection for your website, and an ISP to give an Internet connection for your home or office.

I hope that helps clarify

Happy Bookmarking!