What does web hosting provide to enable web pages to be accessed over the Internet?

Web hosting provides server space, which is essential for making web pages accessible over the Internet. When a website is created, the files associated with the site—such as HTML documents, images, stylesheets, and scripts—need to be stored somewhere so they can be served to users when they type in the website's address. This storage occurs on a server, which is a powerful computer designed to manage, store, and deliver content.

When a user accesses a website, their browser connects to the web hosting server where the site is stored. The server then processes the request, retrieves the necessary files, and sends them back to the user's browser, allowing the web page to load and be displayed.

While file storage, network connectivity, and domain registration are all important for the functioning of a website, they don't encapsulate the primary function of web hosting, which specifically pertains to providing the physical server space required to host the website and ensure its availability to users over the Internet.